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Top Things to Do, See, and Buy related to Laura Ingalls Wilder - De Smet, South Dakota
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items As a homeschool family we have loved reading and listening to the books of Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Little House on the Praire series. So naturally we love visiting the various sites that are written in the books and the places she has lived during her life. De Smet is the main setting of books 5-9. Visiting helps really brings the books to life and helps you imagine what it was like back in the day!
Sections
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Sites and Attractions
Things to Buy and Read
Accommodations
Walnut Grove- NOT in De Smet but 2 hours East.
Sites and Attractions
If you are headed to De Smet to see the places Laura Ingalls Wilder talks about in her books, then you will want to check out these locations.
This is the home of Laura's parents and Mary after they moved off the farm and into town. Take a guided tour!
Ingalls House (De Smet, South Dakota)
Privately owned now by another family, this is the actual land and homestead of the Ingalls family. It is set up for you to see a replica of their farm shanty turned into farm house. They also have on property a dug out home example, a single room ...
Ingalls Homestead
This is the actual surveyors' house from Laura's book “By The Shores of Silverlake" It was moved here and you can go on a guided tour of this tiny little house.
Surveyors' House
Maybe it seems a little weird to suggest visiting a cemetery but honestly if your a hard core fan of the books I think you’ll enjoy it. We picked up a map in town of the various people that are written about in the books gravesites and locations. Whe...
De Smet Cemetery
The Wilder land is a short distance out of town near the airport. The homestead buildings are no longer there but you can see a plaque. It helps you get an idea of the distance I’m which Almanzo traveled so see Laura and the area they called home tog...
Wilder Land Claim - De Smet, SD
Lake Thompson and Lake Henry are referenced in “The Happy Golden Years.” Almanzo would come pick up Laura and take her for buggy ride around the lakes. You can check out this recreational area for a fee. And spend some time by the lake. They have cam...
Lake Thompson State Recreation Area
If you want a more active town and to be surrounded by other fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder then visit De Smet during the Pageant days in July. Were you can experience theater production outside on the prairie depicting some aspect of Laura Ingalls Wilder's life. It is an annual event!
Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant
Things to Buy and Read
Just a few things that can make your trip more enjoyable and fun. You may already own and have read the books, but I had to point them out if you have not, as they are key to the sites you would see in De Smet, SD. As an Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases, but truly only recommend things I use and love myself as a world traveler and homeschool mama. I have purchased everything on this list myself.
We bought these in two sizes for our girls before heading to Laura Ingalls Wilder sites. It was fun for them to dress up while there and they play dress up with them at home. They are nice quality and love that they can use the apron separate play if...
ReliBeauty: Pioneer Girl Costume - Amazon.com
I love this book and I feel it’s a great companion for fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books, but more importantly for fans who want to visit the sites as well. I love the drawings showing the layout of the houses they had lived in, recipes and crafts...
The World of Little House (Nonfiction)
These things are awesome for bites. When we traveled to De Smet the mosquitos were intense. Even with spray you probably will have a bite somewhere. We have tried other versions but find this brand works the best!
MagicPatch Itch Relief Patches | Natural Patch Co
Out in the frontier you will experience mosquitos. We prefer a more natural approach and these Nat Pat stickers are great. We pack them everywhere. They are so light weight and take no space at all and the kids think they are fun.
NATPAT Buzz Patch Mosquito Stickers Kids
Out in the frontier you will experience mosquitos. We prefer a more natural approach and these Nat Pat stickers are great. We pack them everywhere. They are so light weight and take no space at all. Kids versions as well!
Mosquito Patches for Adults: Stay Protected Anywhere!
If you prefer to just buy all nine books you can buy the whole series. I own them all and am giving them one by one to my kiddos as they learn to read. I prefer the colored editions but you can also get them all nine as black and white!
Little House Complete 9-Book Set Slipcase
I highly suggest reading all nine books in the series but book five is the first of the series that takes place in De Smet, SD! I prefer the colored illustration version!
By the Shores of Silver Lake: Newbery Honor
The sixth book in the series that mostly talks about a long hard winter that took place in the town of De Smet, SD. Not my favorite but worth a read. I always prefer the colored edition.
The Long Winter: Full Color Edition - Newbery Honor
This is the 7th book in the series and is mostly about various times they lived in town. This is one of my favorite books in the series! A must read when visiting De Smet!
Little Town on the Prairie: Full Color Edition
The 8th book in the series and probably my favorite of them all. This book talks about town, homestead, and the lakes around De Smet. Again, get the colored edition if you can!
These Happy Golden Years: Full Color Edition
This is the final book of the series and the shortest. Laura writes about her first four years of married life. Similar to the long winter it’s not my favorite as it’s a bit sad with all the challenges they faced on the prairie but it’s still worth a...
The First Four Years: Full Color Edition
Accommodations
There are very few places to actually stay in De Smet, SD. We have personally stayed at the Heritage House but had considered the Prairie House as well. There is a hotel there but we much prefer the charm of these places as it adds to the experience and they are a great location to the in town sites and grocery store. Especially the Heritage House!
There are very few places to stay in De Smet. This bed and breakfast has a larger room that can hold a family and is in downtown.
Prairie House Manor Bed & Breakfast: Home
We stayed in the Heritage House. It was right downtown, close to the grocery store and we could look down the same street that was written about so much in the books. The accommodation was lovely and the owner was super helpful. It was fun to see ori...
Heritage House Bed and Breakfast in an Old Converted Bank!
Walnut Grove- NOT in De Smet but 2 hours East.
This is NOT in De Smet, SD but just a two hour drive to the East. Walnut Grove has an impressive museum to Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family along with a very extensive museum dedicated to the television show. Walnut Grove is the location she writes about in her book “On the Banks of Plum Creek," her fourth book. If you are driving from this direction or you are a hard core fan, you might as well check out Walnut Grove.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum
The other major site to see in Walnut Grove is to visit the location of the Ingalls farm and dugout home on the banks of Plum Creek. This is on private property and its important to bring cash to pay to enter. Once there you can have a picnic or go for a little hike around the area.
Plum Creek - Dug Out Location