One of South Dakota’s Quirkiest Towns Is Still Flying Under the Radar

Puttering along in our white Ford truck, I tap on the dashboard, ticking off the states I’ve been to along Interstate 90. Eight, this will be number eight, I mutter, as we swerve off for a quirky town in South Dakota. Interstate 90 is the longest interstate in the United States, crossing 3,101 miles through the rugged north. And today, we’re excited for an archeological dig site and a corn palace in Mitchell, South Dakota. I know it’s going to be weird—and I’m here for it.

Where Is Mitchell and Why Is It So Unique

Mitchell is a unique small town in South Dakota, on the state's eastern side. Not small as in one-stoplight small, but small as in, everybody here is probably connected by three degrees of separation, rather than the customary six. The population is 15,000, the same as that of Pierre, South Dakota's state capital. You’ll find Mitchell an hour west of Sioux Falls, and several hours from any other major city. It’s 4 hours south of Fargo and a little less than that, north of Omaha. This is as Midwest as it gets, and so charming it’s been included several times in USA Today as one of the most charming small towns in the Midwest. But beyond the local charm is an impressive list of fun, weird, and wonderful things to do in Mitchell, like going to an active archeological dig site and walking through the only corn palace in the world.

The Attractions That Define This Quirky Town in South Dakota

 Unless you’re trying to drive the entire length of Interstate 90 from Boston to Seattle, you might not accidentally find yourself in Mitchell, still one of the hidden gem towns in South Dakota. But you might do so intentionally after you realize it’s home to one of just 33 active archeological dig sites open to the public in the U.S. It’s also the zip code for the only corn palace in the world. What’s a corn palace, you ask? It’s a historic building (almost 105 years old) with Moorish Revival-style architecture, including towers, domed roofs, ornate pillars, cornices, and arches. And its exterior is entirely decorated with full-wall murals made of corn and grains. Yes, real corn cobs, gourds, rice, wheat, barley, rye, and more are glued to the building. They are replaced every year with new themes and depictions. The detail and artistry are astounding, although undoubtedly quirky in concept. It’s hard to understand why you need to see the Mitchell Corn Palace until you’re standing in front of it, but it’s something worth seeing at least once in your life. 

What It’s Like To Visit Mitchell, South Dakota

Visiting the Corn Palace is the main reason most people will pull off the interstate in Mitchell. It’s reason enough to make it one of the most unusual towns in South Dakota. And while I certainly appreciated seeing it, and would do so again, my motivation for visiting was for the Mitchell Prehistoric Indigenous Archaeological Site. Locals call it the “Archeodome,” which makes sense since it’s quite literally an archaeological dig site under a giant dome. The dome creates an indoor environment that allows ongoing excavation to continue year-round. Visitors can tour the dome via stairways and boardwalks suspended above the 1,000-year-old dig site, often while researchers are actively digging. The remains being excavated belong to a prehistoric Native American village, ancestors of the Lakota and Dakota peoples. Hundreds of people lived here between 1000 and 1300 CE in earthen lodges, and today, more than 4 million artifacts have been recovered from the site. 

Why It’s Still Flying Under the Radar

Despite its incredible, unique, and quirky attractions, Mitchell remains among the most underrated towns in South Dakota. This is most likely due to limited marketing budgets, direct competition, and the distance from more famous places to visit in South Dakota, such as the Black Hills, the Badlands, and Sturgis. But for those seeking hidden gems, rural tourism, and heritage travel, Mitchell offers a rich connection to indigenous history and direct access to the nearby Great Plains.

While it might be tempting to think of Mitchell as a stopover along your Interstate 90 route, my family enjoyed staying for a full weekend. In addition to the Mitchell Corn Place and the Archeodome, we also enjoyed exploring the Dakota Discovery Museum, hiking and picnicking at Lake Mitchell, and attending a local rodeo.