USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial
Explore the legacy of the USS South Dakota (BB-57) at this unique memorial featuring actual battleship parts and a free museum.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful exploration
USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful exploration
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore the legacy of the USS South Dakota (BB-57) at this unique memorial featuring actual battleship parts and a free museum.
"A wonderfully done museum with great staff and exhibits, highly recommend for military and history lovers!"
Free Admission! 🎉
Enjoy the entire memorial and museum at no cost. A fantastic value for history buffs and families alike!
Wear Comfortable Shoes :athletic_shoe:
You'll be walking around the outdoor grounds to see the ship's outline, so comfortable footwear is key.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.7 · 495 reviews
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Battleship Memorial Grounds
Outdoor exhibit area
Walk the outline of the mighty USS South Dakota, visualizing its immense scale and historical significance.
Free Museum & Artifacts
Indoor museum
Discover a wealth of WWII photos, artifacts, and historical accounts detailing the ship's storied career.
Historical Significance
Throughout the memorial
Learn about the USS South Dakota's crucial role in major Pacific battles from Guadalcanal to Tokyo Bay.
Plans like a pro.
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Planning Your Visit
Plan Your Visit to the USS South Dakota
Free Museum & Outdoor Exhibits
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Free Admission! 🎉
Enjoy the entire memorial and museum at no cost. A fantastic value for history buffs and families alike!
Wear Comfortable Shoes :athletic_shoe:
You'll be walking around the outdoor grounds to see the ship's outline, so comfortable footwear is key.
Explore the Museum 📚
Don't miss the free museum packed with photos and artifacts detailing the ship's impressive history.
Great for All Ages :family_child:
This memorial offers an engaging and educational experience for visitors of all ages, from kids to adults.
Tips
from all over the internet
Free Admission! 🎉
Enjoy the entire memorial and museum at no cost. A fantastic value for history buffs and families alike!
Wear Comfortable Shoes :athletic_shoe:
You'll be walking around the outdoor grounds to see the ship's outline, so comfortable footwear is key.
Explore the Museum 📚
Don't miss the free museum packed with photos and artifacts detailing the ship's impressive history.
Great for All Ages :family_child:
This memorial offers an engaging and educational experience for visitors of all ages, from kids to adults.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial for its unique approach to honoring naval history, particularly the free museum and the outdoor footprint exhibit. Many highlight its educational value for all ages and its significance as a tribute to the ship and its crew. Some wish for more extensive exhibits, but the overall sentiment is highly positive.
"The USS South Dakota battleship is definitely a must see for tourists coming to Sioux Falls. They have parts of the battleship laid out on the property as if it was sitting there in real life. They also have a free museum that has many great old photos, artifacts, and lots of historical information about the battleship and it's journey."
B A
"Wonderfully done museum with great staff and exhibits. Highly recommend for military, history lovers, kids, and curious minds. Good layout and the grounds are set up in a way to see the outline and features of the ship. Great experience and worth the stop in on a road trip!"
Alicia Jobe
"What a wonderful and novel way to pay tribute to the battleship named after this state. Many components of the actual battleship were shipped to Sioux Falls after decommissioning. As a student of public history, this is an effective way of showing to the public authentic WWII artifacts. From Guadalcanal to Iwo Jima to Tokyo Bay, this ship saw major events in the Pacific theater. How fortunate for South Dakota to have her namesake proudly displayed in such a memorable and educational fashion."
Daniel Bacon
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The memorial is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It's easily accessible by car and is a popular stop for those on road trips through the state.
Yes, there is typically ample parking available at the memorial site, making it convenient for visitors arriving by car.
The outdoor grounds and museum are generally accessible, though specific accessibility details should be confirmed directly with the memorial.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Admission to both the outdoor memorial grounds and the indoor museum is completely free, making it a highly accessible attraction.
Operating hours can vary seasonally. It's best to check the official website or contact the memorial directly for the most up-to-date information on opening and closing times.
No, advance booking is not required as the memorial and museum offer free admission. You can visit anytime during their operating hours.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can walk the outline of the battleship on the grounds, explore the free museum with historical artifacts and photos, and learn about the ship's WWII service. +1
Most visitors spend 1-2 hours exploring the grounds and the museum. You can spend more time if you're deeply interested in naval history.
Absolutely! It's a great educational experience for kids, allowing them to visualize the ship's size and learn about history in an engaging way.
While there might not be formal guided tours, the museum exhibits and informational displays provide a comprehensive understanding of the ship's history.
📸 📸 Photography
The outdoor grounds offer great perspectives to capture the ship's footprint against the sky. The museum also has interesting displays for photos.
Photography is generally allowed inside the museum, but it's always a good idea to check for any specific restrictions on flash photography or certain exhibits.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit