Highest-rated things to do in South Dakota, according to Tripadvisor
Highest-rated things to do in South Dakota, according to Tripadvisor
When planning your next holiday, you might feel an instinctual pull toward destinations that would take you across oceans, like Tokyo or Paris, but there are experiences closer to home that will have you thinking twice before booking a trip abroad ever again.
If you're craving a burst of adrenaline, why not reserve a spot in Michigan's famed Saugatuck Dune Rides? The activity's charmingly dated website is a great indication of its word-of-mouth notoriety and timeless appeal. Over in Arizona, you might be surprised to find that it's not just the Grand Canyon that tempts travelers to its desert landscape—it's also one-of-a-kind venues like the Musical Instrument Museum, where music enthusiasts can find over 7,500 instruments from 200 countries around the world.
Indeed, even if you've lived in South Dakota your whole life, you might be surprised by just how many top-rated things you've yet to cross off your list. From architectural wonders and picturesque views to historical museums and other must-see sights, you'll find your appreciation for South Dakota reignited just by reading through this list of top-rated things to do.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated things to do in South Dakota using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 3, 2024.
Whether you're a family of five traveling in a recreational vehicle or a duo of friends looking for a quick getaway in South Dakota, read on for a list of sights you could easily plan a trip around.
#30. Adams House
- Rating: 4.5/5 (518 reviews)
- Address: 22 Van Buren St. Deadwood, South Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. Black Hills National Forest
- Rating: 5/5 (913 reviews)
- Address: Custer, South Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. Presidential Trail
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,466 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Akta Lakota Museum
- Rating: 5/5 (472 reviews)
- Address: 1301 North Main St. St. Joseph's Indian School Chamberlain, South Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Chapel in the Hills
- Rating: 4.5/5 (682 reviews)
- Address: 3788 Chapel Lane Rapid City, South Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Cosmos Mystery Area
- Rating: 4/5 (1,105 reviews)
- Address: 24040 Cosmos Road Rapid City, South Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway
- Rating: 4.5/5 (965 reviews)
- Address: US Highway 14A Spearfish, South Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Mount Moriah Cemetery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,870 reviews)
- Address: 10 Mt Moriah Drive Deadwood, South Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Jewel Cave National Monument
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,435 reviews)
- Address: 11149 US Highway 16 Building B12 Custer, South Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Wall Drug
- Rating: 3.5/5 (4,254 reviews)
- Address: 510 Main St. Wall, South Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Big Thunder Gold Mine
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,282 reviews)
- Address: 604 Blair St. Keystone, South Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Downtown Rapid City
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,342 reviews)
- Address: 512 Main St. Rapid City, South Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Badlands Wall
- Rating: 5/5 (1,326 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. Badlands National Park
- Rating: 5/5 (1,073 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Spearfish Canyon
- Rating: 5/5 (834 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Badlands National Park
- Rating: 5/5 (962 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Needles Eye
- Rating: 5/5 (1,738 reviews)
- Address: SD Hwy 87 North Custer, South Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Loop Road
- Rating: 5/5 (1,985 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Crazy Horse Memorial
- Rating: 4/5 (5,495 reviews)
- Address: 12151 Ave. of the Chiefs Crazy Horse, South Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Iron Mountain Road
- Rating: 5/5 (1,729 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. South Dakota 87
- Rating: 5/5 (971 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Rushmore Tramway Adventures
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,667 reviews)
- Address: 203 Cemetery Road Keystone, South Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,792 reviews)
- Address: 1800 U.S. 18 Bypass Hot Springs, South Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Reptile Gardens
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,340 reviews)
- Address: 8955 South Highway 16 Rapid City, South Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Sylvan Lake
- Rating: 5/5 (2,002 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Wildlife Loop Road
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,770 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Bear Country USA
- Rating: 4.5/5 (4,263 reviews)
- Address: 13820 Us-16 Rapid City, South Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Falls Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,437 reviews)
- Address: 131 East Falls Park Drive Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Custer State Park
- Rating: 5/5 (6,219 reviews)
- Address: 13329 US Highway 16A Custer, South Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
- Rating: 4.5/5 (11,931 reviews)
- Address: 13000 Hwy 244 Keystone, South Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Michelle No, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.
