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Brookings
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Brookings, South Dakota, blends a friendly college-town atmosphere with prairie history, botanical gardens, family museums, local arts and easy outdoor escapes.

A South Dakota College Town

Brookings sits amid the open prairie of eastern South Dakota, close to the Minnesota border and roughly an hour's drive north of Sioux Falls. Its identity is shaped by South Dakota State University, whose campus brings a youthful rhythm, research culture and a steady programme of public events to a city of around 24,000 residents. Tree-lined streets, practical Midwestern architecture and a compact commercial centre give Brookings an approachable scale, while Interstate 29 places it within easy reach of the wider region.
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Gardens, Museums and Local Culture

The city has an unusually strong collection of educational and cultural attractions for its size. The South Dakota Art Museum presents regional and national art, with particular attention to artists connected with the state, while the Children’s Museum of South Dakota uses hands-on exhibits to explore science, society and imaginative play. McCrory Gardens, on the university campus, brings colour and seasonal structure to the prairie through themed plantings, display gardens and walking paths. Downtown Brookings centres on Main Avenue, where independent businesses, cafés, public events and the Brookings Arts Council contribute to a local cultural scene that extends beyond the university.

Prairie Recreation and Community Life

Outdoor spaces such as Dakota Nature Park offer ponds, trails and opportunities to observe the region’s open landscapes without leaving the city. Community festivals, farmers’ markets, university athletics and performances at the Swiftel Center add a changing calendar of activity. Brookings is best understood as a place where higher education, agriculture, family-oriented museums and small-city civic life meet, making it a useful base for exploring eastern South Dakota at an unhurried pace.

When is the best time to visit Brookings?

Best: June, August–September · 21–28°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January-412
February-214
March628
April1550
May2275
June (best)2693
July2985
August (best)2870
September (best)2156
October1439
November324
December-217

Getting to and around Brookings

How to get there

Brookings is most conveniently reached by road, particularly via Interstate 29, which runs north–south through eastern South Dakota and links the city with Sioux Falls, Watertown and communities farther north. US Highway 14 provides an east–west approach. The city has Brookings Regional Airport for general aviation, but it is not a scheduled commercial passenger airport. Most air travellers use Sioux Falls Regional Airport, approximately an hour’s drive south, and continue by hire car, taxi or other pre-arranged road transport. There is no intercity passenger railway serving Brookings, so visitors arriving without a car should check current coach and local transfer options before travelling.

Transportation

Brookings is compact enough for many trips around downtown and the university area to be made on foot, although a car is useful for Dakota Nature Park, larger retail areas and regional sightseeing. Local public transport is provided by Brookings Area Transit, with services intended primarily for community mobility rather than a dense, turn-up-and-go city network; routes and eligibility should be checked in advance. Taxis and app-based services may be limited compared with larger cities. Cycling is practical on quieter streets and local paths, but winter weather can affect conditions. Parking is generally easier than in major urban centres, while university events can increase demand around campus.

Best attractions in Brookings

Brookings’s principal attractions combine university culture, family learning and open prairie landscapes. The South Dakota Art Museum on the South Dakota State University campus presents art connected with South Dakota alongside broader American collections, while the Children’s Museum of South Dakota offers interactive exhibits designed for young visitors and families. Nearby McCrory Gardens provides landscaped displays, seasonal colour and quiet walking routes within a botanical setting. Dakota Nature Park, on the city’s edge, adds ponds, paths and wildlife-watching opportunities to the sightseeing mix. Downtown Brookings is worth exploring for its low-rise commercial streets, independent businesses and community events, and the Swiftel Center hosts changing programmes of sport, entertainment and exhibitions. The university campus itself rewards a slower walk, with historic buildings, public spaces and the atmosphere of a working land-grant institution rather than a purely formal tourist precinct.

