South Dakota is known for its expansive farmland, national parks, prairies, and mountains with plentiful outdoor attractions, like the Black Hills’ enchanting scenery or the uncrowded green grass trails in Badlands National Park. But the state’s capital, Pierre, is an underrated gem not to be missed. With its rich history and culture, paired with small-town ease, it’s an unassumingly lovely place to spend time. Clocking in at a population of around 14,000, Pierre (pronounced “Peer”) is the second-smallest of all the U.S. state capitals, second only to Montpelier, Vermont. The result is that Pierre is a laidback and unusually tranquil metropolis that packs a delightful punch with museums, historical sites, and other cultural attractions. 

Located in the center of the state, right on the Missouri River, Pierre is just off U.S. Route 83. Sometimes called the “Road to Nowhere” for its path through vast and largely rural landscapes, US-83 was at one time the only completely paved, direct route from Canada to Mexico, with visitors popping into Pierre along their journey. To arrive from the skies, you’ll fly into nearby Pierre Regional Airport, which is situated a mere three miles from the city center.

If you only have time for one excursion during your stay in Pierre, put the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center at the top of your list. Inspired by traditional Native American building traditions of Sioux tribes in particular, this museum is literally built into a hillside. Its visually striking exterior is worth taking in before heading inside. Established in 1901, the center is a Smithsonian affiliate institution and receives support from the South Dakota Historical Society Foundation. With more than 33,000 artifacts — including Lakota quilts, political merch, pioneer and military relics, and more — visitors will find extensive historical exhibitions and info about South Dakota’s human history. Families with kids will enjoy participating in the History Explorers program, offered daily, which is a specialized educational experience that groups of all ages can enjoy together. Don’t skip a customary trip to the museum gift shop, where you’ll find jewelry, books, ceramics, and other handmade items to take home.

With more time on the docket, follow this up with an excursion to the Verendrye Museum in Fort Pierre. (Named for brothers Louis and Chevalier Verendrye, French explorers, the museum’s name is pronounced var-en-dree.) Fort Pierre, part of the Pierre micropolitan area, is a historic area — in fact, it’s the site of South Dakota’s oldest continuous settlement. With the Verendrye Museum’s engaging exhibits — including historically accurate home decor and clothing, fossils, photos, and even a country store — visitors can learn all about the area’s history in a charmingly accessible way. Nearby, also in Fort Pierre, make a pit stop at the Soldiers and Sailors War Memorial, a striking Neoclassical building that honors South Dakota’s military veterans.

With so much intersecting history, Pierre is chock-full of compelling historical locations for avid history fans to visit. One of the most important sites to hit is Fischers Lilly Park. Today, the park is a campsite along the banks of the Missouri River, offering RV hookups, a boat ramp, bike trails, a playground, and a peaceful setting along the water. Even if you’re not camping there, it’s worth checking out the park and casting your mind back to 1804, when Lewis and Clark’s Corp of Discovery first met representatives of the Teton Lakota nation at this very spot. This tense meeting, which devolved into armed conflict due to the language barrier and differing goals between the two groups, was a key moment in Lewis and Clark’s westward expedition. Today, because of this legacy, the National Park Service has designated Fischers Lilly Park as a site on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

With more time to explore and a thirst for local history, you can also visit the Cedar Hill Cemetery, the resting place of the city’s early settlers. The Log Cabin Visitor Center is another great addition featuring a reconstructed log cabin with historic displays where you’ll read about Pierre’s frontier history. For those who want to continue exploring South Dakota’s fascinating history, the nearby twin cities of Chamberlain and Oacoma are an underrated paradise for art and outdoor fun, and home to the Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center. This makes for an ideal day trip at just under one hour and 20 minutes by car.