South Dakota Discovery Center

South Dakota Discovery Center
805 West Sioux Avenue
Pierre South Dakota 57501

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
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.

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Nearby Attractions

Pierre River Path
Pierre River Path

520 W Missouri Ave, Pierre, SD 57501, USA
Distance: 0.28 mi (straight line)

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Walks and Hikes

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 mi (straight line)

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General History

Deadwood Trail
Deadwood Trail

321 Hustan Ave, Fort Pierre, SD 57532, USA
Distance: 0.47 mi (straight line)

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General History

Pierre, SD
Pierre, SD

Pierre, SD, USA
Distance: 0.60 mi (straight line)

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Outdoor Experiences

Bad Humored Island
Bad Humored Island

102 4th Ave, Fort Pierre, SD 57532, USA
Distance: 0.91 mi (straight line)

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LC Features

Fort Pierre Depot Museum
Fort Pierre Depot Museum

Fort Pierre Depot Museum, Fort Pierre, SD, USA
Distance: 1.15 mi (straight line)

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Museums and Interpretive Centers

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 mi (straight line)

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Museums and Interpretive Centers

Log Cabin Museum & Visitor Center
Log Cabin Museum & Visitor Center

4 East Main Avenue, Fort Pierre, SD, USA
Distance: 1.24 mi (straight line)

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Other

Verendrye Museum
Verendrye Museum

Verendrye Museum, Deadwood Street, Fort Pierre, SD, USA
Distance: 1.25 mi (straight line)

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Museums and Interpretive Centers

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 mi (straight line)

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Museums and Interpretive Centers Tribal Experiences

LaFramboise Island Nature Area
LaFramboise Island Nature Area

LaFramboise Island Nature Area, LaFramboise Island Trail, Pierre, SD, USA
Distance: 1.30 mi (straight line)

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LC Features Outdoor Experiences Viewpoints Walks and Hikes

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 mi (straight line)

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Other

Fort Pierre Trader Days
Fort Pierre Trader Days

Fort Pierre, SD, USA
Distance: 1.36 mi (straight line)

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Festivals and Events Food and Drinks

Fort Pierre, South Dakota
Fort Pierre, South Dakota

Fort Pierre, SD, USA
Distance: 1.36 mi (straight line)

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Cultural Districts

Bad River Encounter Site
Bad River Encounter Site

Fischers Lilly Park, Ash Avenue, Fort Pierre, SD, USA
Distance: 1.37 mi (straight line)

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LC Features

Fort Pierre Chouteau Site National Register of Historic Places
Fort Pierre Chouteau Site National Register of Historic Places

Fort Pierre Chouteau, Fort Chouteau Road, Fort Pierre, SD, USA
Distance: 1.77 mi (straight line)

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Forts

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

CJG4+XC Pierre, SD, USA
Distance: 4.12 mi (straight line)

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Outdoor Experiences LC Features Tribal Experiences

Oahe Downstream Loop
Oahe Downstream Loop

Oahe Downstream Recreation Area, Marina Loop, Fort Pierre, SD, USA
Distance: 4.59 mi (straight line)

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Walks and Hikes

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