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South Dakota Discovery Center

South Dakota Discovery Center

Information

Winter Hours (Sept 1 - Apr 30) Sunday - Friday : 1 pm - 5 pm Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm Summer Hours (May 1 - Aug 31) Monday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm Sunday 1 pm - 5 pm
605-224-8295
$5 per person, ages 2 and under free! Members free, AAA, senior and group (10 or more) discount, Member ASTC passport program
lat: 44.371909 long: -100.363557

Founded to encourage curiosity, the South Dakota Discovery Center is housed in the historic Pierre Power Plant, built in 1933, and has been at the heart of all-ages scientific exploration in the state for over thirty years. 

As the first institution of our kind in South Dakota, our mission has grown from introducing children and their families to science through our acclaimed exhibits hall to including the instruction of educators at all levels and enhancing scientific understanding through programing geared at inspiring creative minds and critical thinking in all ages. 

The Discovery Center is a core of our community, open to all visitors and users across South Dakota regardless of income, education, and ability. We are a nonprofit organization, recognized as a tax exempt educational agency by the South Dakota Department of Revenue, as well as an exempt 501(c)3 organization under the United State Internal Revenue Service. Through partnerships with organizations like United Way, EPA, the SD Space Grant Consortium, the SD Engineering Society, the BankWest Foundation, SD EPSCoR, USDA-NRCS, and donors and Friends of the Discovery Center we offer affordable access to programs and field experts in all matters of scientific study. 

The South Dakota Discovery Center is housed in a beautiful building with historic glass windows. Schools are welcome to arrange field trips to our exhibit hall and on-site programs, we also offer our space for special occasions and meetings rental, and our facility makes a great backdrop for photographs that celebrate your family or life occasions, like weddings or graduation. Please inquire about space availability for events at least six months in advance, and notify staff of your wish to take photographs or bring a group to our site at least one to two months prior to arrival, normal fees apply.

Nearby Attractions

Distance Unit:

Chicago and North Western Railroad Bridge
Chicago and North Western Railroad Bridge

Missouri River Bridge, South Dakota 34, Fort Pierre, SD, USA
Distance: 0.30 Away

General History

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Pierre, SD
Pierre, SD

Pierre, SD, USA
Distance: 0.60 Away

Outdoor Experiences

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Black Buffalo’s Camp Site
Black Buffalo’s Camp Site

222 E Dakota Ave, Pierre, SD, USA
Distance: 0.75 Away

Outdoor Experiences LC Features Tribal Experiences

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Deadwood Trail
Deadwood Trail

425 E Capitol Ave, Pierre, SD 57501, USA
Distance: 0.89 Away

General History

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Bad Humored Island
Bad Humored Island

102 4th Ave, Fort Pierre, SD 57532, USA
Distance: 0.91 Away

LC Features

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Fort Pierre Depot Museum
Fort Pierre Depot Museum

Fort Pierre Depot Museum, Fort Pierre, SD, USA
Distance: 1.15 Away

Museums and Interpretive Centers

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Casey Tibbs SD Rodeo Center Museum
Casey Tibbs SD Rodeo Center Museum

Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center Museum, Verendrye Drive, Fort Pierre, SD, USA
Distance: 1.24 Away

Museums and Interpretive Centers

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Verendrye Museum
Verendrye Museum

Verendrye Museum, Deadwood Street, Fort Pierre, SD, USA
Distance: 1.25 Away

Museums and Interpretive Centers

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South Dakota State Historical Society Museum
South Dakota State Historical Society Museum

South Dakota State Historical Society, Governors Drive, Pierre, SD, USA
Distance: 1.26 Away

Museums and Interpretive Centers Tribal Experiences

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La Verendrye Site National Register of Historic Places Designation
La Verendrye Site National Register of Historic Places Designation

Verendrye Monument, Verendrye Drive, Fort Pierre, SD, USA
Distance: 1.36 Away

Other

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Fort Pierre Trader Days
Fort Pierre Trader Days

Fort Pierre, SD, USA
Distance: 1.36 Away

Festivals and Events Food and Drinks

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Fort Pierre, South Dakota
Fort Pierre, South Dakota

Fort Pierre, SD, USA
Distance: 1.36 Away

Cultural Districts

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