4 road trips to discover something new this spring

This piece is sponsored by Travel South Dakota.

Whether you have only an hour on the road or are heading out on a full-sized vacation, South Dakota is filled with undiscovered fun in every direction.

Spring is the perfect time to do a little exploring and make some memories, with destinations for all ages. Plus, checking in on a Travel South Dakota digital passport will earn you prizes as you discover hidden gems across the state.

Here’s a closer look at three destinations sure to be a hit with all ages and a couple of parks to visit.

Easy outing: Children’s Museum of South Dakota, Brookings

Every visit brings a different immersive experience at the Children’s Museum of South Dakota in Brookings.

The 44,000-square-foot museum features a lifelike KidStreet with an auto mechanic shop, grocery store and water play area.

A two-story climber invites people of all ages to ascend through a cloud enclosure to views of the entire exhibit space below. The star of the show, a full-size Mama T. rex dinosaur oversees a 4-acre outdoor play area with her baby, Max.

Check the daily schedule for special events, including story time, make-and-take Tuesdays, after-school maker studio and Spark Studio, which includes hands-on exploration and sensory experiences.

While the theme is family fun, a recent event at the Children’s Museum showed how it can be for grown-ups too. Museum After Dark is a recurring adults-only event open only to those 21 and older.

“Play is for everyone,” aid Kerrie Vilhauer, director of marketing and communications. “Often, we hear from adults who say they’d love to play at the museum but don’t have a child to bring with. And more recently, we hear from adults who spent their childhood years exploring the museum and have nostalgia for those magical days.”

Supermarket Sweep, life-size Hungry Hungry Hippos, Lite-Brite, Pictionary and crafts from the ’90s welcomed guests to the museum — not to mention craft beer from Wooden Legs Brewing Co.

 “I want people to know that it’s OK and encouraged for adults to play too,” said Charles Stuart, operations and exhibit manager.

While the benefits of play are similar for adults and children, play looks different for adults. Adults might experience play with sports, competitions, video games or hobbies.  But play is as much about mindset as it is the activity.

“When was the last time you were just plain silly? We love inviting people into our space who have never played with us before,” Vilhauer said.

“Play relieves stress, improves brain function, boosts health and is important for all people.”

Tickets can be purchased at prairieplay.org.

Find this and other destinations in the Family Fun Escapes Passport.

Ideal day trip: Aktá Lakota Museum, Chamberlain

A visit to the Aktá Lakota Museum introduces guests to the stories, history and traditions of the Lakota people.

Located in Chamberlain, it’s a great way to get your Tribal Nations Passport stamped while learning about the rich history of the region.

“The Aktá Lakota Museum offers an authentic cultural experience, showcasing the history, traditions and art of the Lakota Sioux people,” said Dixie Thompson, museum director. Exhibits feature artifacts, artwork and stories of influential figures such as Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse.

“The museum provides educational insights into Native American history and supports the preservation of American Indian cultures,” Thompson said. “It’s a meaningful stop for anyone interested in learning about and respecting Native American heritage.”

Thompson said the museum has interactive elements, respectful representation and connections to the land. The museum also features an outdoor Medicine Wheel Garden.

“It’s not just a place to display artifacts. It’s a living, breathing celebration of Lakota culture, history and resilience, told from the Lakota perspective,” Thompson said. “Unlike many museums that interpret Native cultures through an outsider’s lens, the Aktá Lakota Museum is designed to honor the voices, values and experiences of the Lakota people themselves.”

Thompson said guests often are moved by the immersive storytelling.

Guests will have a deeper understanding of the richness and resilience of Lakota culture, the challenges of Native communities through colonization and forced assimilation and the strength and pride of the Lakota people today.

They’ll also see the importance of preserving American Indian languages, arts and ways of life. “It’s about building respect and connection – and recognizing that Lakota culture is not something of the past, but something alive, evolving and thriving,” Thompson said.

“We hope when people visit the Aktá Lakota Museum, they walk away with more than just knowledge,” Thompson said. “We hope they gain respect. We hope they feel the strength, beauty and resilience of the Lakota people. And most of all, we hope they come to see that Lakota culture is not something of the past, but a living, thrilling way of life that continues to grow, adapt and inspire.”

The museum is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The museum is open on national holidays. Admission is free.

Find this and other cultural attractions in the Tribal Nations Passport. 

Longer adventure: Dahl Arts Center, Rapid City

If your travels take you farther west, the Dahl Arts Center in Rapid City is a can’t-miss space with a variety of attractions.

It features five curated art galleries, a hands-on art studio designed for families and the Dahl Artists’ Market, where art crafted by local and regional artists is available for purchase.

The center is managed by the Rapid City Arts Council, said Maggie Lepa-Wince, marketing director. She said the center hosts arts and culture events as well as education programs for youths and adults, pottery and art studios and more.

“Whether you’re looking for a quiet afternoon immersed in the galleries or a hands-on workshop to spark new ideas, the Dahl is for you,” Lepa-Wince said.

Guests can explore professional galleries, the Artists’ Market and event space through the main entrance. Or come through the Kansas City Street entrance – or “Education Door” – to see the Emerging Artists Gallery in the Bruce H. Lein Cultural Cafe & Gallery, where young and emerging artists display thoughtful, inspiring work.

It’s also is where visitors can drop in and create in the Open Art Studio, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Guests also can use one of 14 pottery wheels and two kilns.

Lepa-Wince said everyone experiences the Dahl differently.

“A parent with three kids might stop by and grab a scavenger hunt from guest services, then explore the galleries, learning about the artists, art mediums and which colors spark their children’s imaginations. Afterward, they can make something together in the Art Start Studio, which features all the materials for a self-guided project that changes monthly,” she said. “A couple might stroll through the professional galleries, which rotate every three months.”

Current galleries include “Wayfinder,” an exhibition inspired by “The Bear” by Andrew Krivak, and “Metamorphosis,” which consists of 15 murals painted by students in JSC and Juvenile Diversion. There’s also an annual community photography display.

Guests also can visit an Artists’ Market or one of the events, including live music and comedy.

“The Dahl belongs to all of us. We aim to be a space where everyone can experience, enjoy and be inspired by the creativity of their neighbors,” Lepa-Wince said. “Every piece you see, buy or admire was created by the hands of our community.”

The Dahl is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Entry to the galleries is free, but donations are welcome.

Find this and other arts destinations for all ages in the State of Create Passport. 

Immerse in nature

Pick any county in South Dakota and you’ll likely find places to hike, fish, bike or kayak that you never knew existed.

Here are a couple of our favorites:

Dakota Nature Park  in Brookings is 135 acres transformed from an old landfill into a city park with hiking, biking, canoeing and a pump track for bicyclists. The park also includes the Larson Nature Center, which offers education, programming and other events.

At the Dakota Nature Park, guests can experience a natural retreat all year. In the winter, you can hike and enjoy the prairie landscape or snowshoe when there’s enough snow. In the spring and summer, bike trails, walking paths and gardens are ideal for exploring. Rentals are available.

And next time you’re in the Black Hills, make sure you stop at Badlands National Park near Interior. It’s the home of the Fossil Exhibit Trail, a self-guided, fully accessible boardwalk featuring fossil replicas and exhibits of extinct creatures that once lived in the area.

It’s listed as an easy hike, making it perfect for a family visit for all ages.

Find plenty of outdoor destinations in the Peaks to Plains Passport. 

Watch S.D. history come alive with these easy road trip destinations