Laura Ingalls Wilder spent most of her teen years in De Smet, as chronicled in the last four books of the Little House series. Fans of all ages will find plenty to do and see in this town just 60 miles over the Minnesota border in eastern South Dakota. Camping, bed and breakfasts, and hotel lodging is available, and a nighttime pageant—an outdoor play—is peformed over several weekends in the summer. The season runs roughly from May to October but many attractions—such as the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society’s tours—are open year-round. Ideal trip length is two full days, but you can condense it if you have to.

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