Family Fun and History
are combined in South Dakota Attractions There
is now doubt that many of South Dakota's Attractions have
historical significance. You can't miss the state's
most famous attraction, Mount
Rushmore on a visit to the southwest corner of the State
of South Dakota and its memorial to some of the United
States most influential presidents. But
the fun and history doesn't stop there in this diversely
scenic state. MAMMOTH
TERRITORY Families
can start their historical exploration of the state by
visiting The Mammoth Site located at Hot Springs, which
takes them to 26,000 years ago. Columbian and Woolly
mammoths would visit the site to drink, become trapped in
the slippery-sided pool and drown. Mammoth Site boasts
the world's largest collection of mammoth bones.
Guided tours and educational programs are offered year round
at this ongoing paleontological site. Kids are
encouraged to actively participate in the summer excavation
program. It is believed that human societies hunted
these mammals more than 11,000 years ago. PREHISTORIC
INDIAN VILLAGES Archaeologists
have discovered Plains villages sites dating back 900 years
along the Missouri and other South Dakota Rivers.
Mitchell's Prehistoric Indian Village dates from the 10th
Century, when as many as 1,000 semi-nomadic hunters and
gardeners occupied the lodges. Excavation,
research and interpretation events occur year round. AMERICAN
INDIANS South
Dakota is the home of the Sioux Nation, which was at the
height of its power during the 18th Century.
Landmarks, museums and attractions throughout the state
showcase the pivotal role the Sioux Nation has played in the
state's history. Traditional Powwows are held to celebrate tribal traditions. 19th
CENTURY In 1804 Lewis and Clark left Illinois and journeyed westward
seeking an all-water route to the Pacific Ocean.
Travelers can retrace the path of these famous
explorers along a driving route that follows the Missouri
River, finding a number of historical sites and museums
along the way. The
Lewis and Clark Recreation Area gives families a great place
to picnic and enjoy the sandy beach along the way. FORT
SISSETON Dakota became an organized
territory in 1861 and three years later Fort Sisseton was built on the prairie.
Abandoned in 1889, today the fort contains 14 of the
original buildings, with many restored to their original
state.
Costumed re-enactors participate in cavalry
drills and living history encampments. DEADWOOD 1874
saw the discovery of gold in the Black Hills. As gold
fever spread, the town of Deadwood sprang to life.
This famous mining camp drew historic characters like Wild
Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane with many buried in the
cemetery.
Downtown
Deadwood has been restored to its former glory and
designated as a National Historic Landmark. LITTLE
TOWN ON THE PRAIRIE, DE SMET For
history of a different sort, families who may have enjoyed
watching Little House on the Prairie on TV can visit
the town that served as the setting for five of the books written
by Laura Ingalls Wilder that
inspired the tv series. Guided tours are available of
railroad surveyor's house, where the Ingalls spent their
first Dakota winter and a later home. Many of the
family's
treasures are on display. The homestead
is located one mile southeast of De Smet. BETHLEHEM
CAVE Adolphus C.
and Charles Frederick McBride were in Elk Creek Canyon
looking over mining prospects and possibly also hunting
mountain lions in the late 1800's and while amusing
themselves throwing and rolling rocks from a cliff into a
canyon below, they discovered an impressive crystal-lined
grotto just below the top of the rimrock. This
discovery eventually led to what we now know as Bethlehem
Cave. Specimens
from this cave became part of the "model
cave" at the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
Everyone can explore the caves and learn about the varied
history of this attraction. Panning through rough mine
renderings for crystals, rubies, garnets and sapphires
teaches a little about the mining process. See South Dakota Family
Attractions for more information. WORLD'S
ONLY CORN PALACE, MITCHELL
Established
in 1892 as a way for early settlers to display the harvest,
the present Corn Palace was completed in 1921 and each year
new murals are created by local artists depicting life in
South Dakota. Thousands of bushels of corn, grain,
grasses, wild oats, brome grass, blue grass, rye, straw and
wheat are used in the exhibit. SITTING
BULL STAMPEDE RODEO If your family is
lucky enough to be visiting this state around the Fourth of
July holiday, the Sitting Bull Stampede Rodeo held in
Mobridge provides the opportunity to watch genuine cowboys
and cowgirls demonstrate the skills used out on the range in
fastpaced competitions. PARKS AND
MEMORIALS Throughout the state of
South Dakota there are many parks and memorials that
visitors can enjoy that afford the opportunity to learn more
about the history of this state. See Parks and Memorials offer Visitors an Opportunity to Explore South Dakota. To view
listings for Hotels and Resorts go to South Dakota Hotels and
Resorts For more information on
attractions in South Dakota go to South Dakota Family
Attractions Pictures Courtesy
of South Dakota Tourism
|
Also see Parks and Memorials offer Visitors an Opportunity to Explore South Dakota
To view Amusement Park Tips Click Below:
To view Hotel/Resort Destinations in South Dakota Click Below:
To view
Family Attractions in South Dakota Click Below:
To view Travel News
about South Dakota Click Below:
To return to Travel News
on Family
Attractions Click Below:
Also Visit these other sections of
Travel News:
To view Travel News about Hotels and
Resorts Click Below:
To view Travel News about Destinations Click Below:
To view Travel News about Ski Resorts
Click Below:
To view Travel News about Kid Friendly
Airlines Click Below:
To view Travel News about Safety Click
Below:
Travel
News - Safety
Click Below to Return to
|