Aurora South DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Aurora, South Dakota.
1. McCrory Gardens
BOTANICAL BEAUTY AND SERENITY
McCrory Gardens is a stunning botanical garden offering visitors a peaceful retreat to explore diverse plant collections and landscaped areas. The gardens feature both formal display areas and a public arboretum, providing educational opportunities and scenic beauty throughout the seasons. Visitors can enjoy walking paths, themed gardens, and special events held throughout the year.
2. South Dakota Art Museum
ARTISTIC CULTURAL HERITAGE
The South Dakota Art Museum houses an impressive collection of regional and national artwork that celebrates the cultural heritage of the state. The museum features rotating exhibitions alongside permanent collections, including significant Native American art and works by famed South Dakota artist Harvey Dunn. Visitors can engage with the rich artistic traditions of the Great Plains through guided tours and special programs.
3. Dana J Dykhouse Stadium
COLLEGE FOOTBALL EXCITEMENT
Dana J Dykhouse Stadium is the premiere football venue for South Dakota State University, offering an exceptional gameday experience for Jackrabbits fans. The modern stadium features state-of-the-art facilities with a capacity for thousands of enthusiastic spectators to cheer on their team. Visitors can enjoy college football games in this impressive facility that serves as a centerpiece for university athletic pride.
4. SDSU Dairy Sales Bar
HOMEMADE DAIRY DELIGHTS
The SDSU Dairy Sales Bar offers delicious ice cream and other dairy products made right on the South Dakota State University campus. Students in the dairy science program help produce these treats using milk from the university's dairy farm, creating a farm-to-cone experience. Visitors can enjoy unique flavors and support the educational mission of the university while satisfying their sweet tooth.
5. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
AMERICA'S SHRINE OF DEMOCRACY
Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the 60-foot faces of four great American presidents who represent the birth, growth, development, and preservation of the United States. This iconic monument carved into the granite face of the Black Hills stands as a testament to American history and ingenuity. Visitors can take guided tours, explore the museum, and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
6. Jewel Cave
UNDERGROUND NATURAL WONDER
Jewel Cave is the third-longest cave system in the world, offering visitors a chance to explore its fascinating underground passages and formations. The cave features a variety of guided tours that showcase the unique calcite crystals that give the cave its name. Above ground, visitors can enjoy a 1,279-acre park with nature trails through the Black Hills landscape.
7. Custer State Park
WILD BISON AND LANDSCAPES
Custer State Park spans 71,000 acres of wild landscape where nearly 1,300 bison roam freely alongside pronghorn antelope, elk, mountain goats, and a band of burros. The park offers outdoor enthusiasts opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing, and camping in one of America's truly wild places. Visitors can drive the scenic Wildlife Loop Road for excellent wildlife spotting or challenge themselves on the park's granite peaks and clear mountain lakes.
8. Historic Deadwood
OLD WEST LEGENDS
Historic Deadwood invites visitors to walk in the footsteps of Old West legends like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, and Seth Bullock. This 1870s gold rush town, designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1961, now teems with entertainment including concerts, casinos, museums, historic sites, spas, and parades. Visitors can experience the authentic history of the American frontier while enjoying modern amenities and attractions.
9. Missouri River Recreation
MIGHTY MO WATER ADVENTURES
The Missouri River offers abundant recreation with free-flowing sections and four massive reservoirs—Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case, and Lewis & Clark Lake. These waters are prime destinations for fishing, boating, and water recreation throughout the warmer months. Visitors can experience both history and adventure along the shores and waters of the Mighty Mo, as the river is affectionately called by locals.
10. Wind Cave National Park
RARE CAVE FORMATIONS
Wind Cave National Park was the first cave to be designated as a national park and features the world's largest concentration of rare boxwork formations. The cave system is complemented by 33,851 acres of forest and prairie on the surface, creating a sanctuary for diverse wildlife. Visitors can explore both the fascinating underground world and the beautiful natural environment above ground through guided tours and hiking trails.
11. Crazy Horse Memorial
NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBUTE
Crazy Horse Memorial is an ambitious mountain carving that, once completed, will be the largest in the world, honoring the legendary Lakota leader. Work on this massive tribute began in 1948 under sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski and continues to this day as a multigenerational project. Visitors can explore the on-site Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Educational & Cultural Center to learn about Native American culture and the ongoing carving project.
12. Badlands National Park
DRAMATIC ERODED LANDSCAPES
Badlands National Park showcases striking geological formations with layered rock, steep canyons, and towering spires formed through millions of years of erosion. The park's 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie that supports bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets. Visitors can drive the scenic loop road, hike designated trails, or attend ranger-led programs to fully experience this otherworldly landscape.
13. Spearfish Canyon
LIMESTONE CLIFFS AND FALLS
Spearfish Canyon offers breathtaking scenery with its lush forests, sparkling streams, and towering limestone cliffs that attract outdoor enthusiasts year-round. The canyon features must-see natural attractions including the picturesque Bridal Veil Falls and Roughlock Falls, which provide perfect photo opportunities. Visitors can hike the trails, fish in pristine waters, enjoy mountain biking, or simply take a scenic drive through this natural wonder.
14. Brookings Arts Council
LOCAL CREATIVE EXPRESSION
The Brookings Arts Council promotes and celebrates the arts through rotating exhibitions featuring local and regional artists' work. The organization hosts workshops, classes, and cultural events throughout the year to engage the community in creative expression. Visitors can explore the gallery housed in a historic building and perhaps take home unique artwork created by South Dakota artisans.
15. Children's Museum of South Dakota
INTERACTIVE LEARNING PLAY
The Children's Museum of South Dakota offers interactive exhibits where children can explore, create, and learn through hands-on experiences. The museum features both indoor and outdoor play areas with activities that stimulate imagination and curiosity in visitors of all ages. Families can enjoy everything from climbing structures to water features, prairie exhibits, and creative arts spaces designed for educational fun.