With the hot weather and busiest tourism season behind us, the urge to make every moment of the enjoyable fall weather count is here. Weekend trips right here in South Dakota are a great opportunity to get out of your normal routine and visit a place you have never been.

Whether you are from the Southeast, Northeast, Central, or Western part of South Dakota, there is sure to be a place that you have not yet explored. So, what the heck, make a weekend out of it…get out and explore your own backyard!

Check out McCrory Gardens in Brookings. This beautiful botanical garden and arboretum has over 20 acres of gardens and 45 acres of arboretum. The garden is open during the spring, summer, and fall. The fall is a beautiful time to visit because of the changing leaves. Call 605-688-5136 for more information.

• While you’re in the area check out the Children’s Museum of South Dakota in Brookings…and head over to Watertown to visit the Redlin Art Center and Bramble Park Zoo.

Spirit Mound Historic Prairie in Vermillion is where Lewis and Clark stood on August 25, 1804, to view the beautiful landscape of the plains. This is where local tribes believed that 18-inch tall devils, armed with arrows, stood and lived. Because of the interesting story, Lewis and Clark ventured out to see for themselves – however, when they got there the devils were nowhere to be found. However, what they did see was an incredible herd of bison, about 800, grazing in the distance.

• Also in Vermillion, don’t miss the National Music Museum. While you’re in the area this fall, it would be worth stopping at Country Orchard near Harrisburg.

The Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center in Chamberlain stands as a tribute to the Sioux Nation. The exhibits at the museum promote and preserve Lakota culture. Visitors will find contemporary tribal art and authentic artifacts. For more information call 605-734-3452.

• The South Dakota Hall of Fame and Al’s Oasis (stop for the pie!) in Chamberlain, along with the Missouri River, make Chamberlain a great stop for your weekend getaway!

DC Booth Historic Fish Hatchery in Spearfish was once an active fish hatchery that is now a historic site. The Booth Home and Hatchery Building/Museum are on the National Registry of Historic Places. Don’t miss the underway viewing area! Visitors can feed the fish and ducks and enjoy the well maintained grounds, gardens and children’s park.

• A visit to Spearfish in the fall couldn’t come at a better time. Driving through Spearfish Canyon and the surrounding area when the leaves are changing will truly leave you breathless…

Grand River Museum in Lemmon is a great adventure in the northwestern part of the state…however – act now because the museum will close for the season on September 30. The museum boasts a large number of scrap sculptures and bronzes by John Lopez, ranching and Native American culture displays, dinosaurs and fun activities for children. Families will enjoy the scavenger hunts, learning about Wild West history, and can even touch real dinosaur bones – it’s sure to be a good time for the entire family!

• If you can make it up to this area early enough this fall – considering camping at one of the sites in Custer National Forest. This is a beautiful area where wildlife sightings are abundant and you can take in a little outdoor adventure.

You could also try exploring your own backyard by taking up geocaching. Essentially, geocaching is a scavenger hunt/hide-and-go-seek object game centered around GPS coordinates.

Another good idea is to go on a wine tour in your area. Check out an earlier blog post about a wine tour across the state.

 Share with us how your adventure went when you get back!

We all know that road trips can be long and boring.  Hours of driving can make anyone cranky and turn your fun family trip into a nightmare!  Luckily, the Interstate-29 Cultural Corridor in South Dakota offers plenty of fun and interesting stops that will make your road trip one to remember.

The I-29 Cultural Corridor in South Dakota is made up of individual organizations along I-29 starting in Sisseton in the northeast and ending in Vermillion in the southeast part of the state.  That’s more than 200 miles of your drive that provides much needed stops and an opportunity to learn about South Dakota!

Start your journey along the I-29 Cultural Corridor in Sisseton and visit the Sisseton Wahpeton College.  From there visit the Redlin Art Center in Watertown and the South Dakota Art Museum and South Dakota State Agricultural Heritage Museum in Brookings.  Other stops in Brookings include McCrory Gardens and the Schade Winery in Volga, which is just five miles from Brookings. 

Drive a little further and in Sioux Falls you will find the Horse Barn Arts Center, Siouxland Heritage Museums, The Outdoor Campus, Washington Pavilion of Arts & Science and the Pettigrew Museum. Other sites in Sioux Falls include the Sioux Falls Sculpture Walk and the Strawbale Winery located only a few miles north of Sioux Falls in Renner.

Finally, the Oscar Howe Gallery in Vermillion is a great way to conclude your experience on the I-29 Cultural Corridor.  Also consider visiting the National Music Musem, Spirit Mound and the Buffalo Run Winery or Valiant Vineyards while in Vermillion.

For more information about the I-29 Cultural Corridor and the attractions you can see, visit I-29 Cultural Corridor. Just a note – of course you can travel this route starting in Vermillion and going north to Sisseton as well.