There is a place in South Dakota where visitors can walk with more than 800 flying creatures and see hundreds of marine animals from across the world. It’s the Sertoma Butterfly House & Purdy Marine Cove in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 

There is nothing like getting away on a romantic excursion with your sweetie. Newlyweds do it frequently, and parents of young children dream of it often. Empty-nesters even love a private getaway, when they are not visiting the grandkids that is. Valentine’s Day often gets a lot of attention, sometimes too much if you ask me. I cannot believe the hype for this holiday. However, it does provide the perfect reason to get away with that special someone.

There are so many romantic places to stay in South Dakota, from lodges to bed and breakfasts, to hotels that provide just the right amount of luxury at just the right price.

One weekend, my sweetie whisked me away from our routine and we enjoyed a great time together in the Black Hills. We stayed in a wonderful Black Hills vacation home that was filled with the amenities of home, and was tucked away within the beautiful forestry of the Black Hills National Forest. There are so many different private vacation homes to choose from in this area to accommodate your needs.

My girlfriend in the eastern corner of South Dakota raved about her time staying at the Club House Hotel and Suites in Sioux Falls. Nearby, they were able to find a wine and coffee bar, great dining options, and of course, she was able to do a bit of shopping. A great getaway if you ask me! Sioux Falls is full of interesting things to do, with something for everyone.

It’s not too late to start thinking about where you want to get away for Valentine’s Day. So why not plan a great trip instead of sending a bouquet of flowers or buying chocolate and wine at the last minute? Even if it’s not for Valentine’s Day, a nice getaway is always a treat.

Lights twinkle and children of all ages glee with delight at each winter at Falls Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The park is decorated in thousands and thousands of lights, and garland galore.

The park is decorated and lit up nightly from Saturday, November 19 through January 8, 2012.

Another great event associated with the Winter Wonderland at Falls Park, is the Twilight Flights hosted by Strawbale Winery, located in the neighboring community of Renner.

Twilight Flights is a magical evening filled with great food, and of course, great wine. First, visitors will enjoy hor’douvres and wine tasting at the winery, then hop into a helicopter to be whisked away to view the spectacular light show at Falls Park and a great view of Sioux Falls. And last but not least, upon returning to the winery, you’ll enjoy desserts and more delicious wine!

For more information about the festivities at Falls Park, contact the Sioux Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau via their website.

For information and reservation information for the Twilight Flights event at Strawbale Winery, visit their website.

It seemed to take awhile, but the summer weather has finally arrived. Now it’s time to celebrate! There is no better way to celebrate the summer heat other then spending time cooling off from it! And there is no better way to cool off other then enjoying a day filled with sun and surf at one of South Dakota’s water parks.

Wild Water West, located in Sioux Falls, is one of South Dakota’s larger water parks. Combining sun and slides, Wild Water West is the perfect spot for sun worshipers and thrill seekers alike.

For those seeking adventure while at Wild Water West, try all four major slides at the waterslide complex. It includes a body slide and tube slide, and two six-story speed slides. Plummets Peak, a straight drop into a refreshing splash pool, will be sure to get your adrenaline pumping. On the Black Hole you are dropped through a pitch black tunnel and then eventually see the light of day as you rush towards a splash pool waiting for you at the bottom. Or, try the wave pool, the newest attraction at Wild Water West that is filled with 500,000 gallons of water!

If a day of relaxing in the water is more your style then I would recommend grabbing a tube and floating down the lazy river. Over 21? Float your way in from the lazy river and stop at the connecting swim-up bar for a refreshing adult beverage.

A lazy river, waterpark playground, and arcade games are all a part of the WaTiki Indoor Waterpark and Resort. The convenience and quality of waterpark attractions make WaTiki Indoor Waterpark and Resort a cool family getaway regardless of the time of year.Looking to cool off while out west? Visit WaTiki Indoor Waterpark and Resort for the ultimate family getaway! Connected to two hotels, visiting WaTiki Indoor Waterpark is easy. The climate controlled indoor waterpark features six slides, including a body slide that travels through Sliders restaurant bar and grill. Also featured is the Superbowl Slide. The Superbowl Slides allows you or you and a partner to ride on an inner-tube in an enclosed tube before dropping you into a giant bowl for a few swirls and then cruising out to the bottom of the slide.

