South Dakota Archives

Visiting the Dakota Discovery Museum, Mitchell: practical guide for first-time visitors

The Dakota Discovery Museum, on the campus of Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota, preserves the history and art of the Native American and settler peoples of the Middle Border region from 1600 to 1939. This guide was updated in August 2026. Current adult…

Visiting Cosmos Mystery Area, South Dakota: practical guide for first-time visitors

Cosmos Mystery Area is a gravity-defying roadside attraction in the Black Hills, south of Rapid City, South Dakota, built around a tilted cabin discovered by accident in 1952. Adult admission is now $15, and the children's rate now covers ages 5 to 11 rather than…

Great Plains Zoo, Sioux Falls: Ticket prices, hours and what to see

The Great Plains Zoo is an AZA-accredited zoo operated by Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium, located at 805 S Kiwanis Avenue in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips to help you plan your visit.…