31 Best Stops Between Rapid City and Hastings (2025)

After reading horror stories about confrontations with the natives, we decided to have our own experience and it was anything but that. Yes, we were approached in a very friendly manner. Introductions were made. We shook hands. Donations were solicited but not in any manner if a threatening way. No one was drunk. No one was on drugs. It was a very nice experience. The memory could definitely do with a more respectful upkeep and there were a second set of solicitations at the cemetery, but a simple no thank you was all it took. Step out if the cemetery and look over the grasslands to the memory of the loss of innocent lives. That is the point of Wounded Knee

Many who died across the road were buried here. The upkeep of the cemetery is disgraceful. There must not be caretakers. I placed some windblown items back in place. A weedeater would do wonders. Don't buy garbage dreamcatchers from the kids that hangout here just for the cash. Go down by the road and get some quality ones for the same price along with a history lesson. There you can still see the treeline where the elderly, women and children ran to hide from the soldiers.

Very emotional 🙏. Massacre sight is across the street from the memorial/cemetery. Very emotional and heart breaking to see. So glad we made the trip all the way out there.

The earlier reviews almost scared me off.an elderly local man pulled up beside me on my way in from the turn off of the main highway and rtold me to be careful but I think he was referring to riding.On that note from the sign there is a dirt road up to the cemetery. If you on two wheels I recommend going up and back on the track closest to this sign on the opposite side of the road. I came down the right most track looking down at them del the top and almost at the road or for pretty sandy. On a road bike loaded up with luggage this was some excitement I could have done without !! Made it though so it was probably character building.Worthy of note is that my visit was two days after memorial day so the place has probably had some interest shown this past weekend . I was approached by two young lads . One in the car and one offering hand made necklaces. Of course one cannot take buffalo teeth back to Australia but it may make a good gift for a local friend !!As there is little here in the way of a visitors center or toilets I can understand how the other reviews described the place as "sketchy". If you're primary job was selling crafts to tourists of the worst gun crime in USA history I can imagine some days you ma want to get up and knock back a few cold beers . Would that make you appear sketchy tp visitors ? Quite possibly.The lad who talked to me seemed sober and non threatening. I was a man alone on a motorcycle 🏍️. I've included many photos of the local graves as it's sad how young many people die here. I thought I would feel more pain and sadness in the air . It was a pretty location .

If you know the history of the event and the struggles of the Sioux against the US Government, this site will have more meaning, and it's lack of upkeep and lack of poignance as a memorial may kind of make sense. I wish that weren't so.Thanks to previous reviews, we got there at about 8:30am to avoid the trinket sellers, and we succeeded in that.If anything made us sad, it's that the Sioux nation has an opportunity here to commemorate their brave and proud ancestors honorably as a part of the historical record, yet the site is nothing more than a worn down historical marker, a parking lot, a condemned building, and a forgotten burial ground.For those interested in US-Indigenous relations, you should visit. For those who just saw this on their Gmap as a "site", go ahead and pass, as you'll leave sad and underwhelmed. Moreso after the drive through the reservation towns themselves, which will break your heart and leave you questioning why there are more Marijuana dispensaries than places to buy groceries. Those with knowledge of reservation treatment by the US government will know, but perhaps not the average lay citizen.My friend and I wondered why the local high school, which is new and quite high tech, doesn't do service projects to maintain the site and elevate it to a point of prominence. The event itself is horrific, but with a proud defiance against the wrongs done to their people, the Sioux could create a memorial worthy of the Crazy Horse monument only a short drive away.

Beautiful and sacred. Deserving of great respect. We did not experience any aggressive peoples nor in any way did we feel uncomfortable. Go, learn the history and pay your respects to these remarkable people.

Please understand that this is on the reservation. It's a long drive to this cemetery.We were saddened to see that a big board is all they can do for a memorial.A horrific event happened here and we need to remember the innocent lives lost.

It’s a graveyard with a memorial stone. That’s the entire memorial. Then a Native American man (who seemed semi-high) will try to sell you a trinket for upkeep of the memorial. He started negotiations at $40. We did give him $20. He was somewhat aggressive asking us if we wanted to be welcomed to his land or not. The entire experience left a bad feeling about visiting. I wish we hadn’t bothered coming.

Where to begin. This is must see place, but be prepared to be reminded that the tragedy of Native Americans is ongoing. The condition of the cemetery is shameful. It is rundown and in urgent need of a thoughtful revival. This is a “National Memorial” of the United States and it is a profound irony that we still to this day, don’t recognize these people as they deserve. The panhandling was poignant and a reflection of many of the Sioux people. The white flag flying over the mass grave is a powerful reminder of the state of affairs. It flew at the moment the massacre started and still flies to this day.On a different tack, while you are in the area visit Red Cloud’s grave and the Red Cloud Indian School. It is an great experience. It is just a few miles away. He was one, perhaps the only chief, who was never defeated in battle with the US Army. The school continues as an effective bridge of cultures founded by Red Cloud himself. Call the school and see about a visit. We stopped on a Sunday and I wish we had taken more time. Reviewing the heritage center on line after our return home, was a miss that we will rectify in a future visit.Oh, and by the way, notice the number of grave markers across the region that testify to the service given to this country in the armed forces by the Sioux people.Do you history before you go!

Incredible place to visit. Take some time to talk to the people selling their handmade jewelry and crafts. They were very engaging and very eager to talk about the area and explain what happened at Wounded Knee. For many of them their jewelry/craft sales are their only income. As others have mentioned, Pine Ridge is the poorest Reservation in the country and this is the poorest county in the United States. We spent money buying some of their jewelry and crafts to help them out. Wish I had taken more cash to buy more jewelry to help them out.Went during the daytime with my elderly mother and small children and we all felt incredibly safe. COVID checkpoint once you enter onto the Reservation.If you have time, reading the book Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee, really enhanced my appreciation for this somber place and the culmination of the Native Americans’ resistance.

This is not a typical sightseeing spot that you will expect in surrounding relaxing recreation area. But if you do have known the historical tragedy happened here and how that influence until now, you will have all the respect and heart to feel this place. When I visited here there was a vendor in the sign, and a guy up on the cemetery who tries to talk to me. I don’t find either of them aggressive but that may depend on people (like other review says) so I would suggest be prepared to engage people here. There is a little abandoned house just besides the memorial area. If you’re a fan of abandoned house, go inside and you will find a gorgeous place.

We paid our respects here on a visit in 2009. It is woefully ignored by a government whose fault it is that women and children were shot in their backs. The sign is rusted, but readable. This is a cemetery, first and foremost. If your intent is to honor, go. If it's to gawk, don't go. Those buried here were murdered, and their graves are lovingly tended by grandchildren of the dead. Most of all, read the book, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, by Dee Brown -- a book that indigenous peoples read as children (so I was told by a Ute man at Four Corners; Oct. 2021); he told me because I respectfully engaged in conversation with him about the history of this continent which is so very ignored. Learning is important. If you feel guilty, don't dwell, but do something. Donate to a cause. Vote. ...peace

An excellent opportunity to view what was a historically horrific event! This site is located on the Pine Ridge Reservation which in terms of the standard of living for the Native Americans living there is one of the worst in our country. The cemetery and the Memorial to those who died in that massacre are not well maintained, but it is interesting to note who many of those whom are in that cemetery have served in the military. During the season there are some rustic booths where the local residents offer handicraft items to supplement their income at far less cost than those found at most tourist sites. I have bought some beautiful bead and quill work from them.

Very important historical place. Really impactful and tragic. The road up to the cemetery is pretty bumpy, so we parked at the bottom of the hill and walked up. A local guy told us all about the cemetery and other history, it was really fascinating.

Very dilapidated and litter strewn. The old church is falling down. There were several Lakota around selling native jewelry. One went off on me when I pronounced oglala wrong. I was called a white man over and over and told id stolen the land. Another group of three were abusing this old white possibly homeless guy knocking him on the ground several times. We tried to stop it but calling the tribal police was mentioned. We beat feet out of there. Sorry i went. To get to wounded knee you have to ride through Pine Ridge. Miserable abject poverty. Depressing. Plenty else to see in SD. Don't go.

This is an emotional experience to be in the presence of a massacre. The problem is the site is not well kept. And our government should provide better documentation and information available at the site.

All my love, care & sincere respect! Met a true Lakota family whom I purchased a GORGEOUS handmade bracelet. There's a 90% unemployment rate there. Please purchase from this beautiful family. They'll give you the true history. I feel blessed to have met them.

There is a sign that explains the story. The cemetery at the top of the hill that has the graves of the original victims of the Wounded Knee Massacre.

Moving. Be aware there will be people nearby who will ask for money.

4.3

(388)

4.0

(218)

Wounded Knee, SD 57794, USA

+163 other lists

My husband and I visited the Badlands on September 31, 2024, and it was extremely windy. The journey into the park was well worth the $30 entrance fee. If I remember correctly, they only accept card payments. We got to climb all over the Badlands rock formations, which was an incredible experience. If you are into hiking and terrain exploring, I would highly recommend exploring the Badlands. We even saw a goat on the side of the road, which was very cool! Make sure to bring plenty of water and sturdy shoes, as the terrain can be quite rugged.We also enjoyed the scenic drives and lookout points, which offered breathtaking panoramas of the park. The Ben Reifel Visitor Center was a great starting point with its informative exhibits and helpful rangers. One of the highlights was the Notch Trail, which featured a ladder climb and stunning views. The park’s unique landscape and diverse wildlife made for an unforgettable experience. We also appreciated the well-marked trails and the availability of rest areas along the way. Overall, the Badlands is a must-visit for nature enthusiasts and anyone looking to experience the beauty of South Dakota's unique terrain.If you’re currently on a road trip through Wyoming, you might find similar breathtaking landscapes and unique experiences along the way.

If you have never been, it is worth seeing. Driving through and stopping at a few of the pull off areas once was enough for me. Roads on the East entry side need some work, and I enjoyed my time in the Buffalo Gap National Grassland a lot more. Less people and more freedom to explore.I did love that there is a free camping area near the west entry gates. Beautiful campsites with the best views in the area. 100% free to camp which is something that most of the National Parks do not have.Entry to the park is free to the Badlands with the America the beautiful pass. I love all of the National Parks I've been to. This one just wasn't one of my favorites. An occasional shaded area at some of the pull offs needs to be added. It certainly is something to see, though, and I very much appreciate all of our National Parks.

Please go and see this phenomenal beauty in our own backyard. Go at sunset or sunrise for even more incredible experience. I got there as sun was setting and was amazed! 30$ for seven day pass, veterans are free. Other discounts as well just can't remember them.

What a fabulous surpriseThis place is quite amazing.For all Australians who have visited Mungo national Park, this is like a massive version of that work the dunes carved by constant winds.You can wander through them & people were walking through them.

An amazing National Park with probably the most stunning scenic views, only second to the Grand Canyon.We have been to this park several times and are always awed by its natural beauty and panoramic views from multiple areas of the park.At some viewpoints, you can see 30 miles or more on a clear day.Be sure to stop at every viewpoint, because they are all different in some way.The viewing platforms are easy to access via some stairs and raised walkways, and most are within a few minutes walk from the parking areas.There are some amazing hiking trails, too, but be sure to take plenty of water and some snacks. It gets really hot on the trails in the summer and the sun can be brutal.Plan on spending at least 4 or 5 hours slowly driving through the park.One warning… the road to the Prairie Dog “town” is gravel and REALLY bumpy with a washboard sort of texture. It was pretty unpleasant to drive!

This is unlike any national park I have ever been to. The land is barren but beautiful. There aren’t many hiking trails and they are mostly dry or through grassland, wherein lie the rattlesnakes. The best plan is to drive through the park and stop at every viewpoint. The cell service is surprisingly good. The land is beautiful but extremely hot in the summer. Keep your dogs hydrated and remember only service animals are allowed on most paths. Parking is decent and the park isn’t too crowded. No one checked our pass so I guess I paid just to keep the park clean. Beware lots of tourists think they are the “sheep police” and will bother you for taking their photos if you’re even an inch too close. Saw lots of bison, birds, and prairie dogs.

It’s currently hazy due to wildfire smoke from elsewhere, but the formations are awesome to see. Easy and short hikes with good payoff, just beware of heat. Would suggest exploring early or late, as opposed to under the hot sun. Scenic route was excellent with various viewpoints each with its unique sight. Visitor center was informative. If you are not camping or staying here, you can still pay quarters to use the shower at the campsite.

The next stop on our trip out west was the Badlands National Park in South Dakota. As we neared the area, I saw the topography change. It’s like the haunting surface of a foreign planet due to the many hills and gullies' appearance. The visitor center has many geological examples, animals dug up from the area, and a working paleontology lab. We were allowed to enter the lab as they worked. Everyone was eager to help or provide information. Because this is a National Park, all rocks, fossils, and plants are protected. Taking them from the park is illegal. There are numerous animal species in the area. I was lucky to see prairie dogs, bison, and mountain goats. The Lakota were the dominant tribe in the area until trappers, homesteaders, miners, and the military arrived. The elimination of the bison devastated their way of life. The summers are hot and the winters are frigid with high winds from the North. I am glad we went in the summer. The landscape draws you into the amazing shades, contours, and ravens. This area was once underwater. As the water receded, the sea bed became land. This layer is rich in fossils. Over time, the rain, wind, and changes in the earth transformed the surface to create what is now the Badlands National Park. The different layers in the land vary as the sun moves over the sky changing shadows, light, and perception. It is incredible to see buffalo herds moving across the prairie. The abundance of life in what seems like an isolated place is amazing. This is a miracle of nature and a must-see for anyone in the area. This is a great place to help understand more of what makes up our earth.

One of the more unique national parks I've been to, the landscape is so vastly different than the rest of them. There are so many different lookout spots located along the road running through the park, and also Robert's Prairie Dog Town is so neat! I saw so many prairie dogs, bison, pronghorn, and even a rattlesnake in the park.

Very beautiful experience. Loved the scenic loop and even More so seeing the proof firsthand to prove the flood during Noah’s lifetime. Fossils of ocean creatures and clams in the bottom layer of sediment just brings me to awe to reflect back on the days of the great big flood. Seeing these natural creations and wonders just brings me in awe of God. Beautiful and inspiring to see.

Totally RAD NP 😉! It’s awesome to have the ability to slightly go off path to explore and see some cool spots (keeping your bearings and good sense of direction is key). Amazing terrain here. A must do for your bucket list! Plus, some great spots to sit and reflect. 🥾

Truly unique scenery that you must see to believe! It’s less crowded than the most popular parks, but still quite popular during g peak summer months. You can get amazing views here with minimal hiking.

Definitely a bucket list destination! Take your time driving through and stop at the overlook sites to really enjoy the views! There are many great “selfie” spots! With the diverse scenery throughout the park, it is very impressive and breathtaking at every turn. Start the trip with a full tank of gas and drinking water to be on the safe side.Pack a picnic because there are nice places to stop and enjoy a lunch or snack at the tables with shade covers! We also stopped at a very nice visitor center and store within the park.The wildlife was amazing from the wild buffalo to the millions of prairie dogs!

Can one take a bad picture in this park? Nope! Everywhere you look is stunning! We spent hours taking the road through and stopping and exploring...and repeat. Around every corner was another animal, stunning view, place to hop out and look around. (Take a packed lunch cos you will be hear longer than you planned!)I loved how up and close you could get to the rocks and landscape. Definitely worth exploring the trails and you will find some beautiful things.Pricey but worth it.

Great place to visit! Lots of opportunities to see some unique parts of the US. Wildlife is all over. Great trails and scenic overlooks. Bring water and good hiking shoes.

Very beautiful national park 🏞️ and unfortunately i couldn’t spend more time because it was very very hot. But one thing I can say that the land scapes are very different. Definitely a must visit national park, the drive is fantastic. The closest city is rapid city, if you can stay in rapid city definitely can cover this national park as well as Mt Rushmore both. Definitely recommend the drive is fantastic you can spend a good day here.

This is one of the easiest national parks to visit. You basically drive the loop from the west to east or vice versa. The visitor center is in the east entrance. The east entrance also has some spectacular views. I would recommend going through the east side if you can because the viewpoints will get repetitive and you'll not want to stop towards the end. In my opinion there are better viewpoints on the east side. You'll definitely see prairie dogs, just look for the countless mounds along the way. You'll need binoculars and I suggest staying in your car to watch them. They'll not run away as much.The Yellow Mound was my favorite because of the many colors you'll see. Recommend stopping there. There is also ZERO shade so bring water and a hat.2-4 hrs should do it for this park.

Beautiful park and the landscape is out of this world. I’ve never seen anything like it before. An absolute must if you are in the area. It gets very hot in summer though and no shade, it was a little too intense to do the full hike we planned, but still worth the visit.

Loved it! Place was crazy hot, and there were warning signs everywhere about heatstroke and such. Besides that, it was a beautiful park, and there was lots to do, for hikes and overlooks to drive to. I drove around to all the scenic overlooks I could find, and I found some really gorgeous vistas.

4.9

(15486)

5.0

(1985)

South Dakota, USA

+51 other lists

This is a must stop location the prairie dogs are amazingly cute!! They are all over the place! you will definitely see prarie dogs!

100 perfect worth the to this location. Prairie Dogs literally everywhere with a splash of bison. Views are wonderful as well. If you have kids it's a must, but adults will enjoy it the same! Drove to this location in Thursday around 6 and there were very few other drivers around.

Very fun place to see prairie dogs up close. They seem to be very accustomed to humans, so they let us come relatively close to take photos. Be careful not to get too close or touch them though- they are still wildlife and should not be fed!!

The 10 min drive down an unpaved, dusty track was well worth it. The prairie dogs were quite confident in their natural habitat. Lots of them, each standing on his/her burrow. The bison grazing a few yards away was a bonus.

Just an FYI, its a empty field with prairie dogs. Most of them ran away, found one that came up but then started screaming at us.

Awesome experience to watch wild prairie dogs in their communal setting.

Saw Prairie Dogs, Pronghorn, and Bison here on the night of 6-30-2024. The Prairie dogs are so fun to watch run around and make all sorts of sounds to eachother. The road to get to this portion is very rough gravel, your vehicle will emerge dusty.

Amazing. So cute. $1 bag of nuts to feed them. Nice spot to stretch our legs

FYI- This is not the spot with the store and location to buy food for the prairie dogs. It is an open field off an unpaved road with an area to park to get close up pictures of the critters.However it is a cool stop, if you have the time.Recommend to use insect repellent to avoid flea bites and don’t wear flip flops. There is a warning posted that these prairie dogs can transmit the Plague. Yes, that Plague.

The prairie dogs are the cutest little things ever! So glad that we stopped here! The views are incredible, and the prairie dogs peek out of their mounds and run all over. Very fun place!

Robert wasn’t kidding, so many prairie dogs. Saw around 200 of them. They don’t really get scared of cars either so you can pull over to take pictures and they won’t run away.

This place is halfway on the road to sage Creek campground. The prairie dogs seem not to pay pay too much attention to humans and you can take nice photos. The impressive things is that you can see their burrows all over the plateau.

Kinda funny that they call this particular spot a prairie dog town. the entire area north of the road once in the park is like one big prairie dog town. it was super windy the day we were there so we didnt spend that much time outside. it was fun to watch the animals run around between the holes in the ground.

We didn't get to visit the prairie dogs much this time... but we met lots of new friends!

