8 days in Kansas City & South Dakota Itinerary

Created using Inspirock United States trip planner
Make it your trip
Drive
1
Kansas City
— 2 nights
Fly
2
Deadwood
— 3 nights
Drive
3
De Smet
— 1 night
Drive
4
Sioux Falls
— 1 night
Drive

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Kansas City — 2 nights

The city meets the Great Plains in Kansas City City, Kansas.
Bring the kids along to Cedar Cove Feline Conservatory & Education Center and Schlitterbahn Waterpark Kansas City. Explore hidden gems such as Moon Marble Company and Buffalo Soldier Memorial Park. Change things up with these side-trips from Kansas City: Ft Leavenworth Army Installation (in Leavenworth) and Saint Joseph (Glore Psychiatric Museum & Pony Express Museum). There's still lots to do: get a new perspective on nature at Museum at Prairiefire.

For other places to visit, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Kansas City tour itinerary maker site.

Des Moines to Kansas City is an approximately 3-hour car ride. You can also take a bus; or fly. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 6th (Sun) so you can catch the flight to Deadwood.
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Museums · Shopping · Parks · Theme Parks
Side Trips

Deadwood — 3 nights

Deadwood is a city in South Dakota, United States, and the county seat of Lawrence County. Step off the beaten path and head to Black Elk Peak and Mt Roosevelt Monument. Attractions like Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center and D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery make great kid-friendly stops. Change things up with these side-trips from Deadwood: Breezy Point Picnic Area (in Keystone) and The Museum @ Black Hills Institute (in Hill City). There's much more to do: examine the collection at Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame, get engrossed in the history at Adams Museum, and go deep underground at Broken Boot Gold Mine.

For photos, more things to do, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Deadwood trip site.

You can fly from Kansas City to Deadwood in 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. In August, daily temperatures in Deadwood can reach 80°F, while at night they dip to 56°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Wed) early enough to drive to De Smet.
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Museums · Parks · Nature · Childrens Museums
Side Trips

De Smet — 1 night

De Smet is a city in and the county seat of Kingsbury County, South Dakota, United States. On the 10th (Thu), stroll the grounds of De Smet Cemetery, then make a trip to Ingalls Homestead - Laura's Living Prairie, and then steep yourself in history at Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Homes.

Plan trip to De Smet with our itinerary maker to find out where to go and what to do.

Traveling by car from Deadwood to De Smet takes 6 hours. Expect a daytime high around 82°F in August, and nighttime lows around 59°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Thu) to allow time to drive to Sioux Falls.
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Historic Sites

Sioux Falls — 1 night

Sioux Falls is the largest city in the U.S. state of South Dakota. Kick off your visit on the 11th (Fri): take in the architecture and atmosphere at St. Joseph Cathedral, get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Butterfly House & Aquarium, and then trek along SculptureWalk & Arc of Dreams Monument.

To find other places to visit, reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Sioux Falls trip planner.

Traveling by car from De Smet to Sioux Falls takes 2 hours. In August, daily temperatures in Sioux Falls can reach 80°F, while at night they dip to 60°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 11th (Fri) early enough to go by car back home.
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Parks · Trails · Historic Sites · Outdoors

South Dakota travel guide

4.3
National Parks · Scenic Drive · Monuments
The State of Great Faces and Great Places
Famous for the cliffside monuments of Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse memorial, South Dakota is a land of Old West history, American Indian culture, and impressive natural wonders. Get to know the state's diverse and breathtaking landscape with a trip through Custer National Park, with a herd of 1,300 free-roaming bison, or by traversing the dramatic peaks of Badlands National Park near the Black Hills. Allow time in your itinerary to visit the state's largest city, Sioux Falls, for shopping, dining, and entertainment options, as well as a number of museums and historical attractions.
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