Going on vacation means trying to see as much of the exciting and wonderful as you can. The trick is to also be able to sit back and relax. Don't worry. South Dakota has you covered. 

Check our ever-expanding collection of road journals, itineraries, spotlights and scenic drives for plenty of well-researched options that'll make planning your trip a stress-free experience. You can also explore the options below and craft the perfect way to spend a fun and peaceful day (or several) in South Dakota.

Named for the crystals that line its walls, Jewel Cave is the third-longest cave in the world and features calcite crystals and formations of boxwork, cave popcorn and a long ribbon drapery known as “cave bacon.” Nearby, Wind Cave is the sixth-longest cave in the world and home of the world’s largest concentration of rare boxwork formations. The wondrous cave also sits under a 33,970-acre South Dakota wildlife sanctuary.

But these aren’t the only cavernous wonders in the state. Take your pick from the state's many caves and prepare to be awestruck. Learn Seven Things You Didn't Know About Black Hills Caves and check out the listings below to plan your perfect subterranean South Dakota adventure.

Feeling lucky? Come to South Dakota and enjoy top-notch food, drink and entertainment as you try your luck at a variety of games. It might be the perfect time to win your fortune!

South Dakota is an animal kingdom all its own! Whether it's the soaring of bald eagles or the chirping of prairie dogs, you'll never forget the incredible wildlife that makes our state so unique. Find your next furry, feathered or just plain fun friend.

The variety and depth of South Dakota's museums are enough to turn anyone into a "museum person." From the carefully curated collections at places like National Music Museum in Vermillion to the stopped-time vibe of Adams House in Deadwood and the one-of-a-kind International Vinegar Museum in Roslyn, there are historical artifacts across the state that will keep you thinking and entertained.

Don't forget to keep your eyes open for small-town museums, where Native, military, agricultural, and some just plain weird artifacts will leave you with some fun pictures as well as the ability to start a story with "You know what I saw in South Dakota?"

From prehistoric dinosaurs to the Indigenous people who first called this land home to the settlers who came from across the globe to make a better life, South Dakota is extraordinarily rich in history and culture. See the 60-foot-tall faces of the Founding Fathers on Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Behold the world's largest in-progress mountain carving at Crazy Horse Memorial®. Follow the Lewis and Clark Trail, find museums of every size and focus, and experience the Wild West of legend.

Explore more South Dakota historical sites below and start planning your visit!