We enjoyed the little Prairie dogs. We only took pictures and filmed them. Some were curious of us, probably hoping we would feed them. One of the best parts of our trip.

Very cute.This spot has a lot of holes so it easy to see prairie dogs everywhere. Don't be shy to get out and walk a little. The more east you drive the less likely you will see them.Also there a good chance to see buffalo from this area and west.

They are so cute and they have their own version of barking. You have to travel on Rim Road to get here but Rim Road is well worth the trip just for the wildlife you see. You can do it in a car if it hasn't rained.

If you have only a day in the Badlands, make sure you hit this spot. We were told by a ranger that the road leading to Prairie Dog Town and Cedar Pass is a great spot to see Bison, and he was not wrong!. In this one spot we saw Bison, prairie dogs and burrowing owls.

It is located about 5 mi down a gravel road. This was well worth the trip. Lots of prairie dogs very close in. In addition, we encountered longhorn sheep and a bison immediately roadside on our drive to prairie dog town. I highly recommend taking the time to visit here if you are in the Badlands national Park.

4.7

(437)

4.5

(399)

Rim Rd, Wall, SD 57790, USA

+11 other lists

Amazing historic place with great staff and awesome exhibits. This location is accessible friendly and does have accessible parking and entry along with bathroom facilities. It is easily seen from the road and accessible from the road. There is plenty of parking available and parking traffic and flow is great. The bathrooms were great and cleanly maintained. The overall facility was great and clean and very well maintained. The exhibits were outstanding in the quality on the exhibits was awesome. A lot of things that I have seen over time in person all curated in one place. The gift shop also had amazing gifts and things that were in line with what needed to be at the facility. Some touristy stuff but a lot of actual historical things. Staff was outstanding and Andrea at the customer service side was amazing. They had an item that was not in stock and she was able to get it in stock and shipped out to me since I had to return before they would get it in stock. I think what makes this place the most special is the quality of the exhibit and the quality of the staff both being absolutely amazing. We will definitely be back.

Surprisingly fun stop! Very interesting to learn about the missiles that exist beneath the plains in the Dakotas. The rangers were informative and great to learn from, and gave us some tips about places to go to learn more.

The video here is great, lots of information that is fascinating. It was hard to see all of the museum as a tour buss dropped off a gazillion people.the rangers are friendly and take the time to approach you. You should come here before going to the silo, coming here will give you insight. Also, do the audio tour at the silo.

If you're hoping to tour an actual missle silo, be advised that this isn't that. It's a museum and visitor information center of sorts that pays tribute to the cold war bombardier groups that managed and maintained nuclear missle silos in the area.It's a well-done and engaging museum, particularly for adults, less so for kids. We were all shocked to learn how close we came to oblivion in the 60s on multiple occasions as a result of false alarms. The most outrageous story was of a Russian officer at a missle base who doubted some false readings indicating a US missle attack and broke from prescribed procedure. Despite literally saving the world, he was fired from his prestigious position and punished for deviating from protocol. I guess that's just how communists roll!

A great place to stop to learn some history about the Cold War, nuclear deterrence, and the past and modern nuclear forces in place here in the Northwest.The visitors center has a great display on minuteman missiles and their history, as well as graphics on the building of the silos, etc.There is a 30 minute video available to watch at no charges.There are no missile silos to see at the visitors center. You need to drive to two separate sites within about 10 miles to see the missile D-1 and D-9 sites that are both now inactive.Be sure to buy tickets for a tour of the D-1 site here if you are interested in that. The tours are by reservation only and cost $12.

This place was really entertaining and informative. The parking lot is actually very large and the RV parking isn't far away like most places. The only sad thing was we didn't even know about it till we got to the area and we saw a sign... So we weren't able to do the guided Delta 1 tour. Apparently it's recommended to make reservations up to 90 days in advance.

As somebody that’s been fascinated by the Cold War since I was little, I found this museum very informative and engaging. Not to mention, my girlfriend accidentally left her phone here and the Rangers were very helpful, communicating with us and holding her phone until we drove back for it. Definitely looking forward to stopping back next year!

Very interesting. Easy access. It's worth the stop. Be sure to visit the Minute Man silo down the road.The command center requires reservations, so we missed it.

Fantastic history of the nuclear age of weapons and the cold war. A very interesting inside view of the silo center via a 20 minuet discussion/ presentation by a Park employee who actually worked there while in the Airforce. The Park movie and exhibits are worth seeing.

Cool place. Was busy & parking difficult. Good information but not super kid friendly unless your children are patient or like history. My wife & I thought it was pretty cool but our sons were over it pretty quickly at the museum part but they did enjoy the outside silo portion of the attraction which was a quick drive down the road with better parking. Would recommend to any newbie’s to the area & for anyone who wants to see & feel apart of our American military history.

Quick stop on our way to the Badlands. Surprised it has a national parks stamp. Worth the stop. Wish we had more time here.

Nice load diversion clean restrooms small gift shop a little visitor center. I’d suggest getting tickets 90 days in advance pro tip. There’s RV parking that is unmarked to the right.

Was worth taking the time to visit and learn a lot of info about what was going on back in the day. Amazing stuff!!

Well worth the stop. Lived it now learned about it again. Informative. Friendly staff. Very helpful.

Cool spot dedicated to the Minuteman Missile. We attended the virtual tour, but they also have regular tours and you can drive out to the sight and do a self tour.

Documents history of the tense Cold War years between USA and Russia until 1990s and disarming treaties through a short film and exhibits, the role of America’s plains and defense systems. Also has a small store and a short film. Shares a highway exit with the Badlands National Park- another must see wonder

How do you describe this place? I have been putting a bit of thought into it.The guest book asks a simple question. Should we have nuclear weapons?My answer is yes, we still need them, since they are already here. You can't put that genie back in the bottle...🤐This is a place every American should see to understand how close the world came to an end at one point. It drives home the reality of how important it is to ensure radical nations like Iran and North Korea do not get Nuclear capability, and how precarious the existence of the inhabitants of the planet really is. When leaders like Putin threaten to use these weapons, the reality of the term Mutual Assured Destruction becomes clear. The destruction to Japan in WWII pales to how much man has advanced in his ability to destroy himself... God help us and have mercy on us and I pray He will protect us from ourselves...I am looking forward to seeing the Delta 09 missile site, which I was expecting to be here, but is actually over by Wall SD...

Small but informative museum exhibits.. but the person that led the virtual tour of the control facility was amazing! Very informative and entertaining.. make sure you attend that if you do not have tickets for the guided tour of that control facility. The video that plays every thirty minutes was also exceptional!

What a very unique and interesting monument, This site is very informative about a period in our history that could very well led to tragedy. The short show was very informative and the rangers as always were friendly

4.6

(2149)

4.5

(882)

24545 CottonWood Rd, Philip, SD 57567, USA

1 list

Very nice and cool. You can play and swim around in the river. It is a great place for a nice walk.

A nice lil park with all kinds of camping with their own campground and a nice hike to the falls. I would highly suggest if you're not looking to camp there, the "Lord Ranch" is a nice lil scenic drive away that is a beautiful lil remote and romantic getaway.

When I met my husband, a Nebraska native, I asked him, “What’s in Nebraska that makes you Nebraskans so fond of the place?” Now that I’ve lived in Nebraska myself for 15 years, I’d say two good reasons for loving Nebraska include the Niobrara River and Smith Falls. The falls, the tallest in Nebraska, are easy to reach via a well-kept path and a walk across the Niobrara on the old Verdigre Bridge, under which canoes glide in the most peaceful setting you could imagine. Past the river, when you reach the falls, take off your shoes and wade in a little closer to look up at the clouds through the cool spray.

Great weekend getaway! Wheelchair acceptable for anybody that may need the extra!

We had a nice drive up to Smith Falls and a little walk to see the falls...it was very busy there with lots of people...a a small area.

I lovely place to visit, especially on a hot day, as you are able to get up close and personal with Nebraska's highest waterfall. I wish there were more teas in the park to hike, as it would be neat to see the view from the top of the water fall.

1/2 mile to and of course 1/2 back.Has paved and metal walkways to the falls. It's totally worth it. The day we went, it was 102 degrees, but take water, take your time. I honestly believe any fitness level can do this trek.

We've been stopping by the tallest waterfall in Nebraska for 6 years now! When we first started it was a wooden walkway with dirt pathways to some areas! Now they upgraded it and everyone is able to access the falls, before it was only for the brave. Ha! The downfall of this is that there's a huge wait now and lots of foot traffic, but it's still worth the stop!Highly recommend stopping! Whether tubing or hiking, stop on by!

Absolutely gorgeous and serene place in nature!

Definitely worth visiting. The falls are cool, the campground looks nice and the Niobrara is a great river. It is an easy walk from the campground.

Wonderful state park. Definitely a must see. Wheelchair accessible path all the way across the river and to the tallest waterfall in Nebraska!

This is a beautiful tribute to nature. Absolutely breathtaking and memorable for all ages. It is romantic! The park is kept very clean and the waterfall is indescribable & pictures don’t do it justice so venture out and see this gem!!!

The tallest waterfall in Nebraska and a fun place to pit stop. Fairly easy to hike too.

One of my favorite places on Earth.

Place is awesome! Who would’ve thought Nebraska’s tallest waterfall is less than mile from cornfields! Walked right up to the falls. So cool.

Cramped campground if you go during busy season. Tents practically backed up next to watch other. Otherwise when it's empty, it's a fantastic place. Easy walk to the waterfall. Beautiful landscape. Fantastic place for bird watching. Also plenty of White Tail deer to see.

4.8

(168)

4.5

(148)

Valentine, NE 69221, USA

5 lists

We had the opportunity/honor to visit the South Dakota State Capitol in JUN_FY2024 and it was an amazing experience, a great opportunity to learn more about South Dakota's history and legacy.We did a plant tour and for sure it's a remarkable building.Definitely, it'sa place that deserves my respect. It was a privilege.

It's worth visiting such a nice building. Entrance is completely free. We were the only visitors on Saturday morning.

Beautiful Capitol building. Lovely artwork and interior. The Senate chamber is amazing as well as the dome. Beautiful grounds. Overall excellent and impressive.

Was really exquisite to just walk around and see all the art work on the walls and all the statues.

Visited for the Christmas 2023 season all I can is AWESOME and AMAZING, this is a must see the buildings architecture is priceless. Wanted to see if the Governor was in and maybe share some tea but against better judgement decided she was to busy. Anyway stop by and take a look you won't be disappointed.

Auf unserer Reise durch den Mittleren Westen haben wir etliche Capitol gesehen. Das in Pierre ist ein Kleinod. Sehr gepflegt, etwas altmodisch in positivem Sinn... uns hat es gut gefallen. Die Mitarbeiter waren sehr hilfsbereit und extrem freundlich.(Translated by Google)We saw quite a few Capitols on our trip through the Midwest. The one in Pierre is a gem. Very well maintained, a bit old-fashioned in a positive sense... we liked it. The staff were very helpful and extremely friendly.

I've visited about half of the state capitol buildings. This one is rather simple compared to other traditional domed capitols. However, I liked how light it was inside. That because there is a lot of white on the walls and the building is just well-lit. The building is surrounded by beautiful spacious grounds and plenty of shaded parking. It was very hot the day I visited and I was happy to be able to park in the shade.

Attended Christmas at the Capital 2023 and it was an amazing experience! Beautiful collection of Christmas trees, all donated by various businesses/families within South Dakota. The event is free and took about an hour to see all the trees. The amount of decorations on each tree was so impressive. They even have a sign-in book and it's nice to see where others drove from to view this event. Thank you to the SD Capital for hosting this event!

We were staying in Kennebec South Dakota. Looking for a day trip. We traveled to Pierre South Dakota to see the capital. Oh my gosh!!!! Gorgeous inside and out. We were able to see the Senate and House chambers. We did go on a Saturday. We did the self guided tour. Staff that was on duty were great! Do not forget to take the Governor path to see the sculptures of every passed governor…it’s on the grounds behind the Capital Building

Attended AARP Lobby Day. Had a wonderful lunch. Picture in the rotunda, & were warmly greeted by the Senate Chamber. Our South Dakota State Capitol is gorgeous.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit. It was an excellent learning experience.

Security entrance on the NE side. Bathrooms are extremely clean and just neat!! Free. We spent about 45 minutes looking around inside. The grounds outside are beautiful as well. Tons of parking. We were here on a Saturday morning in September.

Really, REALLY enjoyed our family’s self guided tour of the Capitol building in July 2024! Beautiful building, nice access, a lot of historic content, and kind staff. A great visit!

Driving in from the Twin Cities, MN, Pierre was such a a refreshing change of pace. I wasn't being mindful and thought that Pierre was a cute little small town. Then I saw the 'Capitol' sign. It was comfortable and casual in a good way. A breath of fresh air!

My experience here was quite good. My mate and I rolled up in our car and parked just a block away with no issues, and unlike many of the other state capitol buildings I have visited, this had no security checks, at least coming through the door we did. All of the rooms were pretty accessible, including the State Affairs room where I testified. The setting was very nice on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River, and the ponds around it looked very cool. I might not visit again to testify, but I am glad I did the one time. It’s close in resemblance to the Montana State capitol because the same design was used, interestingly enough. If you’re passing through, it’s worth even a quick visit.

I happened to be in Pierre, SD Memorial Day Weekend and looked around to see what I could do. I love architecture and found my way to the Capital building. I didn't notice any cars in the lot but thought I could satisfy myself with photos of the exterior. I started to have a conversation with a gardener and remarked how beautiful the landscaping was. He was so very nice, as I found people are in South Dakota and I inquired if it was possible to view inside. He took me in hand, inside to security and asked them to take good care of me and they did. The inside of this building is remarkable and spic and span. I could feel the history and hear the many discussions that must have ensured in these hallow halls. I felt I was in a maze because just when you think you at a dead end there is another corridor. I thought I had seen everything and when I started to leave, I said goodbye to security and one gentleman asked me if I had seen such and such or such and such and I hadn't. Even though my feet were hurting at this point I followed him to areas I had not, indeed, viewed. I am so glad I persevered, because I missed some enormous assembly rooms, plus he shared some history. I was in heaven since I enjoy learning about the history of places I visit. I am so thankful to this gentleman. If you have the opportunity and enjoy architecture and history, make a point to visit.

This is an amazingly beautiful example is an old capital building. I was fascinated by the casual, relaxed atmosphere and the accessibility of the political representatives. There are wonderful murals in various areas, and a quaint gift shop in the lower level that's worth a visit. Well done South Dakota!

Very beautiful! There's a nice guidebook to walk you through with some cool trivia in it, like the heart shaped tiles! Also a fun children's activity book. We had a lot of fun exploring this gorgeous building. We have visited a lot of state capitols and this was one of our favorites!

So happy to vist the capitol building inside and out on the grounds. Walked all the levels from the basement to the top floor house and senate chambers, enjoying the marble stairs and pillars. Looking at photo's on the wall of court Justice ⚖ along with the dresses worn by the first Lady of the governor at the time and current husband to Governor Christy Noem. Worth the time to see and visit South Dakota big Home.

4.7

(174)

4.5

(250)

500 E Capitol Ave, Pierre, SD 57501, USA

+6 other lists

The Corn Palace is far more than corn. It’s a monument to the political, economic and social realities of South Dakota year after year starting from the early 1900’s. Most astonishing is the involvement of South Dakota artists, like Sioux artist Oscar Howe, involvement. Equally as astonishing but disappointing is there is very little by way of information, books or postcards or prints available for purchase to honour this legendary South Dakotan. Please make these available, it’s an insult to the calibre of art the Corn Palace holds to not have anything of his. Furthermore, I hope one year the Corn Palace has an Oscar Howe themed exhibit!

A nice gift shop set up in the event center portion of the Corn Palace. They had a nice variety of gifts and souvenirs for folks to chose from. There are restrooms in the front area of the Corn Center. Just a nice set up for folks visiting.

We brought some out of town guests from California to see the corn palace because it’s a perfect road trip stop. We all enjoyed our time and were impressed with the artwork inside and outside of the building. Souvenirs, snacks, and clean bathrooms are also available.

What a "corny" place to go, but fun. A quick walkthrough of the history of the Corn Palace and a quick visit to the gift shop. Found some great souvenirs of our time spent there. My 1 yr old daughter loved it. Can say we will be back soon 😆

it's a cute place to go if your looking for souvenirs.

Worth the stop to stretch and say you've seen it. The art is impressive, and inside they have a row of pictures that shows all the designs dating back to 1892. There's also restrooms, a concessions stand, an interactive educational center for the kids, and a gift shop. Entry is free, but they ask for donations if you go in the kid's area.

Unique gotta go attraction if you're driving through. The nicest people work here.

One of a few places that I would travel to see to spend a day the mural on the front made with corn and other grains is a Beautiful site the history in side is a wow the gift store has something for every pocketbook

Was Incredible also Beautiful, all four grandchildren loved it

I live in Sioux Falls and visited on 04/08 and had gotten a puzzle. Of course when i finished the puzzle i was missing a puzzle piece. So we drove back to this gift shop a couple weeks later on 04/19 and i told the guy behind the counter, who checked us out, my mishap and he gave me the puzzle for free! He went above and beyond!!! I didn’t catch the employees name but im pretty sure he was the only one working the last 2 times i was in there. Very nice guy! Store is well put together and maintained! Very clean!

Super cool store. Staff is awesome!

4.1

(186)

3.5

(2438)

603 N Main St, Mitchell, SD 57301, USA

As we travel (see our website) we always try to visit museums to educate and understand more about the local area & history.Ingalls Homestead is not only a great story, bur Laura Ingalls touched millions of lives with her Little House On Prairie books. The grounds have several buildings including the house, barn & church and each building plenty of educational material & interactiveactivities for the kids. Kristys Mom read all her books as a child and even wrote Laura which Laura wrote Kristy's Mom back. Kristy has the original letter. Plan at least 3 hours or more to see it all. If you plan on camping, it's not designed for big rigs. Enjoy!

This was so cool. It's definitely better if you've read the books, but everything was pretty much free reign. It wasn't like an amusement park that if you turn around, you would see people. The experience was very relaxing.

We stayed two nights at one of their RV sites. Our family has a ton of fun here! The different locations around the homestead with examples from 150 years ago were excellent. Very educational and interactive. At every stop there was something to touch or an activity to do that the early settlers did.The camping was great. Water and electric at the site. Convenient and clean bathrooms. Simple showers but they got the job done. Firewood on site for easy purchase for a campfire.All the employees were very helpful and friendly. We had a wonderful time seeing Laura's books come to life.Be sure to bring your bug spray! The mosquitoes are thick this year!

This was so much fun for my whole family! I'm so sad that we didn't spend the night there. None of the houses are original, but it's the actual land, and they built the buildings that were on the land to the specifications and the best educated guess from documentation that they have. We loved seeing the kittens in the chicken coop, the size of the houses and the minature ponies, buggy rides, wagon rides, making jump ropes and corn dolls, grinding wheat, twisting straw, and being a student in the school house with a great teacher explaining things. The teens who worked there didn't know very much, gave wrong information, or I thought might not have read the books. The adults I talked with knew their stuff and were beyond fantastic. The whole place was so interactive, and it was beautiful to watch the storm roll in just like in the books. We didn't have time to see the other places in town, but we felt like this was the best option to get an Ingalls experience while we were there.Ohhh, and my kids loved pumping water, washing clothes, and putting it out to dry. Even if you don't know the books, everyone will have a great time!

