Not only is South Dakota aesthetically pleasing and wonderful in every way, it’s also incredibly quirky. Of course, we wouldn’t have it any other way! From a huge dinosaur park to a gigantic auto show, there’s always an exciting attraction to experience. Listed below are 10 unique things to do in South Dakota that show just how special we truly are.

1. Dinosaur Park - Rapid City
940 Skyline Dr, Rapid City, SD 57701, USA
Courtney “Coco” Mault / Flickr
Open to tourists since 1936, this quirky attraction features larger-than-life dinosaurs that you can actually climb onto and take pictures with. The area overlooks Rapid City and offers spectacular views of the Badlands.
2. The Mammoth Site - Hot Springs
The Mammoth Site, 1800 US-18 BYP, Hot Springs, SD 57747, USA
Jody Halsted / Flickr
This active paleontological dig site is home to the largest concentration of mammoth remains in the world. Embark on a tour for an educational and intriguing experience the whole family will enjoy.
3. The World’s Only Corn Palace - Mitchell
The World's Only Corn Palace, 604 N Main St, Mitchell, SD 57301, USA
Dave Ginsberg / Flickr
This ginormous corn-plastered building is redecorated annually to showcase a new exciting theme. You can take a free tour of this iconic South Dakota structure anytime between Memorial Day and August.
4. Pioneer Auto Show - Murdo
503 5th St, Murdo, SD 57559, USA
John Lloyd / Flickr
As one of the largest auto shows around, featuring more than 300 vintage cars, motorcycles, and trucks, The Pioneer Auto Show is a must-experience for those who cherish classic collections and odd historical items. They even have Elvis Presley’s motorcycle and the General Lee from Dukes of Hazards on display.
5. Sandford Lab Homestake Visitor Center - Lead
Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, 160 W Main St, Lead, SD 57754, USA
flickr/zealofzebra
This impressive facility provides an overview of the history and future of gold mining. Here you'll get to view historic photos, videos, an intriguing 3-D model of the underground, and plenty of mining artifacts. The deck offers a fantastic view of the 1,000-foot-deep Open Cut. Admission is free!

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6. Geographic Center of the Nation Monument - Belle Fourche
Geographic Center of the Nation Monument, 415 5th Ave, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, USA
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
This is a unique engraved patio. When you stand here, you stand at the center of it all, as this very spot is the geographical center of the entire United States.
7. Mount Rushmore National Monument - Keystone
Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota 244, Keystone, SD, USA
Matthew Paulson / Flickr
This one is a no brainer. No other state is home to a massive sculpture featuring the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
8. Mount Moriah Cemetery - Deadwood
Mount Moriah Cemetery, 10 Mt Moriah Dr, Deadwood, SD 57732, USA
Marty Gabel / Flickr
The final resting place of Western legends, murderers, and madams, this cemetery is unlike any other. Give yourself at least one hour to listen to an informative video and view the various celebrity graves and plaques that detail the area’s history.
9. World’s Largest Pheasant - Huron
World's Largest Pheasant, Huron, SD 57350, USA
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
Erected in 1959, this gigantic 28-foot, 22-ton fiberglass and steel pheasant is definitely a head turner, as well as a quirky celebration of our South Dakota culture.
10. Custer State Park - Custer
13329 US-16A, Custer, SD 57730, USA
South Dakota / Flickr
A herd of bison and other various types of wildlife roam this unique state park. Loaded with granite peaks, waterfalls, streams, and lakes, there’s plenty of opportunity for unique adventure in this wildlife reserve.

What’s your favorite attraction or place in our state? South Dakotans really are a unique and interesting bunch. Check out these 12 Things People From South Dakota Always Have To Explain To Out Of Towners.

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Jennifer Young | June 01, 2022

What are three weird things to see in South Dakota?

There's no denying that South Dakota has its fair share of unique, yet weird, things. Listed below are three weird things to see in South Dakota during your next visit. You won't find anything else quite like them. In fact, you might even catch yourself doing a double take.

1. World's Largest Pheasant

Located in Huron, South Dakota, on Highway 14, is the "World's Largest Pheasant." Measuring 28 feet tall and weighing 22 tons, it's hard to miss this fiberglass and steel bird.

2. Porter Sculpture Park

Porter Sculpture Park is located off of I-90 in Montrose, South Dakota. It features a collection of 50 metal sculptures that have been made from old scraped metal and re-purposed equipment. You'll see everything from dragons to stick figures at Porter Sculpture Park. Note: There's a small fee to visit, so be sure to keep that in mind.

3. World's Only Corn Palace

Located in Mitchell, South Dakota is the "World's Only Corn Palace." This unique attraction, which welcomes approximately 500,000 visitors each year, was built in 1892 and includes wall panels made from 13 colors of corn. One of the most interesting things about the Corn Palace is that the exterior is transformed into a different theme each year. Admission to the "World's Only Corn Palace" is free, so be sure to check it out the next time you're in the area.

What's one of the top tourist attractions in South Dakota that everyone should see at least once?

There's certainly no shortage of things to do in South Dakota. After all, the state has a variety of tourist attractions suitable for everyone. One of the top tourist attractions in South Dakota is Mount Rushmore National Monument. Mount Rushmore National Monument, which was built between the years 1927 and 1941, is one of the most spectacular monuments in America. Located in Keystone, South Dakota, this monument honors the following four presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Admission to see the Mount Rushmore National Monument is free. However, you can expect to pay a small parking fee. If you ever get a chance to see the Mount Rushmore National Monument, consider doing it. There's no other monument like it.

 

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