Wild Water West and WaTiki Indoor Waterpark and Resort are just two of many different water parks in our state. Try Rushmore Slides near Keystone or Evans Plunge in Hot Springs for other unique water park getaways.

So unfold that oversized beach towel, grab the sunscreen, and cool off from the summer heat at one of South Dakota’s great water parks.

The natural beauty of the Big Sioux River gave South Dakota’s largest city, Sioux Falls, its name, and like a lot of places in South Dakota, it has a long history. Falls Park is one of South Dakota’s Great Places.

Cascading water at Falls Park, photo by SD Dept. Tourism

Queen Bee Mill at Falls Park was built in the 1880s and was used to tap the falls for water power. In 1908 the hydroelectric plant was built and the original dam was raised to supply power to the plant. Parts of these structures are still visible to the visitor and provide a glimpse at the area’s history.

On the grounds of the 123 acre park are picnic areas, six viewing areas, walkways, a restaurant and an Arts Center inside a historic building. Each second, an average of 7,400 gallons of water drop 100 feet over the falls.

The Falls Park Visitor Information Center features a 5-story observation tower where visitors can take in the 360-degree view of the majestic falls along with the city skyline of Sioux Falls.

The park is free to visit and offers a Sound and Light show which tells the history of Sioux Falls; it is shown at dusk Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather permitting.

The Viewing Tower is open to the public during the hours when the Visitors Center is operating. For a detailed listing of seasonal hours, visit the Sioux Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau website, www.siouxfallscvb.com.

South Dakota’s Great Places weekly press release series is a project of the South Dakota Department of Tourism, designed to highlight places in South Dakota that are unique to travelers and residents alike. Click on the special “South Dakota’s Great Places” link at www.MediaSD.com to access the complete list of articles. Information for this release was obtained from the Sioux Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Chocolates, taffy, toffee, popcorn and hard candies. Get your lips-a-smackin’ and your tummy rumblin’. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and to me, nothing says, “I love you” more than a basket full of yummy goodness. Forget the flowers that die within a few weeks, I want the chocolates that I can gobble up in days. It is also a good idea to keep this information handy the next time your driving through South Dakota; the perfect confection makes a road-trip a heck-of-a lot more sweet. Read more for details where you can find a “sweet spot” in South Dakota.

North Woods Candy Emporium in Sioux Falls features chocolates and other spectacular sweets. With more than 25 different flavors of truffles and 12 flavors of mini-truffles, finding the perfect treat to satisfy your sweet tooth has never been easier. This year, for Valentines Day you can find velvet Valentine boxes, chocolate covered roses and chocolate covered strawberries.

Also in Sioux Falls is Candy and Canvas which houses bulk candy sold by the pound. Visitors can also find a great selection of gifts and a unique gallery of original art by Chad Lubbers. This is a great stop for wine, coffee and chocolate lovers.

Headed up the Interstate-29 in Watertown, Watertown Confectionary provides not only handmade chocolates, but coffee roasted in the store and wine and beer home brewing supplies. The chocolates, chewy creamy caramels, English toffee, and mint melt-aways are handmade in the kitchen of the store with fresh ingredients and no preservatives.

Now, let’s head west and south to Kimball, South Dakota. Kimball is home to the “Original Kimball Popcorn Ball” this popcorn ball has been made famous in most of the Midwest and beyond! This tasty ball of goodness comes in two varieties, Original and Honey flavored.

On the road again, this time we’re headed north and west to the capital city, Pierre. Angela Olson took her love of chocolate to a new level when she was encouraged to open a confections store. Karcher Confections has homemade fudge, nostalgic candies, taffy from Rushmore Taffy in Keystone, pies, toffee and great lunches.