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Best landmarks in Brookings

Brookings’s landmarks express the city’s relationship with education, civic government and prairie settlement. Old Central on the South Dakota State University campus recalls the institution’s early development as Dakota Agricultural College and remains one of its most recognisable historic buildings. The Brookings County Courthouse represents the formal civic architecture of a county seat, while the historic Carnegie Library reflects the period when public libraries became important symbols of learning and community improvement in American towns. South Dakota State University’s wider campus contains additional buildings and open spaces that give Brookings much of its visual identity. The city’s older commercial streets, churches and residential areas complete the architectural picture, contrasting with later university facilities and modern community venues such as the Swiftel Center. Together these places trace Brookings’s growth from railway settlement to educational and regional service centre.

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Explore Brookings on the map

Plan your Brookings trip on one map. See where the top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, bars and hotels are, find what's near where you're staying, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Brookings

Brookings’s dining scene reflects its role as an agricultural service centre and university town, with familiar Midwestern comfort food alongside cafés, international dishes and contemporary casual dining. Local menus commonly draw on beef, pork, poultry, potatoes and seasonal produce, while burgers, steaks, sandwiches and hearty breakfasts remain part of the regional vocabulary. Main Avenue and the areas around South Dakota State University provide the greatest concentration of cafés, quick meals and independently run restaurants, with additional options near the city’s commercial corridors. Visitors may encounter South Dakota specialities such as chislic, seasoned cubes of grilled meat, although it is more strongly associated with the state’s wider food culture than exclusively with Brookings. Farmers’ markets and community events offer opportunities to sample local produce and baked goods when operating seasonally.

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Best bars in Brookings

Brookings has a modest, sociable evening scene shaped by its student population, long-established local businesses and university calendar rather than by large nightclubs. Pubs, sports bars and casual bars around downtown and near South Dakota State University provide places for conversation, televised games and informal gatherings, while restaurants and cafés supply quieter evening options. Events at the Swiftel Center, university performances and athletics can bring added activity after dark, and the Brookings Arts Council contributes to the city’s cultural programme. Nightlife is generally concentrated and low-key, with the liveliest periods often coinciding with campus events or festivals. Visitors should expect individual venues and entertainment schedules to change, and should carry valid identification when purchasing alcohol.

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Best nightclubs in Brookings

Brookings has a modest, sociable evening scene shaped by its student population, long-established local businesses and university calendar rather than by large nightclubs. Pubs, sports bars and casual bars around downtown and near South Dakota State University provide places for conversation, televised games and informal gatherings, while restaurants and cafés supply quieter evening options. Events at the Swiftel Center, university performances and athletics can bring added activity after dark, and the Brookings Arts Council contributes to the city’s cultural programme. Nightlife is generally concentrated and low-key, with the liveliest periods often coinciding with campus events or festivals. Visitors should expect individual venues and entertainment schedules to change, and should carry valid identification when purchasing alcohol.

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Best shops in Brookings

Shopping in Brookings centres on downtown Main Avenue, where independent retailers, cafés, specialist businesses and service shops give the city centre a community-oriented character. Visitors can find clothing, gifts, books, homewares and locally made items, although the range is that of a small regional city rather than a major retail destination. Seasonal farmers’ markets add South Dakota produce, baked goods and craft products, while university-related shops and local events provide additional opportunities for souvenirs connected with South Dakota State University. Larger everyday retail is located in commercial areas away from the historic core. Useful purchases include regional food products, prairie-inspired artwork, handmade goods and South Dakota-themed gifts; visitors should distinguish locally produced items from generic merchandise when selecting crafts or food to take home.

