Travel Tidbits - What's New in South Dakota

 The Mount Rushmore State is home to scenic byways and dramatic landscapes, iconic monuments and quirky roadside attractions, colorful history and rich culture, wild west adventures, and immersive travel experiences that make it a bucket list destination to visit year-round. Offering vast opportunities for discovery within its four key regions – Central, Northeast, Southeast and West – as a new year begins, South Dakota offers a plethora of new and noteworthy happenings across the state.

 

2024 Milestones

This year, South Dakota commemorates momentous milestones and anniversaries:

Badlands National Park 85^th Anniversary

• Established as a national monument in 1939 and now known as one of South Dakota’s Great 8, Badlands National Park boasts canyons, fossilized species, wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes. With over 244,000 acres, explore nature and history through hiking, camping, and traveling the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway to find rock formations and native grasslands along 16 designated scenic overlooks.

50 Years of Little House on the Prairie at Ingalls Homestead

• Where the past mingles with the future and the spirit of adventure is alive and well, De Smet, South Dakota is famously known as Laura’s Little Town, and offers an immersion into Wilder’s books in real life. On the show’s anniversary (originally aired on March 30, 1974), visitors can explore the Ingalls Homestead, historic main street and storybook history while living as a Wilder through activities like covered wagon rides, outdoor reenactments and even making a corn cob doll.

Washington Pavilion Celebrates 25 Years

• Opened in 1999, the Washington Pavilion is the region’s home for the arts, entertainment, and science. Situated in the heart of downtown Sioux Falls, the facility resides within a beautifully renovated historic building and houses a fusion of performing arts, visual arts, interactive science, and educational opportunities. To celebrate the 25^th anniversary the Washington Pavilion is hosting a lineup of performances and exhibitions including National Geographic’s WOMEN: A Century of Change (February 16-June 30), An Evening with Bill Nye “The Science Guy” (May 2), An Evening with Sutton Foster (June 1), and more.

 

New & Renovated Accommodations

From cottages and cozy bed and breakfasts to a variety of camping options and modern hotels, the best vacation starts with the perfect lodging choice, and South Dakota offers new additions to explore:

The Ramkota Companies’ ClubHouse Hotel & Suites, Rapid City – Opening in Spring 2024

• Sioux Falls-based The Ramkota Companies broke ground on a new ClubHouse Hotel & Suites, bringing a four-story, 90-room hotel scheduled to open in the spring of 2024 to the rapidly growing community. The ClubHouse will be The Ramkota Companies’ third property in Rapid City. The hotel will include an attached restaurant featuring American cuisine tied to the region from from Sioux Falls-based WR Hospitality.

Canopy by Hilton Sioux Falls Downtown – Opening in October 2024

• Overlooking the river in the Steel District next to historic Falls Park and Levitt Outdoor Amphitheater, the new Canopy Hotel will feature 21,865 sq. ft. of event space in downtown Sioux Falls, an on-site restaurant with patio, and a fitness center. Canopy will also provide complimentary Canopy Bikes allowing guests to explore attractions, museums, and dozens of eateries within a five-minute radius.

Hotel Indigo Brookings at The Armory – Opening in Late 2024

• A nearly 86-year-old structure, The Brookings Armory building located in downtown Brookings, will soon be transformed into a multi-cultural hub to include a new event space, 73-room upscale hotel and restaurant. The armory, built in 1937 and now on the National Register of Historic Places, was formerly home to the Brookings U.S. Army National Guard until 1976 and has a storied history. The hotel is partnered with IHG, a hotel corporation, and is intended to be part of IHG’s Hotel Indigo brand. The gym/auditorium portion of The Armory will be an event space for weddings, corporate events, and conferences with dinner-style seating up to approximately 400 people. The basement of the Armory will be converted into The Foxtrot Restaurant, Bar, and Lounge with a moody speakeasy feel and a full menu of elevated Midwest comfort food.

