Watertown

Around Watertown

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Town and around · South Dakota · 29k people

Watertown

Locals say Glacial Lakes region · “Hub of the Dakotas”

Where the prairie meets the lakes

Deep lake bluePrairie green

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Welcome to the Glacial Lakes region! Whether you're here for the fishing, the hunting, or just the friendly small-town vibe, you'll find plenty to keep you busy. Grab a bite of chislic and enjoy the lakes!

Clubs for Watertown

No clubs for Watertown yet.

The room

One room for everyone around Watertown. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

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All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

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Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Watertown. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

  • Lake Kampeska Large glacial lake, popular for boating and fishing.
  • Bramble Park Zoo Family-friendly zoo with native and exotic animals.
  • Redlin Art Center Showcases the wildlife art of Terry Redlin.
  • Lake Poinsett Another glacial lake with a state recreation area.
  • Waubay National Wildlife Refuge Prime spot for birdwatching and wildlife.
  • Goss Opera House Restored 1889 opera house hosting performances.
  • Outdoors Fishing on Lake Kampeska
  • Outdoors Boating on Lake Poinsett
  • With kids Visit Bramble Park Zoo
  • With kids Explore the Redlin Art Center
  • Evenings Live music at local taverns
  • Evenings Dancing at the Goss Opera House
  • Locals love lake beaches
  • Locals love fishing spots

Through the year

  • Codington County Fair August County fair with livestock, rides, and local food.
  • Lake Kampeska Summer Concert Series Summer Outdoor concerts by the lake.
  • Ice Fishing Derby January Winter fishing competition on Lake Kampeska.
  • Redlin Art Center Summer Art Fair July Artists showcase works in the park.
  • Watertown High School Football Rivalry Game Fall Big game against a regional rival.

The climate is continental with cold winters and warm summers. The best time to be out is from May to September. Best: Late spring to early fall is best for outdoor activities.

Talk like a local

“Glacial Lakes”
The area's many glacial lakes.
“The prairie”
A term for the prairie landscape.

Getaways

  • Brookings Home to South Dakota State University and the Children's Museum.
  • Huron Visit the South Dakota State Fairgrounds and the Huron Event Center.
  • Aberdeen Check out Wylie Park and Northern State University.
  • Mitchell See the famous Corn Palace.

Local flavour

Rooting for South Dakota State Jackrabbits (college), Minnesota Vikings (NFL), Minnesota Twins (MLB), Minnesota Wild (NHL)

Eat and drink

  • Chislic Cubes of deep-fried meat (often lamb or beef), a South Dakota staple
  • Walleye Freshwater fish from the glacial lakes, commonly fried
  • Kuchen German-Russian fruit-filled pastry, a regional dessert

Where people go

  • Glacial lakes Hundreds of lakes for fishing, boating, and cabin retreats
  • Prairie landscapes Rolling grasslands and farmland under big skies
  • Small-town main streets Historic downtowns with local shops, cafes, and community events

Heritage and traditions

This region is proud of its glacial lakes, abundant outdoor recreation, and the small-town hospitality that comes from a mix of Scandinavian and German heritage.

This time of year in Watertown

  • Pheasant hunting season October The season opens, and hunters flock to the fields.

Say it like a local: “Pop” — Soda.

Festivals

  • Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Wacipi Late summer Traditional powwow celebrating Native American heritage.
  • Watertown Germanfest September Celebrates German heritage with food, music, and dancing.

Landmarks with a story

  • Codington County Historical Society Museum Preserves the history of the Watertown area.
  • Kampeska Heritage Museum Explores the history of the Glacial Lakes region.
  • Lake Traverse Indian Reservation Home to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, with cultural sites and powwows.
  • Milbank Granite Quarry A source of the famous Milbank granite used in buildings and monuments.
  • Day County Courthouse A classic courthouse in Webster, built in the early 1900s.

Food traditions

  • Chislic Cubed meat, often lamb or beef, deep-fried or grilled, served with saltine crackers. A South Dakota specialty with roots in the region's ranching and German heritage.
  • Kuchen A German-style fruit or custard pie, the official state dessert, brought by German settlers.
  • Walleye Fresh-caught walleye from the glacial lakes, often fried or grilled, a staple at local fish fries.
  • Lefse A Scandinavian soft flatbread made from potatoes, often served with butter and sugar during the holidays.
  • Lutefisk A traditional Scandinavian dish of dried whitefish treated with lye, served at Christmas with cream sauce.

Music and arts

  • Wildlife art Terry Redlin's paintings of wildlife and Americana put Watertown on the map.
  • Polka music German and Czech heritage keeps polka bands playing at festivals.
  • Scandinavian folk music Fiddles and accordions at heritage events.
  • Country music Local bars and community halls host country bands.

A little history

  • 1879 Watertown founded in 1879
  • 10,000 years ago Glacial lakes formed 10,000 years ago
  • Centuries Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate have lived here for centuries
  • Late 1800s Scandinavian and German settlers arrived in the late 1800s
  • 20th century Pheasant hunting boom in the 20th century

Rivalries

  • SDSU Jackrabbits vs. NDSU Bison College football rivalry.
  • SDSU Jackrabbits vs. USD Coyotes In-state college rivalry.
  • Watertown vs. Aberdeen high school football Regional high school rivalry.
  • Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers NFL rivalry among fans.
  • Game day Ice fishing derby
  • Game day High school football rivalry
  • Outdoors Ice skating on the lakes
  • Outdoors Cross-country skiing
  • With kids Visit the Kampeska Heritage Museum
  • With kids Go to a high school football game

People speak with a mild Upper Midwestern accent, often using 'pop' for soda and 'hot dish' for casserole. You might hear 'uff da' from Scandinavian influence and 'you bet' as a common affirmation.

Only here

  • The Glacial Lakes region has over 50 lakes within a short drive.
  • Chislic is a South Dakota specialty, and Watertown is one of its strongholds.
  • The Redlin Art Center houses the world's largest collection of Terry Redlin's paintings.
  • Milbank granite is used in many historical buildings across the U.S.
New here? A few tips
  • Dress in layers for the cold winters; temperatures can drop below zero.
  • Try chislic and kuchen at a local restaurant.
  • Get a fishing license and try ice fishing—locals are happy to share tips.
  • Be prepared for long drives between towns; the landscape is open and flat.
  • Learn to love the outdoors; hunting, fishing, and boating are big here.

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Nearby

Every area
Glacial LakesSouth DakotaWhere the prairie meets a thousand lakesBrookingsSouth DakotaPrairie spirit, Jackrabbit heart.MadisonSouth DakotaWhere the prairie meets the skyHuronSouth DakotaWhere the prairie meets the skyMontevideoMinnesotaWhere the prairie meets the Minnesota RiverRedfieldSouth DakotaOpen skies, open heartsMarshallMinnesotaWhere the prairie meets the skyAberdeenSouth DakotaA warm spot on the open prairie

Watertown, SD. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.

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