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.

South Dakota is often called the “land of infinte variety.” That’s because as you road trip across South Dakota you’ll find all kinds of scenery, activities and fun, free things to do along the way. Here are some more freebie highlights to make your trip even more unforgettable.

• Sand Lake Wildlife Refuge near Aberdeen – If you love the outdoors and wildlife, this is a great place to stop and enjoy Mother Nature. Operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sand Lake is home to dozens of species of birds, deer and small game animals that you can watch from the viewing tower or along the miles of walking trails. If you visit the refuge during the spring or fall migration, you can see as many as one million snow geese stopping over at the refuge.
• South Dakota Art Museum in Brookings – Located on the campus of South Dakota State University, the South Dakota Art Museum houses permanent collections from local and regional artists like Harvey Dunn, Paul Goble and several Native American artisans. There is also a Kids Sensation Station where families can interact with exhibits.
• State Agricultural Heritage Museum in Brookings – After visiting the South Dakota Art Museum, head over to the State Agricultural Heritage Museum for a trip back in time. The exhibits include a 1915 farm house, an 1882 claim shanty, and a variety of tractors, farm implements and household items.
• Cathedral on the Prairie in Hoven – The town of Hoven is a small, rural farming community in north central South Dakota that is home to one of the biggest and most beautiful churches in the state. Built in the 1920s, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church was modeled after the great cathedrals of Europe. listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Cathedral on the Prairie has intricate hand-carved woodwork, ornate stained-glass windows and towering spires that can be seen from 15 miles away.
• Historic 1914 Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Depot in Redfield – Originally built to service passenger trains in the area, the C&NW Depot now houses railroad artifacts, model trains and traveling exhibits that showcase the area’s rail history. The depot, used as a storage facility for years, was recently restored by the citizens of the area to its original grandeur.
• The City of Presidents in Rapid City – Have your photo taken with JFK, stand next to Harry Truman or meet the founding fathers with a tour of the City of Presidents in Rapid City. Life-sized bronze statues of many of our nation’s leaders can be found on nearly every downtown street  corner.
• Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the Black Hills – While there is a small fee for parking, Mount Rushmore National Memorial has free admission. Come and discover our nation’s Shrine to Democracy and learn more about this incredible mountain carving that is a symbol of freedom and the American dream.

You can easily find even more South Dakota Freebies along your road trip route by using the Travel Directory on www.TravelSD.com. Don’t forget to stop back and post your favorite freebie. Happy road trippin.