On the way out west, don’t forget to stop at Wall Drug. Inside you’ll find homemade fudge, salt water taffy and donuts. The maple covered donuts and cream and butter fudge are tied for my favorite sweets to get at Wall Drug – they are a must try!

On the road again, on the road again…final stop, the Black Hills of South Dakota. There are several “sweet” stops in the Black Hills region, but here a few to highlight. Fjord’s Ice Cream Factory in Rapid City makes homemade ice-cream that has been recognized on a state and national level. Fjord’s has more than 40 flavors daily, desserts, fine chocolates, homemade food, and houses a full expresso bar.

Mostly Chocolates is also in Rapid City providing truffles, fudge, chocolate covered cherries and assorted signature chocolates. While you’re at Mostly Chocolates getting your chocolate fix, mix up a frozen yogurt where you choose your ingridients and pay only 49 cents per ounce!

South of Rapid City are two more great places to find sweets. The Custer County Candy Company is known as the “Sweetest Spot in the Black Hills.” This shop specializes in hand-dipped truffes and chocolates. Other items to indulge in are caramel apples, fudge, divinity and they also carry sugar-free chocolates South Dakota made jellies, honey, syrups, popcorn and more.

One of my favorites places to stop, especially before jumping on the 1880 Train, is Rushmore Mountain Taffy Shop in downtown Keystone. The delicious homemade taffy is pulled right before your eyes as you enter the shop. They make taffy daily, and also have a selection of sugar-free taffy.

And finally, there is nothing better than having an assortment of goodies from the Chubby Chipmunk in Deadwood waiting for me after a long day exploring the Black Hills. The Chubby Chipmunk features hand-dipped chocolates, homemade truffles, caramels and toffee. The treats are melt-in-your mouth devine goodness!

Falls of the Big Sioux River in the middle of Sioux Falls are a stunning site to see in eastern South Dakota – it is also an astonishing site to see since it is in the middle of the Great Plains! Each second, an average of 7,400 gallons of water drop 100 feet over the course of the falls. While visiting Falls Park be sure to check out the five-story observation tower to enjoy a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the Falls of the Big Sioux River.

Waterfalls are a beautiful site to see no matter what time of year you are exploring. However, in the spring in Spearfish Canyon you can see one of South Dakota’s most impressive sites – Bridal Veil Falls. The spring run-off causes Bridal Veil Falls to be at its peak flow rate providing maximum beauty. You can see this waterfall from Highway 14; there is also pullout area providing a chance to see the waterfall from outside your vehicle.

Just a few miles north of Bridal Veil Falls (follow the signs) is Roughlock Falls. This area is known as one of the most beautiful locations in the Black Hills. This area is perfect for wildlife viewing and fishing. There are hiking trails and picnic areas that surround Roughlock Falls.

 Although there are many caves and mines in the Black Hills area, Thunderhead Falls is unique among them – it is the only cave with a waterfall inside. It is not a natural waterfall. This waterfall is 10 miles west of Rapid City off Highway 44 West in central Black Hills. The history and story of this cave is not completely known, but locals speculate that early miners blasted a hole into Rapid Creek’s bed creating the existing waterfall.

 Cascade Falls is south of Hot Springs, SD off Highway 71. The beautiful blue/green water can be crossed by foot just above the falls. Swimming is allowed in the Cascade Falls area but not in the Cascade Spring.

 Come visit South Dakota’s waterfalls. The beauty of South Dakota’s waterfalls has been magnified this spring because of the spring runoff. Get out there, check them out, and post comments about your experience. Happy waterfalling!

Growing up in a family with four kids (all in braces) we never really had the money to take lavish vacations…instead we took lots of road trips. My dad would hook up the camper and my mom would pack coolers full of snacks and away we would go on our “Griswold-like” getaways. We always made lots of stops and enjoyed the sights along the way. Today, I still look forward to a good road trip, especially across South Dakota. That’s because there are so many fun and interesting stops along I-90 that can make your road trip a true adventure. So grab the kids and hop in the car because here are my top 10 places on the way to the “faces”.