Deadwood Mountain Grand Hotel – Newly Renovated

• In August 2023, major renovations were competed at Deadwood Mountain Grand Hotel & Casino. Located steps from historic downtown Deadwood, the new design of the 98-room hotel pays homage to Deadwood’s rustic and industrial past and features upgrades to guestrooms and suites, common area/lobby, and restaurant. To reflect the history of the hotel’s surroundings, the lobby now holds a display of historic photos with two seating areas centered by stone fireplaces with check-in desks resembling old mining carts. Guestrooms now have wood-like wallpaper, plaid and velvet fabrics and brass mirrors.

The Rocksino by Hard Rock Deadwood – Opened in August 2023

• The Rocksino by Hard Rock Deadwood is a boutique hotel & casino experience featuring a casino including 86 new slot machines, full-service restaurant and bar with amazing craft cocktails, and a delicious new menu prepared in a brand-new state-of-the-art kitchen. Diners can enjoy their meals on the Historic Patio, which will feature a wood fire grill, or inside at the bar or VIP mezzanine.

 

New and Diverse Culinary Offerings

Showered with James Beard nominations in 2023, South Dakota is home to award-winning meals created by renowned chefs, and continues its mission to bring authentic and cultural cuisines throughout the state:

Sanaa’s Gourmet

• Named one of five finalists for “Best Chef (Midwest)” James Beard Award in 2023, and semifinalist in 2024, Sanaa’s Gourmet is also celebrating 20 years in 2024. With rich Mediterranean and Middle East flavors and vegetarian and gluten-free options, Sanaa’s continues to attract national attention – and a lot of repeat customers.

Juniper at Vertex Sky Bar

• Newly opened on the top floor of Rapid City’s historic Hotel Alex Johnson, this restaurant and bar (a members-only club) has excellent views, a patio with a fire pit, local cuisine menu, and drinks that capture the flavors of South Dakota. Guests staying at the Hotel Alex Johnson enjoy complimentary access, savoring panoramic views of Rapid City while relishing craft cocktails, appetizers, salads, entrees, and desserts. The menu changes monthly, inspired by what food is in season and what can be purchased locally.

Kathmandu Bistro

• With plans to open its second location in Rapid City in February 2024, the owners of Kathmandu Bistro are introducing traditional Nepalese cuisine to the area.

Bibi Sol

• From the mother-daughter team that started Salas Salads, a homemade salsa business, comes Bibi Sol, an authentic Mexican restaurant coming to Sioux Falls in the spring of 2024. Bibi Sol will offer an authentic menu with convenient to-go options, in-house dining, and a selection of Mexican beverages through intentional practices like nixtamalization, using simple and wholesome ingredients, and prioritizing local sustainability.

Thai10

• Opened in December 2023, the newest Thai restaurant in Sioux Falls features authentic dishes like pad thai, curries, pork ribs with sticky rice and other favorite dishes in an express-style format. Husband and wife duo, Ruth and Sanaseuk Kitilach, began renovations in 2021, and finally opened their 50-seat restaurant, with plans to open a drive-thru and third-party delivery service in the coming months.

La Michoakanita

• A Mexican ice cream shop from the owners of Giliberto’s Mexican Taco Shop opened its doors in Sioux Falls on December 4, 2023. Serving frozen treats made on-site like paletas and chamoyadas, and Mexican street food snacks like elote and tostadas, La Michoakanita pays homage to Guanajuato, a Mexican state north of Mexico City.

Perch

• Set to open in Sioux Falls in March 2024, The Perch will be housed within a historic former grocery store on the city’s west edge of downtown in the Cathedral District. The restaurant, which has been in the works for nearly three years, will focus on brunch and feature outdoor seating. The menus will have a variety of egg-based dishes such as a frittata and eggs Benedict, as well as a fresh take on pancakes, biscuits, and breakfast sandwiches. While construction continues, the new restaurant has been holding pop-up brunches on Sundays in a makeshift dining space at En Place Catering.

