A Mystery Hit becomes a sought-after Tour!
Day 1 – Home to Watertown to Sioux Falls, SD
Our memorable journey begins today with coffee & a treat at R&J’s very own office – come meet the R&J Family! Then we head down the road to visit a living memorial to one of the most critical times in our nation’s history: WWII. The Fagen Fighters WWII Museum is a showcase of iconic aircraft & ground equipment as well as a tribute to the men and women of The Greatest Generation whose incredible sacrifices during that time shaped the freedom & liberty we enjoy today. Lunch is included here before we travel to Watertown and the world reknowned Redlin Art Center. We will marvel at the imposing colonial style four story brick building supported by 24 granite columns encircling the building. The gallery showcases more than 150 original oil paintings by Terry Redlin (1937-2016), one of the most widely collected painters of wildlife and Americana. A welcome dinner is served at Brazilian Grill before we check into the Hampton Inn in Sioux Falls for 4 nights.
Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Hampton Inn (4 Nights)
Day 2 – Sioux Falls
Following a hot hotel breakfast, an expert step-on guide will join us as we tour Sioux Falls. Then we enjoy a tour of The Pettigrew Home & Mansion. Pettigrew was South Dakota’s first full-time US Senator. He purchased this 1889 Queen Ann home in 1911 and arranged for this home to be donated to the city upon his death in 1926. Being a seasoned traveler, he collected artifacts all over the world and many of them are on display in this home. Our next stop will be the Courthouse Museum, the 1890 restored Romanesque Building created of native Pink Quartz. It is a National Historic Landmark that features an 1893 clock tower, a restored circuit courtroom & law library, and sixteen wall murals painted from 1915 to 1917. Opened as a museum in 1974, the building houses permanent and changing exhibits focusing on the natural & cultural histories of the Siouxland region. Afterwards, we head to over to the Stockyards Ag Museum at Falls Park. Learn the history of the Sioux Falls Stockyard and its impact on the economy of Sioux Falls. Then we explore Falls Park, a 123-acre park featuring triple waterfalls, visitors center, a five story observation tower, the Falls Overlook Café, and historic ruins located on the banks of the Big Sioux River. We will explore this special place. Our lunch will be enjoyed at the Falls Overlook Café. Next up is a tour of the Cathedral of Saint Joseph, which stands tall above the Sioux Falls skyline. This Romanesque & French Renaissance structure was built from 1915-1918. We will return to our hotel to relax & freshen up. Tonight dinner is at fantastic Minerva’s in downtown Sioux Falls. You will love it and be glad it is an included meal! Afterwards, stroll the Sculpture Walk on a self-guided tour and shop in the unique downtown stores. Grab a sweet treat at CH Patisserie, a wonderful French Patisserie on Phillips Avenue.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Sioux Falls
We will start our day after a hot breakfast by heading to the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum. This serene 155-acres features colorful remnants, stone quarries, rail lines, building foundations & more. Our tour will explain interesting facts about Sioux Falls’ early days and the impact the quarry had on the beginning of the city. Next we will tour the Washington Pavilion in the old first high school. It is one of the world’s first facilities to house under one roof: performing arts, interactive science and educational venues, six art museums, Broadway shows and home of the South Dakota Symphony. Lunch is served at Josiah’s before we’re treated to a fascinating tour of the McCrossen Boys Ranch. For more than 61 years, McCrossen Boys Ranch has changed the lives of many young troubled boys between the ages of 9-20, who have experienced conflict in their lives. Through values and dedicated staff, they prepare boys to live a balanced life outside the Ranch. A very effective part of the program is the use of horses in the therapy & counseling. Next we travel to Roundhouse Trackless Trains in Hartford, where construction of mini trackless trains for children & adults takes place. These trains are sold all over the US; it’s even possible you’ve ridden in one! Another experience this afternoon is the USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial, dedicated to one of the most decorated ships in WWII. Later we head back to Falls Park to enjoy live music! Food trucks are available for dinner on your own or you may choose to dine again at Falls Overlook Café.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4 – Sioux Falls
After breakfast we will do some antiquing! We will take a short drive to Tea, SD and visit a couple antique & collectible shops. All these treasures are sure to bring back memories! Perhaps you’ll even go home with a special find! Then we drive to the beautiful, interactive visitors center at Good Earth State Park, South Dakota’s newest state park. Good Earth at Blood Run is a National Historic Landmark because the ever abundant wildlife and fertile flood plain made the area a crossroads of Native American Civilization. Lunch is served at Looks Marketplace before we visit the Butterfly House and Aquarium, an attraction of hundreds of active butterflies plus sealife displays including a touch pool. It is truly a hands-on fun & educational attraction! This afternoon we’re guests at the Wilde Prairie Winery for a tour and tasting. We’ll dine together this evening. Tonight we’re guests at Catfish Bay Greatest Show on H20, witnessing amazing water-skiing sticks & stunts!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – Sioux Falls to Home
Following breakfast we’ll check out of the hotel. Heading north, we’ll enjoy a guided tour at U.S. Geological Survey Earth Resourses Observation & Science Center (EROS), which houses the largest computer complexes in the entire Department of the Interior.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Motorcoach Per Person Pricing Information
Motorcoach Travel Protection Per Person
Travel Bucks
Deposit Due
Passport Needed
Tour Pace
Price Includes
11 Meals, Hotels & Activities as stated in brochure, Luxury Motorcoach
08/02/2022 08/06/2022
Tour Map
Tour Highlights
4 Nights in Sioux Falls
Fagen Fighters WWII Museum
Guided Tour of Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s largest city
The Washington Pavilion
Good Earth State Park
Falls Park featuring Triple Falls of the Big Sioux River, Falls Overlook Café, & Live Music
Stockyards Ag Museum
Pettigrew Mansion
Cathedral of Saint Joseph
Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum
McCrossen Boys Ranch
Wilde Prairie Winery Tour & Tasting
Minerva’s Steakhouse
Antiques & Collectibles shopping fun
Roundhouse Trackless Trains
USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial
Catfish Bay Waterski Show
Redlin Art Center & Gallery
USGS EROS Data Center