This was a amazing place to visit. We came during one of the pageant weekends. We planned this as part of our family road trip which was very far as we are from SC. The best part about the homestead was that is is child friendly!! They encouraged you to explore and it was hands on which was so wonderful for our 3 kids. Everyone was friendly and informative. This was place made some great family memories for us. The employee who stood out the most was Tim who was showing everyone how to make rope, hay twists and corn cob dolls. He was genuinely enjoying interacting with the kids. He was a gem!!

he homestead was well worth the visit! It was incredible to see where the homestead is in relationship to the town, Silver Lake and the railroad. It certainly makes the books come even more alive.Once there, they have so much to do. My girls made corn husk dolls and all of my kids made rope, used that rope to lasso a metal horse, did old fashioned laundry, sewing, made a button toy, used a hand pump well, used an old fashioned lawnmower and played a pipe organ. We all took a wagon ride and the kids took pony rides.There were baby chicks , a calf and kittens. We were in very real danger of acquiring another pet. 🤣You can also attend a prairie pioneer style school and church. My kids got the chance to participate in an old school recitation from the McGuffey readers as well as math and spelling. It was incredible. 🥰All in all the people that work here and run this place are incredible and truly helped to enhance our love for the books and to give an appreciation of what pioneer life was like.During the week in early August there was no need to buy a ticket in advance. We spent a good chunk of the day here, about 5 hours to see and do all of the things. My kids are 6, 8 and 9 and it was absolutely perfect for them.

Great experience for Laura Ingalls Wilder fans or those who just want to see what life would have been like for her and her family. The church and school house were cool and the wagon ride was fun, they even let you take the reins if you want!

We spent 2 nights here as part of our Laura Ingalls Wilder road trip. This was hands-down the best location. The staff was friendly and helpful and clearly love what they do. The wagons we stayed in were remarkably comfortable and made it through a deluge the one night. The whole place was very clean and well thought out and accurate! The activities and setting and learning were spot on and very interactive and hands-on and kid friendly. We all loved it and were sad to leave. My nearly 12 year old wants to move there now (so do several others of my kids). Don't miss this one! I'm so glad we stayed over too - we needed more time to really soak it all in.

It was a really nice place to visit. Interesting homesteading information and a look into a time in history. Even if you haven't read the books. The folks were real nice. Interaction with the animals was enjoyable and just walking the homestead was like being given a glimpse of another time while persevering some comforts of modern life.

It's pricey $20 per person when we visited. But well worth it if you have kids. My 2 boys (age 8 and 11) who knew nothing about Little House still loved it, and my neice (age 7) who did know it was practically in heaven. The staff was absolutely amazing going above and beyond to create a rich and fun experience. There are so many fun things to do. Even I (being a history buff) had fun. We went "quick" and took 2 hours but you could easily take a half day or more. It is mostly outside, so be aware of the weather. Definitely check it out if you have kids (or just love history).

If you enjoy the Little House books, the Homestead is a must-see! We’ve been here twice and the whole family really enjoyed it both times! Plenty for the children to do, including a covered wagon ride, pony cart rides, corn cob doll making, rope making, and more. Plan to spend a few hours here to check everything out.

Such a fun, learning family experience! All the workers were so educated about the Ingalls family, the land, homesteading, etc. My kids enjoyed their time on the homestead and interacting at the schoolhouse. Their favorite part was the carriage ride and making the corn cob dolls.

Nice place to bring the kids and the people are nice. There's a horse buggy ride and they explain a lot of facts about the Ingalls, the books and the show when the ride stops at the school. The kids take turns at the helm of the buggy ride. You sit in the school at the desks and if you have kids they can interact in a typical lesson from the times. Go to this one the one first, then if you need to go to the one in town.

What a totally awesome experience, for 20$ you get all the interaction! Pet ponies, calves, kittens. See chickens, mules and horses, ride a horse, ride a wagon to school! Work a water well, grind wheat into flour, turn your own rope, husk your own ear of corn and then make a ear baby from the cob. Easily spent three hours seeing and reading everything. Plus there is a gift shop and plenty of restrooms spread out on the property.

This is an excellent place to go with students in grades 3-6. The staff are friendly and very knowledgeable about the Ingalls family. My teacher heart was very happy visiting with my family. They did a good job setting up all the books. Excerpts from the related stories were found all over. There are wonderful hands on activities for everyone to do: corn cob dolls, jump rope/lasso making, wheat grinding, pony cart rides, horse rides, covered wagon ride, and several others. It is very neat to be on the actual Ingalls Homestead. From the viewing tower you can see all corners of the property. The one room school experience was excellent. There were pinafores for the young girls to wear. A staff member told all about how school was done in a one room school. Both of my kids left wanting to go home and read the books. It really made the stories come alive for us. It was $20 a person, but if you are local it gets you a season pass for the year. Well worth the visit! My daughter wants to come back next time we visit grandma and grandpa.

Absolutely beautiful and serene, an absolute must visit place. Lots of fun hands-on activities and fun to be had. Baby animals all to be held or pet like kittens, chicks, calf, and a colt. Kids rode ponies and even drove a small pony drawn cart, as well as a nice long wagon ride for our entire family to the old schoolhouse where they spoke about school in the late 1800's. Plenty of crafts as well to interest everyone, cornhust dolls, rope making, hat twists, lasso practicing, and plenty more. We stayed two nights, one in a cabin and one in a covered wagon to truly experience a piece of their life. Most beautiful campsites for sunrises and sunsets all from one spot. Overall excellent experience and we will surely come again to stay the night.

If you love the Little House books, you'll enjoy seeing the Ingalls' 160-acre homestead just as it was when they lived there. Authentic reproduction buildings really help you envision what life was like for them just outside of the still tiny town of DeSmet. Appreciated that it's self guided so you can go at your own pace. Recommended.

Great stop for those of you who love Little house on the prairie and grew up reading Laura Ingalls Wilder books! Absolutely loved experiencing where she actually lived in De Smet. ❤️❤️

Beautiful views. Really nice store with friendly staff. $20 for an adult ticket to experience the Homestead life. Worth it. Great experience for the whole family.

4.8

(739)

5.0

(433)

20812 Homestead Rd, De Smet, SD 57231, USA

Gorgeous and meaningful visit here. I was moved many times, to be so close to Johnny and June Cash's guitars, to see the gorgeous workmanship of the oldest string instruments. The displays are beautiful. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. The atmosphere is relaxed and energized at the same time. HIGHLY recommend this museum.

A great museum with a wide variety of musical instruments and culture history. Hands oh displays and instruments, videos and a jukebox. Very educational, fun and we are looking forward to the upstairs addition. The admission price was decent, we're a family of 8 and we spent less than $40. Nice little gift shop and free postcards with different kinds of instruments on them.

the one who knows about music, music makes you happy, here you can see interesting instruments and history... beautiful... 🎼

Excellent music museum. My only complaint is not enough violins - but they are expanding to a second floor eventually, so I’m guessing they’ll add violins then. Lots of pianos, harpsichords, guitars, brass instruments, and the very cool gamelan.

Awesome experience and the best museum I've ever been to! I definitely recommend a visit to anyone with family and friends. Thanks especially to the staff that made our tour even more welcoming. Can't wait for my next visit!

Definitely a must-see for any music lover. We went with our three daughters who also loved learning about all the instruments. Staff was genuinely pleasant. We loved it!

Very interesting and impressive collection of instruments A recent renovation (first floor now open) makes it very accessible and easy to navigate. We brought a traveling choir and they thoroughly enjoyed it. Well worth a visit. Plan 60-90 minutes.

World Class selection of instruments. Everything from 500 year old lyres to a Marlin guitar used 29 times. Unique gifts and great service.

This is a must do for musical history buffs. Look it up and you will find it is world class with an interesting collection of very old instruments and a large selection of Asian instruments. It is worth the drive from anywhere, and is an appropriate end destination for musical history buffs. Great collection of harpsichords, piano forte, and the displays are nicely laid out. Nice guitar luthier display. Expect a couple of hours if you take your time.

Bar none, the most well thought out museum we have ever toured, regardless of genre.Don't let the fact that more than half of it still being off limits while under renovation dissuade you. Rather, that makes it easier to digest in bite-sized pieces as you will want to return again and again.Take your time and read every placard. As you do, you will realize you don't want to miss a single line of information.The interactive elements are fantastic as well.

Really interesting collection and has a small concert hall within as well. Only one exhibit was open today but I'll definitely return to see more. Nice little gift shop too.

I really enjoyed getting to visit this museum as I am a big music lover and am fascinated by the history of music and instruments. This museum even had a few instruments that I did recognize, which was fascinating to learn about for the first time. They have an awesome self-guided audio/video tour. They also have some famous artists instruments and movie props. I think this museum is a must see for anyone who likes music!

Interesting to see all the older and some newer instruments. There was a variety.

This is a must see for musicians and music fans alike. Very interesting collection and great staff. Live performances too.

This is an awesome museum. It took us 2 hours to get through, but we read almost all their information. Highly recommend it.

We toured the museum with two musicians and everyone was impressed with every aspect. Background of the pieces, people, hands on areas were all great! Very highly recommended for anyone and everyone!!

Very cool experience. I’ve worked with the staff for quite some time and they are all very sweet! I go to USD and it’s a cool thing to have.

The exhibits are laid out nicely with some really neat stuff and they have a picture guide for finding key exhibits if you don't have a ton of time.I'll have to come back once they open the 2nd floor they plan to open.

4.6

(172)

5.0

(120)

414 E Clark St, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA

We are visiting my SIL from Chicago. We’ve been to children’s museums in Chicago, Fort Collins, Madison, Eau Claire, and this is the best children’s museum I’ve been to. My kids are 5, 3, 2, 4mos and it was fabulous for all of them. The cafe food was decent for museum food. 10/10 recommend this museum for anyone with kids!

The museum itself if a wonderful place! The kids adore it and have such a great time! The only reason I am not leaving a 5 star is because of the cafe. This was our first experience at the cafe and it had pretty good reviews so we wanted to try it. I am not sure if this was an off day or they were training people, but it took almost 2 hours to get our food. The kids got a cheese quesadilla and a salad with only lettuce, ranch and egg. My boyfriend and both got chicken Alfredo. My boyfriend’s was very very cold and mine was slightly warm. I took his back and they put it in the microwave and his was slightly warm. After eating, my boyfriend and I both got very very sick and we believe it is from the food. I will return to the museum itself because I, and the kids love it but not the cafe!

We have been bringing grandchildren here for years, starting about age 1, the exhibits and activities are wonderful, truly wonderful, for YOUNG children; but there isn't much to interest middle-schoolers and teens. I recommend this destination for children under the age of ten.We were there today with preschool-aged children, after 4 hours they still had not been in half the rooms/exhibits, and had a wonderful time. But twice now I have seen pre-teens in there and they have trouble entertaining themselves there.

So much for kids to do, and adults! We enjoyed every room we entered and our granddaughter didn't want to leave!

The level of cleanliness was impressive, especially for a place that primarily caters to children. The staff were polite and engaging. The exhibits were varied enough that they kept our 1, 3, and 12 year olds happy for about 3 hours! We’ll definitely be back and plan to get a membership on our next trip.

Fantastic children's museum, and possibly the best I've ever been to! Super interactive and the staff is very welcoming! My daughter loves visiting here and if it were up to her she'd live here

Since the weather was not cooperating and my daughter has a membership, the grandkids and I spent almost 4 hours at the museum. What a great place for kids of all ages! I had a one year old and a 7 year old and there were even young teenagers there enjoying themselves. I can't wait to go back and explore outside and take even more time. If you haven't been there yet, grab your kids and go!

Wonderfully created for kids! One unique feature that this museum has is the working phones between businesses. Kids can call each other, in addition to the post office that has letters and packages that can be delivered to each business. Kids can actually take part in a world that was designed for them. Farm to grocery production, veterinary, mechanics, TV broadcasting and a diner. Easy to spend 1/2 to full day here with inside and out activities. Price is very reasonable and a food area is on site. Well done South Dakota!

My kids ages 2-13 enjoy coming here

Fantastic place to visit. The cloud climb was my grandsons favorite, but he enjoyed himself.

I would rate this place a 10+ if I could. Its 1.5hr drive with my big family. But the amount of fun the children are able to have there, and their parents to join with them is priceless! There is so many things to do. You definitely need a whole day there! It's a museum but also they get to do activities in every category area! Grocery shopping with real size items (boxes for example, they are empty) .. all produce products are really realistic! Painting, café shop, fixing cars, science related, post mail office, dinosaurs outside! And they can even go splash in the small pond outside! So many things to do, it's to much to list. Staff is extremely friendly. There is also a cafeteria inside the building when you get hungry. Or there is close by near fast food areas or restaurants near by. Yearly membership is also available which is a plus.

Such a cool, fun Interactive museum. So Much to do indoor with so Many stations to explore the young minds. Different career exploration that they can Pretend to practice to be to open their mimds, from Farming, customer service, Mail man, Mechanic, news reporter and Much More. Outdoors they Archeology searching, Trail with a few gliders and a nice little play area where they can run around. This is a must go Back Place.

Very fun and imaginative exhibits that will keep children (and adults) engaged and entertained. It does get a little crowded some weekends so if you are looking for a quieter experience you might want to pick a weekday. There were rooms available that could be used for children’s birthdays and other occasions, and there is also a cafeteria inside the building.

I attended a private event at this venue and it was SOOO cool! What an amazing space! We are planning to drive our family through SD for an upcoming vacation and will definitely plan to make a stop in Brookings so that the kids can experience the magic of this museum.

Great place to take younger kids. It is like a little community and has many different interactive exhibits for all ages. We like it more than any other similar place in east river SD.

So much fun! They do a really great job at keeping the facility clean and organized. The water room is my kids favorite!

We stopped here ion our way back home from a family vacation, a great place to stop and let the kids stretch out and wear off some energy. Very clean and well taken care of, with plenty of room and things to do. There was even an outdoor area, although not much to do and our kids lost interest outside quickly it was a nice option.

4.8

(842)

4.5

(145)

521 4th St, Brookings, SD 57006, USA

30 lists

Very interesting walking around Downtown Sioux Falls looking a good amount of the sculptures are fun to find.

The City has done an amazing job with their downtown area. It's really impressive how they consistently bring new sculpture art to the main walking areas. It's changed on a regular basis. It's always fresh and new to me and I love seeing it every time I visit. Brilliant long term planning. It gives your heart a lift to stroll through downtown and see it.

Okay, no one is going to like EVERY piece, but there is a great variety of art to enjoy down a really popular street. And it's free! What's not to like?

Very enjoyable walk, and there was free parking on Sunday morning. Many shops aren't open, there were some homeless people near David's statue

The sculptures were nice but i didn’t see a lot in terms of stories. It’s mainly along the cute Main Street in town. While I enjoyed the sculptures, I would not recommend a separate visit just for the sculptures. I can see how kids could enjoy them more though.

Very cool walk along downtown Sioux Falls main street. We have visited several Sculpture parks, but loved the idea of seeing these as we walked through the city.

I loved seeing the local art and learning the stories and inspiration behind each sculpture! I also thought it was cool how the sculptures are scattered throughout the downtown area. I kept discovering new ones as I was walking through the area. Really unique experience

Awesome! I love art so this was right up my alley. I wasn't expecting some of the subject matter to be so deep. Also a good way to experience downtown and see what else it has to offer. Definitely recommend!

Lots of interesting sculptures to see in downtown Sioux Falls.

Must see! Fun walk through down town.

We stayed in sioux falls form nov 2021 to Nov 2022. Loved the sculpture walk. The whole town is pretty cool. Every time we had family visits from Pennsylvania and Colorado we took the walk. Right after we moved I saw on the new this sculpture in the picture with my Daughter was stolen so sad.

At St. Patty's Day parade, Sioux Falls.Little chilly and windy. Nice parade.

Really fun and beautiful art!

What a variety of skilled artists. We had a fun time walking through the art and taking time to interact with the artist's vision. There are lots of pieces to see. Take time to look around and don't forget to vote for your favorite.

One of the most beautiful consistent displays of art I have ever seen in any major city. Just gorgeous.

4.7

(186)

4.5

(560)

300 S Phillips Ave l104, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA

9 lists

As a traveler, this was amazing to see in the middle of town. One side is downtown Sioux Falls, and the other side is the industrial side, which has the largest bacon making factories in the area.I highly recommend checking this treasure out. It was very cool and a lot of history in this area. The observation tower was great and a store at the bottom.

Beautiful place to visit right in town!

We attempted to visit the information center during our stop at Falls Park. Luckily, it is just off he walking trails the park has because we arrived and it was closed for some reason. The center had a sign posted that it was unable to be open when we visited and did not give a reason.Why did I deduct 2 stars? The closing without explanation is the main reason. It would have been nice to see the inside but unfortunately we did not get to do that. The outside was nice but the whole picture would have been nice to see.

Beautiful area very much worth the stop. They have a little Cafe where you can eat inside or outside and have a Beautiful view of the falls. Not so busy but there were definitely people there. It was a really good time.

Great park. The city of Sioux Falls has done a phenomenal job of fixing up, improving and maintaining this wonderful Park. The flow from the rains was amazing to see.

This place is so beautiful. If you love being in nature, water, and Falls... this place is for you!!I hear, from locals, that it is quite incredible during the holidays as well, at night.

Beautiful place. Nice visitors center. Great walking paths. Grounds were very clean. A must see!

The visitor center is worth it to check out while at Falls Park. They have a nice little gift shop and climbing up the tower for a photo is a good time. There are about 80 steps to climb and an elevator if needed for those who can't make that climb. The trip to the top is free and the pictures you can get out of it is great!

Great place for an ice cream date.Walk the park for the history and the beautiful grounds. Of course the Falls never disappoint. Just Go !

Has gift shop and tower to take pictures. Pretty view.

My old stomping grounds. I never tire of seeing my hometown namesake. I love the unbridled flow of the churning water and the lush foliage. The picturesque old railroad bridge adds character to the historic significance of the development of the city of Sioux Falls.

FANTASTIC Views and a real commitment to preserve the past for the future. The free parking and entrance to the park and observation tower really help to have a day of fun at little cost. Take the 90 steps up the observation tower for a bird's eye view of the area (an elevator is available for those unable to climb) there is excellent historical marker information to walk and enjoy the past. With all walkways in concrete strollers for kids are easy on mom and dad. Take the dog on the trails (on a leash) and walk about a mile aline the river to an Excellent urban dog park at Fort Sod. Plan on over 2 hours minimum to relax and see the namesake of the great city of Sioux Falls.

Nice that they have an elevator to a tower for a view, but I feel the view up close is just way more spectacular.

Really quite a nice stop from a long day of driving. There is a lot to see, and great vantage points overall.People were friendly here.Washroom was clean.Easy to find.

The last time I visited this park, this tower did not exist, so kudos to whomever decided to build it. The views are spectacular and give you a tremendous understanding of the entirety of the Falls. Warning: when the falls spew water, it can be rather Sulphur-smelling. Walk through the entire park to get a sense of the history of how they helped create an entire city. Also, parking is ample!

They were able to point out many things about the park, and did so with big smiles. They also gave me a number of brochures, etc. it's right next to the tall observation tower. There's a modest gift shop there as well, plus a water fountain and rest rooms.

