WESTERN MIDWEST Midwest adventurer

The wide-open spaces of the western Midwest surround even the biggest cities. That SO MUCH TO EXPLORE means vacations can easily Kayakers explore Split Rock Creek pair outdoor challenges, outside of Sioux like cycling and kayaking, Falls, South with big-city delights, like Dakota. luxurious hotels and great museums. Who says you can’t have it all? background ’s largest city, Sioux Falls, entices vacationers with a large park surrounding waterfalls, nearby kayaking and canoeing opportunities, charming boutiques, a strong arts scene and delicious dining. City slickers and outdoor adventurers both find plenty to love (800/333-2072; visitsiouxfalls.com). itinerary Sertoma Butterfly House and Marine Cove

WESTERN MIDWEST

DAY Sioux Falls delicious sandwiches and great views while dining at Falls Overlook Cafe. From there, a $1-a-day trolley ferries passengers to Phillips Avenue to wander among galleries and boutiques. Locals know to eat at Wild In Falls Park, the Big Sioux River tumbles Sage Grille, where bison stars on the menu. getaway over nearly a half 1mile of waterfalls. A The quaint Victorian Bed and Breakfast five-story tower offers the best views, and offers restful accommodations; families will overlooks line a scenic walkway. Enjoy enjoy Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel..

D A Y herons and soaring bluffs on Split Rock RUSH AWAY Creek in Palisades State Park. The cheesy Every day, an enchiladas at Mama’s Ladas Enchilada estimated 7,400 Shop and Wine Bar are perfect for lunch (or gallons of water any time, really). Hiking trails, The Outdoor rush over Falls Campus and Sertoma Butterfly House and Park’s waterfalls Phillips Avenue Diner2 serves fluffy Marine Cove await at Sertoma Park. Browse in Sioux Falls, pancakes and loaded hash browns in a art galleries and vintage goods at 8th and South Dakota. retro setting with splashy neon signs. Spend Railroad Center. The 45-acre Great Plains the rest of the morning paddling past blue Zoo houses more than 850 animals. SYMPHONY IN THE FLINT HILLS The City Symphony plays the evening away in the largest remaining swath of tallgrass prairie in North America. Tickets go on 4 5 Maah Daah Hey Trail A 4 sale in March for Fab 100-plus-mile mountain Must-see the June show bike trail connects (620/273-8955; ways to Theodore Roosevelt events symphonyinthe National Park’s North and flinthills.org). South units in explore (mdhta.com). Graham Canoe ­Outfitters Sign up for half-day to Sturgis Motorcycle Rally 1880 TRAIN two-day canoeing, kayaking Every summer in late July An hour-long and tubing trips on the or early August, 400,000 steam-powered Niobrara River, or if you bikers gather in Sturgis, trip between have your own gear, take South Dakota, to carouse Keystone and advantage of the shuttle and celebrate everything Hill City traverses service. In Valentine, great about ­motorcycles South Dakota’s (402/376-3708; (605/720-0800; Black Hills. grahamoutfitters.com). ­sturgismotorcyclerally.com). Hop on for a one-way trip in Nebraska Star Party either direction, Astronomers of all skill or ride round- levels spend some of trip. Seasonal their summer at the Snake excursions River Campground for run daily May lectures and stargazing to October in light-pollution-free (605/574-2222; skies. Near Valentine 1880train.com). (nebraskastarparty.org).­

Norsk Høstfest Make new friends with the traditional Atchison4 Trolley Tours greeting (“Hi, and where are Departing from the old you from?”) at the nation’s Santa Fe Depot in Atchison, largest Scandinavian­ Kansas, narrated hour-long festival, held each fall excursions share cool in Minot, North Dakota. stories (April–October). Traditional food, crafts and Haunted tours take music abound (701/852- place in September and 2368; hostfest.com). October (800/234-1854; atchisonkansas.net).­

Peaceful Valley Ranch See Theodore Roosevelt National Park, near Medora, North Dakota, on horseback. The ranch offers guided rides, Memorial Day to Labor Day (701/623-4568). The Brew Devout Canad Inns Destination­ coffee drinkers will get Center Grand Forks a kick out of this 1887 A chain hotel in North church-turned-coffeehouse­ Dakota features on-site in Dickinson, North Dakota. restaurants, a water Some booths are made with park and a gaming original pews (701/483- center (701/772-8404; 2759; thebrew.org). canadinns.com).

Derby Coffeehouse Stop Lied Lodge and in for espresso drinks, Conference­ Center The 3Unique pastries and lunch all week Hotels2 1Swedish Frank Lloyd Wright-style in Chamberlain, South hotel, with a stunning Dakota. On Friday and lobby, offers an on-site coffeehouses Saturday nights, it’s also that stop arboretum and Olympic- the place for ribeyes and size swimming pool in Lindsborg Dala horses are everywhere seafood (605/234-1380). Nebraska City, Nebraska. in small-town Lindsborg, Kansas, where offer Known for its buffets, the Swedish heritage runs strong and shops The Donut Whole It’s Timber Dining Room is selling traditional crafts and delicious part coffee bar, part the town’s best ­restaurant Swedish pancakes line Main Street. performance center, but plenty (800/546-5433; liedlodge. (785/227-3355; lindsborgcity.org). mostly the place in Wichita, org). Kansas, for cake doughnuts. More adventurous toppings to do include Fruity Pebbles cereal, bacon and Thin Mint cookies (316/262-3700; thedonutwhole.com).

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