10 Best Towns In The Prairies For A Two-Day Recharge
If life pushes you to a place where you just want to sit by a glittering lake, probably under wide-open skies, and enjoy the vastness of space, the glory of a life-changing sunset, or the beauty of rolling, wave-like landscapes, the Prairie Region is certainly what you have in mind. It does not have the terrifying beauty of the Rocky Mountains, the hazy allure of Florida's sugar-white sands, or the curvaceous shoreline of the Pine Tree State, but what it has, it offers generously and without holding back. If you want to recharge and come back feeling like a newborn, this region is dotted with a decent number of gems that do what they are supposed to: resetting your biological clock. Keep reading to discover the 10 best towns in the Prairies for a two-day recharge.
Lindsborg, Kansas
Lindsborg is widely known for its Scandinavian feel and is the perfect place to tour if you want to experience a Swedish village without crossing the Atlantic. With a settlement history dating back to the years following the Civil War, Lindsborg proudly displays its Swedish heritage as a badge of honor. No wonder it is fondly referred to as “Little Sweden.” Expect a charming downtown speckled with Swedish-themed shops, bright Dala horse sculptures, especially on Main Street, and eye-catching heritage architecture. If you come in June, you'll get the chance to experience Midsummer's Festival and see how folk dancers whirl under a Maypole in Heritage Square to the melodic tunes of violins. You can browse several art spaces, including Lester Raymer's Red Barn Studio Museum, visit the nearby Coronado Heights Park, where the Spanish explorer for whom the park is named viewed the Smoky Hills in 1541, or hit up Meadowlark Trail, a woodsy pathway along the river ideal for biking. At the end of the day, sleep tight in downtown's 18-room, Scandinavian-style Dröm Sött Inn.
Minden, Nebraska
Minden is in Central Nebraska's prairie region and combines indoor attractions, small-town feel, and outdoor prairie nature like few other places in the region can ever hope to. You can come here with a single focus: to explore the nationally famous Pioneer Village, arguably one of the country's best-planned and most comprehensive collections of Americana, covering the period from 1830 to the mid-1980s. Because of its scope and scale, plan for at least half a day. Also, you will find lots of wildlife viewing opportunities in the area, including at the nearby Rowe Sanctuary, keeping in mind that this part of the state is famous for sandhill crane migration, which typically takes place in spring. Check if a performance is lined up at the iconic Minden Opera House, which has been part of downtown Minden since 1891, or mingle with locals at Minden Country Club & Golf Course, as you tee away a slow but enjoyable afternoon. Spend the night at Burchell’s White Hill Farmhouse Inn, a cozy bed-and-breakfast run by retired college professors.
Glendive, Montana
Glendive is a charming Montana gem with small-town authenticity and plenty of character. It is regularly voted among the safest towns in Montana, and although safety is not by itself a vacation appeal, that fact will be in your mind, especially if you are a solo traveller in an unfamiliar territory. While food lovers will have several restaurants to explore, it is outdoor lovers who will describe their visit in consistently superlative terms. Speaking to this, Glendive is home to Makoshika State Park, the largest state park in the entire state, with countless trails to hike and lots of other recreational opportunities, including camping and stargazing. In the same vein, the Yellowstone River runs right through town and provides paddlefishing opportunities. On a different note, the Glendive Dinosaur and Fossil Museum, which presents palaeontology from a Biblical perspective, is quite an interesting space to explore. As for spending the night, the Yellowstone River Inn offers clean rooms and fantastic parking immediately outside the door. For entertainment, be sure to check out Greg's Silver Dollar Casino.
Hays, Kansas
Hays is another beautiful spot to recharge and come back feeling new and refreshed. It is tucked away in northwest Kansas and was historically known as a wild frontier town. Today, it has a vibrant downtown district, where you can enjoy tons of arts and culture, unique museums to pop inside and explore, and one of the most popular festivals in Kansas, celebrating German Heritage. Hay’s Octoberfest is an annual three-day event that lights up the town during Fort Hays State University’s homecoming weekend. You can turn back the wheels of time at Fort Hays State Historic Site, which features exhibits that interpret local pioneer and military history. There's the Sternberg Museum of Natural History, which displays live animals, fossils of sea monsters, and other interactive exhibits. They also have an awesome on-site gift shop with interesting knick-knacks. Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course, which is surprisingly hilly, is a cool place for an afternoon game. Spend the night at Bissing House, an old Victorian home in a quiet neighborhood.
McPherson, Kansas
McPherson is a special but underrated Kansas gem named for Civil War General James B. McPherson. It is a fantastic place to recharge, situated on the Santa Fe Trail in central Kansas, which means it is brimming with tons of interesting history. For history buffs, places like the McPherson Museum and Arts Foundation can turn out to be the highlights. The museum is well-maintained and features a professionally designed, detailed train exhibit. The museum also tells the story of the town's first gold medal basketball team. There is Meadowlark Trail, which is designed to connect McPherson and Lindsborg, and the swoon-worthy Turkey Creek Golf Course, a wonderful public course with wide fairways and a nice mix of hole lengths. Otherwise, Venable Jewelers is the go-to destination for beautiful and high-quality jewelry. As for spending the night, Candlewood Suites McPherson is conveniently located near the highway yet incredibly quiet and comfortable.