10. Palisades State Park in Garretson - This will take you a few miles off the interstate but it’s worth the extra time. You’ll be driving along next to cornfields when all of a sudden you’re in a quartzite canyon carved by a meandering creek. Rock climbers love the Palisades for its 60-foot vertical cliffs, be we love it because of the unique beautyf in the middle of a flat prairie.

• HISTORY BUFF ALERT! Located in the park is Devil’s Gulch. This is where legend tells of the outlaw Jess James jumping the gap to escape lawmen. Today, a bridge will guide you across the gap or you can take a pontoon ride on Split Rock Creek and learn all about the infamous incident.

9. Sioux Falls – Located just off I-29 and I-90, Sioux Falls is the place for fine dining and excellent shopping. You’ll also find all kinds of family-friendly attractions like museums, zoos and water parks.

8. Mitchell – Home to the World’s Only Corn Palace, Mitchell offers unique family attractions you’ll only see as you head west on I-90. Mitchell also has museums that showcase homesteading, prehistoric and Native American history.

7. Chamberlain – Nestled along the shores of the Missouri River, Chamberlain is a great place to find some peace and quiet. Visit the Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center to view historic exhibits and Lakota fine art, then head over to the South Dakota Hall of Fame to learn about famous South Daktoans.

• HISTORY BUFF ALERT! Stop at the I-90 Visitor Center and re-trace the footsteps of explorers Lewis & Clark. The visitor center has exhibits and artifacts, not to mention an overlook shaped like the deck of a keel boat.

6. Pierre – The capital city on the Missouri River has many activities for families. The galleries of the Cultural Heritage Center tell stories of South Dakotans with life-sized exhibits. It’s always fun to feed the geese that live on Capitol Lake, or look for the elusive blue tiles in the Capitol building. The war memorials are a must-see as well. These life-like statues depict men and women from all service branches who have fought in WWI, II, Korea and Vietnam.

5. Pioneer Auto Show in Murdo – Nothing says road trip more than a collection of historic cars, rocks and other Americana nostalgia. The Pioneer Auto Show has almost 400 rare and collectible cars, tractors and motorcycles. Highlights include a 1948 Tucker, the Dukes of Hazzard’s General Lee and Elvis Presley’s Harley Davidson.

4. Badlands National Park – This truly unique site features lunar-like rock surfaces and colorful plateaus. Badlands National Park is filled with water-chiseled ridges and rugged canyons perfect for hiking and stretching your legs. If you’re really lucky you might catch a glimpse of the endangered black-footed ferret which was re-introduced into the park in 1994 as part of a recovery effort. The Badlands are also home to big horn sheep, buffalo, deer and antelope.

• HISTORY BUFF ALERT! Western South Dakota played a key role in the Cold War with more than 150 nuclear missile silos and 15 launch control facilities buried under the prairie grasses. Two of these sites, the Delta One Launch Control Facility and the Delta Nine Launch Facility, have been preserved to provide visitors with a unique Cold War history lesson. The launch facility dates back to the Cuban Missile Crisis and only a few modifications were made when deactivating the site. The Minuteman National Historic Site is located near the north entrance to Badlands National Park.

3. Rapid City – Before you get to Mount Rushmore National Memorial make a stop in Rapid City. While you’re there, wander downtown among the Presidential statues or visit one of the family-friendly attractions.

2. Crazy Horse Memorial – More than 50 years ago an immigrant sculptor began this mountain carving memorializing the great Lakota Sioux chief Crazy Horse. Today, you can see this monument-in-the-making and learn more about the rich Native American heritage of the Black Hills.

1. Mount Rushmore National Memorial – You will stare America’s history in the face when you stand at the foot of Mount Rushmore. Carved out of a granite mountain, this Shrine of Democracy symbolizes our country’s commitment to freedom and democracy. Don’t miss the nightly lighting ceremony where you will learn more about the making of the monument and pay tribute to our troops who bravely defend the United States.

Those are my 10 places on the way to the faces. Do you have a favorite I-90 stop?