Pierre Attractions
Pierre (pop. 13,000), capital of South Dakota, lies in the geographical centre of the state on the Missouri, which is dammed a short distance above the town to form Lake Oahe. The State Capitol was completed in 1910. The South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center has interesting, recently redesigned exhibitions on the cultural history of the state. To the south of the town is the Fort Pierre National Grassland, a stretch of typical prairie vegetation.
Cultural Heritage Center (South Dakota State Historical Society)
The South Dakota State Historical Society Museum presents South Dakota and American Indian history exhibits in an earth covered building.
South Dakota State Historical Society
900 Governors Drive
Pierre, SD 57501-2217
United States
900 Governors Drive
Pierre, SD 57501-2217
United States
Phone 1 (605) 773-3458
Fax 1 (605) 773-6041
Hours
May 15 to September 7
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 16:30 |
September 8 to May 14
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Oahe Dam and Reservoir
The Oahe Dam near Pierre is an earth-rolled dam that provides flood control, irrigation, power a transportation way and recreation. The visitor center has exhibits and models portraying the construction and operation of the Oahe Dam and Lake Oahe.
South Dakota Discovery Center and Aquarium
The South Dakota Discovery Center and Aquarium is housed in the old Pierre Municipal Power & Light building. Sixty hands-on exhibits include sound, vision, light, electricity and motion.
Hours
May 30 to September 4
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
September 5 to May 29
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
South Dakota National Guard Museum
The National Guard Museum in Pierre features memorabilia and historical documents pertaining to the South Dakota National Guard. Exhibits display military equipment, records, relics, and memorabilia representing the heritage of the Dakota Militia and the South Dakota Army and Air National Guard.
State Capitol
The Capitol Complex of South Dakota in Pierre includes 16 buildings, a lake, thousands of trees, 48 acres of grass, and more than 8,000 flowers. The Capitol building was completed in 1910 with an exterior made of Marquette sandstone and Indiana bedford limestone. The interior features Greek and Roman designs.
