If you’re looking for something new to do in Dakota City, South Dakota, there are plenty of places to visit. You’ll find the South Dakota Air and Space Museum, Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, Jewel Cave National Monument, and Bear Butte State Park, to name a few. If you want to take the family on an adventure, you can visit Rush Mountain Adventure Park. You’ll find ziplines and sky tykes, as well as many other activities.
South Dakota Air and Space Museum
If you’re a history buff, you’ll want to visit the South Dakota Air and Space Museum in Box Elder, South Dakota. Located outside of Ellsworth AFB, this museum explores the history of the United States Air Force, aerospace in South Dakota, and more. Founded in 1958, the museum aims to preserve the legacy of the nation’s armed forces.
The museum houses over 30 vintage military planes, some dating back to World War II. You’ll also be able to read about missions from the past and view the missiles on display. All ages will find this a fun and educational stop. Just remember to bring a photo ID if you plan to visit the museum during the winter months.
One of the best things to do in the Black Hills is to visit the SD Air and Space Museum, which features many amazing artifacts. The museum aims to inspire a lifelong love of observation and learning in its visitors. There are indoor exhibits filled with aviation memorabilia, and you can also take official base tours of the museum’s missile silo for a nominal fee. The museum is open from January to February, but is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year’s Day.
The South Dakota Air and Space Museum is located outside of Ellsworth Air Force Base in Box Elder, South Dakota. It is a museum dedicated to celebrating the history of the United States Air Force and aerospace in South Dakota. The museum is free to visit and features four indoor galleries displaying historic airplanes. You can even hop on a bus tour of the base to visit the Minuteman Missile Silo.
The Ellsworth Air Force Base Museum is located near the Ellsworth AFB gate and is dedicated to missileers – the men and women who manned the ICBM silos in the US during the 1960s and 1990s. The museum is comprised of two hangars containing artifacts and small planes, and is separated by a gift shop. There are also static displays of several USAF aircraft.
Mammoth Site of Hot Springs
Located near Hot Springs, South Dakota, the Mammoth Site is a paleontological site and museum. This active excavation site continues to research and exhibit new findings. The museum is open to the public year-round. Admission is free. However, reservations are required.
The museum contains fossils of Columbian mammoths, including the largest single concentration of mammoths known. It also features walk-through exhibits of the Ice Age. The museum, which is a nonprofit organization, offers guided tours, hands-on activities, and summer educational programs for families and groups. It is also accessible for people with disabilities and has a snack shack.
The site was formed by a collapsed cavern about 26,000 years ago. The hole was over 65 feet deep, 140 feet wide, and steeply sloped. The warm spring water that filled the hole created a shallow, inviting pond that was once populated by many animals. However, the mammoths could not get out of the hole and drowned.
Mammoth Site is one of the most unique places in South Dakota. It offers a paleontology program for children and adults. Visitors can watch an educational video about the mammoths, view a 3D movie, and tour the laboratory where fossils are prepared.
The Mammoth Site is a museum and paleontological dig site located near Hot Springs, South Dakota. It features bones from a mammoth that lived over 26,000 years ago. Today, the museum has a phenomenal collection of mammoth remains. Research and excavations are continuing on the site.
When visiting the Mammoth Site, plan to spend between an hour and 90 minutes. This is more than enough time to tour the exhibits and dig site. You can enjoy the history of the area while learning about the Ice Age.
Jewel Cave National Monument
Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Jewel Cave National Monument is a must-see attraction. The third-largest cave in the world features over 180 miles of mapped passageways. The cave was named for the huge concentrations of calcite crystals found within. In addition to its underground beauty, visitors can also enjoy activities on the surface.
To get a better feel for what the cave is like, you can take a guided tour. Tour guides can show you stalactites and stalagmites, and point out calcite crystals and cave bacon. Other cave attractions include soda straws and nailhead spars. While visiting the cave, keep in mind that there is a health risk associated with the White-Nose Syndrome fungus. While the disease does not affect humans, it does threaten bats. Fortunately, these caves have taken steps to protect their inhabitants from the disease.
Visitors can also explore the cave via hiking trails. The trails at Jewel Cave National Monument are easy to navigate and do not get too crowded. The Roof Trail is 0.4 miles long and is flat, but has a steep section. It requires at least a half hour of walking, and you will see some stunning speleothems.
This monument is also home to various species of wildflowers. During the summer, visitors may see them outside the historic entrance. You can also see the majestic Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep that live within the monument. The monument also hosts special events each year, and the visitors center has engaging exhibits and displays.
Visitors can visit the cave on a day trip from Badlands National Park and Wind Cave National Park. It is located on the southern side of the Black Hills.
Bear Butte State Park
If you’re looking for a great place to go on a family vacation, you might consider visiting Bear Butte State Park. Located near Sturgis, South Dakota, this geological formation is sacred to native Americans. They go here to pray and have visions. The Park has trails, a picnic area, boat launch, and restrooms. A 2.5-mile hiking trail circles the lake. Most of the park is prairie land, so it’s not difficult to get out and explore.
The park is divided into two sections by Highway 79. The first section of the park is located around the top of Bear Butte, and the other section surrounds the lake. There are several trails in the park, including the Summit Trail, which leads to the summit. From there, you can see the landscape in all four states. The second trail, which is 2.5 miles long, takes you around Bear Butte Lake. The Park is also home to the northernmost point of the 111-mile Centennial Trail.
In addition to the park’s beautiful setting, it is also home to a Native American spiritual site known as Bear Butte. This site is a cultural and spiritual place for the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Sioux people. Visitors are expected to respect the area and respect the artifacts and ceremonies.
You can camp on the site south of South Dakota Highway 34 and also enjoy fishing and horseback riding. You can also visit the park’s education center and summit trail.
Cosmos Mystery Area
If you’re looking for something different in the city, visit the Cosmos Mystery Area. This unique attraction is known for its unique illusions and mystical surroundings. Its many features include forced perspective, slanted walls, invisible horizon lines, and even altered furniture. The Cosmos Mystery Area is open from April to October.
There are two main areas to explore at the Cosmos Mystery Area. The first features the Cosmos, an optical illusion attraction, and is located near Mount Rushmore and Rapid City. Visitors can choose to use paper or electronic vouchers to enter the attraction. Keep in mind that Groupon is not an official sponsor and Cosmos is not affiliated with Groupon. If you need customer service assistance, you’ll want to call Viator.
The Cosmos Mystery Area was discovered by two college boys in 1952 while looking for a place to camp. The boys felt something was off about the area and decided to investigate further. They found some strange phenomena and decided to open it to the public. The attraction has been around for years and is still open to the public.
