10 Surprising Things You May Not Expect When Moving To South Dakota

Prairies, buffalo and great hunting are all things SD is known for, but there are some surprising things you may not expect when moving to South Dakota.

1. History

From the gold rush to the Dakota War of 1862, South Dakota is full of history. We're still making history today as we were one of the first states to change the celebration of Columbus Day to Native American Day. There's a lot to learn and plenty of museums, ghost towns and monuments to visit.

2. Universities

You may be surprised to find out just how many colleges and universities South Dakota has to offer. In Sioux Falls alone there is Augustana University, University of Sioux Falls, Southeast Technical Institute, the University Center and more!

3. Land that isn't flat

South Dakota may be known as a flat, fly over state but those of us who live here know the truth. South Dakota is full of hills and mountains and badlands - we even have the highest peak east of the Rockies.

4. Outdoor adventure

Kayak, canoe, fish, hunt - get outdoors in South Dakota and find your own adventure! There's plenty to do and endless opportunities to get lost in nature.

5. Hot summers

It's not always winter in South Dakota. In fact, our summers are quite hot and often humid. Perfect for spending days at the lake.

6. Perfect Springs

Somewhere between the windy, cold winters and hot, humid summers, South Dakota experiences a little bit of heaven. Springs in South Dakota are beautiful!

7. Stunning autumns

The bright, vivid fall colors are always on point in autumn in South Dakota. This makes fall an absolutely delightful time of year!

8. A Great Economy

Surprise! We actually have a booming economy here in South Dakota. Small businesses in the state are thriving and many new businesses are opening up all the time. If you're dreaming of owning your own business, South Dakota might be just the place for you.

9. Arts and Culture

From Art Alley in Rapid City to the Local Artist in Sioux Falls, you may be surprised to learn that South Dakota has such a strong and growing art community.

10. Nice people

Genuinely nice people are hard to find these days and we have tons of them in South Dakota! Come visit - you may never want to leave.

What surprises you most about South Dakota?