Yankton, SD

Quick City Facts

County: Yankton
Population (2019): 14,687
Population (2010): 14,454

Data provided by US Census Bureau (2019)

Originally part of the territory acquired in the Louisiana Purchase, the location now known as Yankton, South Dakota was first marked as open for settlement in 1859. The county seat of Yankton County, it’s located along the Missouri River and near the James River, earning it the nickname of River City. The close proximity of the Missouri River and its Rhine Creek tributary made the city a popular layover point for traveling steamboats during the Black Hills Gold Rush. Over the years, the Missouri River continued to serve as a major contributing factor to the settlement and growth of Yankton. As of 2000, the city was home to nearly 14,000 permanent residents. Its most famous native inhabitant was Tom Brokaw, the nationally recognized news anchor.

Historic downtown Yankton offers more than 150 eclectic gift shops, antique brokers, art galleries, and specialty stores. Shoppers can satisfy their appetites at a variety of dining establishments, including Jo Dean’s Steakhouse. Its small-town charm and unique architecture make downtown Yankton an inviting destination for tourists. The area’s historical residential communities and homes can be explored in guided tours.

The city is also home to a variety of cultural museums and art galleries, such as the Dakota Territorial Museum and Bede Art Gallery. Superior education is offered by a public school district, a Catholic primary school, and Mount Marty College. The school district’s athletic events and debate tournaments draw a large number of local spectators. Each summer, Yankton hosts a cultural and recreational celebration called Riverboat Days, where more than 135,000 people enjoy cultural art displays, diverse food offerings, a golf tournament, and a spirited parade and rodeo. The musically inclined can visit the Riverside Park Amphitheatre, which hosts weekly summer concerts.

Popular Attractions

Humble Hill Winery

Humble Hill Winery

Garretson

Aunt-T’s-Ques Wayside Shoppe

Aunt-T’s-Ques Wayside Shoppe

Hartford

Old Lumber Company Grill and Bar

Old Lumber Company Grill and Bar

Vermillion

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site

Philip

Palm Garden Cafe & Chocolate Shoppe

Palm Garden Cafe & Chocolate Shoppe

Aberdeen

Grand River Museum

Grand River Museum

Lemmon

Iron Horse Inn

Iron Horse Inn

Deadwood

Wine Time on Main

Wine Time on Main

Sioux Falls

Desperados

Desperados

Hill City

Tally’s Silver Spoon

Tally’s Silver Spoon

Rapid City

Black Hills Bagels Express

Black Hills Bagels Express

Rapid City

Belvidere East / Exit 170 KOA

Belvidere East / Exit 170 KOA

Midland

Jacobs Brewhouse & Grocer

Jacobs Brewhouse & Grocer

Deadwood

ODE to Food and Drinks

ODE to Food and Drinks

Sioux Falls

Blue Rock Bar & Grill

Blue Rock Bar & Grill

Sioux Falls

Triangle Ranch Bed & Breakfast

Triangle Ranch Bed & Breakfast

Philip

The Ram Pub & O’Hares

The Ram Pub & O’Hares

Brookings

Books n Brewz Pizzeria

Books n Brewz Pizzeria

Sioux Falls

Great Faces. Great Places.

South Dakota is an incredibly unique state in that each region offers a completely different experience then the others. Check out each of the regions to see what each has to offer!

Badlands

Western South Dakota

Featuring the Black Hills, Badlands, the Sturgis Rally. This region tends to be the most popular.

CENTRAL REGION

This region of South Dakota offers some of the best hunting and fishing in the entire central US. 

Eastern Region

The eastern region is home to the largest city in the state and provides visitors with a true "prairie" experience.