Tower has great views of the Sioux Falls. They have visitor information and a good collection of souvenirs.

Basing this off the park and the visitor center combined. I LOVE this park the scenery was FABULOUS!!! 10/10 would go again! The visitors center was cool I liked the tower and the gift shop was cool the flag of Sioux Falls flag was nice. So in total one of my top 10s 10/10

Awesome place to see some of God's unique creation! Thought it would just be a quick stop to snap photos of some waterfalls but it was way more. (Photos don't do it justice.) The kids loved exploring, climbing on the rocks and getting up close to the falls.

4.8

(952)

4.5

(3453)

900 N Phillips Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA

1 list

Wonderful place to get grounded with nature. What is nice is that you can actually touch the rocks in the quarry. I'm glad to see Native Americans are able to quarry this stone. The center had live presentations by Native Americans, which were very interesting. You were able to have great interactions with them so you could learn even more. No purchase is necessary to view the grounds, but donations are accepted.Prices in the gift shop were reasonable and some gifts were made by the presenters. My favorite is my turtle. I bought some stone buttons to add to my projects I donate.FYI, the path in the quarry is 3/4 miles and is accessible. Personally, I was easily able to do the walk that had a few inclines that were not bad. Great experience that I was thrilled to walk.

Great museum with demonstration area. Self guided walking tour with beautiful prairie landscapes and pipestone rock formations. Pretty waterfall too. And it’s free!

Lovely walk. Really nice path which is accessible. Nice signage on native plants. Waterfall is very pretty.Very detailed exhibits (sadly couldn’t take in with an inpatient toddler) but you could really have spend a few hours taking g everything in.Very nice picnic area too. All very clean.

Pipestone is a magical and sacred place. The generosity of the indigenous tribes to have their sacred site open to the public is a gift of love. The visitors center is beautifully curated with big opportunities for learning and growth by all generations. The trail through the quarries is an easy walk with very clearly marked signs guiding visitors to take in the beauty. This site is fully accessible to all abilities. My children had a great time, learned so much, and appreciated the opportunity to speak with the pipe makers and artisans.A note to white skinned visitors: stay on the trails, do not presume to wander into the quarry sites and touch peoples equipment or the stones, and pick up your dog's poop and dispose of it. Would you do any of these activities when visiting a church? Respect and courtesy go a long way. You are visitor on sacred land. Behave that way.Migwech

Visitor center was amazing with a lot of history and education. My daughter earned her ranger badge. They had individuals making different native American pipes and beadwork, it was nice to see how the items are made. There were hands-on displays as well. We happened to come on founders day so they had native American dancing, stories and singing it was great to experience it. My son even helped with the dancing and hoops. The hike was nice although part of the trail is closed.

Informative visitor center. Nice paved trails to walk and view the pipestone. Be sure to walk the circle trail.

As you know I am a fan of any and all NPS locations and visit as many as I can on my trips. It was amazing to learn the significance of the quarry and how the tribes would dig for the red rocks for their sacred pipes. A nice walk through the grounds. One trail is closed for the flooding and the other one is closed part way through the quarry. All in all it's a great place to learn American history.

This natural pocket of beauty is an important cultural heritage location for many of the Native American people. Please visit and donate to this wonderful National Monument. Take the time to watch the introductory film which is available within the visitors center and ask the staff any questions. It is free to visit and does not require a ticket, parking pass or reservation so please contribute when you go. It was nice to learn more about this place and see the natural beauty it offers. Also, to me, there is a section of the quartzite, when viewed at the correct angle, very much so looks like a bison (see photo with mark up), just my opinion!

You can learn about the significance of this location to the Plains Indians. Their resilience and efforts to keep their heritage were admirable. Be sure to watch the video in the visitor center.

Enjoyed this small national monument, best thing is it's free! The visitors center has many exhibits about the history and information about the quarries. Easy trails through grassy area into the colored rocks area. Unfortunately the waterfall was off limits when I was there due to flooding.

Definitely a beautiful place, lots of nice history, just know it's a small park. Can be hiked and walk through the museum in about an hour 15.

Very nice visitor center and staff! Easy walk around the paved path to view the rock formations, waterfall, and prairie grasses and flowers. Plenty of parking and free entry.

Great historical place and very interesting watching and listening to the Native craftsmen at work. Nice paths with beautiful things to see.

I loved the place. Knowing the history and then head to the trial is my suggestion.There is a movie about the place and tribe 20+min at the visitor centre which is worth to watch. Trial was nice with prairie view on either side walking along the rocks. The place is free and no reservations required, they have guided tour 4 times a day.

So beautiful and very peaceful. Love this place. And the staff is so nice. The lady that makes the turtles was the sweetest. I loved talking to her. She made me feel like I could talk to her forever. 🥰

I'm so glad I stopped. A gorgeous park with rich history. I was there Memorial Day and they had exhibits going on in the center. Indians used the red Quartzite (pipestone) to carve ceremonial pipes thus the name. The park is beautiful with paved trails that lead you through prairies to rock formations and a waterfall. It's a short walk. Definitely worth a stop.

Fun stop. Unfortunately, due to rain most of the trails were flooded. They have artists there that carve the stone in the visitor center. This site does tours every few hours, and they were very informative. The staff was great. We would recommend visiting.

We lucked out. We were there when they had pipe carving demonstrations by Native Americans. A few school groups studying Native Studies were there, too. Very informative and even on a cold and rainy day we had a great time.

One of the best trails in southern Minnesota. It's easy , paved - perfect for families with kids looking to have a not so strenuous hike. The visitor center is a gem with amazing sculptors working on Pipestone and you can learn a lot about the history and significance of the beautiful place .

4.8

(1699)

4.5

(298)

36 Reservation Ave, Pipestone, MN 56164, USA

Loved the experience!! Drove round trip 440 miles to visit this place off of a recommendation from a friend in College. Can't believe I made it to the Ice Cream Capitol of the World!!

The staff was friendly and helpful. The prices were reasonable and the ice cream was, of course, delicious. If you're in the area it's a must stop destination.

I love the quaint old fashioned atmosphere & ice cream counter! There is a small movie theater where you can watch two short videos about the history of the Wells & Blue Bunny. There is also a gift shop. All of this makes it more of an experience than just an ice cream shop😊

My dad and I stopped in for an afternoon tour of the Wells Visitor Center and an ice cream treat. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the Wells Corporation and it's history in the world of ice cream and Le Mars, IA. The exhibits are interactive and the ice cream is fresh. I opted to get an ice cream cone with the iconic bunny tracks ice cream flavor - it hit the spot! Do yourself a favor and make sure to stop by the ice cream parlor and visitor's center when in the region.

If you EVER have the chance to get to Le Mars, Iowa...YOU MUST VISIT THE BLUE BUNNY ICE CREAM PARLOR. Great Experience...Great Ice Cream and a Visitor's Center you will Truly Enjoy!!!

Friendly staff. Great ice cream and fair prices.

Great place for kids and ice cream lovers! There is a theater that shows how to make ice cream. And the ice cream is not expensive for great amount!

Ice cream tastes great. Banana splits are awesome. You can choose flavors at no extra cost. Easy to find place.

40 flavors of ice cream. I had the single scoop in waffle cone, which is 2 scopes of my choice. My husband got a cookie dough thingy. We spent about $13. Worth the stop!

Being a huge ice cream fan (have some almost every night before bed), I couldn't wait to visit this place after hearing it was the Ice Cream Capital of the World. We finally had a chance during a recent trip home when we had a little extra time to spare.The building was modern, clean and full of energetic employees and the ice cream was delicious (see pictures). There was a great gift store to complement the ice cream counter as well as a small media center / showhall that shows a history of the family and company (see pictures).If you have the opportunity to swing a little out of the way on your trip up I-29, I highly recommend a quick stop in this quaint little town.Food: 5Atmosphere: 5Service: 5If you found this review helpful, please click on 'Like'. 😎😊

Stopped in as we were passing through the area. It has the look and feel of a classic ice cream parlor. We would return, many more flavors to try even with ordering the ice cream flight.

Oh boy was this a real treat. We took the long drive from Sioux Falls with the family and it was well worth it. This visit changed my opinion about Blue Bunny Ice cream for the better.They say you can taste all the flavors, but gee whiz, you'd really be holding up the line. Busy place on the weekends, in the summer none the less. (What should I have expected ? lol.) The kids loved it as did the adults.Reasonably priced. The employees all seemed to be high school kids and did lack some basic customer service skills. They seemed to be like a deer in the headlights. So lower your expectations there.

I absolutely love the ice cream capital of the world 🌎 , I was able to purchase 2, 3 gallons of that yummy sherbet and ice cream to bring home. We will see you in June for ice cream days yay!

Great tasting ice cream! It was a fun little visit on our road trip. The upstairs offers a little history of Blue Bunny Ice cream and interactive stations for kids. It's truly a great place to check out!

They had nondairy ice-cream...and could turn it into a milkshake—great for those with a dairy allergy! They also sell Halo Top behind the counter (but common, you're at an ice-cream parlor, go ahead and eat the real stuff.)

Got to visit the Ice Cream Capital of the World. This place did not disappoint with the beautiful layout inside. The Ice Cream was great and they had many displays with a nice gift shop. Just what you think of when you think Ice cream Parlor The staff are super to talk with.

I'm an ice cream junky and I get the same 3 things every time, and I'll never get sick of it. Staff is great. The atmosphere is the top notch.

Great place. I wish I could have seen the flavors before I ordered. They take your order on the right end of the counter and the flavors are labeled on the counter.

If you are in the area and looking for a short excursion this is the place to go. The experience is worth getting off of I-29 and heading over to the Blue Bunny (Wells) Ice Cream Parlor. The selections are amazing and the serving sizes are huge. One scoop is insane. The gift shop has lots of souvenirs to add to your collection. Don’t forget you can go up to the outdoor patio and enjoy your ice cream outside on the rooftop.

4.7

(2323)

4.5

(198)

115 Central Ave NW, Le Mars, IA 51031, USA

Home school co-op girls trip ages 4 to 13 Everyone had fun. Picnic lunch and lots of hands on history.

A cool little museum with a lot of history, including some of the real Laura's belongings. Make sure to visit the dug out site after!

If you like Little House on the Prairie books or the show, this is the place for you. It’s two hour walking to take your time. You will end up buying something there. I guarantee it wonderful place. I would definitely visit again.

It was very interesting. A lot of history regarding the family.The employees were very friendly.A great family experience.It would have been nice to have more details about the 1903 fire that swept through the town.There was no outside information available, unless you wanted to purchase a book.

If you are a fan of LH then you should definitely go! There is so much related to her books but even more that’s not. Walnut Grove is a quaint little town and the museum was so nicely done!

Super fun museum to take the kids to. They had a play room in “Grandma’s Attic” and several neat props from the Tv series. I enjoyed having period items placed through the museum. We spent over an hour at the museum. The gift shop had several neat items. I picked up a locally made Christmas ornament, a shirt, and candy for the kids.

This museum is worth going to. Especially if you've read the books. 90% of it is indoors which helps when it downpours! Most of it has AC too. You can take it at your own pace. There are ramps for those who have a hard time with stairs.

A cute museum with prairie-era memorabilia as well as from the TV series. Would be a wonderful place to bring children after reading them Laura Ingall Wilder's books. If you drive out of town to see the Wilder's Dug out home, you'll see the depression in the ground where their home once stood, not the actual home. Be prepared to use your imagination! Beautiful restored prairie at the dug out site. Cost is $7 per car.

Its very good just wish the floors werent as creaky in grandmas house tgen your upstairs dont look down if your afraid of hights i am and i saw that theres thin wood beans in the corners i recemmend more support beans

My mom loves the Laura Ingalls book series and movie series. This museum in particular is a little more show based it seems but was still quite interesting.

We’ve been to Laura Ingalls Wilder locations in MO, KS, SD and WI. I think this one was my favorite or at least it tied with SD. Great collection, lots of area information and a well layer out museum.

Disappointing. Overpriced. No artifacts from the books and maybe one or two items owned by Laura. Everything else was items from the Era. Most of the main museum was dedicated to the TV show, not the books. The other buildings were a confusing collection of antiques collected to throw into displays. Smelly and defered maintenence. We've visited other Ingles museums in South Dakota and loved them. This just seems like people who want to profit off of the books and TV show, not people who want to preserve treasured history.

Cute place to tour for us and our kids after reading the books. It seemed to be geared more toward adults, but our kids still really enjoyed it.Afterwards you can go across the street to Nellie's Cafe for a small town diner. Bring cash or plan on walking to the ATM. The staff was very friendly.

Very cool place to visit, the museum and the gift shop were very organized, enjoyed the walk through the ground, from one building to another. The dug out and one room school house was the highlight.

Very interesting. Nice gift shop. I met a staff member in the gift shop who could give you a complete history of The Ingalls / Wilder history. Old fashioned candies and plenty of really nice crafts.

It was fun to see the memorabilia from Little House. It was a fun Sunday road trip. We were disappointed that there were no restaurants or food offered/open on a Sunday. Went with my super cool wife! Everything is fun when I'm with her!!

A great museum with lots of buildings and exhibits to explore. Kathy at the front desk/register was a wealth of knowledge and very warm and welcoming. We greatly enjoyed our visit.

We came to Walnut Grove to do the Laura Ingalls Wilder attractions. My kids & I read the series through this past year. The museum brought all of what we read to life! It’s very hands on for kids which was fantastic for our 7 year olds & 5 year old. We have so much fun touring. It took us about 1-1.5 hrs to get through it all with the kids. We snagged a few items in the gift shop & took a ton of photos. We had a great time!!!

Very sweet museum and lovely tribute to Laura Ingals Wilder, the Little House on the Prarie television program, and to a bigon era. Worth the trip if you are in the Mankato area (a pretty 90 minute drive). Do you know it took Pa 2 days to get there by buckboard?! 😊P.s. Nothing is open on Sundays in Walnut Grove so pack a lunch.

4.5

(876)

4.5

(140)

330 8th St, Walnut Grove, MN 56180, USA

It's not a big park by a long shot, and most of the rides are only thrilling for smaller kids. The Legend roller coaster is decent but anything really special (except it does pretty much encompass the whole park! And entrance to the coaster is at the entrance to the park - I missed that on the first go.) There is a smaller wild mouse coaster that looks about 100 years old and a high-in-the-sky log flume. Everything else is on a pretty small scale.The free museums in the welcome center are pretty cool. Old boats and stuff they dredged up from the lake, old amusement park rides, and a small rock & roll museum dedicated to the Roof Garden venue. Each of the three museums suggest a donation of $2 per person (or $5 per family - I think.)I mainly came to ride the Queen 2, which was a very nice tour of the lake.

A fun place to visit! Free to get in, we get the yearly pass but it seems that the tickets for the rides are about 1ticket=$1 but they do have the option for all day pass! We went on a ride at the end of the night with family out of town. Wanted to get a picture but they had already closed and we get we’re not able to recover the photo, so be aware of that if you want a picture and are the last rider!

Lovely for cruises, Lovely for family time, Lovely for getaways, Lovely everything !!!!!!!! ❤️ parking is great, the atmosphere is amazing!!!!!! Beautiful water, the scenery is sensational absolutely gorgeous 😍 ❤️ ✨️ 💕

Family had a blast at Arnolds Park! Went on almost all the rides with the bumper cars and roller coaster being their top two. They also enjoyed the go-carts and can't wait to go back again.We just got four wristbands for the park and then paid $8/child (junior carts age 9-13) when we got to the go-carts parts.We had the family size fries (you get a huge amount), cheese balls, and a fully loaded walking taco. Food was all really good. Bottled water is Dasani and the ones we got felt like they weren't in the fridge for very long.

Great little amusement park and pier, you can catch a boat ride to go out on the lake or sit and take in the sites and feel the cool breeze off the water.

Preservation Plaza at Arnolds Park Amusement Park hosts Live at the Lake concerts all summer long. Enjoy the fireworks after the concert! Always a great time!!

Fun classic theme park. Great for young kids.

Great place but the man on the kids boat ride for the little kids seems to be bothered every single time I Bring my kid here other than that this place is very fun the kids love it and all. I mean my comment on this is. Smile be happy for the fun of the kids, they are having fun and don't over tighten the seat belts just cause u don't like ur job my son had said the man seemed angry and very well I noticed it. Come on guys. Happy feelings...

If you have never been here you need to be... You will find all your reasons to come back.Amusement park shopping park concert in the park on summer Saturday. Only regret you'll have is.Why did I wait so long

I went to Arnold’s park today and there workers had so much disrespect. The were laughing and making fun of my kids. My kids are 9 year and 5 years of age so that goes to show how ridiculous people are today. The ride were in fact not safe and the workers did not insure our safety. My kids were bullied for having two moms, and my 9 year old got hit… This was absolutely horrific to see I am truly putrefied. This place does not have any values whatsoever. No I would not recommend it. Stay safe and don’t be afraid to be yourself..just be yourself at another theme park🏳️‍🌈😊.

We visited all the little shops and they had souvenirs for a reasonable price. Than we went into the amusement park and the rides were outrageously priced, I put my kid on 1 ride and had to send someone with him so it costed me $12 for 1 ride. After that they had a free band playing so we sat and listened to that for a while. So if it wouldn't have been for the expensive rides I would definitely recommend going here if your in the area.

The food stand I went to everything was like 3.00 to 5.00 dollars. I think the food is overpriced, but overall, it is an amusement park. The lines were really long, and the log ride and the roller coster were broken, bet overall, I liked the place.

Pretty fun place. The tickets were a bit confusing because the prices were a little high for everyone, even though most adults only could do two or so rides. Definitely kid friendly, but my son was just at the height where he almost was too short or too tall to go on many of the rides. Thankfully he got to go on some rides, but then his sister wasn't able to go with because she was too tall. Food and drinks were okay, games were a little pricey for the prize you may or may not win. It can definitely be done in one day.

We love Arnold’s Park! We love how toddler friendly it is, but also perfect for big kids as well. It is nice that you can enter without paying just to walk around if you want to do that! We love our trip there every summer-we actually went twice this last summer! The monkey bench is also a must stop!

Really nice, old time amusement park on a lake. Really fun & smooth traditional wood roller coaster, lake cruise, & other classic rides. Three museums & the original Nutty Bar are part of the enjoyment at this park.

I love this park. Call it nostalgia if you'd like, but it's still fun for the whole family. The roller coaster and Tipsy House alone are worth it.I like that the park is divided into two sides. The main entrance side is definitely geared toward the younger crowd with the exception of the wooden coaster.Across the train track you'll find the thrill rides. A larger kid roller coaster, the Tilt-a-whirl and fast spinner rides.The putt-putt course beyond that is top notch. You'd be hard pressed to find a better option in the area.I love the admission options they offer as well. Arnolds Park is free to enter if you're not riding any rides. They also offer a chaperone pass for caretakers of kids under 42"..I think. Don't quote me on the inches, but ask about it for younger thrill seekers.If you've never been, I highly recommend it! If you have been, you already know it's a great time.

2 museums, bumper cars, go karts, mini golf, 23 amusement park rides including log ride, roller coaster, octopus, scrambler, tilt-a-wirl. They also have little kid rids. Free to walk through, see pictures for 2023 prices. They have a bunch of little shops. Various eateries. They offer a boat ride across the lake. It's a nice weekend trip!

