Pierre, South Dakota’s capital since 1890, offers outdoor activities at Big Sioux Recreation Area and military history at the South Dakota National Guard Museum. The State Capitol Building features Italian terracotta floors and marble staircases, and the area has great fishing and camping options.
South Dakota was purchased from France in the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Pierre, a smaller city located on the Missouri River, has been the South Dakota state capital since 1890. The South Dakota National Guard Museum, Big Sioux Recreation The South Dakota area and state Capitol Building offers some exciting things to do in Pierre.
The State Capitol Building houses the South Dakota State Legislature and the Governor’s offices. The magnificent structure, built between 1905 and 1910 and renovated, features hand-laid Italian terracotta floors and marble staircases. Interestingly, the floors in many rooms have a single blue tile in a sea of neutral-toned ones. These tiles mark the work of every Italian craftsman. Outside the Capitol is an artificial lake in a peaceful setting.
The Big Sioux Recreation Area offers many different things to do in Pierre’s great outdoors. Kayaking, canoeing and fishing are popular on the Missouri River. The fishing grounds are known for catfish, crappie, northern pike and smallmouth bass. Hiking and camping are two things to do in Pierre’s Big Sioux Recreation Area as it has some of the oldest trees in South Dakota along the prairie and woodland trails, a farm cabin, and camping cabins. Chief White Crane Recreation Area is said to be a good place for bald eagle watching, fishing and canoeing.
Visiting the South Dakota National Guard Museum is one of the top things to do in Pierre for those interested in American military history. The Museum has many military documents and historical items relating to the work of the Guard from the Civil War period and 1862 to Operation Iraqi Freedom and to the present day. You must call before scheduling a visit to the Museum as visits are by appointment only. The South Dakota National Guard Museum is one of 20 licensed museums of the United States National Guard. Outdoors, a Sherman tank, an armored personnel carrier, an A-7-D jet, anti-aircraft guns, a 75mm gun and a 105mm howitzer are on display.
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