Midwest to South Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Wessington Springs Arrival & Exploration

Morning: Arrive in Wessington Springs and settle into your accommodation. Take a leisurely walk to the Wessington Springs Historical Museum to get a sense of the town’s pioneer heritage.

Afternoon: Enjoy lunch at a local café before strolling through the scenic Lake Wessington, where you can rent a kayak or simply relax by the water.

Evening: Dine at the historic Harlan’s Restaurant and experience a sunset view over the prairie from the town’s small park.

Day 2: Huron, South Dakota

Morning: Drive to Huron (≈2 hrs). Begin with a visit to the renowned Prehistoric Gardens, showcasing life-sized dinosaur sculptures.

Afternoon: Explore the Huron Regional Museum and then wander through the vibrant downtown shops and the Johnstown Riverwalk.

Evening: Savor dinner at Riverside Café and catch a sunset over the James River from the scenic riverbank.

Day 3: Maple Plain, Minnesota

Morning: Depart for Maple Plain, MN (≈4 hrs). Stop at the charming Maple Grove Park for a quick hike among towering maples.

Afternoon: Visit the Maple Plain Community Center and enjoy a local lunch at Ol’ Town Deli, famous for its sandwich specials.

Evening: Relax at the Lake Maria State Park, taking a short trail walk and watching the twilight over the lake before dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Day 4: Hastings, Nebraska

Morning: Travel to Hastings, NE (≈3.5 hrs). Begin with a guided tour of the historic Hastings Museum featuring Native American artifacts.

Afternoon: Explore the natural beauty of Big Springs State Park, where you can picnic and see the famous spring that feeds the Republican River.

Evening: Dine at the classic Riviera Restaurant and stroll along the downtown riverfront to enjoy local live music.

Day 5: Journey to Texarkana, Texas

Morning: Begin the long drive toward Texarkana, TX (≈9 hrs). Make a quick rest stop at the historic Fort Smith National Historic Site in Arkansas.

Afternoon: Continue the drive, stopping for lunch in Shreveport, LA and visiting the Louisiana Boardwalk for a brief walk.

Evening: Arrive in Texarkana, check into your hotel, and enjoy a relaxed dinner at Rudy’s Bar-B-Q, sampling regional barbecue flavors.

Day 6: Texarkana Exploration

Morning: Start with a visit to the unique Four States Auto Museum, showcasing vintage cars from Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.

Afternoon: Walk the historic downtown and see the iconic State Line Post Office that straddles the Texas-Arkansas border, then explore the Texarkana Regional Airport Aviation Museum.

Evening: Conclude the trip with dinner at Al’s Restaurant & Bar, followed by a sunset view from the Lake Wright park area.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Wessington Springs Historical Museum – 1.5 hrs – $5 entry
• Lake Wessington – 2 hrs – $10 kayak rental
• Prehistoric Gardens (Huron) – 2 hrs – $12 admission
• Huron Regional Museum – 1.5 hrs – $6 donation
• Maple Grove Park – 1 hr – Free
• Lake Maria State Park – 2 hrs – $8 parking
• Hastings Museum – 2 hrs – $7 entry
• Big Springs State Park – 2 hrs – $5 parking
• Four States Auto Museum – 2 hrs – $10 admission
• State Line Post Office – 0.5 hr – Free
• Texarkana Regional Airport Aviation Museum – 1 hr – $5 entry
• Lake Wright Park – 1.5 hrs – Free
• Total Estimated Cost: $85

Tips

To extend the trip, add an extra day in Texarkana to explore the nearby Red River Valley and take a day trip to Lake Village, AR. If you need to shorten the journey, consider skipping the Lake Maria State Park stop and consolidating the Huron and Maple Plain visits into a single day by focusing on the main attractions only.