Dec. 17, 2025

This piece is sponsored by Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

Whether you’ve still got some shopping left to take care of or you’re starting to plan how to fill the upcoming holiday break, a quick trip outside of Sioux Falls will deliver plenty of memories.

For example, head to Dell Rapids on Dec. 20 beginning at 10 a.m. and the community’s picturesque downtown will be hosting “The Christmas Crawl” giving you even more reasons to visit.

“I was watching a Hallmark Christmas movie and thought, ‘Dell Rapids is the perfect little Hallmark town — why aren’t we doing something like this?’ That moment sparked the whole idea,” said Desiree Osborne, co-owner of The Meeting Nook and The Fun Nook.

“I wanted to create an event that captured that same cozy, festive feeling while bringing people out to support our local businesses one last time before Christmas.”

Visit VisitDellRapids.com/giftcard to enter for a chance to win a $25 gift card to a local business of your choice.

A new business coming to downtown this winter, Tashi’s Yarn Bar, will open early for a sneak preview and a chance to shop a limited selection of yarn and other merchandise the store will offer. Find it at 424 1/2 E. Fourth St. For a full guide to The Christmas Crawl, visit here.

“Businesses were excited to participate. I love when we can work together,” Osborne said.

At The Meeting Nook, enjoy free cookies and small deluxe hot chocolates for $3. Find it at 412 E. Fourth St. from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

At The Fun Nook, which offers black-lit miniature golf and lots of interactive games, wear an ugly sweater, and get a free gift with purchase at 503 E. Fourth St. It also will be open during holiday break. Book online or request a private party at TheFunNook.com.

The Meeting Nook also will host a Christmas dinner at 5 p.m. Dec. 25 for those who would like somewhere to go. Visit here to sign up.

Head to Hartford

If you’re looking to shop a full selection of merchandise from local makers, it’s waiting just a short drive from Sioux Falls.

Knotty Gnome Variety & Salvage in Hartford is just 20 minutes from central Sioux Falls — just head to 60th Street North, keeping going west, and you’ll find it at 208 E. SD Highway 38.

“We depend a lot on people traveling — either using us as a destination because they’re aware of us and want to come see this place, as well as people commuting,” Wengler said. “We have people who are traveling from other small towns to appointments and meetings in Sioux Falls and then stop on the way. But Hartford is not a far drive for many people. I might be closer than you driving to the other side of Sioux Falls.”

Once you arrive, “we have so many gifts,” Wengler added. “We have a lot of stocking stuffers and small gifts for office gift exchanges. I see a lot of people coming for white elephant gifts because we have the snarky and funny things.”

If you’re stumped on what to buy someone, she suggests something consumable.

“A lot of people will tell you they don’t need more ‘stuffy,’ so I like to suggest things like local-made jams, honeys, pickled fruits or even party napkins or body care and soap. Grandma may not need more home decor, but she would probably love a jelly set.”

With Christmas falling midweek, hours to shop have become more limited for many small businesses in the coming days, Wengler added.

The last chance to shop Knotty Gnome before Christmas is from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 17-19 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 20.

Major marketplace

Shopping locally made work on a larger scale at the Makers Exchange in Tea. Located at 102 Venture Place, you’ll find more than 45,000 items for sale from a marketplace of local vendors.

“There is truly something for everyone,” co-owner Bobbi Thury said. “We have everything from handcrafted items like beer-tasting flight sampler boards, boutiques with beautiful Christmas sweaters and cozy pajamas, pet treats, toys for kids to delicious toffee, truffles, fudge, charcuterie boxes, seasonal popcorn, meat selections and cheese varieties.”

While you’re shopping, stop in for an artisan coffee or gourmet waffle.

“We have definitely felt the impact of the winter weather,” Thury added. “It seems like the snowstorms and extreme cold keep hitting on the weekends. Our Saturday sales have been down 60 percent compared to our November sales, and December should be our strongest month, so we are really hoping the weather cooperates the last remaining days before Christmas and that people are still shopping.”

People who discover Makers Exchange realize “it truly is a shopping experience like none other in South Dakota,” she added. “Moreover, behind each of these small locally owned businesses is a person or family, and dollars spent local strengthens our local communities.”

Makers Exchange is open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Here are the featured drink and food menus for the season.

Bowling for all ages

The Pinz bowling alley in Dell Rapids is organizing its first Little Legends Bowl-Off for kids age 2-6 on Sunday, Dec. 28.

“It can’t get much cuter than that,” owner Casey McCoy said of the tiny bowlers. There will be two age groups: 2-4 at 10 a.m. and 5-6 at noon. The eight lanes will be set up with bumpers and ramps, and kids will bowl one game, competing for prizes. McCoy said other bowling alley owners in the region haven’t heard of a similar event, so they’re curious to see how it goes over. Spots are limited, so register here.

The $20 entry fee includes a kids buffet in the bowling alley’s cafe. “It’s knee-high, so they serve themselves,” McCoy said. “That’s what makes it so fun. It’s always a mess, but it’s ours to clean up, not theirs.” Kids who don’t bowl can eat for $8, and adults can enjoy breakfast or lunch, along with a $10 unlimited mimosa bar.

For New Year’s Eve, bowlers can play bowling bingo for prizes from 7 to 9 p.m. Spots on the bingo card range from “gutter ball” to “pick up a split.” “You don’t have to be a good bowler,” McCoy said. “Just show up and have fun.” The cost is $80 per lane, with up to four bowlers per lane. The kitchen will be open, and the bowling alley has a full liquor license. Call 605-428-3800 to reserve a lane.

The bowling alley also will have more open lanes over the holidays because the leagues that usually play Tuesday through Thursday nights will be on a break, McCoy said. Pinz will be closed Dec. 24-25 but open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Jumping into fun

A short jaunt south of Sioux Falls offers more fun for kids and toddlers.

Air Madness in Harrisburg recently added a three-story soft-play structure where bigger kids — and even adults — can climb, jump, slide and ride a zipline. Air Adventure is included with admission to Air Madness, which features trampolines, ninja corses and foam pits.

A smaller version for toddlers just opened today.

The adjacent Union Social offers more fun for all ages with regulation-size bowling lanes, axe-throwing and arcade games, with a prize redemption center. While Air Madness has a concessions stand with some food, Union Social features a restaurant and bar with a full liquor license.

Both entertainment venues will have extended hours for the holidays but will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.