Sisseton attracts avid fishers and those looking for a small-town feel
Surrounded by open fields, Sisseton offers access to northeast South Dakota’s hunting and fishing, while offering small-town amenities, like restaurants and supermarkets for its residents. The nearby state parks and lakes draw out tourists and residents for year-round fishing, looking for escapes from the action of bigger cities. The town is also one of many included on the Lake Traverse Reservation, but the land isn’t exclusively owned by Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, who mostly live in Agency Village. In total, the reservation spans seven counties in South and North Dakota, so residents in towns like Sisseton might have more opportunities to attend to things like the annual wacipi, or powwows. “Our roundabouts all have Native American art on each one,” says real estate agent Same Hanson with Exit Realty Connection. Beyond its reservation status and fishing attractions, the city is welcoming, with plenty of local restaurants and events where newcomers can meet people. “Just come to the social events or the church events,” Hanson says. “Or go to the local coffee shop, you know, and sit down and visit with people. People are very nice here.”
Hiking at Sica Hollow State Park and memorials to local history
Even though Sica Hollow State Park is about 16 miles from Sisseton, it is a big attraction for tourists and locals in the area. It has 10 miles of trails open for hiking, biking, horseback riding and snowshoeing. “It’s known to have spirits on the trails,” Hanson says. The surrounding area has hundreds of lakes and streams, where anglers stop and fish. “We get tens of thousands of people from Minnesota, North Dakota and Nebraska — people coming in here and buying fishing licenses every year,” Hanson says. Even in the winter, people head out to the lakes for ice fishing. Right outside city limits, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Community Memorial Park is on the site of a former orphanage. The monument pays homage to the children who lived there with two Dakota sayings — wicaunkiksuyapi, or we remember them; mi’ksuya, or remember me. The site also includes various amenities, like a playground, skatepark and basketball courts. In town, Anderson Park is the main green space and includes a playground and basketball courts.
National, Prairie and ranch-style architecture around Sisseton
Nationals, Prairie and ranch-style homes line Sisseton’s neighborhood streets. Trees of various ages and species dot front lawns, adding pops of color and dropping leaves in the fall while casting shade on sidewalks in neighborhoods that have them. Little gardens bring a bit of personality to properties. Homes here typically range from $110,000 to $280,000.
Sisseton's local restaurants and grocery stores along 119th Street
Almost all of the shops and restaurants in Sisseton are along 119th Street. In the mornings, residents drive through the drive-through at 3 Bean Coffee Co. Rosalie’s Restaurant, Bakery and Lounge serves pastries from the case in the front and sit-down meals. There are also plenty of chains like Taco John’s and Pizza Hut. For groceries, people can head in Teal’s Market and Buche Foods.
B- and C-rated public schools located in Sisseton
Westside Elementary School receives a C-plus from Niche. Sisseton Middle School receives a C. Sisseton High School receives a B. Here, juniors and seniors can enroll in dual credit courses at any state university or technical school, though they’ll have to take them online if the institution isn’t in the vicinity.
Annual car shows, summer festivals and wacipi
On the first Saturday in June, the Sisseton Car and Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet starts with a cruise in of participants. People enter their vehicles in the competition and there’s a parade after winners have been decided. “We have Sisseton Days, and we get some vendors in town, and they have community events,” Hanson says about the annual July festival. “We have a big street dance put on by the fire department, which I am apart of.” Every Fourth of July weekend, the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Wacipi includes traditional Dakota dancing and music, but also craft vendors, rodeos and a softball tournament, all right outside Agency Village. “We have a performing arts center, and they get some good big-name older country singers, and people come from quite a ways to listen to some of that,” Hanson says.
Sisseton's amenities and more found in nearby Watertown
The main thoroughfare through Sisseton is 119th Street, which goes straight through the community and becomes South Dakota Route 10 outside of city limits. While amenities like groceries and the Coteau Health Care System Hospital are within the city, Interstate 29 connects the community with Watertown, about 60 miles south just beyond the reservation limits. Watertown Regional Airport is here, where travelers can catch daily flights to Denver and Chicago O’Hare via United and American airlines.
Written By
Caroline Ernst
