Things to do in Chamberlain and Oacoma

91 Things to do...

This is the ultimate 'To Do' list for your vacation in central South Dakota. You can check them off one by one! Do you know of something we missed? We would love to hear about your favorite 'to do' in our area.

1. 4th of July fireworks - One of a kind fireworks display over the Missouri River. "Rock the Bluffs".
2. Akta Lakota Museum - Art, artifacts and educational displays in the museum's collection honor the proud Lakota (Sioux) heritage and culture. The museum also houses a Collector's Gallery, which gives local artists a venue to display and sell their work. Relax next to the fountain and listen for the bell chimes.
3. Al's 5-cent coffee - That's right just 5 cents!
4. Al's pie - Al's famous lemon cream cheese pie goes good with a cup of coffee.
5. Al's buffalo burger - Nothing beats a good burger.
6. American Creek beach - Relax in the sun, take a swim or build a sand castle. The beach is located next to the park with picnic shelters, showers, and a playground. Perfect for a family retreat.
7. Antiques - Visit one of our 3 antique shops. Downtown Antiques in Chamberlain or FB Antiques & the Old West Trading Post in Oacoma offers a different kind of history lesson.
8. Archery range - Try your luck at the archery range. Not a shooter? Follow the course for a scenic hike through the hills.
9. Barger Park view - Barger Park offers a great view of the river. Located right along the bike/walking trail, it is a great rest stop to put up your feet, throw a penny in the fountain, or sit back and watch time go by.
10. Bike tours - Chamberlain- Oacoma will host the Tour de Kota, Argus Leader bike tour in June.
11. Bike trail - Follow the bike trail from Barger Park to Roam Free Park. One great view to the next!
12. Bird watching - Enjoy seeing one of our 414 species of birds. We have everything from bald eagles to loons to robins. See how many you can spot!
13. Boating - The Missouri River is great for boats. Wide open rivers allow plenty of room for water sports, fishing, or a leisure cruise along the banks.
14. Bowling alley - Try your hand at a game of ten pin.
15. Breakfast - Are you an early riser? Many of our fast food restaurants serve breakfast on the go. Have time to enjoy it? Sit down and eat at one of our fine restaurants.
16. Buffalo at Al's - Take your picture next to the world famous buffalo.
17. Campgrounds - Stay at one of our many campgrounds to enjoy the great outdoors.
18. Casey's Café hash browns - Not only home of the perfect cheeseburger, but  you have got to have a side of browns.
19. Casey's Café pie - Homemade pie to finish off the meal.
20. Cedar Shore Resort - Enjoy a river view room, supper at Bridges Bar & Grill and sit on the deck with a glass of fine wine.
21. Chamberlain High School Native American Club powwow - This recently established club will be hosting yearly powwows and events.
22. Churches - The area is home to 9 churches. Many different denominations are represented in our area.
23. Crazy Days - Every summer is celebrated with this retail extravaganza. It is a great opportunity to get in on some good deals!
24. Dakota Cowboy Heritage Festival - This annual event brings in the authenticity of our area. With riding, roping, and fast draw demonstrations, this event gives you the true cowboy heritage.
25. Downtown shopping - What can be said about our Main Street? Unique & specialty shopping. It is an opportunity to see real hometown shopping & service. We are proud of our diverse stores and goods provided.
26. Dude Ranch - This is a great place to drop in your boat, camp, swim, or spend the day fishing. Plenty of shoreline and a beautiful backdrop.
27. Fishing - "nuff said!"
28. Fishing off the boat docks - The docks at Cedar Shore Resort offer an easy access spot to sit with friends and drop a line.
29. Fishing Tournaments - Chamberlain is known for its great fishing. We are proud to host many tournaments every summer.
30. Flea markets - Annual flea markets are a delightful way to spend the day looking for hidden treasures.
31. Fossils - The area is home to many fossils. "Lucky Mo" was found here along with many ancient turtles and marine creatures. The South Dakota School of Mines has a "dig" every summer in our area.
32. Friday night steaks at the Derby - The Derby Coffeehouse not only gives you a good cup of joe, but one of the best cuts of prime rib or rib eye you can find.