Small park but it is def quality over quantity. Think of it as a snall fresh market vs a super Walmart. Entry is free and you pay per ride or get various day passes. If you are going to ride all rides at least once the passes are worth it. Combination pass with the go karts is a bit harder to get your money's worth on unless you are making a day of it. The combo pass with unlimited rides and some park bucks for fairway games only makes sense if you want to play the games. Food allowance is a joke, not even enough for a hot dog and a drink. Ride prices are 5-9 park bucks and it is a 1:1 exchange. Highlight is the "Legend" and it is a sweet 30 or so seconds of roller coaster fun once you drop past the point of no return. We were there in the middle of July and during the week crowd was solid but not overwhelming. Note: mini golf course is separate from the park. Museum kid rides/slide is included. Museums are free entry and well air conditioned with nice bathrooms.

Beautiful Park! Who knew an amazing lakefront park existed in Idaho. It is a must visit place with many family friendly stores, eateries, and events! Also, a great place for couples to reconnect and find a little romance.

4.5

(2378)

4.0

(205)

37 Lake St, Arnolds Park, IA 51331, USA

This is a must-see place for anyone who has any interest in rocks ... and even if you don't like rocks at all, this place should be on your go-to list. Absolutely amazing what someone can accomplish if they set their mind to it and more museum quality rocks than you can see in a lifetime. It takes a lot to impress me, but this was more than impressive. It will blow your mind ! It's possibly the most extraordinary place I've ever been and ever will be.

Absolutely gorgeous! I loved all of the stonework and the beautifully crafted scenes from the life of Christ. A definite must see for any road trip through Iowa!

This place is so amazing beautiful. No picture taken will do it justice. Must see in person to file understand and appreciate the true Beauty and Craftsman ship that is the Grotto.

No matter your views on religion, if you love Jesus Christ, you will love The Grotto. It's a wonderland of glory to the God who saves. The bonus is the setting of it all. The dedication and vision of the builder shows in every stone. Each comes from different states of the USA as well as around the world. You will regret it if you get even close to this place and not stop by. Enjoy!

Such a beautiful energy to be surrounded by. Love and appreciate the story of our living God - Jesus Christ displayed in such meticulous art!Visited a year ago, had to go back and take my gramz and Tia to see the beauty!

Absolutely stunning! Words cannot describe the beauty. I was there 40 years ago and it has grown since then.

Very quiet and respectful place. Many people can visit at one time and still not feel crowded. You can walk around the grounds many times and still see something different. The rock work is unbelievable. The grottos tell a story, and you can feel immersed in it. There is a very nice gift shop and museum as well. I noticed there was a camping area next door with hookups. Plan plenty of time for your visit, you will want to stay awhile. The chapel is open to view the Christmas Grotto or to worship. Very peaceful and calming. I almost skipped it, and I'm very glad I didn't.

Stunning! Amazing! Beautiful! Awesome! Simply breathtaking! I found myself amazed at every turn! As someone who is a big fan of rocks, minerals, and geologic specimens, this was an amazing site to visit. We went on the free tour and there was so much to learn and see. It's well worth the visit to see everything there and I'm so happy we took the time to make the trip! It's a must if you are in the area!

The Grotto is an awesome stop to go to. Always impressive to see, seems like I notice new details every visit. Museum has great information about its history.

WOW! I'm not a religious person but thought I'd stop and check this out as we were passing through on a multi-state road trip, it's BEAUTIFUL! Highly recommend visiting it. You can walk through it and visit the one inside the church as well. It's a beautiful piece of artwork and history that anyone will find intriguing. There is no cost, but it's maintained through donations (so if you stop please consider leaving a donation). There is handicap parking between the grotto and the church and the stairs are short and wide with good handrails. There are also bathrooms, a gift shop, and a campground there. Really impressive!

Everything I was hoping it would be! Amazing! Absolutely huge! There were tours available, but I had small children in tow, so we just walked around. So cool!

Amazing place, well worth the drive, a treasure trove of rocks and minerals, seashells, a lifetime of devoted work, everything and 100 times more than what a grotto should be, almost incomprehensible the sheer amount of work, truly Miraculous, high Recommendation

This is a very beautiful place. It must have taken incredible dedication to build it. There is no admission fee, but donations are appreciated. We stayed for about 20 minutes and took a few photos. There is also a guided tour available. Parking was clearly marked and there were plenty of available spots. Definitely recommended if you find yourself in the area.

Loved it! Son enjoyed the rocks, I have not been here since I was a little girl (over 30+ years)

This place is a must see! This is the largest grotto in the world and it is right here in Iowa. The actually grotto is open 24 hours 7 days a week and is free. It complete runs on donation. There is a Christmas Chapel, a gift shop, and tours available but these have set business hours. Within the grotto are Stations of Cross, The Navitity, Sermon on the Mount, Garden of Gethsemane, House of Nazareth, Moses and The Ten Commandments, and Mary and the Annuciation. This was so beautiful and peaceful! While most of it is walkable there are stairs.

This was one of the first places we stopped on our journey across the United States. The Grotto is amazing. Make sure you read over the history of the Grotto before you go. It will make your experience worth while.

I was in awe, this Grotto is very beautiful! You have to see this place to really appreciate the beauty of it. My pictures do not do justice. Thank you Fr. Dobberstein!! 😍💜

Beautiful place. Lots of history.Free to visit. Donations are appreciated. The gift shop has some rocks. Museum has where rocks came from...And there's a phone booth 😆

Such an awesome place! And the tour guide explained how it came to be. A must-see beauty for everyone to visit

4.9

(2562)

5.0

(224)

208 1st Ave NW, West Bend, IA 50597, USA

4 lists

We came to visit from a day tour with a Senior Group. They split us into two groups and gave us the history of the company and family and walked us to see the Brewery. Then we were able to do taste testings and more history.What a delightful day!

This place is like none other. NO TV screens anywhere on the premises- such a welcome relief. Open 7 days a week- a rarity for this town. TWENTY diff beers (seltzer & root beer) on tap- all brewed HERE. Fantastic service when the tourists don't fill the place (Saturdays). It's like Heaven. So lucky to he staying less than a mile from here.

Great tour today of the August Schell brewery. Love the history of the importance of this establishment in SW Minnesota.Tour and guide (Sue) were entertaining and well worth the $10 for admission.They have an extensive gift shop next to Brewhaus where you can enjoy many delicious beers from Schells and Grain Belt and one of the best pretzels I've ever had.

Great tour, tasty brews at the end! Love the history. Fantastic large public hall indoors. Fantastic setting outdoors under the umbrellas! Can't wait to go back.

This place is a treasure. Driving into this place feels like you driving into the woods to find a campground, but instead, you find an incredible brewery that’s organized like a little village. We didn’t make it to the brewery tour, but we walked the gardens, our small kids had a blast, we played some board games in the brew house, and shared some pizza, pretzels and beer. Definitely worth stopping for an afternoon.

We have experienced Oktoberfest and Bockfest recently and hope to be back again soon. They put a lot of work into the experience- live music, activities, parking and libations and was a fantastic time. Fun memories andgreat pictures to look back on!

Took the brewery tour for the first time, and the tour guide was so knowledgeable, kind, and pleasant conversation. The brews were lovely, and we definitely want to make another trip when the gardens are in bloom. The prices of the drinks and souvenirs were pretty reasonable! It was a lovely day.

It was awesome going through the tour, and the tasting room was a very comfortable place to try very fresh beers as well as some new ones. Sue, our tour guide was great and did a fantastic job showing us around. I would definitely do this tour again and highly recommend checking it out!!

Amazing selection of beers on historic grounds! We took the brewery tour and very much enjoyed it. Our tour guide was super knowledgeable and friendly. What a great deal the tour was with free beer sampling and a souvenir cup. We highly recommend!

Fantastic experience! My co-workers and I went on the brewery tour for only $10. Included samples at the end, along with a complimentary glass. Highly recommended if you love beer!

Awesome place with some very cool outdoor activities, seating, landscaping, it is a unique location that feels like a hidden gem. Service was awesome and they had live music the day we came. The only reason this is a 4 out of 5 is I personally didn't love the beer. It was good but nothing I tasted (I tried like 5 different brews) made me think the beer was special. Parking is a little odd as well but that wasn't a problem and there seems to be plenty of parking, just a bit confusing to figure out. I recommend the place but I wouldn't suggest going just for the beer.

Lovely place and perfect outdoor seating for summer in the gardens. Plenty of space for kids to play as well. Variety of beer options and snack menu.

Been coming here for years. Always love this place. Although I prefer it in the late spring, when the flowers are blooming and the peacocks are out. The beer is as good as you can imagine and the atmosphere is even better. The staff is fantastic and I'll keep going back!

This Brewery has been open since 1860... it's tucked into a hillside with all the original buildings. Truly a treasure!

The beers are fine (it's a super old brewery, so they're super old styles that old people like), the grounds are beautiful, but the patio and beer garden are pretty worthless with how many bees there are. The staff doesn't really seem to care about anything, which is typical of a place that can coast on its reputation. The place has some tourist trap vibes.Anyway, to combat the bees, add a pink beer to your flight. They'll all go for that and bother you slightly less. Ideally the brewery can figure this out for themselves, but since they don't I guess it's on us to figure out.

Fabulous place to learn about the history of the brewary...take the tour! At the end, you get to sample. Walk the gardens too!

Bucket list item checked off! Loved everything about this place! The museum tour was fantastic as was all the different beers to try. Oh can't forget the gift shop!

Second oldest brewery in US behind Yuegling. Sweet dog friendly biergarten with great beer & friendly service. Servers in bar & clerks in store were very knowledgeable about not just Schells Brewery but the history of New Ulm as well! Beer was good, too!

Beautiful location, nice museum and gift shop. Tour was unfortunately closed due to a golf outing, which should have been posted on the website; we would have changed our visitation day. Love the Nordeast!

4.8

(462)

4.5

(381)

1860 Schell's Rd, New Ulm, MN 56073, USA

Green Giant Statue Park is a delightful and quirky roadside attraction that is definitely worth a visit! Standing tall at 55 feet, the iconic Green Giant statue is a fun sight to behold and makes for great photo opportunities. The park is well-kept and features informative plaques that share the history of the Green Giant brand, adding a touch of nostalgia. The surrounding area is peaceful, with picnic tables and green space perfect for a relaxing break during your travels. Whether you're a fan of unique landmarks or just passing through, Green Giant Statue Park is a charming spot that brings a smile to your face.

Cute little park and museum with lots of nostalgia! Super clean bathrooms and cutel gift shop and toy/play area inside. Fun music park adjacent to the statue.

This is far more than just a quick stop to something quirky. The statue is great, but the museum really makes this place shine. The information is actually interesting and the gift shop has some funny souvenirs.

I was told the true story of the County,the company and the timeline account for the exact memories that were described including critical think and hard fought treaties concerning the way in which was to be agreed to establishing as the story to be told and even performing specific details with insistent instructions so as to allow for an almost first person view of the giant standing directly up above you and the town of Blue Earth and for miles yet further of cultivated farm land. The richness of the dark nutrient holding soil and the fruit it had yielded. .. "Ho Ho Ho.... Green Giant sultry and sweet as he bent down on one knee to propose to the joy of his life and existence up untill that very moment. He was right! He loved us more!

Blue Earth is a good spot to stop, refuel, grab some food, and visit the Green Giant. The statue is in a cute little park and right across the museum. It’s a campy little detour to add some fun to a long road of corn fields.

Amazing amount of memorabilia! It's definitely quirky. Some stuff to do, but not overly interactive for small kids.

Fun park and nice museum with friendly staff. Great spot to get off the highway and take a break to stretch your legs for a bit.

Very cute park with the Jolly Green Giant himself, along with Sprout. There's a little shop and museum in the building. Dogs are allowed on the grounds and inside.

Quirky place to stop at just off the interstate. Nice museum with cool Green Giant artifacts and historical tellings.

Fun little park with a nostalgic feel reminding you of the Jolly Greem Giant and Sprout commercials growing up! Eat your veggies!

This was a neat roadside stop traveling to the east coast. Nice quick break and a little bit to look at. There’s a little store and small park too. Worth a break to stretch your legs!

This is a fabulous park! Make time to get off the beaten path to play a while... both adults and children!

OK, so a bit unusual, but the park has much more to offer than a Jolly Green Giant and his little buddy. The instruments built into the pad are great! What a genius idea. And the bike repair station with every kind of allen wrench and tire pump. Brilliant! Stop and see and grab an ice cream next door at DQ.

Great place to visit. Lots of history in the Museum and store. Lots of gifts you can't get anywhere else.

I used an online road trip planner which was how I found out about the Green Giant Statue.I thought it was fun! Great place to get out and stretch and see a giant statue! I'm a fan of oddities/art so i enjoyed wandering around. I stopped in the visitor center - used the bathroom, looked through the gift shop, talked to the employees.

Coolest park ever! Where else can you climb under a huge plastic giant? The 55 foot Green Giant is the showpiece of a nice park. You will find a one mile walking path, camping, restroom, and a very fun museum and visitors center.

Fun little stop on a road trip, and the city has been making it better and better all the time. When I first stopped here over 20 years ago, it was just a statue. Now there's a park with a musical playground thing and picnic tables, museum, bathrooms, and even electric car charging ports. I haven't checked out the newest welcome center / museum, but it looks better than the old one, which was fine.

A great place to stop for a rest especially if you’retraveling with kids! I’ve been here before, 11 years ago, and I was so pleased they’ve improved the area with more things too see. I especially loved seeing the little sprout statues around town…like a little scavenger hunt!

The park has been improved and it's a nice quick stop that is fun. There is a nice new welcome center. There is some cool musical playground equipment that our kids loved. You can climb up some steps to stand under the giant. It looks nice and is kept up. 5 stars may be a bit high, but it exceeded my expectations and was a fun stop for 20 minutes. We were surprised to enjoy it as much as we did.

4.6

(1204)

4.5

(180)

1126 Green Giant Ln, Blue Earth, MN 56013, USA

1 list

We loved seeing the bison on the range. However, if you are expecting to see the waterfalls, they are dry right now (Oct. 2024). But the fall colors are spectacular. Despite the dry falls, we enjoyed Minneopa State Park.

The campsites were some of the most spacious we've experienced, and private. The buffalo were a neat experience, and the waterfall was gorgeous. The kids enjoyed swimming and playing in the water at the base of the waterfall, which is a bit of a trek down to with littles. The state hike was gorgeous, and not very long, which was nice for the kids. A stroller is probably doable on the trail. This state park has a lot to see and do!

Beautiful place to visit in the fall. The waterfall was trickling due to a drought but the leaves are starting to change and are really showing off. The bison are a sight to see! Very friendly and informative park rangers.

What a great park! We camped, and everything is within a short walking distance. We went to see the bison twice while on our trip. If you have a park pass, you can go in as much as you would like. There is an old mill to check out, and I recommend doing so. The view is amazing.

We visited with our son and two dogs. The water falls are a very short paved walk from the parking lot. Unfortunately, the trail to the lower part of the falls was closed during our visit. We walked through the biking/hiking trail near the bathroom. It was very nice initially but once you lose tree coverage you are just walking along the highway. We really enjoyed seeing the bison at the bison range.

My first visit here was quite short unfortunately. Though I will be sure to come back when the river has calmed down. Some really awsome campgrounds, an awsome buffalo drive( it was closed due to constant rain on this visit), and a really neat waterfall. Overall I am glad I found this little gem of a state park!

Loved this park. We stopped as a stretch break for kids. The trail to the falls was short. There was a lot of area to run near the top, but be careful near the actual fall with kids because it would be easy to fall in. There were picnic tables and benches. The trail to the bottom of the falls is closed.We didn't know about the bison loop, so that was an added bonus. We got there late and almost immediately got into a bison traffic jam. It was great. There were babies and adults, and as they follow their trails it felt like they appeared out of nowhere. Gates do close around 830, so we turned around and left before we got ourselves locked in, since we didn't know how strict the gate closing policy was or of they checked first.

We had a lovely time here. The website gave suggestions for the falls and bison park. A good one day trip from the cities if you’re looking for something easy to do, esp nature photography.

Such a beautiful park! We camped for a night and the facilities were clean and easy to access. All of the staff working were kind and friendly- of course the fellow campers were too. There’s a drive through trail where you can see the bison reintroduction habitat and even some baby buffalo if you’re lucky! If driving through didn’t give you any luck, there is a walking trail up on the big hill by the mill where you can view all of the bison. It’s right off of the Minnesota river and has access to the city of Mankato if you needed to run into town. Highly recommend visiting here and making a stay out of it if you can!

Campsites were good size and pretty secluded. We had 30 amp service with a hydrant nearby for water. You have to go near the group camp for the dump station, which is fine. I'd recommend this State Park for camping or just a visit to see the waterfalls and the Bison.

Beautiful park except for my last visit when they were having historic flooding and the area around the falls was closed off due to the flooding and safety concerns.

Good place to hike, relax , picnic, lots of tables and benches along the trail. Handicap accessible. Tho rest rooms is a bit small for a larger wheel chair.Would recommend.

With the wet spring we’ve had, there was plenty of water rushing over the falls. It’s a very small hike to the falls with very few obstacles in the way. The water was running quite quickly so I would keep small children away from the water without supervision.The buffalo drive thru zoo was fun. Our kids like going to it each time we are there.

I’ve been through here many times and I’ve always wanted to experience exactly this! These bison had us blocked in the park for 45 mins. They weren’t in the road when we came into the park but on our way out they decided they’d hang out right in the middle of the way out and walked to road for about 200 feet before they decided to get off and far enough away to safely drive by. It was giving me anxiety because it was right before park close 🤣

Bison was on the furthest part of the drive, laying in a low grassy area. The falls have returned to a better flow rate since last year's drought when my grandsons walked across the area above the smaller falls without getting shoes wet. Aug 9th, 2024.

Spectacular park. (Visited May 18, 2024) Short walk on concrete path to the waterfalls. Due to a lot of snow/ rain this past winter, the falls had an abundance of clear water. Would love to return in the fall. The only downside was that the restrooms were up a hill.

The stairs down to the lower level were closed. Literally you would walk right into the water. That's how high it is right nowThe waterfall is is amazing to say the least. It is full bore

Nice place, and beautiful falls. Some trails were closed because of the rains, but still enjoyable. Nice to drive through the bison area as well. Good spot for a picnic, roofed shelter and bathrooms in main parking lot

Red Fox Campground was a very nice place to tent, RV and spend a night in the only camper cabin. We were feeling like VIP as we stayed in the cabin. There are two electrical outlets, a ceiling fan and lights. The Campground is clean and family friendly. The few waterfalls that are spread out around the park and nearby in Mankato are good for a picnic or pictures. I would recommend Minneopa to anyone.

4.7

(2115)

4.5

(301)

54497 Gadwall Rd, Mankato, MN 56001, USA

We had amazing time with rope course and zip lining. Amanda and Shauna were great , it was my first time and both of them were so supportive. Both of them were very experienced so I felt very safe . They were so nice and funny. My family and I had so much fun.

