Overview
Madison is a city of 7,300 people (2019) between Lake Herman and Lake Madison in Southeast South Dakota. It is home to Dakota State University.
3 sights · 5 things to do · 2 places to eat · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Madison
Lake Herman State Park
John C. Green Art Studio
John Green is a local artist who is acclaimed nationally for his realistic paintings of wildlife, rural areas, and people.
Lake County Museum
It exhibits objects of cultural, developmental, and historical value of the Lake County area from the mid-1800s to the present.
Lake Herman and Lake Madison
Madison sits between these two lakes. Lake Herman has a state park near it for hiking, picnics, camping, etc. Swimming, fishing, and water sports are available at both lakes.
Dakota Cinema
Theatre showing two movies every night, usually at 7:15PM and 7:30PM. Also occasional matinees or midnight showings of popular movies.
Cherry Lanes
Bowling alley. Galactic bowling on weekends, lanes and whole establishment available for rent. Call for availability--must work around league scheduling.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 10°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Sioux City)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- FSD Sioux Falls Regional Airport, Sioux Falls — 35 mi away. Directions
- ATY Watertown Regional Airport, Watertown — 63 mi away. Directions
- OMA Eppley Airfield, Omaha — 197 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Lake Herman State Park, Prairie Village
- Lunch El Vaquero
- Afternoon John C. Green Art Studio, Dakota Cinema
- Dinner Second Street Diner
Day 2
- Morning Lake County Museum, Lake Herman and Lake Madison
- Afternoon Cherry Lanes, Madison Golf and Country Club
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get around
See
- Madison Historic District - Bounded roughly by Egan Ave. (both sides), Washington, 4th and 7th Streets
See John C. Green Art Studio
John Green is a local artist who is acclaimed nationally for his realistic paintings of wildlife, rural areas, and people.
Do
Do Lake Herman and Lake Madison
Madison sits between these two lakes. Lake Herman has a state park near it for hiking, picnics, camping, etc. Swimming, fishing, and water sports are available at both lakes.
Do Cherry Lanes
Bowling alley. Galactic bowling on weekends, lanes and whole establishment available for rent. Call for availability--must work around league scheduling.
Do Prairie Village (Threshing Jamboree)
A "living museum," Prairie Village boasts over 40 antique-filled buildings, including Lawrence Welk Opera House, sod and log houses, a country school, churches, one of the last remaining chapel roadcars and agricultural displays. Surrounded by two miles of railroad track which can be ridden every Saturday at 2PM. Or take a ride on one of the last remaining steam-powered carousels. Biggest event of the year and best time to go is during the annual Threshing Jamboree at the end of the summer.
Do Madison Golf and Country Club
Located just west of Madison near Prairie Village and Lake Herman. This course is an 18-hole regulation length private golf course. It features 6,162 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71. The Madison Country Club golf course opened in 1946.
Buy
Shop Four Seasons Flea Market
Flea market situated in downtown Madison. Interesting place to visit because it sells items from all generations--clothing and jewelry from all generations, records, movies, knick knacks, as well as a collection of Avon makeup.
Shop Jewelry Clinic
Small jewelry clinic--watch, clock, and jewelry repair, resizing, etc. Also sells beautiful handmade jewelry and an assortment of clocks.
Eat
Eat El Vaquero
Widely acknowledged by locals as the best restaurant in town. Serves authentic Mexican food at reasonable prices. The decor is also charming--booths, tables, and chairs are handpainted in a Mexican folk-art style.
Eat Second Street Diner
All-American food, 1950s-themed diner. Sandwiches, burgers, excellent malts and pie, and more.
Sleep
Nearby
Brookings
City / town · 9 listings · 26 mi away
De Smet
City / town · 3 listings · 34 mi away
Sioux Falls
City / town · 81 listings · 38 mi away
Pipestone National Monument
Park · 1 listings · 39 mi away
Pipestone
City / town · 11 listings · 40 mi away
Lake Norden
City / town · 7 listings · 40 mi away
Mitchell
City / town · 11 listings · 50 mi away
Blue Mounds State Park
Park · 50 mi away
My experience
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