Are you searching for the best and fun things to do in Yankton, SD? Search no more; you are at the right place!
Because of its proximity to the Missouri River and the important role it played in the city’s establishment and growth, Yankton, South Dakota, is sometimes referred to as the River City.
14,454 people were officially counted in this region in the 2010 census. Within the Yankton Micropolitan Statistical Area, it is a significant city.
Due to its distinctive and significant contribution to the creation and growth of the Dakota Territory—which eventually became the 39th and 40th states of the United States—the city is also known as the “Mother City of the Dakotas”.
There is plenty of pleasure and relaxation to be had at this location. If you have an interest in history, you can see the various historic structures as well as other stunning natural features.
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You may reach Lewis and Clark Recreation Area from Yankton via a variety of hiking trails. The best activities in Yankton, South Dakota, are listed here if you want to learn more about this city.
Fun Things To Do In Yankton
1. The Meridian Bridge
Taking the Meridian Bridge over the picturesque Missouri River is just one of the numerous free things to do in Yankton, South Dakota.
It was repurposed into a pedestrian bridge after being constructed as a toll bridge in 1924. Meridian Bridge is a double-decker structure that measures 3029 feet long and 18 feet wide.
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Not only is crossing this bridge a wonderful way to get some exercise, but it also offers beautiful views of the river.
The Meridian Highway Bridge Plaza, which is located next to the bridge, offers historical details on the bridge’s construction and its significance in linking Yankton and Nebraska. Explore the plaza at your leisure and discover the history of transportation in the area.
Yankton, South Dakota, USA is the address.
2. Riverside Park
Despite its lack of amenities, Riverside Park is still one of Yankton, South Dakota’s best places for families to enjoy the great outdoors.
This lovely green park has picnic spaces, playgrounds, an amphitheater, and walking trails along the Missouri River’s banks. With views of the surrounding parkland and the river, it’s a tranquil place to have a picnic.
During the summer, Gavins Point Beach in Riverside Park is a great place to swim and sunbathe.
Every week, local bands and musicians perform in the park’s amphitheater.
200 Levee Street, Yankton, South Dakota 57078, USA is the address.
3. Lewis And Clark Recreation Area
Visit the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area to start your Yankton trip. This expansive state park is close to the northern edge of the 31,400-acre Lewis and Clark Lake, a sizable reservoir on the Missouri River. It provides a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities.
With more than 25 miles of beachfront running beside Lewis and Clark Lake, this area is great for outdoor activities including hiking, camping, fishing, and water sports.
There are also many of chances for swimming, canoeing, and paddleboarding in the lake’s crystal-clear waters. Casting lines into the lake is an option for anglers looking to catch bass, walleye, and catfish.
In addition, the park has well-kept hiking paths, such as the Pierson Ranch Trail, which provides breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding fauna.
Address: Yankton, SD 57078, 43349 SD-52, United States.
4. Gavins Point Dam
Admiring the magnificent Gavins Point Dam which is located on the Missouri River is another enjoyable activity to do in Yankton, South Dakota, these days.
Built between 1952 and 1957, the dam has 14 gates on a concrete-lined spillway, a powerhouse, and an earthen dam. Additionally, the dam links Yankton County, South Dakota, and Cedar County, Nebraska.
The dam is an essential component of the local landscape since it not only forms Lewis and Clark Lake but also regulates the river’s flow.
Learn about the history and functioning of the dam by going on a guided tour. Don’t pass up the chance to tour the dam and enjoy the amazing views of the surrounding area and the river.
The dam provides a fantastic location for photography and an opportunity to see how nature’s raw power is used for the good of the community.
Yankton, South Dakota, USA is the address.
5. Mead Museum
Time travel at the Mead Museum is another distinctive activity in Yankton. This museum, which is situated in Westside Park, is devoted to conserving and presenting Yankton’s and the Dakota Territory’s past.
Held by the Yankton County Historical Society, this museum preserves and displays relics from the early days of Yanton and the Dakota Territory, including artifacts from the pioneers and the growth of Yankton as a vibrant community.
The museum’s exhibits, one-of-a-kind displays, and an assortment of outbuildings provide visitors with a glimpse into Yankton’s colorful past.
The museum is a great place for visitors of all ages because it also offers year-round special events and educational programs.
Address: Yankton, South Dakota, 57078, USA; 82 Mickelson Drive.
6. Fantle Memorial Park
One of the fun things to do with the family in Yankton, South Dakota, is to explore Fantle Memorial Park, which offers a variety of outdoor activities.