We did the zipline tour. Was a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Had a blast! Staff are super friendly and down to earth. Definitely recommend. Bring cash to tip your guides! They deserve it! Shout out to Aaron, Aaron & Amy

100% worth my 1 hour drive from Minneapolis. Carlie our guide was very sweet, friendly, and helpful. She’s very good with encouraging young kids and adults like us who were a bit scared when we got to the higher platform. The instructions she gave were very clear and easy to follow. She’s always there to help us when we needed some help. Definitely will be coming back here again! She even took photos for us too.The course took way longer than I thought to finish. I thought this would be like 1 hour max, but if you actually want to try everything, it’d be around 2-3 hours. There’s water station by the course, and snacks for sale in the check in area. Make sure to put on some sunscreen and maybe bring some food or snack!

Best obstacle course ever. I’ve been looking for one like this around the twin cities and sadly there’s not much nearby. Took me an hour to drive here but it’s so worth it. It’s not the same level as mall of America if you’ve been on that one. This one is much bigger, higher, harder, and a lot more fun. The tutors (mine was Sara) are very friendly and tentative, they consistently communicate with people above and make sure everyone is safe and happy. Great place for kids too.

Arrived after 10am on Friday 7/26/24. Forgot to make a reservation but was accommodated via walk-in for the ropes course. Loads of fun and very helpful staff (David). Ended up making a zip line reservation for 2pm. Again great staff (Joe and Natalie). I would definitely return again. We did bring water bottles, sunglasses and sunscreen. Forgot to bring our own lunch, but originally we didn't know we would be ziplining after the ropes course. Better to have it and not need it, than trying to figure out food in a short amount of time.

What a fun experience, for anyone of any age. Worth the money. But bring bug spray. Lots of mosquitoes in the woods. Also, our tour guides were great. We will be back.

We did the zip lines for a friends birthday (4 adults). It’s a good 2.5-3hrs to do the course with a full group so plan ahead. The guides did a great job introducing you to the concept - and then you’re off on some great runs. Fairly varied from long to fast. Honestly didn’t expect this much in Minnesota- definitely worthwhile spending the afternoon at Kerfoot

Jona and rose were fantastic guides. The 14 ziplines tour was exhilarating, but their positivity and secure procedures made me feel safe. I can't wait to return and do it again with another trip for unlimited climbing in their high ropes course. Absolutely cannot recommend more highly.

What a treat! Three of us did the 12 line zip line tour in a group of seven. We were blessed with Aaron and Rose as our guides and I feel like our group is now a family. We laughed together, supported each other through trials, and conquered fears together. It was definitely intimidating learning how to stop yourself and getting used to trusting the ropes and harness as you jump off the ledge. But Aaron and Rose did such a good job of explaining everything and making sure everyone was comfortable. 10/10 would recommend!

We had a blast on the zip line course at Kerfoot! We received excellent training and guidance at the beginning and felt like pros by the third run. The guides are very safety focused, and fun to be with. People were able to exit the course is they felt like they needed to be done. We did all 14 zip lines and loved each one! We'll go again next year for sure!

We got a gift certificate to the High Ropes Course for Christmas, and my three girls (10, 12, 14) absolutely loved it! We arrived at 9:45 for our 10:15 session and left at 5:00! The guides were extremely informed and helpful, and it was fun, safe, and both easy and difficult depending on your choice of challenge. We will definitely be back! (And the guide told us they run Black Friday and Earth Day specials, so be sure to check them out!) My only complaint is that I should have packed a lunch instead of a cooler full of snacks; I never thought we'd spend 7 hours here! 😆👍😁

Best in the Area. Amanda and Justin were amazing guides as well just follow their words and have fun.

My boyfriend and I did the zip lining for my birthday and it was so fun! We love our tour partners and views. Unfortunately, we didn't get any warning regarding mosquitoes and didn't prepare bug spray. I got 15+ mosquito bites on my legs on a rainy day. Other than that, everything was great.FYI, they do not allow you to bring cell phone for the zip lining except a GoPro. You can rent a GoPro or bring your own.

My daughter is 12 and this was a new experience for the both of us. Our guides were beyond amazing, funny, patient and helpful through the zip lining course. I highly recommend going and experiencing this. We will be back

Incredible! I never thought I'd be able to get off the platforms due to my fear of heights but our guides were so supportive. I'm so thankful for them as I would have missed out on a lot of incredible views and such a great adventure!You start with short and low lines which helps get your confidence up for when you reach the longer and taller lines. Highly recommend!**BRING BUG SPRAY** (even if you don't think you need it... you do!) I was the only one in our group not swatting myself the entire excursion!

Wonderful time with great memories spent with our grandson. Excellent service from Caleb, Rowen and rest of staff. Knowledgeable, friendly, funny and respectful. Beautiful area.

I had a blast with my son today. This was my first time zip lining . We had great guides Ava and Hannah. I was hesitant at first. They were patient and very encouraging. They had a nice gift shop and a nice restroom.

Friendly and helpful staff, super fun outdoors high rope course and Zipline. My 10 years old daughter had fun climbing it few times with different routes and took her about 40 mins the first time. There are 2 different ways of coming down and she enjoyed with her friends who was little nervous at first but also had fun in the end.

We had an excellent time! Shawn and Amy were excellent guides. The training they gave was really helpful. We were impressed that Shawn could remember our names so well! They both made the whole tour very enjoyable and we would highly recommend doing this!

4.9

(791)

5.0

(554)

30200 Scenic Byway Rd, Henderson, MN 56044, USA

12 lists

Have per person rate or memberships. Totally worth the price if you want landscape ideas, or just enjoy nature. Have road trails, bike trails, walking trails both paved and unpaved. You can bring a cooler on wheels and sandwiches, eat at a picnic table (no grills). Handicapped accessible out houses along trails. If you want to see everything plan on spending the day.

If you have a passion for nature, flowers, and trees, this destination is a must-see. Located less than a 30-minute drive from downtown Minneapolis, it offers a vast area to explore. A drive-through visit provides a delightful experience, and the ticket price is reasonable. Taking the time to admire the Tulip flowers near the welcome center can turn this into an unforgettable half-day trip with your family. I highly recommend visiting this place at least once if you find yourself in Minnesota.

As an aspiring botanist, this place was amazing. I enjoyed the many and varied gardens. The waterfall was gorgeous as well.I loved the pollinator center the most.One thing I want to point out is the many workers tending to the gardens. It is amazing and encouraging to see them work. Hopefully, I could do that someday.

So beautiful! Enough flowers still blooming. Each garden section was so well cared for. I loved the variety and appreciate the sheer number of different plants there are to see. The 3 mile drive was peaceful. I wish i had more time. If i lived close enough i would definitely have a member pass to go more often.

What a beautiful place! Many areas easily accessible by wheelchair. I’d recommend taking the tram tour, as the guide was so knowledgeable. Lots of trials of different trees and plants. Huge hosta garden, beautiful annuals, rose garden, Japanese garden, sculpture garden, Chinese garden, vegetable gardens… Great way to enjoy a day outdoors.

Only had a couple hours, so made the.most of it. Had a light lunch at Cafeteria (good soup). Then started walking the paths near main lodge. Nice spring flowers in bloom. Our favorite was the Japanese gardens with azaleas in full bloom.

Amazing, beautiful and breathtaking! This place is enormous and I clearly need to come back quite a times. I highly recommend if you love flowers, plants and nature you'll love the Arboretum. And kids are FREE! (under 15)

Super loved our walk in this place. Wish we had more time but will definitely be back! Staff was very helpful to make the most of the time we have. The Japanese garden is nice plus all the dahlias in full bloom during our visit.

Great event at their recent Holidays Light Show Tour. Warm and friendly fire pits to keep you toasty. Tasty stores to make. The lighted trails were gorgeous and very hiking friendly well lit and posted. Staff was very helpful and did a great job. Had some good tunes inside the building. Enjoyed good adult beverages sitting next the fireplace. Overall a perfect event for our New Year's Eve celebration. I would highly recommend attending. Reasonable prices on all tickets, food and drinks.

We can find variety of colorful tulips and different variety of flowers available. 3 miles drive will enjoy the drive. Not great for kids. Well maintained and super clean. Adults can feel the super relaxed. Couple of ponds available and KOI fishes are present. These ponds places are awesome great for good relaxations.

Wonderful and peaceful place to spend a weekend. You can drive on Three-Mile Drive or you can walk a lot there. Nice flowers, trees and plants. Birds are singing. Air is very fresh and nice to breathe.Better to order tickets online before your visit!

It was a dream! They say Autumn is always beautiful in Vermont, BUT this place was breathtaking. The autumn colors, the autumn smells and the sound of walking on leaves was so magical.

Lovely, sculpted exhibitions. A wonderful visitor center with every amenity imaginable and a gallery and restaurant. The gift shop has a little bit of everything. 10/10 experience but dress for the weather/bugs!

I spent an afternoon here in early May and felt like I barely scratched the surface of this gorgeous arboretum. Well-maintained paths, beautiful flowers and trees, and peaceful surroundings. A great place to visit if you enjoy birding. The visitor’s center has a wonderful gift shop and clean and spacious restrooms. Purchase your ticket online and have the QR code ready to scan when you arrive at the gate for a smooth and swift experience.

There was an art fair going on, which was so much fun to go to. I loved seeing the beautiful tulips and the other spring flowers. We had lunch in the Arboretum, which was okay. It wasn't as terrific as the last time I ate there, but there are lots of different choices. I had the turkey sandwich on cranberry bread.

The arb was absolutely stunning the expansive 1,200 acre lot has so many different paths and gardens. Felt like I was roaming around another country enjoying the scenery and landscapes. Highly recommend the 3 mile walk trail, had so much diversity in the scenery and great exercise. Also has a lovely cafe, making this a great day trip or activity! UMN students get in free as well. All ages friendly.

Beautiful grounds and so much to see. Great variety between all the gardens and the tram tour seemed like a great way to fit it all into a single day. The farm was especially interesting, with fantastic looking produce and a very picturesque barn.

Gorgeous and well worth visiting!! After walking around the gardens near the visitor center, we took the free Bee-line shuttle around the three-mile drive and visited various areas of the grounds. One of the shuttle drivers mentioned their favorite plant of the entire place is the kaleidoscope plant inside the conservatory. Wow, that was cool! Looking forward to visiting again!

A perfect spot, all year-round! The flowers are so beautifully maintained and there are regular seasonal events for all ages to enjoy. I always look forward to visiting!

4.8

(6050)

4.5

(634)

3675 Arboretum Dr, Chaska, MN 55318, USA

We had a great time riding this zip line in Jordan! It is a beautiful course and each zip line has its own flavor. Issac helped launch us and the staff was very friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend if you like outdoor adventures!

Drove up a day early for U of M graduation from South Dakota so that we could take my daughter ziplining. Had it booked out a couple of weeks. Got an email at around 8 p.m. the night before telling me they have staffing issues and need to cancel. I would think staffing issues would be well known way before the night before. So we are out about $130 extra dollars because we didn't need to stay the extra night. Had they given us enough notice, we could have made other plans or just waited a day before making the 4 hour drive. I am not happy needless to say. So unless they plan on also refunding us the hotel room as well as the money for ziplining, we won't be back.

Great scenery, 3 zip lines, knowledgeable, courtesy staff! Definitely worth the money- book 2 back to back for ultimate enjoyment.

Super fun family event with amazing people. The guides were kind, friendly, and very positive. Super helpful and encouraging. They made the entire experience! Great place to Zipline as they take care of everything...you just get to enjoy the ride and the view!! Would definitely LOVE to go back and try out the high lines course.

Awesome place with great staff and great views!! My family loved the high-ropes course and the zip-lines were a lot of fun; even for a guy who isn't the biggest fan of heights. Duane and his team are awesome and we will definitely be back and highly recommend you check it out!

My work group came here for a team building day and had a blast! Super nice folks, lots of fun stuff to do, and it was just excellent to be out in nature for the afternoon! Duane was easy to communicate with and the entrance is well signed. Everyone had definitely worked up an appetite by the end, but everyone left in a great mood.All the safety gear here felt very secure and seemed to be well cared for and in good condition. We left with a few mosquito bites (remember your bug spray! We forgot ours) and a handful of small bruises from our *creative* techniques to climb the giant ladder. I’d absolutely recommend this to other groups of coworkers

Amazing guides amazing sights. The giant swing was super fun too!!! Will definitely go again in the future.

Went to Sand Creek Adventures on July 1! What a blast! The staff was super great and everyone in our group had a wonderful time! Highly recommend!!!

The staff is amazing with people of all skill levels. We had a guest who was completely new to ropes courses. They were patient when they got scared stiff and wouldn't move. They even came out to where he was and helped him get to the next section! It was a very uplifting moment for everyone and it made the experience a very memorable day for us.

We did 3 zipline what a great time. Great friendly helpful staff they make sure you are safe and have fun this is a do not miss

Had a great time with my mom and brother zip lining today. Amazing staff, beautiful views, and a great time all around! Be sure to check this place out!

The staff was incredible and it was an incredible end to a great anniversary weekend! Highly recommend to anyone looking for some fun, even if you are scared of heights like my wife. The staff was patient, encouraging and made it all worth while. Thank you!!

Super fun - a great place to build team spirit for a team, company or group outing or just have a ridiculous amount of fun! The zip lines were INCREDIBLE and the staff is unbeatable!

This was so much fun.. staff is great, beautiful area.

I went by myself and was the only person there so I was nervous at first, but was quickly welcomed! I can definitely say I’ll be going again! My favorite part was these personally picked pine cones :) Thanks so much for making this an amazing experience to remember!

4.7

(183)

5.0

(359)

3101 220th St W, Jordan, MN 55352, USA

10 lists

Wonderful experience! Staff was welcoming, professional and were true fans of Prince. Tour guide Tommy was great. The ultimate experience went by so fast could have stayed longer. I’m glad they made everyone lock their phones for a majority of the tour. I hope to visit again in the future.

Ultimate tour May 2024. Superbly run visit by the staff. Jessica was our guide and very knowledgeable. We arrived early and were allowed into the gift shop, then 20 mins before the tour went to the main entrance. Restricted on photos and do not touch anything or lean on walls, etc, but that's the artistic element. It's totally recommended if a fan or not. 5 stars.Question why is the house and studio numbered 7801?

Paisley Park is a must-visit for any Prince fan. The moment you step inside, you’re enveloped in the vibrant essence of his music and artistry. The museum is filled with memorabilia, including outfits, instruments, and personal artifacts that tell the story of his extraordinary career.The guided tours are informative and passionate, providing insights into Prince’s creative process and his life. The atmosphere is electric, filled with a sense of nostalgia and reverence for his legacy.Whether you’re exploring the studios, the soundstage, or the private collection, every corner of Paisley Park resonates with his genius. It’s a heartfelt tribute that every Prince enthusiast will appreciate. Highly recommended!

I have been Prince fan since 1984. I was so excited about this tour and it did NOT disappoint. You got to hear and see so many interesting things that made Prince who he was. I loved his office. Reece was our guide. He was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. We did the Ultimate Tour and loved every minute. When they unlocked your phones at the end it was so much fun. His shoe collection was beautiful too. Highly recommend. We went 9/4/2023

Loved the Paisley Park two hour tour! Worth it for Prince fans. Be prepared to lock up your phones but it was worth it to be in the moment and listen to everything the tour guides had to say. There is so much love for Prince and it’s amazing to be a part of his home and workplace.

I didn't go into the museum as it's a bit more pricier than I could afford but I did get to go into the gift shop. I had to advise the guard at the gate of my intentions. So, I was able to park and take a couple pictures of the exterior and looked around the gift shop which did have reasonably priced T-shirts. $25. They even carry XXXL which were $33. What I really thought was cute was the umbrella it's $30 but it changes colors when it rains. I believe from white to purple. So, if you're a Prince fan it's worth a stop.

Amazing to visit Paisley Park. We did the 120-minute VIP tour, which was fascinating. You found yourself feeling very close to the artist and Prince's creativity.Just so you know in advance, phones are placed in sealed bags a d handed back to you until the final room, as Prince had banned mobiles at the time, and that works. Plenty in the final room, and it means you can immerse yourself in the experience and listen to your tour guide without distraction.We had Domino. They were great and full of knowledge about Prince's fashion journey and the iconography. Just ask if you have questions ...My shirt for the day included in the photos ... it is 36 years old ...!A great experience.

Listen, let me tell you, this was incredibly amazing and breathtaking!!! I felt like he's still here giving the world a tidbit of himself and leaving much to the imagination. I love mysterious Prince. I'm a true die hard fan. The tour was well put together and the museum was an unforgettable experience. To see and feel where he spent most of his career life was a blessing. The color purple feels like an experience. I think it's a bit commercialized but hey, Prince left this world a gift. Please go experience that gift, you won't regret it. Sending purple peace to all 💜

Being able to park our van on site was a nice option as we arrived a couple of hours before the showing of the 40th anniversary of "Purple Rain". They don't let you set lawn stairs out, but they never bothered us for sitting in the van with the AC on.The staff were all pleasant and helpful. Pretty cool experience. If you like Prince and his music, you should go stop in here.

So intense. Prince's presence is so strong. You can feel his spirit in the studios and near his mad cat guitar and his pianos. Beautiful place. Meticulous attention to detail every where. Unbelievable how much his genius comes through in every aspect of this fabulous compound. Must go if you can.

It was an amazing experience! We loved it all. Our guide Domino was amazing. They had great energy and so much knowledge. Highly recommend this tour for any Prince fan!

Paisley Park is definitely in your heart. I paid for the Ultimate Experience but it was not the ultimate experience. As a life long fam, I was disappointed in that the majority of Paisley is closed to the public. Way too much time spent listening to the tour guides, barely enough time to take in the site/sights. No your book, no photos allowed except at the end. After 3 hours you're tired and dying of thirst!! The gift shop does not sell a lot, not diverse enough considering P was so prolific. I enjoyed that it was where Prince was when he was on Earth, it smells like him, the art is amazing, check out the books in his office, the short videos were nice to look at.It's overpriced, very tightly run with a lot of rules, no places to sit and absorb, too much of the tour guide talking, I felt rushed. I will not return. I will enjoy what I have in my personal collection. 😁

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful experience!We flew in from NC to tour Paisley Park, and it was worth every penny and every mile!Definitely gonna go again and do the next level up tour!Thank you, Prince Estate, for keeping Prince’s spirit alive!

I went on the paisley experience tour and it was a great tour. Just note they do take your phone and put it in a locked pouch until the last part of the tour. It was a bummer, but I get them not wanting to give away the tour in shared photos. That was one part I enjoyed more about Elvis' Graceland was being able to capture the whole experience. I would have done the longer tour if I had more time on my trip as there is more you see in the huge building with those options. Worth going if your ever in minneapolis! RIP 🙏 prince!

One WORD: Artist. Prince was truly that in every facet of his extraordinary career. I traveled with my good friend Giraldo and we had an exclusive tour of his home/recording studios. Along with Prince’s countless awards, artifacts, photos and stories, we enjoyed a fabulous tour conducted by a fellow educator Ross. His unique insight on Prince will live forever outside the walls of Paisley Park by the countless fans carrying those tales back to their homes. Thank you Ross from your fellow educator in NYC. Keep up the great work. 👏👏👏

I watched Purple Rain on the big screen at Paisley Park for the 40th anniversary celebration. I felt like I was watching him in concert. The tour is amazing, up close, and personal. People complain about the gift shop selling memorabilia, but how do you think they support what they're doing here? I stood where Prince lived, breathed, created, and died. Priceless. Go. It's amazing.

Even if you’re not a prince fan the museum is very interesting to learn about all the things he has done. Our guide was great and very informative. I took the 1st level tour. I would love to come back and take the other levels if I ever make it back to Minneapolis.

Absolutely amazing! If you are a Prince fan, you must, must, must make this trip! And hopefully you have the good fortune to have Nembi as your tour host. He is awesome. Do it!!

Incredible tour guide and tour. Be prepared to power off your phone and lock it inside a case before you start the tour. Pictures aren’t allowed until the end of the tour. Fantastic compound that showcases the way Prince wrote, produced, recorded and inspired himself. It is definitely worth doing the 2-hour tour but I understand there are different levels of tours. The integration of media learning is awesome on the tour. The upstairs is not part of any of the tours. But still there is plenty to see and hear about. I think our tour guide’s name was David (buff, bodybuilder guy). Super knowledgeable and a huge Prince fan.

4.8

(5191)

4.5

(744)

7801 Audubon Rd, Chanhassen, MN 55317, USA

8 lists

Loved it. You step back in time the minute you walk in. This amazing time capsule is setting here waiting for you. Take advantage of it. There is construction in the area ATM. You have to maneuver a little to get there.You can walk around and step back to the 40's - 50's. There is memorabilia all over the walls of previous musicians who have played the Ballroom. The staff is friendly and will answer questions.There is a small gift shop.Be sure to make a donation to keep the memories alive.I am so glad we got to stop and pay homage to the boys who didn't make it home from the Winter Dance Party. Thanks for the magic.

Iconic venue for live music. The museum and tribute to Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper was awe inspiring, I felt as though I was on hallowed ground. A trip to the crash site afterwards is a must to make the journey complete, a very moving experience.

I have wanted to come here since I was a kid, but its never worked out for me logistically. Today, I was simply at the right place at the right time. As a musician, for me, this is one of the "Mecca's" of music history, and a major one at that. I can't really add to the great reviews of so many others here. It's very overwhelming in so many ways. You can feel the history when you walk in. I can't describe it, but when you even approach this building, you'll get it. I can say this, however: Once you walk in and have spent just a mere five minutes in here, it's like you've jumped into the deep end of a musical history pool. Sitting in the booths, you'll feel like it's 1960. Or, look at and stand on the stage, you'll see what those in history's s past generations have seen. I've been on many stages in my life. But, getting the opportunity to stand here, simply as another visitor, and feel the past. Honestly it beats anything else I've ever done on a stage. Thanks to the staff who keep this place looking sharp. My wife, and I, had a blast.

Built in the '30's, was the last show by Buddy Holly and Richie Valenz before their plane crash just after takeoff. Look at all the stars signatures of those that ever graced the stage. Such cool booths around the perimeter of the ballroom dance floor

My sister wanted to see the Surf Ballroom. So we took a trip to Clear Lake, Iowa. What an Iowa treasure. We were lucky to be there on Tuesdays because the lovely Tuesday volunteer gave us an amazing tour and told us the history of the Surf. Recognized by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an important rock and roll landmark, a photo collection of photos of performers line a hall, guitars with performers signatures sit a top of the counter. I'm so glad we visited this important historic icon.

I’ve been wanting to go there for years. My sister& brother in law were in Iowa visiting so I asked them if they wanted to take a road trip. It’s amazing! So glad I checked that off my bucket list.

What a historic piece of music history. The Surf ballroom has been around for so long and has hosted some of the biggest musical performers of all time. They have a museum of their long and storied history on site. I drove all of the way here from Minnesota to see a concert performance, and it was definitely worth the drive. I seen the country band Midland and the performance was terrific. The sound quality in the concert hall was phenomenal. The setup of the stage and the entire concert hall was fantastic, there was no bad place to watch the performance.

I'm doing a mom daughter trip and put this little gem on our route. I'm so glad I did. If you're a history person & a music lover, this is a fun little place to go. After seeing this place, you can go to the memorial for Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, & Big Bopper.

Great venue and great concert with Hairball. We were nice and close to the stage, and nobody got rowdy. They could improve their ticket taking efficiency to get people in the door faster.

It is a wonderful piece of history. If you're visiting Clear Lake or just passing through, definitely take 1 hour to walk around and explore.

The historic preservation of the Surf was fun to experience. I had toured the Surf during an Open House and was excited to return to see a show. We reserved a few booths and had a fun night! Updated big screens throughout were a great addition. Unfortunately a small crowd, but we had a blast!

Amazing place in history. Love the care taken to keep the ballroom authentic. Hope to see a concert here someday.

Great venue to see a show! Very nostalgic! Lots of history. Lots of memorabilia. A must see!

I would give it more stars if I could. This is a fanatastic preservation of this historic venue most famous for being the last place Buddy Holly performed the night before he was killed in a plane crash. Larry, one of the hosts, became our personal tour guide - look for him if you visit! After touring this showplace, go to the crash site!

Simply amazing . The history is mind blowing. Have to see it for yourself. Backstage room with all the autographs and stairs leading to the stage gave me chills. Was definitely worth the drive there.

What a beautiful building! My wife and I went up there on 6-10-24 and we had a great time walking around looking at the pictures, guitars, and other memorabilias in two big rooms of the museum. Then of course the ballroom area with the original dance floor, the stage, the green room behind the stage with thousands of autographs in the small room and the original booths that have been there since it open back in 1948 where people would sit watching a concert or there for a dance. The front of the building also still have the original ticket booth where you can purchase tickets for a concert or show. Pretty memorial statue of all three of the singer's names near the ticket booth. Just a 2 1/2 hour trip to this historical landmark. It was worth the trip. Just a little donation to go in. Definitely a lot of great memories in this beautiful Ballroom. When you walk around the ballroom they have music playing continuously from the 50's and 60's through the ceiling speakers. When they were ready to close a Ritchie Valens song was playing while I was recording a video around the ballroom. We'll be back soon. Giving it a 10 star.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Such a great place to visit for a part of music history.

I waited 30 years to go here and I was not disappointed it was a moving experience. I went last year and I had the pleasure of being there all alone. I met a gentleman named Paul whose wife Mary works in the office and he was amazing! Such nice and warm hearted people. Thank you so much!!! I’ll never forget you and the time you took out of your day to show me all the little secrets! I encourage any one who is a music enthusiast this is a must. It was my musical pilgrimage to stand in the shadows of my hero’s.

After visiting the crash site, we rode uptown to view the monument. I had NO IDEA that not only was the ballroom still standing but was still being used today! What a tremendous piece of American History surviving and still thriving!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4.8

(1644)

5.0

(364)

460 N Shore Dr, Clear Lake, IA 50428, USA

11 lists

Came here for opening water park weekend. We arrived when the park opened. It was really easy to find parking as the lot was mostly empty. Getting through the season ticket line was a little slow but we managed. They opened more lines as soon as we were called up to the window. Security was a breeze and we were off to the rides. We rode Northern Lights twice before they decided to shut it down for some reason. Steel venom also kept having issues as well. Hopefully they can iron out the kinks because it won't be a very good experience when the park is full during the summer.A number of my favorite places to eat were also closed. I would assume due to the early part of the season? Everything is really expensive. It's nice that the place is cashless but plan ahead. We did the season water bottle pass. It pays for itself very quickly on hot days.Though soak city was just opening nearly all the water slides were closed... disappointing. The kids really enjoyed the splash pad and wave pool though. Mad mouse or whatever it is called could use some major efficiency upgrades. Lots of waiting around on that one.The wave, carousel, antique cars, wild thing, eagle flying ride, and a few others all went off without a hitch.We'll be back. Hopefully they can iron out the problems for next time.

Halloween themed weekends in Sept/Oct: great! 0-5min lines for rides, no heat, plus fun freebies for kids (candy trick or treating, costume contest, paint by number wall, etc). All water areas are closed for the season as well as some other rides. The fear rises are open, the majority! Definitely don't miss the ball factory in Snoopy's area right by the entrance after the monster ride. See photos. Kids can play here for hours while you parents relax a minute! Do know that everything is an extra charge however, arcade games, slime station, and of course all food/drinks.Still, fabulous fun and best way to get on rides with short waits.Tickets: get them online and search for a Groupon or other preseason deal. You shouldn't end up paying more than $30/person. And preschoolers can be free if you apply for that online ahead of time.Enjoy! There's lots of great themed entertainment and music everywhere too.

We went to Valley Scare for the first time. I had a huge amount of fun, and I will diffently do Valley Scare again. For your information only, this is not a complaint: Because our group was over 21 and no children, we entered through and express lane to the park, no waiting. But driving to Shokopeelines of cars to get into the parking lot were very long ... we were in slow traffic while on the highway for more than 30 minutes, just to get to the parking lot. There were a few families, but mostly adults enjoying Halloween. The weather was perfect for an October night. There were at least six places to eat dinner, and many pop-ups to buy adult beverages. There were huge crowds everywhere, and long lines for the rides.

Fun mix of young child, family, and thrill rides. Recommend going during the week for shorter lines. They have a few win every time games, so 5$ souvenir for young kids is fun. Season pass pays for itself quickly with parking included. Under 5 season pass is free with purchase of adult pass. Food is bad and expensive. They do have good treats like ICEE and dippin dots. The food is terrible tasting and price- worth it to pack a car picnic.

We had a great time at Valleyfair! Our family of 4 found attractions that fit our various tastes. We got there about 30 minutes before gate open to make sure we could be front of line for Wild Thing! This was a magical day for my girls 55” and 46” tall. There were fun rides for each, not to mention a few that they could both ride (Monster, Supercat, Scrambler, Wheel of Fortune). I think my older went on close to 20 rides throughout the day. The lines were short. The park was as clean as ever. From my days working summers here over 20 years ago, this place has only improved. It’s great that you still see kids walking around wearing Nirvana t-shirts! 😜

Rides are great. They have something for everyone. High cost for food is off-putting but, ya gotta eat. Plenty of choices for food. No cash, only cards for everything. Very clean. Lots of places to sit and rest.

It's a smaller amusement park and if the lines aren't long can be pretty well covered in less than a day. The staff have always been very friendly. I go there with my autistic step daughter and they are very understanding. The workers patiently waited for her to get on the rid and even offered me a sensory room when they could tell that she was struggling.

Great amusement park! All the small improvements over the years are greatly appreciated but they are definitely overdue for a big new coaster. ValleyScare 2024 was amazing and the employees were all great to interact with.

Good amusement park but lacking serious hard core rides. Good selection of family friendly rides. Water park looked pretty good.

Great Park experience! Think we timed it just right between weather and on a Monday and had almost zero lines the entire day including entrance to the park. Stuff were friendly and helpful, the park was clean and pleasant. The rides and water park was lots of fun! We loved it

I am visiting as many of the Cedar Fair parks as possible and really enjoyed this one. The park is compact and has a nice variety of rides and the water park. Food is expensive in all the parks. The weather was very nice and the wait time for rides was very short. I would definitely return when back in this area. Was able to take public transportation to the park from downtown Minneapolis which was a plus but it did take about 70 minutes that way, but it only cost $2.50 each way.

Came here from Chicago. My home park is six flags great america. This place is really fun and is a really enjoyable time. Doesn't get too busy even on a Saturday. Soak City is great. The drop slides are fabulous.

Valleyfair has some very cool rides. Renegade, Steel Venom and the Wild Thing are always a good time. Soak City is also a nice bonus if you want to swim or ride a water slide. The park has a lot of staff and it’s definitely well ran. Getting around the park isn’t the easiest as the walkways are pretty limited and the park is huge, but it’s not the worst. The price for entry in the park is reasonable, especially if you plan on going more than a couple times per year.That being said the food vendor system here is an absolute racket. They charge $18 for a meal without a drink. The portion size you get for $18 is laughable. $3 worth of frozen food for that much leaves a bad taste in my mouth for sure. If the food was better or the actually gave you a decent amount of food, I would be less inclined to care. But predatory price scalping your customers is wrong.I also really wish they would add some more bigger attractions or rides here. The park hasn’t really added a notable ride since 2007, and for almost 20 years to go by without a major addition, the park definitely feels stale and neglected.As a kid growing up, Valleyfair use to feel very exciting but without any new rides and price increases it feels stale and more profit oriented than it ever has.

Spent the day at Valley Fair, and we had a blast. We used their app, which was very useful, knowing the line wait times. I purchased the all-day food and drink pass, which is worth the money! The only issue I had was stopping at the funnel cake stand, which was on the list, and they said it wasn't. Otherwise, it definitely saves money.

My three kids and I went to Valleyfair this last weekend and had a thrill! The park was clean, the attendants were friendly, lines for most rides weren't long. The only two lines that were long were the Wild Thing and Renegade, but worth the wait.

I have a season pass with my daughter, We love rides and the excitement at the fair. The lines can be long on the weekends, so we typically go Tuesday-Thursday to minimize wait times. The water park is refreshing on a hot day, but there are a lot of kids, be ready, and youll hopefully get a seat in the shade unless someone has saved a Lounge cgair and left to go on more rides(which I've seen happen too many times).

As a grown woman I still absolutely love this place. I scream and laugh like a child every visit. Sometimes there's tears 😂 Feel like the games prices are a little ridiculous but the food prices are actually pretty reasonable and they have some amazing bundle options for food and more. Spring for the gold pass, you won't be disappointed! The added bonus of the ValleyScare season is priceless!

Hands down one of the best ways to spend a late spring/summer day! If the kids are under 36 inches, there is not much, but they do let you ride most kids rides with your small children!Guys I know it's rough right now, but please get more busses running! The wait times are getting to long!

Fun, fun, fun place to take your family or your out of state family to enjoy rides! There are a lot of fun big rides, kiddie rides, and the water park rides! It has been a while since I went to valleyfair and they had added a few new rides and got rid of 1 or 2 rides. The waiting line for the rides went by pretty quick! We also rented out the 3 cabanas right next to the wave pool for a birthday party and it was totally worth it! I love how we got the cabanas and we didn't have to worry too much about carrying or strolling our things around the amusement park since we left most of our things in the cabanas. The cabanas came with free water bottles and towels (we were able to keep the towels they provided us). I wish I took pictures of the cabanas. They also have arcade games to win big or small plushies. Also plenty of parking. If you want to save money when it comes to buying food. You can pack some food and go back to your car to eat then go back into the amusement park after you're done. The food is kinda expensive. We got a bucket of cheese curds ($24.99) and the bucket was really small and it wasn't full. I was pretty disappointed about that (as it was shown in the photo). But other than that, my family and I still had a good time there.

4.3

(12436)

4.0

(759)

1 Valley Fair Dr, Shakopee, MN 55379, USA

Clean bathrooms, get a bit smoke but service is cordial and fast with your request

We had a lot of fun. Had a lot of old machines we went to 35 Cafe. Had hamburgers fries and onion rings the onion rings had so much grease in it you could have fried half dozen eggs. Overall experience was really good.

Stayed overnight while on a roadtrip. The stay was fine, not much to rave about. Standard accommodation. However, they only had $10 minimum craps and $15 minimum blackjack. Additionally, the slots were extremely tight. No bonus, minimum payouts. Great place for entertainment, but don’t expect to win much. < 50% slot payouts. Likely won’t be back.

Our family had some good luck here on a not so busy Saturday night! Fun machines and clean bathrooms!

Our expectations were exceeded. It's on the side of the highway, but it's bigger than it looks. It's quite nice inside. Lots of slot machines with a good mix of new and old. Plenty of table game stations, though we didn't play those. We've been here a few times now when traveling north and it's a good stop for a couple hours.

Wonderful time.Staff was excellentTrucks park at rest area.No semi-parking at casino.So don't pass up the rest area thinking there will be truck parking elsewhere.It's still very convenient, just a short walk to the front door.

It was nice. They had a little robot guy who helped deliver food. There were a couple of mistakes with our order, but they were resolved very quickly. Our server couldn't have been nicer, and the food was prepared as ordered eventually, lol. It was very good. My friend had the chili and said it was one of the best they have had. My burger was delicious and a beautiful medium rare. I would go back.

Disappointing to see smoking allowed at table games. Makes for a less than desirable experience (and for employees too). Casino otherwise was fine. Employees were friendly, but beverage servers hard to find even on a Friday night. Hotel is convenient and clean.

This is the first and last time I visit this casino. 1. The chairs are extremely uncomfortable. 2. Entire casino was freezing cold. 3. The Burger Joint was closed so we had to settle for Subway. 4. The slots are so tight you can actually hear them squeak. The payout on the slots is worse than ANY other casino I have been to. If and I mean IF you happen to get in the bonus you might win $4-$5 regardless of the amount you bet. I don't mind losing if my money lasts a few hours and I have some fun but when you lose all your money within an hour that's enough for me. Good riddance Diamond Joe's!

Our stay was very nice Paid for a 1pm checkout. Room service started knocking at 1130am and again at 1215 . $50. Pet fee gave us a room with mismatched repair carpet scratches in doors dirty hand prints... if you are going to charge for a pet give me a good room sink drain. 5 stars our last stay

Gaming is about on par, but taproom servers have an attitude. Take a pass on the 35 restaurant because servers will demand a dessert order halfway through your meal and get snippy if you prefer to wait until you’re done. Nice venue, but we won’t return due to this one thing. Customer service is important!

Friendly atmosphere. Helpful staff. Parking was good. We were able to park pretty close to the front doors. I lost $ in the end.

Everyone is wonderful here! I live 45 minutes away but have also used it for truck parking! Win Lose you'll have a good time. I will come here again with myself and my friends.

This place is Awesome!! We had to check the security guards ID to make sure everything was on the up and up!! 😆🏆😆

It's an average casino. The machines are tight, but that seems to be the average for most casinos outside of Vegas. Have stayed a couple of times over the last few years at the hotel coming back from Minneapolis. Didn't know the casino had purchased the hotel this year and accidentally booked at the neighboring hotel...which was cheaper and still let's you use their indoor pool. Sister stayed here and we compared notes, My family got the better deal....breakfast and rates. She said the rooms were still quiet and comfortable tho, same experience we've had the previous years.

I only stayed one night but this hotel experience was great! I’m very picky when it comes to hotels however this one met my expectations. The room was clean and it smelt good (No funky hotel smell) the front desk lady was very friendly, the breakfast was good, the bathroom was nice and they use Dove soap which is a plus for me. The only thing is the exterior does look a bit dated but the inside makes up for it. I will definitely stay at this hotel again.

The bar tenders are unbelievable. I've never been treated so bad. Very rude and unattentive. I will never step foot in this place again. Raw pizza. I had to eat just the toppings. This was my rest stop for the night and was out of time to go anywhere else. I will NOT BE STOPPING HERE FOR SURE!!!!

The hotel pool is closed permanently yet wasn’t posted on the site when we booked so to drive 2 hours with grandkids thinking they will swim while grandpa gamble was disheartening to say the least. Thought pizza would save the day this burned $$$$ like we’re packing up going home. My brother makes pizza like this when he drunk! Neva again

No more $5 tables , casino got greedy. It's been years since I been here and it will be years before I go back. Does it really matter if you are going HERE you probably have a gambling program, Suggest any other casino with $5 tables ... hell even the craps table is a min of $10 because a few hundred dollars per roll isn't enough money fast enough for these greedy people.

3.8

(4334)

3.5

(155)

777 Diamond Jo Ln, Northwood, IA 50459, USA

This was such a fun stop! There's a small playground for the kids and other activities they would have fun doing. A great gift shop full of all your fav Spam flavors.