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Brookings essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the United States dollar (USD). Cards and contactless payments are commonly accepted at hotels, museums, supermarkets, restaurants and larger shops, although smaller vendors, seasonal markets and some community events may prefer cash or have a minimum card purchase. ATMs are available in central Brookings, on or near the university campus and in commercial areas. International visitors should notify their bank of travel plans where necessary and choose whether to accept dynamic currency conversion at a card terminal or ATM only after checking the offered exchange rate. Tipping is customary in table-service restaurants and for several personal services.
Safety
Brookings is a small city, but ordinary travel precautions remain appropriate. Keep valuables out of sight in vehicles, secure personal belongings at public events and take extra care in crowded areas around university fixtures or festivals. Visitors walking after dark should stay on well-lit routes and use familiar streets, particularly in quieter residential or park areas. South Dakota weather can change quickly: winter cold, snow and ice can affect roads and pavements, while summer thunderstorms and high temperatures require preparation. Drivers should watch for agricultural traffic outside town and allow for long distances between services when exploring the surrounding countryside.
Emergency Situations
Dial 911 in the United States for police, fire and urgent medical assistance; the operator can direct the call to the appropriate local service. For non-urgent police matters, use the Brookings Police Department’s published contact details rather than tying up the emergency line. Brookings Health System provides local healthcare services, while serious or specialist cases may involve referral to larger regional facilities. International visitors should carry travel insurance details, identification and a list of essential medicines. In winter, check weather and road conditions before driving, and follow instructions from local authorities during severe storms or other emergencies.
Do's and Don'ts
Greet service staff and local residents courteously, respect queues and follow posted rules in museums, gardens, parks and university buildings. In restaurants, tipping is normally expected for table service, with the amount reflecting the quality of service and the type of establishment. Ask before photographing people, private property or community events, and treat Dakota-related history and cultural references with respect rather than reducing them to decoration. Do not enter marked private land or assume that prairie areas are open for access. At South Dakota State University, observe campus signs, event instructions and restrictions around athletics or research facilities.
Local Tips
Downtown Brookings and the university campus make a useful first orientation, but the city’s attractions are spread across several areas, so planning an efficient route helps. Pair the South Dakota Art Museum with McCrory Gardens when both are open, then explore Main Avenue’s independent shops and cafés. Dakota Nature Park provides a change of pace from built-up areas, with trails and water features suited to a short outdoor visit. Seasonal events can alter the city’s atmosphere considerably, especially university sports, the Brookings Summer Arts Festival and farmers’ markets. For wider excursions, Sioux Falls and the glacial lakes around eastern South Dakota are reached most easily by car.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHey[hey]
GoodbyeSee ya[see ya]
YesYup[yup]
NoNah[nah]
Please/You're welcomeSure thing[sure thing]
Thank youThanks[thanks]
Excuse me/SorryPardon me[pardon me]
How are you?Howdy[howdy]
Fine. And you?Doing well. You?[doing well. you]
Do you speak English?Ya speak English?[ya speak english]
I don't understandI'm lost[i'm lost]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseMenu, please[menu, please]
I don't eat meatNo meat for me[no meat for me]
Cheers!Cheers![cheers]
I would like to pay, pleaseCheck, please[check, please]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![help]
Go away!Go away![go away]
Call the Police!Call the cops![call the cops]
Call a doctor!Get a doctor![get a doctor]
I'm lostLost[lost]
I'm illFeeling sick[feeling sick]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I want to buy...[i want to buy]
I'm just lookingJust browsing[just browsing]
How much is it?How much?[how much]
That's too expensiveToo pricey[too pricey]
Can you lower the price?Can you do better?[can you do better]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What's the time?[what's the time]
It's one o'clockIt's one[it's one]
Half past (10)Ten-thirty[ten-thirty]
MorningMorning[morning]
AfternoonAfternoon[afternoon]
EveningEvening[evening]
YesterdayYesterday[yesterday]
TodayToday[today]
TomorrowTomorrow[tomorrow]
1One[one]
2Two[two]
3Three[three]
4Four[four]
5Five[five]
6Six[six]
7Seven[seven]
8Eight[eight]
9Nine[nine]
10Ten[ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[where's the]
What's the address?What's the address?[what's the address]
Can you show me (on the map)?Show me on the map[show me on the map]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next bus?[when's the next bus]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket to ...[a ticket to]

History of Brookings

Dakota Homelands and Prairie Settlement

The Brookings area lies within the wider homeland of Dakota and Lakota peoples, whose communities, movements and relationships with the prairie long predate Euro-American settlement. During the nineteenth century, federal policy, land treaties and expanding American settlement transformed the region. The land that became Brookings was surveyed and opened to new patterns of agriculture and town building as rail transport extended across Dakota Territory. Its fertile soils, relatively level terrain and access to regional markets encouraged farming, while the developing railway helped turn an isolated prairie landscape into a connected settlement zone.

