Variety is what makes South Dakota the place to host a meeting or event. From horizons that seem to stretch to infinity to the awe-inspiring buttes, spires and mesas of the Badlands to the cityscape of Sioux Falls, South Dakota offers something for everyone.

South Dakota is off the beaten path, but offers a wealth of options for meetings and events. One favorite locale is the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center, which celebrates the state’s frontier and Native American history, and plans to reopen after a renovation in 2025.

Because of the population distribution of South Dakota, Sioux Falls and Rapid City are regional centers of the state, and provide convenient air transportation for attendees. In Sioux Falls, the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center is the quintessential place to host a large-scale event thanks to its expansive convention center and entertainment complex with an attached hotel. Other unique venue options include The Journey Museum & Learning Center in Rapid City and the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls.

To further entertain attendees, consider attending one of the state’s many cherished pastimes, such as powwows, rodeos, county fairs, car and motorcycle rallies, and cook-offs. They all take place throughout the year in South Dakota.

For more ideas, go to travelsouthdakota.com.

6 Places to Check Out

  1. The Mammoth Site, Hot Springs
    The Mammoth Site is the world’s largest mammoth research facility and one of the top fossil interpretive sites in North America. Over 60 mammoths have been unearthed here, along with at least 87 other late Ice Age animals. You can tour this active dig site and view Ice Age fossils in the museum.
    mammothsite.org
  2. Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, Lead
    Discover the Black Hills region — from the flora and fauna that supported indigenous populations to the deepest gold mine in the Northern Hemisphere to Nobel Prize-winning science to secrets of the universe still being uncovered — through exhibits and pop-up activities.
    sanfordlab.org/slhvc
  3. The World’s Only Corn Palace, Mitchell
    Each year, some 500,000 tourists come from around the nation to see these uniquely designed corn murals. During the summer, friendly guides offer Corn Palace tours full of “a-maize-ing” facts. After, you can view displays about the palace, how the murals were created, souvenirs and more.
    cornpalace.com
  4. Redlin Art Center, Watertown
    The Redlin Art Center contains three art galleries where over 160 of wildlife and Americana artist Terry Redlin’s original oil paintings are displayed. The artist’s romantic view of America’s rural landscape is highlighted by the glow of golden sunsets, cozy campfires and starry skies. Groups can find space to reconnect … or disconnect … here.
    redlinart.com
  5. Wall Drug Store, Wall
    Near Badlands National Park, Wall Drug offers dining, gifts, souvenirs, activities and, of course, free ice water, drawing in more than 2 million visitors each year. Many travelers stop and leave refreshed, just like they did more than 80 years ago, when the establishment first started to offer free ice water. Now it’s a Midwest destination.
    walldrug.com
  6. The Dakota Discovery Museum, Mitchell
    The Dakota Discovery Historic Village features an expanded history of local Milwaukee Railroad operations. Inside the gallery, immerse yourself in the history of the Middle Border Region to learn more about the lives of the Plains Indians, fur trade, Dakota Territory, railroading, farming, ranching and the Great Depression.
    dakotadiscovery.com