Very interesting and cool museum. All the interesting history is laid out in an interactive experience. The Spam cans riding around the track up in the ceiling are neat to see. The gift shop has lots of cool stuff. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. All in all a cool place to visit.

Very neat stop on our trip. Had a play area for little kids, and little sections on how different countries were introduced and consume SPAM. Also had an area to test how fast you can pack Spam in cans. Tried the Korean bbq flavor as a sample when we were there. Overall pretty cool

The SPAM Museum is a true wonder! Love this little Museum dedicated to everything SPAM. Great folks have lots of great historical tidbits and SPAM samples. Great recipes at the kiosks allow you to email directly to your inbox. They have a kids' play area too. Easy to get to with plenty of parking. Definitely visit!

What a blast! Who knew that SPAM had so much history?!? This museum was a lot of fun. You’ll learn about all the things that the Hormel company has done for our country, especially our military. You can tasteSPAM samples and shop for souvenirs in the gift shop. There is a station where you can actually make fake spam and be times to see how fast you can do it. You’ll see a conveyor belt overhead that moves about 700 cans of spam around the museum. The employees are ready and willing to help answer any questions. We got a tour with Ashley and she was a greatguide. She knew so much about the company. If you’re in the area, this is a great great place to go. If you love SPAM, this is a must see!

Where are my SPAM lovers at?! We made it to the SPAM museum in Austin, Minnesota! Great history of my favorite canned meat! Yummy!! Super cool and fun museum to visit with free SPAM samples! Located in a cute and quaint small town of Austin, Minnesota where Hormel produces all their canned goodies! Don't forget to visit the gift shop and the Hormel home! Another must visit if you are in the area!

So much fun! The kids loved the museum! Plenty of fun facts and things to do! They even come around with SPAM samples!! They have lots of fun historical facts and a fun play place for kids. The store inside has some really cute spam souvenirs!Bonus the museum is very inclusive from motion sensor doors to noise canceling headphones and cute quiet areas!

We planned our drive across Minnesota so that we could stop here. We first heard of this museum on Mark and Tricia Leeach's YouTube channel "KYD- Keep Your Daydream." We enjoyed our visit tremendously and stayed in town to have lunch at a nearby local place. Free entrance. Free parking. Free samples. Great gift shop. We bought a magnet.

A really cool place to go if you are in Austin! A lot of history that you don't really know about and a corporation that gives back to the community! Very interesting and worth walking around.

Great museum detailing the history and many uses of SPAM. All the exhibits had an interactive element, which is great for kids and adults alike. I found the overhead conveyor belt of all the flavors running throughout the museum to be especially fascinating. All the staff were friendly and the gift shop was well-stocked with souvenirs for purchase.

As a SPAM lovers and a place of family significance for my friend as her father worked at Hormel and his name was on the WWII role call, it was just outstanding. I had never even known that such a museum existed.Exhibits were very informative and interesting, museum store carries many varieties of SPAM not available in grocery stores, plus all kinds of cool merch.Free admission is always a good price and you definitely get way more than you will get at quite a few other museums.

2023:Lots of fun and history. Knowing that I grew up on spam and loved spam my niece surprised me with a surprise trip to the museum. Even though my wife and niece are not fans of spam, they were surprised to have such a great time visiting a museum. They even sent pictures to others. Most did not realize there was such a museum and others claimed they were envious that we were able to visit the museum.

This Museum is always a favorite! It is kitschy place that is well done, interesting and informative. The company was innovative with their cans and recipe. You can try samples of various SPAM meats while learning about their history and manufacturing methods. The new location is even better than their old one!

Have you ever wanted to know how many cans of Spam tall you are? Or perhaps find those hard to get flavors your local grocery doesn't carry? Are you someone that appreciates a good bargain? Then the SPAM Museum is the place for you! I now know EXACTLY how many cans of SPAM tall I am (20.5), I got a couple flavors that I didn't even know were available, and to top it off, admission is FREE! Even if you don't like eating SPAM, the story behind it is interesting, and the museum lays everything out in a very user friendly way. I will say, we made up for the free admission in the gift shop....There is truly something for everyone in there. Also, don't steal the rocks from the bathroom.

I don't eat SPAM but this was a very good visit! Bring your kids! I had fun and would go back next time I'm in the area. We got to sample the newest version: Korean BBQ!Beat of all, it's free! But it feels like you paid because it's so well done.

It was cool, not as big inside as I thought it was going to be. Tried 2 samples they were giving out. It would have been cooler if they actually had a booth or station where you try all the flavors of spam. But I did get a cool t-shirt and some Spam to try at home.

This is a totally FUN stop!Learn all the things about SPAM and try all the recipes!This has a great history of SPAM and how it was and is used - it's history, and the kids can even see how long it takes them to assemble SPAM cans.Don't miss the Monty Python version of the SPAM-a-lot musical also on display!

Loveeeeee this museum. It’s even better than its old location, which is visited in 2002. For Kitsch, history, and food lovers alike, this is such a well-done museum. Fantastic gift shop. I don’t know if I could drive through the area without stopping again!

We had a great time at the Spam Museum, especially with our tour guide, Ronalldo, who made the experience even better. It was super fun to learn about the history of Spam, and we were impressed by all the exhibits.The gift shop was a highlight as well, with a great selection of unique items and very friendly staff. One suggestion: it would be amazing if the museum had its own restaurant. They’re missing out on tapping into a huge potential here. Overall, a fun visit and highly recommended.

4.7

(3315)

4.5

(721)

101 3rd Ave NE, Austin, MN 55912, USA

This is an EXCELLENT option for food and drink. I listed it this way on purpose, the food is awesome and has been for every visit we have made in the past several years.My wife is a wine drinker, I prefer the hard cider (loon juice). The drinks never fall flat. This place is so consistent on product it's hard to find a fault. My personal favorites are Extra Juicy and Grow A Pear.Their bourbon is also good.The Walnut Salad is great. The cheese and charcuterie boad is excellent. My wife and kids like the pizza (again, just not my thing).The location is easy to find. The premise is large and set up really nicely for a quiet table or party of everyone. They have many, many rows of grapes to roam around in. It is a great place for an event or party.If you get a chance try the lobster boil.Highly recommended.

//Our Home Away From Home\\At Four Daughters Winery you will feel so relaxed just like you are at home. The wines and Loon Juices are all so delicious. The Pinot Noir is a red wine that is perfectly sweet. The specialty wine flight is my favorite. Try the dessert- It is FABULOUS! Our favorite part is the seasonally changing menu. We have gone to several dinner events and they wow us every time!

We stopped for lunch based on a recommendation and were so pleased with a fantastic lunch. The flatbread and charcuterie were wonderful. I highly recommend the 5 bourbon flight and pairing. We were all blown away. Especially great service for fast casual. Wonderful people and great food and drink.

What a delightful experience for lunch! Our kids enjoyed the pizza, and my husband and I loved the sirloin-lobster special and the apple-walnut salad. I liked the Big Boy Red blend wine and my husband liked the Loon Juice rosé. We loved the vibe and modern architecture of this place. We live in the Twin Cities, and we were visiting the area, and think it’s worth a special trip there.

Great service, big portions on the food we ordered and definitely enjoyed the bourbon. I personally am not a wine drinker and was glad there was other beverages to choose from. Everyone in our group that tried the wine enjoyed it as well. It was great that they had different flights so we could try many different kinds before choosing a glass.One thing we didn't like about this place is you did have to go up to the bars to order drinks, food or anything at all. They would bring food to your table but everything else you needed to go up to order. There was no wait staff to take orders or even come table to table. You did have to get your own water, plates, silverware, napkins, etc. It did take away from the whole experience and if we had any questions you had to go up and ask everytime.

The pizzas were amazing! The best I have ever had. The wine selection is also great. Also good bourbon selection too.

Very nice winery. They have wine, ciders and bourbon. The ciders we tried were good. They do flights for all three of them. The maple bourbon was also good. The food we got was very good. The staff was friendly, professional and helpful. The food prices seemed high.

Delightful experience! Friendly and efficient staff, beautiful modern surroundings, and delicious wine. They have wine, cider, and bourbon flights, and the prices are super reasonable. $11/flight of six for most things (except bourbon) Great stop, highly recommend!

I've been to a solid number of wineries in my lifetime, and Four Daughters has always been the best. I first went there in 2014 and have basically been thinking about it ever since then. It's about three hours away from my house in a direction we don't go very often, so I didn't get the chance to go back until ten years after the fact. I made a special detour to go by myself, and I didn't have very long, but I got to do a white wine tasting and have the cheeseburger. Truly one of the best cheeseburgers I have ever had - and the fries too. Parmesean truffle fries. There wasn't a single wine I didn't like. The moscato-ish one was a bit too sweet, but I would still happily drink it. The Brianna is my absolute favorite, but any of the whites are really spectacular. If you like wine even a little bit - if you like cheeseburgers even a little bit - you have GOT to go.

Great winery! Worth the time to try excellent wines and very tasty food selections. Cheeseburger was amazing 🍔. Cheers 🥂

Food was good, venue was very nice. Very unique approach not having a true wait staff. Would work better if they had somewhere to put used dishes or bus staff that tended to it more. Menu was interesting, no real theme but big portions for price. The pizzas say they serve 2, I'd say at least 3 could eat off it. The polenta and pork belly was interesting, the pork belly could have gone without the sauce. The pizzas were good, and the pretzel was really good. A fun place for a good date night, or special occasion

Great winery! Had been on my list to check out for a while and was not disappointed. A really nice layout, great atmosphere on the patio right by the vines. The food menu was amazing, a ton of great food to choose from. The pizza and nachos were great and the caramel macchiato cake was a great way to end the evening. Loved the variety of drink options as well including wine, cider, bourbon drinks, wine coolers and seasonal cocktails. The only thing to note when sitting outside on a Saturday night is the racetrack not far away was having an event which was pretty loud a times. Overall happy with my visit, and would drive down from the cities again to visit!

Was ordering from a lady who was training in a new person and I was taken aback by her rudeness. This was my first time there and felt that rather than a kind explanation I received a lecture along with dirty looks. I was told to go to the bourbon bar to get my drinks (I ordered at the wine bar because I didn't know) so I did but when the lady from the bourbon kindly walked my drinks to my table she glared at me. My friends have complaints of their own as well but I won't speak for them . The wine and bourbon were good but we did not feel like making purchases after this unwelcoming experience.

It was a nice experience. The first problem was that they had our group seated at a high-level table, which wasn't appropriate for a person in a wheelchair. When reservations were made, a table that was suitable for a wheelchair was asked for. So they put us in the back room. We were forgotten about when they were serving and was often last. If the owners knew you, they catered to you more than the other guests. Problems could have been avoided if attention to detail was made. Also, not having enough help was a problem checking on all guests to see if everything is okay would be good . The food and music were great.

This winery has some fantastic wines that would easily rival most wine country vineyards on the West Coast. Superb selection of reds and whites. To add to that, they also make excellent apple cider. There is a menu of pizzas, cheese plates, and other foods as well. Baby friendly. Very friendly staff. And to add to all of that, there is also a distillery in the back serving up some good bourbon. Definitely a place to visit if you're in the area.

The food here, while outstanding, lends itself to a larger crowd and big eats. The menu here is very small and they don't really have normal appetizers like some starch and dip or small plates. I ordered the carrot and parsnip soup. I was wonderfully surprised at the depth of flavor and presentation. It was a huge hit for me! It was representative of a top notch chef in the kitchen and definitely makes me want to return when I get a bigger appetite. The wine was crisp and tasty! Highly enjoyable, but it wasn't really like a fine wine you get at a steakhouse. Sweet winery wine, which is okay, but I'd rather enjoy the food and scenery, to be honest. Have been here before in the past and always enjoyed myself, it did not disappoint post-Covid. I just wish the menu had come back to its former self.

Four Daughters is so lovely, I love this winery so much! They have a great wine & cider list. The food is awesome + the space is beautiful. The views are really pretty, too! This is an awesome spot to have a group event or a quiet dinner. I used to love coming here when I lived in Rochester, MN, I would definitely return if I’m ever back in the area!UPDATE (5/7/2024): I returned to Four Daughters this week with a girlfriend of mine (for the first time since 2018/2019) while I was visiting Rochester, Minnesota over recent days and it was an incredible experience!! :-) I was pleasantly surprised to see that they had added The Traditionalist (their distillery) to their location. I'm so impressed that Four Daughters was able to expand during the pandemic!! This place hasn't aged at all - the space remains so beautiful, particularly the newer area that was added to serve their bourbon. Their menu changed a bit since my last visit as well, but definitely for the better. Their flight selections have expanded, which led us to try their Speciality flight in addition to their Loon Juice flight (the latter of which was always a standard order for us over years past). I can attest that their Loon Juice is still SO delish after all of these years.For food, we did the 4D Nachos and Margherita Pizza - each of which were so yummy. We were telling the girls at the bar that we did miss their original menu, which included their baked brie and some other signature dishes, but they explained that there had been a little bit of a simplification of their menu over time due to the pandemic. Despite the changes, it was clear that their standard had remained the same, because the food was so good!! I love Four Daughters so much. Their staff are so wonderful as well, as they remain so kind + accommodating. This place is incredible, you should absolutely visit if you are considering doing so!!

The charcuterie board was excellent we all thoroughly enjoyed it. I particularly don’t usually like them. Because the cheese is usually flavorless and the meats are cheap. They were the opposite it was very good! I got the cheeseburger meal and it was the best burger I’ve had in along time. The meat was tasted like a mixture of high grade steak with grass fed burger. Flavorful and the texture was just right. To call it a hamburger doesn’t do it justice.

I am one of four daughters (and I came here with the other 3 & my mom) and I loved my experience at Four Daughters! We came here from out of the area for a bachelorette party and wish we could have stayed longer to try more. If I’m ever in the area again, I will be back!

4.6

(485)

4.5

(119)

78757 MN-16, Spring Valley, MN 55975, USA

10 lists

Quarry Hill is an excellent nature center, and I always enjoy visiting it! There are a variety of indoor exhibits, including a large aquarium, many live reptiles and amphibians, a beehive, and a bird observation room. The renovations are beautiful, and the reading room for kids is especially nice. Outdoors, there is an extensive trail system (both paved and unpaved). Quarry Hill also offers nature programs and is a great place to volunteer.

There are many great trails for running and hiking. This is a very dog friendly place. However, it can be very busy and the loops are not very large.I haven’t tried it yet, but I think you can rent skis or snow shoes in the winter.

Hands down the most amazing nature center I have ever seen. The number of animals and interactive displays is impressive. I am so happy our family decided to make a little stop here to stretch on our journey. It took us about 1hr to see and read everything. My kids loved it. I would recommend this center to anyone/everyone.

I've always enjoyed long walks with my walking and talking buddy and friends. Growing up on the farm, it's like having a little nature and country in the city, I've taken many photo opportunities of the birds, insects, and plants. The history is interesting. Be sure to enjoy the animals, insects, fish, reptiles & amphibians INSIDE, too. Great learning opportunities for young children.

Quarry Hill is absolutely stunning and beautiful! I come from Florida so the experience was definitely refreshing. Plenty of shade and always something beautiful to look at.

This place is really cool! But the staff running the programs are extremely ableist. My son who is in a wheelchair couldn't be included in the school field trip today because the staff was determined to go on the unpaved trails instead of the paved trails. So while the rest of his class went on the unpaved trails, my son was left out. Why should kids with disabilities be segregated like that? Why should they have to conform to what all the typical kids can do? By 2023 I expect more of this place. If your disabled kid is going on a field trip to Quarry Hill, I guess just keep them at home because the staff there do not foster an inclusive environment. I hope this changes sooner than later.

It was awesome hiking trip.The park is well organized and the trails are on Google maps to help you navigate.You can take the asphalt track or you could do some shortcuts hill climbing through the dirt track.You can feel like you are really in nature and it is just a 6 mins drive.There were so many families with their children and dogs.I encourage everyone to go in the weekends to regenerate some positive energy.

This nature center has beautiful exhibits and a lot of nice, quieter spaces set aside from each other. We hiked up the hills on either side, taking in the quarry ruins (complete with a fox on our path) as well as the charming and bloom-filled Oak Savannah restoration area.The bathrooms were clean, the trails well marked, and the nature abundant. Everything you'd want from a nature center.

It is a cool and secure trail with tarmac walkways. A beautiful scenery to behold and nice for nature admirers. It has long trekking trails. And the air is ever fresh and a gentle breeze with the aroma of wild flowers.

We love visiting quarry hill! The kids enjoy the animal exhibits & extra events. There were no special events on this day, but we observed the kestrel eating breakfast (a mouse) & went on a nature hike outside.

We love quarry hill nature center. I’ve been coming since elementary school field trips & now I get to bring my kids. Grandma enjoyed it as well. We look forward to many more visits in the future.

Absolutely wonderful park! Way more than you can see in one day. Do not forget the bug spray, but also definitely do not forget a camera!

What a fantastic gem! I was very surprised with the amount of animals that were in the nature center. The trails were lovely!! Great way to spend some downtime if you are in the area!We even got to see Bob the snake eat some fish!

We were visiting Mayo. Due to lack of time were looking for things to do in the vicinity. The nature center was a fun activity. Lots of hands on for the kids too. But as grown ups we loved it. Took a small walk around the area, too. Will visit the next time hopefully in the summer.

Great place to explore, love the trails, and love learning the history of the area. The front desk staff was very friendly and helpful.

Finally made a trip to aee the cave and it was cool. It's actually not a guided tour because the cave is small enough for you to go in on your own but it is helpful to bring your own large flashlight if you want to see a little better. We used our phone flashlight and that was all right too.

Beautiful with lots to see and do! Hiking and a lovely nature center. They band birds so you might get to see that as well

It's my favorite place to go and escape the city noise. Perfect for wandering and exploration. My kids and I love the nature center as well as the nicely kept trails. Another highlight is the large amount of paved trails, which makes this park extra accessible for all abilities.

We adore Quarry Hill! Whether you are adults going for a hike, or kids looking to visit the nature center; whether you come with a school group and a structured program, or a toddler and preschooler looking for things to do on a gray or cold day: This place has something for you!In the nature center, there are snakes that are native to Minnesota, fish, turtles, insects, frogs, and information and displays about birds - as well as a climbing structure/"treehouse", in a book room for even the youngest children. There are even fun donation bins available for help feeding the nature center animals and maintaining trails and outdoor buildings.Outside, there are miles and miles of paths, whether paved, wood chips, or naturally worn in the grass and dirt. There is a beautiful pond in the middle with a very small island you can walk out onto, and even the pond as wildlife such as ducks and geese who stay over or stop by, and even beavers. We were really lucky and saw the beavers diving down to the bottom of the mostly frozen pond, and bringing pond weeds back up to eat on the surface of the ice. The pond never freezes over completely because there is a pump. You cannot walk on the ice! But that's just fine because even a winter pond is home to many animals, and they deserve to have the pond to themselves, in that way.In the winter, there are groomed trails for cross country skiing, as well as skis available. This year was not good for that because we've had so little snow. But most Winters, outdoors at Quarry Hill is a cross country skiing Destination, in cooperation with local school cross country/Nordic teams.

4.8

(1314)

4.5

(272)

701 Silver Creek Rd NE, Rochester, MN 55906, USA