South Dakota’s Best Kept Secret: A Family Adventure in the Glacial Lakes & Prairies
When you hear South Dakota, what comes to mind? Most people think of Mount Rushmore, a beautiful national treasure. Did you know that South Dakota’s Glacial Lakes & Prairies in the Northeast region offers incredible things to see and do, as well? Next time you plan a South Dakota vacation, why not experience a place that many others do not?
*Thank you to Glacial Lakes & Prairies Tourism for hosting us. As always, my opinions are mine and nobody else’s.*
My husband and I had the opportunity to spend four days with two of our grandkids (ages five & six) in the Glacial Lakes & Prairies region, and we are all still talking about our adventures.
Let’s face it, there’s nothing like a grandparent trip with grandkids. This region offers several family-friendly experiences. Our only regret is that we didn’t have enough time to spend more time at each attraction.
Best Midwest Experiences For Grandparents & Grandkids
We loved being able to enjoy our grandkids at the attractions, as they are not overly large. A huge bonus is being able to interact with employees at attractions and being able to take in things extra close-up. When was the last time you were not fighting a crowd at a zoo to watch the bears eat at a picnic table? Your Northeast South Dakota adventure begins now!
Table of Contents
Bramble Park Zoo
Bramble Park Zoo
800 10th St NW
Watertown, SD 57201
605-882-6269
brambleparkzoo.com
As soon as you enter the Bramble Park Zoo you realize it’s a zoo that plays big on a small scale. Our grandkids loved getting up close with the animals in the barn.
They were able to touch and feed several animals without having to stumble over several other kids.
We observed the bears bellying up to the table for a meal and enjoyed our time strolling the grounds. Kids love playgrounds, and Bramble Zoo delivers. Plan to spend a good two-three hours exploring this zoo. Pro Tip: Bring quarters for the machines to feed the animals.
Terry Redlin Art Center
1200 33rd St SE
Watertown, SD 57201
605-882-3877
redlinart.com
The Terry Redlin Art Center features the artwork of South Dakota artist Terry Redlin. This center also serves as a rest area along I-29. More than 150 original Terry Redlin paintings are on display at the center.
When you arrive, stop at the front desk to begin your visit. Our six-year-old granddaughter enjoyed the scavenger hunt. The indoor gallery is fun to visit, but don’t overlook the outdoor area, which offers an outdoor walking trail with incredible views of the center. Pro Tip: Want to see the paintings in a new light? Try the scavenger hunt.
Where To Stay In Watertown
Best Western Watertown Inn and Suites
The Best Western Watertown Inn and Suites kept us busy. The weather closed down the local swimming pool, which made for extra time at the indoor pool area at our hotel. With two waterslides, this hotel is perfect for families.
A larger waterslide offers an experience for older kids and adults. A smaller slide quickly became the place our five and six-year-old grandkids played for two full hours.
Children’s Museum of South Dakota
521 4th St
Brookings, SD 57006
605-692-6700
prairieplay.org
The Children’s Museum of South Dakota offers fun for everyone of all ages.
Every nook and cranny features an experience. Let’s face it, what five and six-year-olds don’t love delivering mail?
Mail is delivered by the second in all boxes in this family fun activity within the museum. South Dakota is the ultimate destination with grandkids.
Best Family Attraction In Brookings
Imaginations run wild through agriculture, grocery shopping, climbing, making a splash with water, and the creative list goes on and on.
Creativity is tops, and your adventure will come to an end before anyone is ready to leave. Pro Tip: Meet Mama T.Rex and Max, two full-size permanent, animatronic tyrannosaurus dinosaurs in the outdoor play area.
Splash Central Waterpark
345 9th St
Huron, SD 57350
605-353-8537
splashcentralwaterpark.com
Public pools are no longer simple, they are destinations in themselves. Splash Central Waterpark in Huron delivers a destination waterpark, which should be high on your list of places to visit. The waterpark features several water slides and a lazy river.
Our younger grandkids loved the lazy river and the kid pool area. Who doesn’t love a 125-gallon tipping bucket? This waterpark is ideal for grandparents and grandkids; it’s not too big and not too small! The day came to a close with a lot of fun memories made playing with water.
We all enjoyed our afternoon at Splash Central Waterpark. With a concession stand on site, your afternoon of fun in the water is complete. Sun, water, and family fun make this your next go-to Midwest water park. Pro Tip: The waterpark is seasonal, visit their website for opening and closing dates.
World’s Largest Pheasant & Rocket Slide
The World’s Largest Pheasant is easy to spot in Huron, along Highway 14.
Take a photo and check it off your bucket list of the World’s Largest roadside attractions. Prospect Park (1675 Idaho Ave SE), known as Rocket Slide Park, was a huge hit with our grandkids. The iconic rocket slide soars 32-feet high, originally called Astro City, is open for kids to run, slide, and play on.
The Rocket Slide was a walk down memory lane, as Todd & I both recalled playing on metal slides like the one in Huron. Prospect Park had more playground equipment to play on, making this a two-hour stop. Pro Tip: Quirky Rules!
Where To Stay In Huron
The Crossroads Hotel at Huron Event Center is located in the heart of the community.
With close proximity to Splash Central Waterpark and several parks and restaurants, the location is great.
Wylie Thunder Road Aberdeen
Wylie Park
Aberdeen, SD 57401
605-225-8541
thunderroadaberdeen.com
Your family-fun adventure continues in Aberdeen at Wylie Thunder Road. Our grandkids had never been on bumper boats, which added extra fun to this stop. You will have to measure the height of your kids upon entry, as they may not be tall enough to ride solo. The sun was shining and the water was flying as we hopped on the boats. We continued our adventure on the go-karts, as we all enjoyed the “rush” of the ride.
Our grandkids enjoyed the laser maze challenge, which was something I had never seen before.
A miniature golf course and Euro Bungy are also part of Wylie Thunder Road. Pro Tip: Camp in Wylie Park, a short walk from Thunder Road
Storybook Land
2300 24th Ave NW
Aberdeen, SD 57401
605-626-3512
Storybook Land Aberdeen
Storybook Land in Aberdeen is free to visit, with a small fee for the rides and concessions. Take a stroll through children’s stories that will take you down memory lane.
We had the opportunity to introduce our grandkids to Humpty Dumpty and many other stories from our younger years. The slides, swings, and climbing opportunities kept all of us very busy.
Follow the Yellow Brick Road as you stroll through the Land of Oz. Aunt Em and Uncle Henry greet you when you visit Dorothy’s Farmstead. Walk through Dorothy’s House, featuring tornado special effects, opening into Munchkin Land. Pro Tip: Purchase your ride tickets upon arrival and board the train to get an overview of the park.
Allevity Entertainment
130 Centennial St. S
Aberdeen, SD 57401
605-225-7733
allevity.fun
With 20,000 square feet, Allevity Entertainment delivers more fun than you and your kids can imagine. Our grandkids LOVED this venue! We had been outdoors in the heat all day, making this stop cool and refreshing.
Mini bowling (no age requirements) to virtual reality games were hits with all of us. Today we are all talking about the Spin Zone Bumper Cars. This whirling, twirling experience will bring smiles and laughter to everyone in your party. Arrive hungry and you can dine on-site, enjoying everything from wings to pizza. This one-stop attraction is ideal on a rainy day and is open all year long. Pro Tip: Weather not cooperating? Allevity Entertainment to the rescue.
Where To Stay In Aberdeen
We are huge fans of AmericInn Hotels. The AmericInn Hotel in Aberdeen was our home for lodging while in the area. Our spacious room was great for families.
The room had bunk beds with a double bed on the bottom and a single on the top bunk. Within seconds of walking into the room, the excitement and laughter took hold of all of us. We had been busy all day and this room was what we needed. It also had a king-size bed with a pull-out couch, meaning this room could sleep seven people. Pro Tip: Grab breakfast before you head out – it was a hit with our grandkids!
South Dakota’s Glacial Lakes & Prairies is an area you will be glad you explored. If you are still longing to visit Mount Rushmore and the western part of the state, incorporate the Northeast region of South Dakota into your trip.
SaraB
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