7 Underrated Places In South Dakota That Even Natives Have Never Heard Of
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Annie
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If you are a proud native of the Mount Rushmore State, you may think you know all there is to know about South Dakota and have seen all there is to see… sound familiar? Even if you hail from SoDak, there may be a few places that you have overlooked (or have never even heard of), including:
When it comes to the great outdoors, there is no better place to be than South Dakota! Unfortunately, the more popular and well-known parks around the state can get crowded quickly, which is why we are extra grateful for the Pease Creek Recreation Area and their "pease"-ful lake, campsites, and trails.
Arguably the best ghost town hike in the country (yes, country!) is the trail that leads to the abandoned community of Spokane. Like many South Dakota ghost towns, Spokane was once a profitable mining community that began to fizzle out with the surrounding mines, leaving behind the deserted homes and dwellings that can still be seen today.
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If you are a tried-and-true SoDak native, you know that the Mount Rushmore State has MORE coastline than the state of Florida AND that we have an island of our own. Located outside of Pierre, LaFramboise Island is surrounded by the Mighty Missouri and boasts some of the most beautiful hikes in the state.
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Arguably the most unique store in all of South Dakota, the Termesphere Gallery and Museum is home to intricate sphere paintings that are unlike any art you have ever seen! (Please note: Visiting the Termesphere Gallery and Museum is by appointment only, so please call (888) 642-4805 before you go.)
You have heard the stories of the old Prohibition Era Speakeasies, but have you seen (and drank at) one for yourself? For most, the answer is no, but now you can at the hidden Blind Lion in Rapid City, which is in a secret underground location that requires a password to enter. (Psst... you can get the address and password by calling or texting (605) 939-0095!)
When people think of missiles and the arms race, South Dakota may be one of the last places on earth people think to visit, but we actually house the last remaining Minuteman II ICBM system in America! Also known as the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, the Delta-01 Launch Control Facility is home to Cold War-era sites, a missile silo/launch facility, and a launch control center.
One may think that the National Music Museum would be housed somewhere like Nashville or NYC, but it is, in fact, hiding out on the campus of the University of South Dakota. Considered to be one of the best music museums in the world, the National Music Museum features jaw-dropping instrument collections, first-generation grand pianos, and extensive archives you will not find anywhere else.
How many of these underrated SoDak spots have YOU visited? Let us know in the comments! For even more must-see spots around the Mount Rushmore State, check out these 11 Hidden Gems You Have To See In South Dakota Before You Die.
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Featured Addresses
Pease Creek, Jackson Township, SD 57342, USA
Spokane, East Custer, SD 57744, USA
LaFramboise Island Trail, Pierre, SD 57501, USA
Termesphere Gallery, 1920 Christensen Dr, Spearfish, SD 57783, USA
Blind Lion, 510 9th St, Rapid City, SD 57701, USA
Wall, SD 57790, USA
414 E Clark St, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA