Discover Watertown, South Dakota

By James Stoness

Snowbirds heading south through South Dakota frequently take a break in Watertown, a prairie town with small town friendliness, and big town facilities. Conveniently located on I-29 at the junction with US-212, Watertown easily fills your needs.

Eating

Hungry? Watertown has a large number of restaurants, fast food outlets, and bars that will make sure no one leaves hungry or thirsty.

Shopping

Watertown’s grocery stores will provide an easy opportunity for Snowbirds to stock their RVs with coffee, vegetables, and meat, and dairy products. Shoppers will certainly find that local merchants are friendly, and work hard to create an enjoyable atmosphere in their shops and stores. You are sure to enjoy the diverse gift shops, bookstores, antiques, and curio shops.

Culture

The Redlin Art Centre displays 160 of Terry Redlin’s original paintings. This attractive building sits high on a knoll, near I-29 and junction of US-212.

Terry Redlin is a widely praised painter of wildlife and rustic scenes. Admission is free at the Art Centre, which provides a means of displaying originals of his work, each one pointing to a specific time in his life. Inside the building is a replica log cabin, setting the background scene for his amazing works of art.

His son, Charles Redlin, designed the building and pushed for development of the project. With its 38 foot high white granite columns, granite floor and wainscoting, this is a truly magnificent setting for Redlin’s art collection.  Free Admission.

Thirty acres of land outside the building form the Terry Redlin Conservation Park complete with walking trails, water and bridges, gazebos, and picnic tables. All in all, a perfect place to visit and relax.

In town, take a stroll following the Watertown Artwalk passing ten sculptures placed along the route. One of these sculptures is in the Redlin Art Centre.

The Codington County Heritage Museum houses exhibits and pictures that preserve the history of the county. If you are interested in purchasing a work of art, pay a visit to the Dustin Sinner Fine Art’s shop. Here, you will find modern art, abstract and textured works of art. There are even ‘made to order’ paintings. View the original acrylic paintings and art work, in the studio.

At the Century Gallery Sandy Ellyson Art Studio you’ll encounter some beautiful paintings in watercolour, and acrylic. There are also landscapes as well as some abstract paintings.

You might want to drop by the historic Mellette House, home of Arthur Mellette the first Governor of South Dakota, which was built in 1885 in Dakota Territory. The circular staircase, which curves to the third floor, is an impressive construction. The house is restored to the time when the Mellette family lived there. The kitchen has a beautiful old cook stove. Son, Charles Mellette, donated many original furnishings, paintings and other mementoes of the family.

Accommodations           

Snowbirds heading south without an RV will find Watertown has several quality hotels and inns from which to choose.

Camping

If you are heading south early in the fall, then park your RV in one of the campgrounds west of town and enjoy some boating, sailing, and swimming and fishing.

On Lake Kampeska, you might try the Sandy Shore Recreation Area with its long sandy beach and camping, or the Codington Country Memorial Park which has 95 sites and full hook-ups available. View the area from the lookout gazebo on top of the Hiking Hill..

On Pelican Lake there is the Pelican Lake Campground with 50 sites.

Outdoor Recreation

The Bramble Zoo is a perfect spot for a walk as you view its 800 animals. The 15 acre zoo is also used as a ‘living classroom’ helping the young to learn to appreciate the dependency of different species on each other.

In warm weather, you might let the zephyr breezes off shining Lake Kampeska tease your hair as you set out on the renovated 27-hole golf course. Once you start to play the Cattail Crossing Golf Course, you’ll be struck at the planning that has gone into this facility with new tees, greens and holes meant to fit all ages and skills.

You also might like to try the Watertown Country Club, and Prairie Winds Golf Club.

Watertown is in a perfect place to break up a long trip south. It has plenty to keep you busy, and great places to relax if you want to rest. Don’t forget to ask for your free Watertown Visitor Guide and be prepared for all that Watertown has to offer.

To request a Free Watertown Visitor Guide: http://visitwatertownsd.com/request-info/ - Phone: 1-605-753-0282

To request a free South Dakota Vacation Guide: https://www.travelsouthdakota.com/request-free-vacation-guide - Phone: 1-800-732-5682