With a memorial at its heart, Fantle Memorial Park, which spans 35 acres, honors veterans of the armed forces. There is a swing set on the playground, walking pathways, basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts, picnic shelters, and a horseshoe pit in the park.
The park’s 18-hole disc golf course, which boasts well-kept fairways and a welcoming ambiance, is another fantastic feature.
While the kids are having a blast on the playground swings, grab your discs and challenge your pals to a round of this lively and carefree sport.
Address: Yankton, SD 57078, USA; 2000 Douglas Avenue.
7. Dakota Theater Or Yankton’s Opera House
One of the most romantic things to do in Yankton, South Dakota, at night is to see a live performance at the Dakota Theater or Yankton Opera House, both of which are situated in the city’s historic downtown.
The Yankton Opera House is one of South Dakota’s oldest opera houses, having opened in 1902. Beautiful seats, chandeliers, and a $10,000 pipe organ can be found in this ancient theater.
Plays, concerts, and other cultural events are among the various activities held at the Dakota Theater. Couples can enjoy an evening together because it offers an intimate setting.
328 Walnut Street, Yankton, South Dakota 57078, USA is the address.
8. Hillcrest Golf & Country Club
For golf aficionados, scheduling a tee time at Hillcrest & Golf Country Club is one of the most interesting things to do this weekend in Yankton, South Dakota.
The 18-hole championship Hillcrest Golf & Country Club was founded in 1954 and is a private golf facility with lush vegetation and trees that can test both seasoned and novice players.
The 6,874-yard, Par 72 championship course at this South Dakota public golf club is well regarded, and it also boasts a magnificent clubhouse with an extensive array of apparel, accessories, and other golfing necessities.
Address: Yankton, SD 57078, United States; 2206 Mulberry Street.
9. Yankton Summit Activities Center
Spending time at the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Yankton Summit Activities Center is one of the most enjoyable indoor activities available in Yankton these days.
This cutting-edge entertainment center has gymnasiums, multipurpose rooms, dressing rooms, and an indoor pool. In addition, it offers guests personal training programs, water aerobics, and a well-equipped fitness center.
They have steppers, stationary bicycles, ellipticals, rowing machines, and treadmills in their fitness facility. In addition, the center has basketball, softball, and volleyball facilities.
The address is Yankton, SD 57078, USA; 1801 Summit Street.
10. NFAA Easton Yankton Archery Center
Check out the world’s largest archery center, the NFAA Easton Yankton Archery Center. You can even fire a few ends or browse the National Archery Museum. This is a fun addition to your trip to Yankton, South Dakota.
This cutting-edge complex, which covers more than 100 acres, has three indoor field ranges, two FITA ranges, a 90-meter indoor range, two classrooms, a fitness center, indoor tennis courts, and an indoor air rifle.
In addition, there’s a museum with an amazing collection of antiques, including recurve bows.
Visit this facility, discover more about archery, and browse the Archery Center’s lobby for mementos and other archery-related goods.
800 Archery Lane, Yankton, South Dakota 57078, USA is the address.
11. Karttrax Family Fun Park
A thrilling trip at Karttrax Family Fun Park is another item on our bucket list of things to do in Yankton, South Dakota, with family.
This family-run business was founded in 1986 and provides go-kart rides for both adults and children on two distinct tracks.
A gorgeously planted 18-hole miniature golf course with loads of water features can also be found at this five-acre entertainment park. It also features a child train, bumper cars, and a bumper boat ride with squirt guns.
Take the family on an enjoyable excursion around this amusement park. Stop at the concession to get pizza, ice cream, and candies.
Address: Yankton, SD 57078, 4908 W 8th Street, USA.
12. The G.A.R. Hall Gallery
One of Yankton, South Dakota’s must-see sights is the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Hall Gallery, which was constructed in 1887 by the Union Veterans of the Civil War.
Revolving art exhibits by internationally recognized artists as well as local and regional artists are on display at the G.A.R. Hall Art Gallery.
The territorial court’s desk and the table used during the Jack McCall trial are among the antique furniture pieces from the collection of historical pieces housed in the art gallery.
The address is Yankton, SD 57078, 508 Douglas Avenue, United States.
13. Huether Family Aquatics Center
The Huether Family Aquatics Center is a great place to go to beat the summertime heat in Yankton, South Dakota.
People of all ages can enjoy a wide range of water features at this cutting-edge aquatic complex. A lazy river with a spray channel and vortex pool, tube slides, body slides, a spray zone, an adventure pool, diving boards, an adventure climbing wall, and basketball hoops in the adventure pool are just a few of the activities that this facility has to offer.
