Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Coming into town for the High Banked Nationals. Have been in the area once before but that was a quick trip. I know a few are from the area so what do you recommend in the area for things to do before the races?

Good lunch spots? Any can't miss attractions? 

What are you wanting or what do you like?

Food.

Outdoors

Gambling

Shopping

Local attractions

Golf

Entertainment

If you don''t mind spending a bit more and you want to have one memorable meal, we've enjoyed https://www.minervas.net/ since the 80's. 

Everything in Sioux Falls, in relationship to Huset's is about in a 15 minute radius, tops. 

That being said, I like to use www.Hotwire.com and select room type based on general quadrant location and star rating. 3 stars in the area will be very adequate...and you can get a hotwire hot rate. There's always a hotel or two that is undersold and you'll save probably $20/night by not choosing an exact location.

And by the track we like to eat at Tailgators

But there's a ton of great restaurants and bars there. Just depends on what kind of experience you want.

If you're looking for a great, short distance road trip Lake Okoboji/Iowa Great Lakes area is about 75 minutes east of the track on Highway 9. If you're already at I-90, you can also get there that way. Amazing lakeside restaurants, water activities, amusement park, go karting...etc.

You won't have difficulty in having a blast in the region and area or close to the track.

Like you, I was only in town for a brief stay.  While there, we visited Falls Park.  Very cool attraction.  

First, let me say this is in no way an official listing of events, this is just me as a local resident trying to help those traveling in for the week.

At the track/official events:

Tuesday: High Bank Classic Golf Tournament -  Brandon Municipal Golf Course.

Tuesday: Fan Fest: 3 p.m. at the track. Includes hog roast, inflatables, vendors, ice cream truck, bean bags and more. This event is free. Live music starts at 7:30.

Pre-race Wed-Sat.: Join us outside of turn 4 at the speedway each afternoon before the races. We'll be talking with teams before each night of action from the Sage Fruit Stage.

Night life and dining in Brandon:

• Pizza Ranch: Pizza and chicken by order or buffet. Great supporter of Huset’s. Can get Pizza Ranch pizza at the speedway too. Has “County Fair” attached – fun arcade for all ages and bouncies for the kids.

• 212 Bar and Grill (has several wing panels and photos on the wall and a wing over the pool table. Sponsors race teams) Has full bar and food menu.

• The Gruff: Great food, relatively new to town and supporter of racing. Probably not going to be open after the races.

• Tailgators Bar and Grill (general sports bar located right by the interstate. Sponsors race teams) Has full bar and food menu.

• Bottoms Up (sports bar located just across the interstate in Corson, SD. Has a full-size sprint car hanging from the ceiling - yep, your read that right. Sponsors race teams) Has full bar and food menu. Try the chislic, you'll be glad you did.

• Brandon Steakhouse – Great to sit down and eat, relax and have a beverage.

• VFW – Located downtown with good drinks and popcorn. There is also the D&D bar next door with good drinks and food.

• El Tapatio -  Seriously good Mexican food and beverages.

• Red Rock - south of Brandon in Rowena. Food, drinks, racing supporter and great atmosphere! 

• Fast Food: Brandon also has some fast-food options such as Taco John's, Subway, McDonald's, Dairy Queen, Quick Star, Casey’s and Arby's. The Sunshine grocery store also has a deli and sushi.

Lodging:

Glo Best Western is the official hotel of Huset's. It is located just a few miles away on the edge of Sioux Falls.

Brandon has two hotels just off the interstate. Quality Inn and the Holiday Inn are also located right by Tailgators.

If you want to travel just a bit more, Royal River Casino and Hotel is about 35 minutes from Huset's. It has a hotel attached to the casino with more than 400 machines, tables and roulette. Royal River sponsors several teams and the track.

There are several other options in Sioux Falls, Luverne, MN, and near Larchwood, IA. 

Coffee in Brandon

• Scooters

• King Bird

• Kwik Star (Like Kwik Trip, but branded differently in SD)

• Casey’s

Other fun stuff:

• Thunder Road: Outdoor go karts and mini golf plus indoor arcade and laser tag (In Sioux Falls)

• Wild Water West: Water park with lazy river and slides.  (In Sioux Falls)

• Aspen Park: Located in Brandon - is generally baseball and softball fields. Also the home of Brandon's city pool. Also includes two RC car tracks - one off-road track and an oval. Tracks are open to the public unless it is muddy. Organized races are on Sunday.

• Golf: Brandon has two golf courses. The Brandon municipal is a great course. If your skills are more like mine, there is Hidden Valley which is a nice par 3 course.

• County Fair – as mentioned before, attached to Pizza Ranch in Brandon. Has a full arcade and bouncies for the kids. Great option for parents!

Parks & Rec

• Falls Park in Sioux Falls offers a cool view of the Falls of the Big Sioux River.

• Palisades State Park is north of Brandon in Garretson - Split Rock Creek, which flows through the park, and eventually along Huset’s is lined with Sioux quartzite formations with up to 50-foot vertical cliffs.

• McHardy Park in Brandon gives you the opportunity to enjoy an outdoor park and the Split Rock Creek.

• Big Sioux Recreation Area is near the track on the banks of the Big Sioux River. This park is popular among campers, canoers, bicyclists, hikers, disc golfers, history buffs and archers.

• Good Earth State Park southeast of Sioux Falls is an important cultural and historical site as well as a unique nature retreat adjacent to the most developed and populated part of our state.

Traffic Notes: 

We appreciate your contributions, but… when you come into Brandon and the speed limit sign says 30 --- make sure you don't go over 30. Along those lines - ride share companies do support Brandon, but don't expect big-city response times. Most ride share drivers base themselves in Sioux Falls. A few could make their way to Brandon and capitalize on the week.

Road Construction: 
There is a lot of work happening on I-90 exit 406, including some closures of the exits at times during the day. The Valley Springs exit (Exit 410)  is a good options if you are coming in from Minnesota. The Veterans Parkway exit (exit 402) is a good option if you're coming in from Sioux Falls. 

There are some of my suggestions for our area. Feel free to add more! And above all else, enjoy your time in our town and at Huset's. 

As Shawn mentions above, there's a lot to do in the Sioux Falls area. Your friend Google can tell you just about anything you want to know. If you like nature and hiking, I'd add a little bit to the conversation.

Garretson, about 15 miles north has Palisades State Park with 100' cliffs, Devil's Gulch Park, and Splitrock Park. Each has something to offer.

Luverne Mn about 25 miles east has Blue Mound State Park with 100' cliffs and buffalo.

For something entirely different, check out Gitchie Manitou Stae Presrve about 6 miles south in Iowa. Google it first. It's about a half mile walk through knee deep grass to a really creepy place.

There's also a lot of places nearby to hike around through the trees along the Big Sioux River and local creeks..

Isn't there a really large Pawn Shop in Sioux Falls?   I think it even has a shooting range and a radio station attached to it.  

Silver lining: God's gift to pawn shops is long gone. The building now houses the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance that helps veterans.