Brookings, South Dakota
Brookings is a vibrant college town with charm and character. It hosts South Dakota State University, the largest and one of the oldest universities in the state, with a history that dates back to the 1880s. Start with a hearty breakfast at Cottonwood Coffee, a tasty spot on Main Avenue, before exploring the town's yummy range of indoor and outdoor attractions. There's the South Dakota Art Museum, whose impressive collection of Native American and regional art is like a crash course in local history and culture, and McCrory Gardens, one of the best places to clear your head and stimulate your mind. You will thoroughly appreciate the native wildflowers, the sculptured landscapes, and the peaceful ambiance. Taking the cue, the 135-acre Dakota Nature Park is a prime venue for birdwatching and sipping scenic views. So, carry a pair of good binoculars. With its indoor pool and complimentary breakfast, Garner Hotel will easily meet or exceed your expectations.
Abilene, Kansas
Although situated in a rolling Kansas prairie, Abilene's inner core feels like stepping into a living diorama of Western and presidential Americana. Dwight Eisenhower, one of the most decorated generals and consequential presidents in the history of the continent, once called Abilene home. Visitors from every corner of the country often visit the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home, an engaging space that offers a glimpse into the human side of the 34th President of the United States. There's the iconic Great Plains Theatre, which started as First Presbyterian Church in the 1880s. Another unmissable attraction is the one-of-a-kind Greyhound Hall of Fame, a cool place to learn about greyhounds and their role in racing and culture. Abilene's Victorian Inn Bed & Breakfast, situated just steps away from the inspiring Eisenhower Park Rose Garden, is a historic property conveniently located near restaurants, shops, and other landmark attractions that dot the town.
Mitchell, South Dakota
Mitchell is not all about the Corn Palace, although that is the impression many people have. The town is small and endearingly laid-back and has a charm-soaked downtown with art deco touches. The nationally famous Corn Palace, billed as the World's Only Corn Palace, is a ringing show-stopper, especially with its uniquely designed corn murals. The murals feature more than 10 different colors of corn. You will enjoy wandering through Einstein's Vintage Clothing, a historic vintage clothing store with three separate floors. Even if you don't have cash to spend, the experience here is often unforgettable. Pass by the Carnegie Resource Center, which was built in 1903 with funds from Steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. You will admire the mural and prints by Oscar Howe, as well as a permanent collection of Corn Palace memorabilia from 1892 to the present. If you are looking for a pocket-friendly place to spend the night, Coachlight Motel is what any random local will recommend.
Medora, North Dakota
A two-day recharge at Medora should start with checking in at the pocket-friendly Badlands Motel, a rustic, western-themed facility with a seasonal outdoor pool, beautiful views, and comfortable beds. If you are tagging your little angels, Point to Point Park is steps away and has a jump pillow to keep them busy and excited for hours. Keep in mind that Medora is beautifully surrounded by badlands that seem to stretch as far as the eye can see. President Theodore Roosevelt spent some time in this area, and the landscape's grim beauty ostensibly had such a profound effect on him that he later remarked that he would not have been the president if he had not gotten North Dakota's experience. Today, visitors punctuate their trip to Medora with well-planned detours to places like the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Medora Musical, a June-to-September event billed as “The Greatest Show in the West,” and the Chateau de Mores State Historic Site, once the summer home of a French aristocrat.
Vermillion, South Dakota
Vermilion is an inspiring Missouri River port town that plays host to the University of South Dakota. The National Music Museum, located on the University of South Dakota campus, houses nearly 15,000 instruments from nearly every corner of the globe, including what is probably the world's oldest cello and harpsichord, as well as a rare Stradivari string. It also keeps lots of celebrity guitars from names like Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. At the University of South Dakota, three galleries are open to the public and feature the largest single collection of works by Oscar Howe, an American Indian artist and former university faculty member. The Best Western Vermillion Inn, located slightly off the main road, is a near-perfect accommodation option, especially for those visiting the university campus. For some outdoor action, The Bluffs Golf Course features receptive but quick greens and is a great place to strike up a conversation with local golfers.
So, while the Prairie region of the United States may not appreciate the drama or flamboyance of other regions, its austere beauty, although unconventional, is heart-gripping in its own way. You will feel small amid the wide-open skies and rolling hills, enjoy sunsets like no other, and move at a pace that is slow and therapeutic. We all need to occasionally kick back and relax, to throw caution to the wind, and just roll with the restful rhythm of the land. Fortunately, the highlighted spots in the Prairie region are among the best places to recharge.