33. Gazebo at  Bridge View Inn - Sitting in the gazebo, facing the river, watching the sun set, nothing is more romantic or relaxing.
34. Golden Buffalo Casino - Just 20 minutes north from interstate, it is a good place for supper, gambling, and entertainment.
35. Golf course - The Chamberlain Country Club offers you 9 holes of pure fun. With golf cart and club rentals, you don't have to worry if yours are at home. Stop into the new clubhouse after the game for a drink and some dinner.
36. Gun show - The Chamberlain-Oacoma Gun Club hosts an annual gun show. Stop in to see new, old, and unusual guns.
37. Hiking along the river - With miles of shoreline, the river offers an excellent marker for a hike. The bluffs along the sides provide homes to many birds and foliage. Enjoy the beauty of nature and remember "Don't take anything, don't leave anything".
38. Horse riding - Many state parks have trails for riding.
39. Horse shows - The Annual Brule County Horse Show is held in June.
40. Horseshoes - Try your luck with a game of barnyard golf.
41. Hot Rod car show - For over 25 years the classics have been lining up on our Main Street. The mayor picks his favorite, why not pick yours?
42. Hot Tub Suites - There are several in the area and a great way to relax privately after a busy day.
43. Hunting services - Whatever you're looking for, we got it. Pheasants, turkey, deer, geese, and prairie dogs are just a few of the hunting opportunities our guides can lead you to.
44. Ladies Great Escape - Just for the girls. This annual event showcases anything a woman can want plus a fashion show! Everything is under one roof!
45. Lawnmower races - WHAT?!?! Looking for entertainment on Saturday night? Head over to Pukwana for the riding lawnmower races. The Crazy Racers fire up their engines and race around the track.
46. Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center - The state of the art rest area and information center is a traveler's favorite. From the 55 foot replica keelboat, to the interpretive panels the center provides a history lesson for Lewis & Clark's journey through South Dakota. If you're looking to stretch your legs a bit, follow one of the trails that overlooks the Missouri River.
47. Lewis & Clark Trail Markers - You can scavenger hunt around the towns and find the trail markers. One is located at the Oacoma Park. Can you find the other?
48. Library - The Cozard Memorial Library offers a different rest for the traveler. With a summer reading program, book sales, and internet access, it provides a nice, quiet place to curl up with a good book.
49. Lode Star Casino - The Lode Star Casino is located 20 minutes north of Chamberlain on the west side of the river. They offer food, gambling and entertainment.
50. Manicure & pedicure at one of our fine salons. Pamper yourself with a manicure and/or a pedicure.
51. Feed the Ducks at the American Creek Marina - right off the shore. There are even geese and once in a while a swan will come and enjoy a snack!
52. Mighty Mo car show - Ladies, treat the man in your life to a man's weekend for their Father's Day. The third Saturday of June is the Mighty Mo car show.
53. Morning Star - A Native American gift shop featuring local Native American crafts, music, books, and dolls. There are also a variety of South Dakota-made products. The one stop for that perfect souvenir.
54. Native American Scenic Byway - As you pass through the green-gold hills of this Byway, its many memorial markers, monuments, museums and sacred sites commemorate the heritage of the Sioux Nation and help you hear history from the Native American point of view.
55. Oak by Amish - Oak by Amish, etc. is located in the heart of Chamberlain. Providing the Amish with a store front to sell their handcrafted oak pieces and South Dakota Made Products.
56. Paddle boat rentals - Take a stroll up the river. You can rent paddle boats from Cedar Shore Resort.
57. Parade of Homes - Every December the Sparkle Committee hosts a tour of area houses to showcase their holiday decorations.
58. Parade of Lights - Black Friday is not so dark in Chamberlain-Oacoma! The day after Thanksgiving, the Chamberlain-Oacoma Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a chili feed followed by the Parade of Lights.
59. Picnicking - Choose from one of our many parks to have a picnic with your family.


60. Powwows - There are several powwows held throughout the area. Lower Brule Tribe, Crow Creek Tribe, St. Joseph's Indian School and Chamberlain High School Indian Club all put on annual powwow events. During the event there may be a naming ceremony and a wiping of the tears ceremony for those lost in the past year.