Along with enjoying the many attractions, visitors can take swimming classes to get better at swimming. Additionally, birthday celebrations and family reunions can be held in the facility by renting it out.
2020 Douglas Avenue, Yankton, SD 57078, USA is the address.
14. Yankton RiverWalk
Wandering along Yankton’s Riverwalk is another cost-free activity to enjoy. This walkway in Yankton’s downtown features an assortment of outdoor sculptures meant to inspire and amuse visitors.
The purpose of these outdoor sculptures is to honor childlike innocence, spirituality, environment, and history. In addition to taking in the tranquility and beauty of the Missouri River and the neighboring Lewis & Clark, visitors can marvel at the creative brilliance of the Riverwalk.
Address: Yankton, SD 57078, 231 Broadway Avenue #1.
15. Sertoma Butterfly House And Aquarium
Visit the Sertoma Butterfly House and Aquarium to go on an amazing journey and learn about the wonders of tropical butterflies. This is one of the kid-friendly activities near Yankton.
This facility has an aquarium with approximately 20,000 gallons of space that showcases hundreds of different types of fish and corals. More than 800 butterflies from all around the world call the butterfly house home.
It also has an exploration den with interactive exhibits, activities, and educational displays that allow parents and kids to explore nature’s wonders.
Address: Sioux Falls, SD 57106, USA; 4320 S. Oxbow Avenue
16. Yankton Bowl Family Fun Center
Seeking exciting nighttime activities in Yankton, South Dakota? Proceed to Yankton Bowl Family Fun Center after that. Both residents and tourists can enjoy interactive family entertainment at this entertainment complex.
This facility has twenty lanes for bowling with opulent lounge chairs and enormous video walls. In addition, a sizable arcade area featuring the newest and hippest games for players of all ages is available. Delicious pizzas, burgers, and fries are available in their on-site restaurant, which broadens the entertainment options.
Address: Yankton, SD 57078, United States, 3010 Broadway Avenue
17. Go Biking
Cycling the city’s beautiful network of bike routes, which lets riders see the area from two wheels, is another outdoor leisure activity in Yankton.
Whether you ride for pleasure or are a serious cyclist, renting a bike or bringing your own is a great way to take in Yankton’s natural beauty.
One of Yankton’s best paths is the Missouri River-spanning Discovery Bridge Trail, which links South Dakota and Nebraska. This walk provides breathtaking views of the river and the skyline of the city.
Numerous bike routes weave through forests and along the lake’s shores in the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area.
Yankton, South Dakota, USA is the address.
18. University Of South Dakota
One of the interesting things to do near Yankton is to explore the University of South Dakota (USD), which is situated in Vermillion, SD, around thirty minutes away.
The university campus is a fascinating place in and of itself, with possibilities to take in activities, attend lectures, and explore its historic buildings.
See the Native American Cultural Center, the Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts, the Belbas Center, the Aalfs Auditorium, the Akeley-Lawrence Science Center, and the National Music Museum during your visit.
Address: 414 E Clark Street, US-57069, Vermillion, SD
19. Missouri National Recreational River
Snaking through scenic terrain, the Missouri National Recreational River is a protected waterway situated on the boundary between South Dakota and Nebraska.
This river, which is supervised by the National Park Service and has its main office in Yankton, South Dakota, is ideal for families looking for an adventure-filled and educational trip.
Take on kayaking, canoeing, or tubing excursions along this tranquil and picturesque river to fully appreciate its splendor. Paddle through the heart of the Midwest and discover calm backwaters, secret coves, and an abundance of wildlife.
Yankton, South Dakota, USA is the address.
20. Dakota Territorial Capitol Replica
One of the main attractions in Yankton, South Dakota, is the Dakota Territorial Capitol Replica, which is situated in Riverside Park.
The Dakota Territorial Capitol Replica features a collection of former Territorial governors, maps of the Dakota Territory, old Yankton photos, a tribute to the local St. John’s Masonic Lodge, and other artifacts on display. It is modeled after the original Dakota Territorial Capitol, which was constructed in 1862 and demolished in 1886.
The facility is offered for tours upon request through the City of Yankton, and visitors may also lease the space for private events.
Levee Street, Yankton, SD 57078, USA is the address.
21. PLAYX Yankton
One of the enjoyable things to do in Yankton, South Dakota, with family is to explore PLAYX Yankton. This is a great family trip because it’s an amusement park that appeals to both adults and children.
This indoor entertainment complex offers a range of activities for children, teenagers, and adults. Glow Mini Golf, Nerf Wars, Splatterball, Table Games, Wild Zone, Cornhole, Escape Rooms, Battleball, and many more are among the well-liked activities.
PLAY Yankton needs to be at the top of your list if you’re searching for the perfect spot to enjoy a fun-filled evening with the family or pals.
Address: 103 West 3rd Street, Yankton, South Dakota 57078, USA
22. Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery And Aquarium
American-built. One of Yankton’s must-see sights is the Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium, built by the Army Corps of Engineers after the construction of the Gavins Point Dam.
Fish species such as the American paddlefish and pallid sturgeon are raised in the hatchery and are considered endangered. The hatchery complex includes nine indoor cement tanks, a feed room, a workshop, two hatching jar batteries, and a small exhibit space.
Thirteen indoor tanks with a variety of fish, amphibian, and reptile species from the Missouri River basin make up the aquarium.
Along with two miles of nature walks and the chance to feed the fish, visitors may enjoy guided tours of the facility.
Address: Yankton, SD 57078, United States, 31227 436th Avenue.
23. Market At The Meridian
This weekend, visiting the Meridian, Yankton Farmers Market is one of the interesting things to do in Yankton, South Dakota.
This lively market, which takes place in downtown Yankton every Saturday from May to October, is a beautiful display of the area’s agricultural riches and handcrafted goods.
When you arrive, browse the busy market stalls and find a variety of handmade crafts, artisanal goods, and fresh produce. This market offers a great chance to experience the tastes of Yankton and the surrounding area in addition to being a great spot to get some interesting mementos.
Address: Yankton, SD 57078, United States; 2nd and Douglas Avenue.
24. Go Horseback Riding
Riding a horse and taking in Yankton’s beautiful countryside is another unusual activity. For riders of all experience levels, a number of nearby stables provide guided trail rides.
You can saddle up and appreciate the area’s natural splendor on horseback, regardless of your level of skill.
Golden Hills Ranch and Vermillion Trails are two well-liked horseback riding locations close to Yankton. Through forests, meadows, and picturesque trails, their knowledgeable guides will take you, providing you with a tranquil environment in which to commune with nature.
Yankton, South Dakota, USA is the address.
25. Nissen Family Vineyards
Situated approximately 20 minutes from Yankton, South Dakota, near Hartington, Nebraska, the Nissen Family Vineyards is a great getaway spot for individuals who enjoy wine as well as those seeking peace and beauty.
Wine tastings are available at this family-run vineyard and winery where you may try a range of handcrafted wines, including blushes, reds, and whites.
In order to learn more about the winery’s history and winemaking methods, you can also take a tour through the tasting process.
Admire the breathtaking views of the rolling hills and vineyards that encircle the winery while you sip your wine.
Address: Hartington, NE 68739, USA 88973 NE-57
26. The Boat House
Seeking adventure at The Boat House in Yankton’s Meridian District is another enjoyable activity. All ages can enjoy the many activities that this entertainment complex has to offer.
Axe throwing, a golf simulator, shuffleboard, a pool, and other entertaining activities are available at this venue. Along with pizza and other munchies, it has one of the best collections of craft beer and wine in the area.
Address: Yankton, SD 57078, United States; 301 E 3rd Street
27. Mazing Acres Pumpkin Patch
One of the entertaining things to do in Yankton, South Dakota, with children is to search for an exciting experience at the Mazing Acres Pumpkin Patch.
This 15-acre, family-run farm was founded in 2020 and provides a unique fall festival experience for the whole family, along with a variety of attractions.
There is a 5-acre corn maze on the property with enough twists and turns to keep both parents and children entertained. A huge slide, animal feeding, a huge bounce, photo opportunities, pumpkin picking, a barrel train, a trike track, an obstacle course, and much more are among the additional activities it offers.
Address: Yankton, South Dakota, 57078, USA; 30851 433rd Avenue
28. Yankton Community Library
Visiting the Yankton Community Library completes our list of unusual things to do in Yankton. This library offers a vast range of resources and events, making it more than just a place to store books. It also functions as a bustling community center.
One of South Dakota’s earliest public libraries is the Yankton Community Library, which opened its doors in 1903. A sizable collection of books, periodicals, and digital material, including DVDs and audiobooks, are kept in this library. The library also regularly holds art exhibitions, reading programs, and author presentations.
There is a calm and inviting ambiance at the library for individuals who would rather relax and read. With a sizable collection of historical records and documents, it’s a great spot to catch up on your reading list or learn more about local history.
515 Walnut Street, Yankton, South Dakota 57078, USA is the address.