Are you looking for some fun things to do in Watertown, South Dakota?
There are a lot of things you can do in Watertown, from guided tours to cultural attractions, there are also so many outdoor activities you can check out
Whether looking you’re traveling with your kids, or on an adults-only escape, Watertown, South Dakota has something for everyone.
From fishing and camping to visiting local wineries and breweries, this picturesque town offers a wide variety of activities to enjoy.
In this article, we will cover the best things to do in Watertown South Dakota.
About Watertown, South Dakota
Located in the county seat of Codington County, Watertown is home to home of the Redlin Art Center which houses over 150 wildlife paintings by Terry Redlin.
Watertown Area: 68.22 km²
Watertown Timezone: GMT-5
Watertown Population: 22,722
Watertown Area Code: 605
Elevation: 528 meters
Here are popular things to do in Watertown, this list is perfect for beginner tourists and experienced travelers!
1. Check out The Redlin Art Center
Located 100 meters away from the Conservation Park, The Redlin Art Center is one of the most popular places in Watertown, Sd, and I think it is one of the best places to check out if you’re visiting Watertown for the first time.
The Redlin Art Center also known as the Terry Redlin Museum contains original oil paintings by Terry Redlin, the man who held the record as the most popular artist from 1991-1998
Address: 1200 33rd St SE #310, Watertown, SD 57201, United States
Phone: +1 877-873-3546
Founded: 6 June 1997
The Redlin Art Center is a great place to check out paintings and artworks by different artists.
As a non-profit museum, the Redlin Art Center offers a wide variety of educational programs, exhibits, and events every year.
Whether you’re a fan of paintings or not, I highly recommend you check out Redlin Art Center.
2. Visit the Bramble Park Zoo
Located 2.5 miles away or a 6-minute drive away from the city center, the Bramble Park Zoo is home to over 300 domestic and wild animals.
The Bramble Park Zoo features wildlife animals like lions, pythons, tigers, bears, and many more.
Address: 800 10th St NW, Watertown, SD 57201, United States
Number of animals: 500
Annual visitors: 52,000
Opened: 1912
The Museum also runs a wide variety of educational programs, special events, and exhibits.
The Bramble Park Zoo is open year-round, and visitors allow visitors to purchase entry tickets online or at the gate.
The Bramble Park Zoo is also a perfect place to learn more about different animals, both wild and domestic.
3. Attend An Event At The Watertown Goss Opera House
Situated 4.1 km away from the city center, the Goss Opera House is a 131 years old event center located in Watertown South Dakota.
The Opera House was constructed in 1884 by John Goss a local businessman.
Address: 100 E Kemp Ave Suite A, Watertown, SD 57201, United States
Phone: +1 605-753-0200
The Goss Opera was originally built to serve as a live theater, as the building gained more popularity it was converted into a movie theater.
Nowadays, the Opera House is used as a venue for community events and concerts.
Attending a concert at the Opera is one of the best things to do in Watertown, attending an event here allows you to have fun and also meet natives.
4. Relax at The Watertown Family Aquatic Center
Located just 4.8 km away from the city center and a 3-min drive away from Harry’s restaurant.
The Watertown Family Aquatic Center is a great place to perfect place to visit, especially if you’re going out with your family or kids.
Address: Riverside Park, 1009 Perry St, Watertown, WI 53098, United States
Phone: +1 920-262-8085
The Watertown Aquatic Center is a recreational facility that offers a wide variety of aquatic activities for all ages.
The center has a 50-meter pool, a diving well, a lazy river, a kiddie pool, and a whirlpool.
The Family Aquatic Center has a daily admission fee of $4 for city residents and $5 for non-residents.
During the hot summer months, one of the best things to do in Watertown SD is to cool off at this recreational facility.
5. Visit The Sandy Shore Recreation Area
Located 4.9 miles (10 mins drive) away from Pelican Park, the Sandy Shore recreation area features different recreational activities that give people the opportunity to experience the beauty and serenity of nature while spending time with family and friends.
Address: 1148 S Lake Dr, Watertown, SD 57201, United States
Phone: +1 605-882-5200
Area: 19 acres (7.7 ha)
The sandy shore is a perfect place to swim, fish, sunbathe, and enjoy the fresh air coming from the beach.
The Sandy Shore also provides visitors with a different picnic area.
This place is also a perfect place for people to fish, as there is a wide variety of fish that can be found in the waters surrounding the sandy shore.
If you are looking for a place to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with your kids, family, and friends, the sandy shore is the perfect place for you.
6. Explore the Codington County Heritage Museum
One of the things to do in Watertown South Dakota is to explore the Codington County Heritage Museum.
The Museum is located 1 mile away – a three-minute drive away from the Mellette House.
The museum is housed in a former department store building and contains exhibits and artworks that tell people more about the history behind Codington County.
Address: 27 1st Ave SE, Watertown, SD 57201, United States
Phone: +1 605-886-7335
Opened: 1906
Added to NRHP: 18 June 1976
Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture
The Codington County Museum features a wide variety of exhibits on local history, including the genesis of the county, the settlement of the area by homesteaders, the county’s agricultural history, and how Watertown was developed.
For those interested in history, visiting this library and reading through the information-rich archives can be one of the best things you can do in Watertown, South Dakota.
7. Enjoy An Outdoor Activity at Lake Kampeska
Located 7.1 miles away from the Watertown Brewing Company, Lake Kampeska is a deep lake located in eastern South Dakota.
The Kampeska lake serves as a major water source for the city of Watertown, It also serves as a recreation spot for boaters, fishermen, and swimmers.
The lake was named after the Lakota Sioux tribe, who once lived in Sioux Falls and Kampeska.
The lake is the largest lake in South Dakota covering an area of 11,000 acres, and it features so many aquatic animals.
Area: 21.25 km²
Surface elevation: 523 m
Length: 7.68 km
Width: 3.7 km
Mean depth: 2.1 m
One of the reasons why this lake is on our list of things to do in Watertown is because it perfect place for people to relax, swim fish, camp, and enjoy other recreational activities.
8. Play Golf at The Cattail Crossing Golf Course
Located 3 miles away (3-minute drive away) from the Dollar store, Cattail Crossing is one of the most popular and challenging golf courses in Watertown South Dakota.
Plating golf here is very enjoyable, it does not matter whether you’re a beginner or an expert, Cattail Crossing Golf Course has something for everyone.
Address: 351 S Lake Dr, Watertown, SD 57201, United States
Phone: +1 605-882-6262
One of the reasons why this place is on our list of fun things to do in Watertown SD is because the golf course here is challenging enough for the experienced golfer, yet also forgiving enough for the beginner.
9. Watch Intense Racing at Casino Speedway
Located 1.3 miles away from the Cattail Crossing, the casino speedway is a historic racing track that has been in operation for a long time.
Address: 104 S Lake Dr, Watertown, SD 57201, United States
Phone: +1 605-882-2855
The Casino speedway is located on the outskirts of the town and features a one-mile-long racetrack.
The track is home to many different racing divisions, including sprint cars, midget cars, stock cars, and more.
Based on the fact that this racetrack has been in operation for a long time, it has witnessed so many races by experts like A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, and Al Unser.
The Casino Speedway has also hosted some great racing events like the World of Outlaws sprint car series and the USAC midget car series.
The Casino Speedway is also one of the most popular racetracks in the Midwest, attracting viewers from different parts of the country.
If you’re looking for a perfect place to watch or participate in auto racing in Watertown SD, the Casino Speedway is the place for you.
10. Read A Book At The Watertown Regional Library
Located 650 meters away from the Avantara Watertown, The Watertown Regional Library is a historic library that was founded in 1884 and is located in Downtown Watertown.
If you’re looking for a great place with a calm and pleasant environment to study, then the Watertown Regional Library is a great deal.
With over 80,000 books in its collection, this library is a great place to learn and read books on a wide variety of topics.
Address: 160 6th St NE, Watertown, SD 57201, United States
Phone: +1 605-882-6220
The Watertown Regional Library is managed by Watertown Library Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises money to support the library system.
The organization provides financial assistance for the library’s operations and programs and also helps to fund capital projects.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many things to do in Watertown SD.
Watertown is truly one of the most welcoming cities for solo travelers, and it is a great city to start your solo travel journey in.
I 100% believe you shouldn’t let traveling alone hold you back from anything you want to do.
Your uncomfortable feeling will disappear once you’re experiencing the attraction.
You’ll regret it in the long run if you don’t visit the attraction you’re dying to see.
All the activities we have listed here can be done by both beginners and experienced travelers.
Nobody will care that you’re alone, and nobody will bat an eye at you.
The activities we listed here are not the only things you can do in Watertown, there are many other activities you can participate in.
I challenge you to put aside the fact that you’re traveling alone and plan your dream vacation to Birmingham!
It truly is one of the cities in America with a calm and welcoming atmosphere.