Railway Foundations and Town Formation

Brookings emerged in the late 1870s as railway development brought a permanent town to the prairie. The Chicago, Milwaukee and St Paul Railway helped connect the settlement with markets and neighbouring communities, and the town was named for Wilmot Brookings, a prominent figure associated with early development in Dakota Territory. Brookings was incorporated around the beginning of the 1880s, as commercial buildings, homes, churches and civic institutions gathered around the railway and emerging street grid. Agriculture remained central to local prosperity, with grain, livestock and farm services shaping the economy and social life.

The Agricultural College Takes Root

A decisive change came with the establishment of Dakota Agricultural College in Brookings in 1881. Created as the territory’s land-grant institution, it combined practical education with agricultural research suited to the surrounding farming region. The college gradually expanded its curriculum, campus and influence, becoming South Dakota State University in the twentieth century. Its presence encouraged scientific farming, teacher education, engineering and other professional fields, while also drawing students and staff from across the state. Buildings and traditions on the university campus remain among the clearest expressions of Brookings’s development as an educational centre.

Agriculture, Commerce and Civic Growth

During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Brookings grew through the interaction of the railway, family farms, agricultural businesses and public institutions. Main Avenue became a commercial spine, while schools, churches, banks and civic buildings gave the community a more established urban character. The growth of the agricultural college reinforced the town’s cultural and economic stability, even as drought, severe winters and fluctuations in farm prices affected residents. Local organisations, newspapers and voluntary associations helped create the civic networks characteristic of small South Dakotan towns, many of which continue through today’s festivals, museums and community events.

A Modern Research and Cultural Community

In the later twentieth century and into the present, Brookings developed beyond its original railway and farm-service role. South Dakota State University became a major centre for research, education and public culture, particularly in agriculture, engineering and related sciences. New residential areas, commercial facilities and recreational spaces extended the city while preserving a recognisable small-town scale. Institutions such as the South Dakota Art Museum, the Children’s Museum of South Dakota and McCrory Gardens broadened the city’s visitor appeal. Contemporary Brookings therefore reflects several overlapping histories: Indigenous presence, prairie settlement, agricultural enterprise and the continuing influence of a land-grant university.

Brookings in Photos

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Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Brookings, South Dakota

Discover Brookings like never before with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, restaurants, landmarks, and more.

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Unlock the secrets of Brookings, South Dakota with Evendo, the all-in-one app-based travel guide. Navigate top attractions, book experiences, and explore like a local.

  • History of Brookings and travel essentials
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience
  • 'Near me' feature to find nearby attractions and services
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Welcome to Brookings, South Dakota – a charming town teeming with attractions, vibrant culture, and hidden gems waiting to be discovered. With Evendo, your travel experience becomes seamless and enriching. Our app provides detailed information on the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, restaurants, hotels, tours, and activities in Brookings.

Imagine strolling through the South Dakota Art Museum, exploring the unique exhibits, or enjoying a relaxing day at McCrory Gardens, a beautiful botanical garden that offers a peaceful retreat. For history buffs, the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum is a must-visit, providing insights into the region's rich agricultural past. And when it comes to dining, treat your taste buds at local favorites like Cubby’s Sports Bar & Grill or the Pheasant Restaurant & Lounge, both offering delicious culinary experiences.

Evendo makes it easy to plan and organize your trip with rich sets of information, including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details for each location. No more searching for what to see or do – our app has it all in one place. You can even book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly through the app, ensuring a hassle-free travel experience. With features like the 'Near me' option, curated local tips, and travel essentials, Evendo makes sure you get the most out of your visit to Brookings.

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