Editor’s Note: During this period of social distancing, Group Tour magazine will continue to provide group travel inspiration. Many attractions and destinations are closed at this time; please contact them directly for updated information.
Running on locally brewed coffee and craft beer, Brookings offers a wide variety of year-round entertainment and a nationally ranked art scene.
“Brookings is an untapped destination for group tours,” said Laura Schoen Carbonneau, executive director of the Brookings Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Guests will love viewing original Harvey Dunn paintings and tasting the original Cookies n’ Cream ice cream.”
Discover the outdoors on two wheels as a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community. Savor local cuisine and lively nightlife activities throughout the city. Whether the group is in Brookings for a day or the weekend, adventure and excitement are just around the corner.
Brookings Convention & Visitors Bureau
605-692-6125
visitbrookingssd.com
ADMIRE
Discover the serene setting of 25 acres of unique flowers, trees, shrubs, herbal plants and endless fields of soft grasses at McCrory Gardens, once only a 2-acre formal area. Available for docent-led or self-guided tours, the gardens provide new and robust colors among 14 formal gardens, a rock garden and a 45-acre arboretum.
DISCOVER
The South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum highlights the diverse history and science of South Dakota agriculture. Located on South Dakota State University’s campus, the museum houses 3,500 agricultural and mechanical tools; 8,300 documentary items like maps, prints and agricultural business advertising; and over 70,000 photographs of farms, ranches and small towns.
SEE
Listed as one of the 25 Best American Galleries and Museums by American Art Awards, the South Dakota Art Museum features the latest trends in contemporary art from regional, national and international artists. The museum is best known for its extensive permanent collection of Harvey Dunn illustrations and Paul Goble paintings.
FIND
Decorative murals, local boutiques, three antique shops and one world-famous hamburger joint make Downtown Brookings a place to find uniqueness. With buildings dating between 1894 to 1928, hints of art deco, classic revival and beaux-arts architecture mix with the modernly designed businesses and craft brew pubs — creating a timeless atmosphere with charm.
