By Amina Aidarkhanova
South Dakota News Watch
BROOKINGS, S.D. – Instead of planning long vacations, many South Dakota families are spending summer weekends closer to home, choosing festivals, community events and family attractions that offer affordable ways to make memories.
Travel officials and local event organizers say the shift reflects a broader trend of travelers taking shorter trips, driving instead of flying and choosing destinations closer to home.
“We did re-coin that term ‘staycation’ again this year,” said Shari Budahl Avery, publicity chair for the Brookings Summer Arts Festival. “If things are a little tight but you want to get away for a day, we can provide that experience.”
Families are redefining summer travel
Travel South Dakota reports that affordability, scenic beauty and family experiences remain among the state’s strongest tourism draws. The department said 58% of visitors travel within 150 miles of their homes, reflecting continued interest in nearby destinations.
Shawn Steward, public affairs manager for AAA South Dakota, said travelers are adjusting their plans rather than abandoning vacations altogether.
“People still want to travel,” Steward said. “They’re just making different choices.”
Steward said those choices often include shorter trips, road travel and destinations that require less time and money.
Local events become summer destinations
Local events across South Dakota are benefiting from that shift. Budahl Avery said the Brookings Summer Arts Festival has long attracted visitors looking for affordable entertainment close to home.
“We’re kind of dead center in a pretty good population center,” she said. “People can come on what one friend from Texas called a ‘tank trip’ – somewhere you can drive on one tank of gas and get home.”
The two-day festival features nearly 180 juried artists, live entertainment, children’s activities, food vendors and historical demonstrations. Budahl Avery said the event gives families an opportunity to spend time together without the expense of a major vacation.
Affordable, convenient entertainment
Other local attractions are seeing similar interest. The Carden International Circus brought families to the Dakota Bank Center in Brookings on June 25, 2026, during its summer tour.
Ringmaster and comedian Rulito Videla said families are looking for affordable entertainment options that create lasting memories.
“If they are staying home, support your local events,” Videla said. “The circus is family-oriented entertainment. You create memories.”
Some Brookings-area families said smaller local outings have become part of their summer routines.
Erica Quam said her family often chooses several smaller activities instead of one large vacation.
“We live right near Brookings,” Quam said. “It’s close, there were some coupons that made it more affordable, and it’s just a fun, easy activity.”
Sienna Vanmeveren said staying closer to home helps her family manage costs.
“It’s easier than traveling somewhere,” she said, adding that she would likely travel more if finances allowed.
Not every family is changing its travel habits. Sviatlana Senchanka said her family recently completed a road trip from South Dakota to California and continues to spend time outdoors locally.
For Budahl Avery, the appeal of community events goes beyond saving money.
“What keeps families coming back?” she said. “Tradition. Joy. Making memories.”
Whether families travel across the country or stay close to home, organizers and visitors say meaningful summer experiences do not always require a long-distance trip.
South Dakota News Watch is an independent nonprofit. Read, donate and subscribe for free at sdnewswatch.org. Amina Aidarkhanova received the 2026 Jeffrey B. Nelson Investigative Journalism Endowed Internship and the Chuck Raasch and Sandy Johnson Scholarship from the SDSU Foundation. Contact: amina.aidarkhanova@sdnewswatch.org.