 

New Arts & Culture Experiences

National Music Museum Unveils New Collection

• Known as a musical Smithsonian and attracting thousands of visitors each year to the university town of Vermillion, the National Music Museum introduces a new stringed instrument collection to its exhibits and growing playable portfolio. Once owned by the late cellist and collector Robert Cancelosi, DMA, five cellos, 27 bows, archival materials and Hawaiian guitar have been introduced to be enjoyed, studied and played by visitors, inspiring future experiences for other artists, contemporary makers and students. The museum celebrated their 50th anniversary in August 2023 with a grand reopening of its new facilities including 12 completely reimagined exhibition galleries.

South Dakota Muesum of Art Upcoming Exhibitions

• Opened in 1970, the South Dakota Art Museum in Brookings holds seven galleries which feature more than a dozen new exhibits every year. Exhibitions are curated from the museum’s extensive collection of Harvey Dunn and Paul Goble paintings, traditional and contemporary Native American art including Oscar Howe paintings, Marghab Linens, fine art prints from the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s in the Cockerline Collection. Three upcoming exhibits include “Moments of Is: Stuart Artist-In-Residence Alums,” featuring works of graduates of SDSU School of Design, “Termespheres,” by South Dakota Artist, Dick Termes, and “Primordial Shift: The Art of Michael Meilahn,” an instillation of 32 hand-blown glass ears of corn suspended on stalks of cast bronze and blown glass, tethered with rope from the ceiling combined with audio and video projected as a backdrop to create an illusion of corn gently swaying in the field.

 

Returning Noteworthy Events and Immersive Experiences

Days of ’76 Parade & Rodeo

• The Days of ’76 celebration began in 1924 to honor Deadwood’s first pioneers – the prospectors, miners, muleskinners, and madams who poured into the Black Hills in 1876 to settle the gold-filled gulches of Dakota Territory. Since then, the Days of ’76 has grown into a legendary annual event with a historic parade and an award-winning PRCA rodeo.

84^th Annual Sturgis Motorcross Rally – August 2024

• The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is the largest motorcycle rally in the world, held annually throughout the Black Hills and in Sturgis for 10 days at the begining of August. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was started by local Indian dealer Pappy Hoel in 1938. Since its origins, private area businesses have hosted events such as races, concerts, and rides, which continue to gain extravagant momentum year after year.

59^th Annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup – September 2024

• Watch cowboys, cowgirls and park rangers as they round up and drive the herd of approximately 1,300 buffalo. Custer State Park also hosts a three-day Arts Festival where more than 100 vendors will offer fine arts and crafts, and South Dakota made products.

36^th Annual Black Hills Powwow – October 2024

• Held annually in Rapid City, the Black Hills Powwow brings together Native American dancers, singers, artisans, and visitors from across the world to celebrate and honor the traditions of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota people. The weekend event offers meaningful cultural immersions, and the opportunity to experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of the traditional Powwow.

The Good Earth Farm’s 3^rd Annual Veg Fest – June 2024

• The Good Earth is a working farm near Lennox South Dakota operated by husband-and-wife duo, Jeff and Nancy Kirstein, that uses sustainable practices to grow vegetables that are sold through their very own farm stand. Coming up on its 3^rd year, Veg Fest is held at The Good Earth to educate and share experiences living a vegetarian/vegan life. Food vendors on-sight share vegan and vegetarian sample bites including Shop the Market Vendors for sustainable, vegan products.

 

For destination imagery, please see here.

For more information on how to travel responsibly in South Dakota and take the 605 Pledge, please visit https://sdvisit.com/forever-605.

 

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About South Dakota

The Mount Rushmore State is home to scenic byways and dramatic landscapes; iconic monuments and quirky roadside attractions; colorful history and rich culture; and travel experiences that make it a popular destination to visit year-round. South Dakota is home to famed sites like Mount Rushmore National Memorial and the Old West town of Historic Deadwood, along with rolling prairies, majestic mountains and agritourism experiences. The state boasts six national parks, including Badlands National Park, and 63 state parks and recreation areas, offering endless opportunities for exploration, camping and spotting wildlife. In addition to the vast outdoor adventures, the destination has an array of distinct events, unique museums and Native American heritage for travelers to discover. Discover more at travelsouthdakota.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.