Group Tours

Watertown Loves Motorcoach groups. Since the opening of the Terry Redlin Art Center, Hundreds of group tours have visited our city. Whether it is just a stop-over while en route to another attraction or event, the Watertown Convention & Visitors Bureau will work with the group travel planner to assist in every way possible.

The CVB will providing the following:

  • Tour & itinerary planning assistance
  • Accommodations bids and arrangements
  • Coupon books
  • City information
  • Official Welcome
  • Special event tours such as mystery tours etc.
  • Complimentary Step-on guide
  • Hands on experience

Our experienced staff is highly skilled in building relationships with many businesses and we can assure you of high quality services before, during and after your visit.

All you need to do is let us know the date you are coming and the Convention & Visitors Bureau will set up all the arrangements. Leave everything up to us. The tours in Watertown are very inexpensive. The major attractions are FREE to visit or very inexpensive. You will be surprise to find out that the cost of your trip to Watertown affordable as well as enjoyable. Contact us today for assistance. Email: cvb@visitwatertownsd.com for a FREE Tour packet to review.

Sample Itinerary

I-29 Scenic Tour

Day One

Start your day along I-29 just 45 minutes south of Watertown with a beautiful morning walk through the beautiful McCrory Gardens in Brookings.This is one of the top “10″ small botanical gardens in the U.S. and will begin an impressive picturesque view of northeastern South Dakota. The morning continues with a stop at the South Dakota Art Museum and Agricultural Heritage Museum before boarding for a relaxing drive to Watertown. After an enjoyable lunch in Watertown, experience the awe inspiring original art of Terry Redlin at the Redlin Art Center. Stroll through the Comfort of Home Cabin and take a scenic walk through the Wildlife Park outside the gallery. Complete the stories told in Terry’s artwork by seeing for yourself the real sites where he was inspired.Complimentary step-on guide for pre-scheduled motorcoach tours. Spend the remainder of the afternoon touring the beautifully restored Arthur C. Mellette House, Victorian home of South Dakota’s first Governor. Continue re-living history of the early 1900′s while strolling through the Codington County Historical Museum in uptown Watertown. After a wonderful dinner, spend an entertaining evening at the Dakota Sioux Casino, go shopping in our Watertown Mall or pre-planned special event just for your group.

** Overnight in one of Watertown’s comfortable accommodations**

Day Two

After a home-style breakfast in one of Watertown’s finest restaurants or delicious complimentary continental breakfast at your motel, enjoy a countryside drive to Sisseton (60 miles). Visits to this area include: Fort Sisseton State Park, a remarkably restored 1864 Calvary outpost, Sica Hollow State Park, a scenic ravine steeped in Sioux Indian legend(s)and criss-crossed by a National Recreation Trail; and the Nicollet Tower and the Stavig House Museum, where stories of Scandinavian immigration and settlement of the community of Sisseton are told through historic letters and photographs. After returning to Watertown in the late afternoon, enjoy a delightful dinner and  a leisurely stroll through the beautiful landscaped Bramble Park Zoo and Discovery Center.

** Overnight in one of Watertown’s comfortable accommodations **

Area Art and History Tour

Day One

Spend a memorable day in Watertown, South Dakota’s Rising Star. Experience the awe inspiring art of Terry Redlin at the Redlin Art Center and stroll through the Comfort of Home Cabin. Motorcoaches and group tours can enjoy a step-on guided tour of Terry’s inspirational sites as well as historical sites around our city. Enjoy a tour of the beautiful restored Arthur C. Mellette House, victorian villa of South Dakota’s first Governor. Relive history of the early 1900s while strolling through the Codington County Heritage Museum. Continue the day with a visit to the Discovery Center at Bramble Park Zoo, an educational experience or a close-up view of over 500 species. Delightful, delicious lunches and evening dinners add a special touch that can be personally designed for your tour, including a walking tour of art galleries, coffee shops and bakeries in uptown Watertown. Top the day with a relaxing evening along the lakes perhaps listening to the popular city-wide Band Concert. (depending on availability & scheduled dates)

** Overnight in one of Watertown’s comfortable accommodations**

“Little House on the Prairie” made famous by author Laura Ingalls Wilder. Take in the outdoor pageant in mid July. Tour the original land homesteaded by Charles Ingalls, then return to the unique city of De Smet and visit the Surveyor’s House and the Ingalls Home. Continue on to Brookings, where stops here can include visiting the South Dakota Art Museum and the State Agriculture Heritage Museum. Ending the wonderful two-day tour with a stroll through McCrory Gardens, one of the top 10 small botanical Gardens in the U.S. Continue back to Watertown for a relaxing dinner along Lake Kampeska, enjoying the beautiful sunsets captured by our Terry Redlin in his images sold all over the world.

** Overnight in one of Watertown’s comfortable accomodations **