USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial, Sioux Falls
Nestled within Sherman Park and near the Great Plains Zoo, the USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial pays tribute to one of World War II’s most decorated warships, the USS South Dakota (BB-57). This unique site features a concrete outline of the battleship, giving visitors a sense of the vessel’s immense scale despite being thousands of miles from any ocean.
The memorial preserves various relics from the ship, including its bell, propeller, and other salvaged pieces, offering a tangible connection to its storied past. Through a collection of artifacts and interpretive exhibits, visitors can explore the ship’s history, its role in the Pacific Theater, and the daily lives of its crew members during wartime.
Commissioned in 1942, the USS South Dakota saw intense combat, disabling 32 Japanese aircraft and becoming the first battleship to fire on the Japanese home islands. After being decommissioned and scrapped, key pieces of the ship were saved and incorporated into this landlocked tribute.
The memorial is open daily from May to September, with free admission and donations welcomed. A gift shop operates between Memorial Day and Labor Day, providing souvenirs for those wanting to take a piece of history home. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or just passing through Sioux Falls, this striking homage to naval warfare is a must-visit.
The memorial preserves various relics from the ship, including its bell, propeller, and other salvaged pieces, offering a tangible connection to its storied past. Through a collection of artifacts and interpretive exhibits, visitors can explore the ship’s history, its role in the Pacific Theater, and the daily lives of its crew members during wartime.
Commissioned in 1942, the USS South Dakota saw intense combat, disabling 32 Japanese aircraft and becoming the first battleship to fire on the Japanese home islands. After being decommissioned and scrapped, key pieces of the ship were saved and incorporated into this landlocked tribute.
The memorial is open daily from May to September, with free admission and donations welcomed. A gift shop operates between Memorial Day and Labor Day, providing souvenirs for those wanting to take a piece of history home. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or just passing through Sioux Falls, this striking homage to naval warfare is a must-visit.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Sioux Falls. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial on Map
Sight Name: USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial
Sight Location: Sioux Falls, USA (See walking tours in Sioux Falls)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Sioux Falls, USA (See walking tours in Sioux Falls)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Create Your Own Walk in Sioux Falls
Creating your own self-guided walk in Sioux Falls is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Sioux Falls Introduction Walking Tour
Sioux Falls, the largest city in South Dakota, owes its name to the powerful Sioux people who once lived in the region and the cascading waterfalls of the Big Sioux River which have shaped both the landscape and the city’s development.
European exploration of the area began in the early 18th century. First settled in 1856, the land around the falls then had to be abandoned because of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
European exploration of the area began in the early 18th century. First settled in 1856, the land around the falls then had to be abandoned because of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles