The antidote to the rat race, with all its traffic nightmares and hard-to-beat deadlines, is a weekend trip to a quaint, slow-paced spot where the air is fresh and playful, a town with charm-soaked streets and a laid-back atmosphere. Unfortunately, with the developments taking place in many towns in the country, such spots are becoming fewer and far between. Trust the Midwest, however, to surprise you with its array of laid-back towns and warm, welcoming communities. Ready to switch to a relaxing mode? The following towns in South Dakota beckon.

Brookings

Although Brookings is just an hour north of Sioux Falls, it beats to a much slower, leisurely rhythm. It is home to South Dakota State University, the largest higher-education institution in South Dakota. Most of the time, students just want to have fun learning — even as they explore the entertainment and cultural landscape of an area. To an extent, this accounts for the homey and relaxed atmosphere in Brookings. The town features some nice bike paths for cruising along, restaurants that serve a delicious range of cuisine, and a commercial historic district with many buildings predating the Great Depression. With its luxury reclining seats, Brookings Cinema is a cozy space to catch new releases on wall-to-wall screens. There is the Children’s Museum of South Dakota as well, housed in a 1936 school. Other attractions include the nearby Brookings County Museum and the Brookings Arts Council, which displays works of local artists.

Vermillion

Vermillion is a lovely college town that is homey, laid-back, and welcoming. If you are scoping for a yummy eatery that any local will easily give a nod to, Café Brulé is what you have in mind. From its friendly atmosphere to its outstanding desserts to its ample parking, it will be difficult to find fault with this Main Street establishment. That said, one can sip her way through the town during the Great Dakota Wine Fest, enjoy a soul-moving sonnet during the South Dakota Shakespeare Festival, and savor local tunes when Thursdays on the Platz come around. A one-day visit can commence with a hearty breakfast at the Bean Community Coffeehouse, then marveling at the most extensive collection of natural and cultural history in South Dakota at the W. H. Over Museum before catching an afternoon show at Coyote Twin Theater.

Madison

Madison is yet another college town that seems unbothered by the rat race — and is just enjoying life on the low and slow side most of the time. With Lake Herman on the west and Lake Madison on the east, there are ample opportunities for getting out and enjoying nature’s pristine beauty. With just $5, one will enjoy a movie at the Dakota Cinema, situated on the west side of town. Wondering how to crown the day? How about a yummy burrito deluxe chicken at Los Tapatios, a family-owned establishment that serves authentic Mexican cuisine? If spending the night and looking for a quiet, nature-themed experience, grab a rustic cabin at the nearby Lake Herman State Park.

Deadwood

If there is a South Dakota town that does not need any introduction, especially in the nation’s vacation landscape, it will have to be Deadwood. With its Old West legends (think of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane) — historic sites, and awe-inspiring architecture — this 19th-century gold rush town often leaves first-time visitors spoilt for choice. Its setting in the northern region of the Black Hills, in a canyon formed by Whitewood Creek, gives it a nice, laid-back backdrop most movie directors would swoon over. There is the Mount Moriah Cemetery, where the body of Wild Bill rests. Wild Bill helped bring order to the Wild West, albeit many times through unconventional means. Look for his revered pistol at Adams Museum, before heading over to Saloon #10, where visitors witness a re-creation of his shooting. What’s more? Try panning gold at Broken Boot Gold Mine, as you relive the everyday life of a 19th-century miner.

Yankton

Yankton is heaven, especially if one loves camping — or a camping-based vacation. From the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area to Cottonwood Campground to the Yankton / Missouri River KOA Journey, this cute, laid-back town provides an experience most towns will struggle to match. Plus, it is right on the Missouri River, whose rustic ambiance rubs off on the town. An outdoor enthusiast will enjoy a world of outdoor fun and adventure opportunities, whether fishing, boating, or hiking. There are some nice bike paths one will enjoy zipping along — as well as Riverboat Days, the ultimate Yankton festival. If you think Yankton already has enough, wait until you hear that it boasts some of the best disc golf courses in the state.

Watertown

It could be because of its location in rural South Dakota, but whatever the reason; Watertown is a friendly, laid-back community that first-time visitors often find endearing and charming. You will love many things here, including the Redlin Art Center, which many believe is the town’s cream of the crop. The center displays many works of Terry Redlin, one of America’s most popular wildlife artists. For avid movie-goers, however, there is the Odyssey Grand 8 Theater, loved for its comfortable reclining seats, clean environment, and amazing sound system. That said, the award for the best whole-family entertainment venue in Northeast South Dakota goes to Thunder Road. They have go-karts, a mini golf course, an arcade, and a fun, lovely atmosphere.

Spearfish

It does not matter who you ask. Spearfish is among the most loveable and lively towns in South Dakota. Life is slow-paced here and laid-back — while the environment is authentic and unassuming. Expect lovely biking trails, some unexpectedly good restaurants, a walkable downtown area, a fairly good music scene, and a delightful range of outdoor fun and adventure opportunities, especially in the surrounding Black Hills region. You will enjoy the trails at Spearfish Canyon Disc Golf Course, a hearty breakfast at Green Bean (it is on Main Street), plus good wine and good music at Spearfish Creek Wine Bar, a lively space with a fun outdoor area. If you want to be with the wind, the trees, and the azure sky, Lookout Mountain Trail features a cool stroll underneath the interstate — and serves beautiful views of downtown Spearfish.