61. Race on the River - Competitive and non-competitive runners and walkers of all ages are welcome! The Race on the River includes a 10k and a 5k race/walk and a 1 mile Fun Run/Walk. There is also a kid's race.
62. Relay For Life - The one time your mom will actually let you stay up all night long! A night filled with games, raffles and a lot of walking with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.
63. River Access - You will have no problem docking your boat! The Chamberlain-Oacoma area has 5 public recreational areas with accessible boat ramps.
64. River City Racin' ULHRA boat races - 'Come Feel the Thunder' on July 11th & 12th of 2009. Bring your family and friends and join us on the shores of the Missouri River for an action-packed, energy filled weekend. Enjoy the world's fastest boats, fun shoreline activities, car show and much more!
65. River Kids Fest at Cedar Shore - A party for the kids!
66. Roam Free Park - What a view! Roam Free Park is a hiking and walking trail formed along the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River featuring the plant and animal life that exists within the area.
67. Rodeos - Experience authentic cowboys as they rope, wrangle and ride some of the fiercest animals.
68. Saturday pizza at the Derby - Have a taste of the only flat bread pizza in town. Saturday Pizza at the Derby is unforgettable.
69. SD Hall of Fame - Do you know any famous people from South Dakota? Take a stroll down the Walk of Fame and see who you recognize. Learn about the people who have made South Dakota what it is today.
70. Skiing - Skiing has been one of the most popular activities to do on the river.
71. Soccer field - Schoenhard Field is home to the Chamberlain soccer field.
72. Softball games - Throughout the summer Chamberlain is host to many softball games. We have men and women's leagues. There are several area ball fields.
73. St. Joe's fishing spot - A hidden treasure that provides some of the best fishing off the rocks. You just drive through the campus back to the "honey hole"!
74. St. Joseph's Indian School powwow - St. Joseph's Indian School has hosted this weekend of Lakota culture and heritage since 1976, and we're proud to share the festivities with friends like you from around the nation.
75. Stagecoach Park - A small park right on Main Street, Stagecoach Park includes a stagecoach pulled by 4 colorful horses.
76. State theatre - With over 12,000 titles to choose from you can find the movie you are looking for at the state theatre.
77. Swimming pool - If you don't want to swim in the river, try our local pool, with diving boards, lifeguards and even a baby pool.
78. Taco night at the Last Chance Saloon - Free taco night at Al's Last Chance Saloon on most Wednesday nights.
79. Taxidermy - Get that trophy from the field mounted so you can always remember your hunt in South Dakota! We have numerous taxidermists who will make that memory last.
80. The Quilt Shop - It's just like Grandma's house. The Quilt Shop is full of quilts and different material available to make your own. They also have quilting classes.
81. Thunderstik - Want a breathtaking view of the river for your next event? Try Thunderstik Lodge, it is not only for hunting!
82. Tour of St. Joe's - You can have a guided tour of St. Joe's Indian School. Just call ahead to reserve your time.
83. Tours of the dam - Go to Fort Thompson and get a tour of the dam.
84. Tractor Museum in Kimball - Go and see how the pioneers of the west used to farm. The Tractor Museum in Kimball has antique farm equipment on display.
85. Trap shooting - Perfect your shot at the Trap Range in Oacoma.
86. Triathlon - Try your athletic ability at our triathlon. The race course is a beautiful, challenging out and back course. ¼ mile swim, 12 mile bike and a 5k run. It will be sure to test your limits!
87. Tubing - For those of us that can't quite figure out how to stay up on those skis, try tubing. Even kids can do it!
88. UPS Store - If you need to ship that one of a kind souvenir back home, take advantage of the UPS Store on the North edge of Chamberlain.
89. Wakeboarding - Just one more thing to do on the river!
90. The Picket Fence - Chamberlain is proud to be home to the 2006 & 2007 Floral Designer of the year. Be sure to stop in and see what treasure's you can find!
91. The Derby Coffeehouse - If you are looking for a good cup of coffee, cappuccino or even a meal, the Derby is the place.