Vacation in Vermillion - South Dakota
|
Jump to:
Overview,
Things To Do,
Transportation,
Climate,
Accommodations,
Cost
|
|
Area Overview
Vermillion is home of the University of South Dakota. It was the original territorial capitol of the Dakotas as migration to the Louisiana Purchase territory opened. Lewis & Clark landed their boats at the confluence of the Missouri and Vermillion Rivers, here in Vermillion. They then hiked to Spirit Mound, where they first saw buffalo on their epic journey. You can literally stand in their footprints atop Spirit Mound today. The city now resides atop the river bluff, after a devastating flood in the late 1800s forced the town to higher ground. Today it enjoys all of the charms of small town life, while having the sophisticated culture of big city experience because of the wealth of talents and higher education in this college town. South Dakota's own Poet Laureate teaches at the University today. Vermillion is known for its variety of high quality restaurants, shops and annual events which keep visitors coming back year after year.
|
|
|
|
Things to Do |
Recreation & Fitness
|
|
Take in a D-1 NCAA sports event at the USD DakotaDome
Grab your bike and explore one of the many paths that wind in and around the community
Golf 18 holes at the championship Bluffs Golf Course
Kayak on the Missouri River, or fish all day, before setting camp at the Clay County campgrounds
Have a tasting at SD's 1st winery at Valiant Vineyard's/Buffalo Run B & B
Take in a live theater performance at the University or Community Theater
Explore the historic downtown area and take in the new Sculpture Walk
Choose between one of the many cuisine options on Vermillion's Restaurant Row
Attend one of the many annual events in the city and enjoy the experience and the people:
Ribs, Rods & Rock n' Roll, Oktoberfest, D-Days parade, Dakota Farm Show, SD HS All-Star Football game, Dakota WineFest, National Music Museum tours, Summer music concerts
|
|
|
Cultural Activities
|
|
National Music Museum houses one of the world's best acclaimed collections of musical instruments throughout history (Mozart's harpsichord; Adolphe Saxe's original saxophones; President Clinton's saxophone; Elvis, Johnny Cash, BB King and so many more celebrity guitars.
Tiospaye Wacipi (pow-wow) Native-American celebrations in the DakotaDome.
Lewis & Clark history of their recorded accounts as they journeyed into the Dakota territory, landing in present day Vermillion and walking to Spirit Mound where they first witnessed buffalo.
WH Over Museum of natural history which houses artifacts of the region and a vast pictorial collection of native life as settlers came to the high plains.
Arts & Culture events year round: Shakespeare in the Park, Summer concerts at the Platz, musical concerts, live theater, downtown cinema, poetry and a vibrant night-life
|
Attractions
|
|
The collection of museums and galleries in Vermillion provide a wealth of historic insights and memories. USD, is the flagship university of South Dakota and has its only Law School, Medical School, Business school and the Dakota Dome and many other sports facilities. There's always something for everyone; swimming at the city pool, enjoying the night-life, fishing on the river, taking in a quiet afternoon on the hiking paths, or watching the Milky Way cross the sky under clear country skies.
|
Transportation |
|
|
Climate |
Monthly Temperatures / Rainfall
|
|
| Month
|
Low
|
Avg
|
High
|
Rain |
|
|
|
January
|
8.3
F°
|
19.2
F°
|
30.1
F°
|
0.4
"
|
|
|
|
February
|
14.6
F°
|
25.9
F°
|
37.1
F°
|
0.5
"
|
|
|
|
March
|
25.3
F°
|
37.4
F°
|
49.4
F°
|
1.8
"
|
|
|
|
April
|
36.6
F°
|
50.3
F°
|
64.0
F°
|
2.8
"
|
|
|
|
May
|
48.6
F°
|
61.9
F°
|
75.1
F°
|
3.7
"
|
|
|
|
June
|
58.3
F°
|
71.4
F°
|
84.5
F°
|
3.6
"
|
|
|
|
July
|
63.4
F°
|
76.0
F°
|
88.5
F°
|
3.4
"
|
|
|
|
August
|
61.6
F°
|
74.0
F°
|
86.3
F°
|
2.8
"
|
|
|
|
September
|
51.2
F°
|
65.3
F°
|
79.3
F°
|
2.4
"
|
|
|
|
October
|
38.6
F°
|
52.5
F°
|
66.5
F°
|
2.0
"
|
|
|
|
November
|
24.8
F°
|
35.5
F°
|
46.2
F°
|
1.5
"
|
|
|
|
December
|
12.5
F°
|
22.9
F°
|
33.2
F°
|
0.5
"
|
|
Best Time To Go:
Summer and fall.
|
Summers are warm and sunny for camping, fishing, and swimming. Fall is spectacular with the vibrant colors of the trees throughout the city and campus. Winter provides some of the most beautiful scenes for cross-country skiers. Spring is when our agricultural side kicks in full force and the Farmer's Markets reopen to share their bounty.
|
Accommodations |
|
Vermillion has familiar hotel names: Best Western, Holiday Inn Express, Red Roof Inn
It also has small family hotel/motels: Prairie Inn, Westside motel
And the Buffalo Run B & B/Valiant Vineyard's Winery.
|
Costs |
|
|
|
Additional Information
|
Visitor Information
|
Back to:
Overview,
Things To Do,
Transportation,
Climate,
Accommodations,
Cost
|
|
|
|