The Takeaway

You know it; the craving to look for a peaceful spot where you can move at a much slower pace, if just to experience a rebirth and regain your serenity. For such an experience, the Midwest can just be what the doctor ordered. And it is not just about the Wild West history or the charming streets. It is something to do with the character of the towns; how they are authentic and laid-back. They don’t care if you have bills to pay. They will just somehow slow you down. For specific recommendations, check out the towns highlighted here, from Brookings to Spearfish.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – South Dakota tourism industry leaders don’t expect 2024 to set a new record for yearly visitors, but they do expect each visitor to spend more.

2023 saw about 14.7 million tourists visit South Dakota, with an estimated $7.9 billion in economic impact for the state. For the second year in a row, southeastern South Dakota saw a higher economic impact than the Black Hills and Badlands. Sioux Falls and its surrounding area saw $1.96 billion in tourism spending, while the main tourism spots West River saw $1.92 billion in spending.

Experience Sioux Falls CEO Teri Schmidt said it’s nice to come out on top once again last year, and said it’s taken years of work and advertising to catch up to the western side of the state.

“We worked long and hard to get those numbers to go up. It’s really taken everybody, from certainly not only our office, but South Dakota Tourism, all of the hotels and attractions,” Schmidt said.

For Travel South Dakota, that friendly rivalry is a good thing. It brings a boost to both sides of the state, and helps elevate other communities as well.

“We know that big attractions like Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Badlands National Park and Custer State Park are a huge hook for visitors. But what really has happened is Sioux Falls, Watertown, Brookings, Huron, Mitchell, and all of these communities along the way have continued to up their game,” Travel SD Global Media Public Relations Director Katlyn Svendsen said.

So far, 2024′s estimated numbers don’t suggest that tourist numbers will be up much if at all. Svendsen said they expect that number to remain flat. But she added that they do expect the amount of money spent by travelers to be up.

“We are looking at it potentially being a little bit flat as we round out in terms of number of visitors coming in to South Dakota. But the exciting news is that they are spending dollars in South Dakota, and that number appears to be up,” Svendsen said.

Schmidt said their next big item on the calendar is the start of pheasant season. That starts in the middle of October, and it’s expected to bring a big boost to Sioux Falls and a number of other communities where hunters go to.

“So that’s coming together. Before we know it, those airplanes are going to be coming in filled with hunters, and we’re going to be there to welcome them,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt said the time between now and hunting season won’t be quiet either, as they see a number of people coming during what they call ‘shoulder season.’ That’s when people travel specifically to avoid peak tourism times, which in turn adds a small boost for businesses and communities.

“We could still see that surge. Just because the ‘real tourism’ season is over, we have another tourism season that’s starting now called our ‘shoulder season.’ That’s when a lot of people travel, bus tour groups, families, that don’t want to travel when there’s so much activity in the state,” Schmidt said. “They like a bit of a quieter visit. So tourism season is not over. It’s going to go on through October and then we’ll fall into the fall season, and go into the holidays for shopping, and dining, and parties and all the things that keep the season going.”

Copyright 2024 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.

RAPID CITY — Authorities are advising some residents on the western edge of Rapid City to be ready for a potential evacuation order as a wildfire burns nearby.

A pre-evacuation notice was in effect Tuesday morning.

“We’re not evacuating anybody right now,” said Lt. Jason Mitzel of the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. “However, I would urge the public that lives in the vicinity to be prepared, and get documents, medications and animals ready to go, just in case the wind switches and the fire does expand.”

Mitzel said some of the areas of concern include neighborhoods along Sheridan Lake Road from Norseman Lane to Victoria Lake Road, as well as the Red Rock, Dark Canyon, Falling Rock and Hisega residential areas. By Tuesday morning, authorities had closed Norseman Lane and Victoria Lake Road from Sheridan Lake Road to Taylor Ranch Road, and additional closures were under consideration.

Mitzel urged the public to stay out of the affected area to avoid endangering themselves and fire crews.

If evacuations are ordered, Mitzel said the information will be shared with local media and posted to social media accounts managed by the sheriff’s office. He said authorities would also make efforts to go door-to-door in affected areas.

The wildfire, named the First Thunder Fire, was reported at 6:15 p.m. Mountain time on Monday. The cause is under investigation, and there are no damages to structures or injuries reported so far.

About 150 acres (roughly one-fourth of a square mile) had burned as of Tuesday morning. The location is several miles west of Rapid City in a forested, rocky area cut by deep canyons. Land in the area is a mixture of private ownership and the Black Hills National Forest.

To establish a containment perimeter, firefighters are digging earthen lines by hand and by bulldozer, utilizing logging roads and physical features that could help halt the fire’s advance, and applying fire retardant chemicals. But authorities said containment Tuesday morning stood at 0%.

An estimated 75-100 people were involved in the response as of Tuesday morning, including firefighters from local, state and federal agencies. The response also included two helicopters, four air tanker planes and multiple fire trucks.

The temperature in Rapid City was expected to rise above 95 degrees Tuesday, and the forest at the city’s edge is in a dry condition, said Brandon Sanchez, the incident commander for the U.S. Forest Service.

“The warm weather, for how late it is in the season, is really alarming for us as we try to get containment around the fire,” Sanchez said. “Hopefully the weather does cool down and we get higher humidity at night.”