Fairview South DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Fairview, South Dakota.
1. Newton Hills State Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Newton Hills State Park offers visitors a beautiful natural escape with hiking trails through wooded hills and scenic overlooks. The park features camping facilities, picnic areas, and opportunities for bird watching and wildlife spotting. Visitors can enjoy the changing seasons with vibrant fall colors and spring wildflowers making it a year-round destination.
2. Calico Skies Vineyard and Winery
LOCAL WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE
Calico Skies Vineyard and Winery provides a charming wine tasting experience in the rolling countryside near Fairview. Guests can sample locally produced wines while enjoying the picturesque vineyard views and relaxing atmosphere. The winery often hosts special events and offers tours of their wine-making facilities.
3. Old Towne Dinner Theatre
ENTERTAINMENT AND DINING VENUE
Old Towne Dinner Theatre combines quality theatrical performances with delicious dining for a complete evening of entertainment. The intimate venue showcases local talent in a variety of productions ranging from comedies to musicals throughout the year. Patrons enjoy a full meal service before settling in for an entertaining performance in this community treasure.
4. Good Earth State Park
CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE
Good Earth State Park preserves an important cultural and historical site that was once home to the Oneota Indigenous peoples. The park features interpretive displays, educational programs, and miles of hiking trails through native prairie and woodland areas. Visitors can learn about the rich cultural history while enjoying panoramic views of the Big Sioux River Valley.
5. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
AMERICA'S SHRINE OF DEMOCRACY
Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the iconic 60-foot faces of four American presidents carved into the granite of the Black Hills. This monumental sculpture represents the birth, growth, development, and preservation of the United States. Visitors can explore the Avenue of Flags, Presidential Trail, and evening lighting ceremony at this symbol of American democracy.
6. Badlands National Park
DRAMATIC ERODED LANDSCAPES
Badlands National Park showcases a striking landscape of buttes, canyons, pinnacles, and spires formed through millions of years of erosion. The park's 244,000 acres are home to diverse wildlife including bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and endangered black-footed ferrets. Visitors can explore the otherworldly terrain via the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway, numerous hiking trails, and ranger-led programs.
7. Custer State Park
WILDLIFE AND SCENIC DRIVES
Custer State Park spans 71,000 acres of diverse terrain where nearly 1,300 bison roam freely alongside pronghorn, elk, and mountain goats. The park's Wildlife Loop Road offers excellent opportunities for animal viewing while Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road provide breathtaking scenic drives. Visitors can also enjoy swimming, fishing, hiking, and camping throughout this pristine natural area.
8. Jewel Cave National Monument
UNDERGROUND NATURAL WONDER
Jewel Cave National Monument protects the third-longest cave system in the world with over 200 miles of mapped passages. The cave features a stunning array of calcite formations, including sparkling crystals that inspired its name. Above ground, visitors can explore 1,279 acres of pine forest via nature trails before venturing below for ranger-guided cave tours.
9. Historic Deadwood
WILD WEST HERITAGE TOWN
Historic Deadwood preserves the authentic atmosphere of an 1870s gold rush town where legends like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane once walked. The National Historic Landmark offers visitors a chance to experience Wild West history through museums, historic sites, and daily reenactments of famous gunfights. Modern attractions include casinos, shopping, dining, and special events that blend Old West charm with contemporary entertainment.
10. Crazy Horse Memorial
MONUMENTAL MOUNTAIN CARVING
Crazy Horse Memorial is an ongoing mountain sculpture honoring the spirit and culture of North American Indigenous peoples. The massive carving, when completed, will depict the Lakota leader Crazy Horse pointing toward the lands where his people lie buried. Visitors can explore the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Educational and Cultural Center, and watch ongoing work on this massive sculptural project.
11. Wildlife Loop Road
SCENIC WILDLIFE VIEWING
Wildlife Loop Road winds through 18 miles of Custer State Park's diverse habitats, offering excellent opportunities to spot the park's famous inhabitants. Visitors regularly encounter the park's 1,300 bison along with pronghorn, elk, deer, burros, and prairie dogs in their natural setting. The drive is particularly spectacular at dawn or dusk when wildlife is most active and the landscape is bathed in golden light.
12. Falls Park
URBAN NATURAL WONDER
Falls Park showcases the natural beauty of the Big Sioux River as it cascades over a series of pink quartzite formations in the heart of Sioux Falls. The 123-acre park features viewing platforms, walking trails, historic buildings, and the five-story observation tower offering panoramic views of the falls and city skyline. Visitors can enjoy the on-site café, informative visitor center, and seasonal light shows that illuminate the falls after dark.
13. Great Plains Zoo
WILDLIFE AND RARE ANIMALS
Great Plains Zoo houses over 1,000 animals representing more than 100 species across its 45-acre campus in Sioux Falls. The zoo specializes in conservation efforts for rare and endangered species, including the snow leopard, Eastern black rhino, and red wolf breeding programs. Families especially enjoy the Hy-Vee Face-to-Face Farm, where children can interact with domestic animals, and the Fortress of the Bears exhibit featuring brown and black bears.
14. Washington Pavilion
ARTS AND SCIENCE CENTER
Washington Pavilion serves as the region's premier cultural center, housing visual and performing arts venues alongside interactive science exhibits. The facility includes the Kirby Science Discovery Center with 100+ hands-on exhibits, the Visual Arts Center featuring six galleries, and the Wells Fargo CineDome theater. Visitors can enjoy Broadway shows, concerts, and artistic performances in the historic 1,900-seat Mary W. Sommervold Hall.
15. Butterfly House & Aquarium
TROPICAL BUTTERFLIES AND MARINE LIFE
Butterfly House & Aquarium offers a unique indoor tropical experience where hundreds of free-flying butterflies from around the world flutter among lush plants and water features. The marine discovery center features coral reef tanks, freshwater aquariums, and touch pools where visitors can interact with stingrays and sharks. Educational programs, special events, and behind-the-scenes tours enhance the immersive experience at this family-friendly attraction.