I love coming back here each year- this was my fourth time. Each time they have updated what they know about the indigenous tribe and how they lived. Christian is the best! read more

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This was very interesting! Definitely worth a visit. Don't just go in the first building. Make sure you go into the other where you can actually see where they are unearthing things. read more

A great opportunity to see a real archeological site. Very friendly staff and gave us the grand tour. I would highly recommend it.

This was very cool. Hidden gem. It was not very busy so the on-site archeologist was able to talk with us and give us an overview. He was very happy to answer questions before and after we visited rhe dig. They have an area outside set up for kids to dig. You actually got to touch some of the pottery and bones. He said, unlike most dig locations, they have an abundance because of how long the people lived here. So they are able to let people handle some items. Super cool!!!!! read more

On Labor Day 2023, it was my last day in Mitchell, South Dakota before I had to fly home in the afternoon, so the Prehistoric Indian Village was the second of two tourist attractions that I've visited while on vacation here. I noticed the prehistoric Indian Village on TripAdvisor well planning my trip prior to arrival. I made a mental note and once I got to the area I wanted to see it. I got my chance and invited my friend who lives in Mitchell. Thankfully they were open on Labor Day 2023, when most of everything could have been closed due to the holiday. My friend and I arrived here around 11 AM after walking around for trails around Lake Mitchell for about an hour. It was cool to see the location next to the lake, which was not swimmable for any human - or so I've been told. My friend and I spent about an hour in total here. 1/2 was in the main museum and the other 1/2 was in the archeodome. It was pretty cool to see the displays in the main part of the museum where the prehistoric Native American Indians may have lived in simple, but interesting shelters Wayback in the day. Says simpler times back then when basically, you're just there to survive what life throws at you without the hustle, bustle of a job and corporate greed and stuff to worry about nowadays. My friend and I split up and we took the self guided tour and just browsed around, reading the informational signage that came with the display. It was cool to familiarize myself with ancient prehistoric life that was around the area that became known as South Dakota, and the surrounding areas. It was interesting to learn about how they lived and how they survived the harsh realities. That was winter, other tribes, and Wild animals that can kill at a moments notice. It was wide open country and the lifespan during those times was very limited. Thanks for the human kind progressed to where we can live up to 80+ years now versus 20 to 30 back then. The overall experience here at the prehistoric Indian Village was very enlightening and very inspirational. I always like to learn stuff while on vacation and this turtle attraction doubles as a educational stop for me. There is an admission price that was more than welcome to be paid because it is supporting the museum and what they're trying to do here. I wholeheartedly support their mission to Discover more about prehistoric life in these, United States of America. The staff here was very knowledgeable about the museum and the archaeological dig that was happening in the next building. It was cool to see the archeodome and the active dig that they had going. During our time here, we ended up watching the video in their small little movie theater. I was like, might as well since were here, and we paid the money. I learned so many things that day, and definitely gain some insight as to how the persevered and help humanity move forward. They also have a gift shopped here in the main museum building. A lot of stuff we're mainly stuff that was themed after the prehistoric Indian Village. They also sold some windchimes and other Native American memorabilia. They are so so books and jewelry, but I don't know if they were real or made in China. With that said, the prehistoric Indian Village was not as large as I thought it would be, in terms of size property. It's also cool that it's also a working archaeological site as well. Seeing the holes in the ground at the archeodome building was pretty cool too. As my friend and I walked to the archeodome from the main museum site, we noticed the walkway with the engraved names in bricks. Turns out you can get one buy supporting the museum financially and the price was surprisingly reasonable. I picked up a form on the way out and hope to make a donation during the holiday season. The Prehistoric Indian village is located at 3200 Indian Village Road on the shores of Lake Mitchell in Mitchell, South Dakota. They charge admission here, so be ready to pay money. They accept major credit cards as well as cash. As far as parking goes, they have a limited number of parking spaces, but registrar that you can get a parking space, depending on what time of day you come. Not sure about public transportation options here in Mitchell, South Dakota, but best bet would be to have your own car or have access to one. If when it out, you can use Uber/left we're available. Experience here was very uplifting and inspiring. Hopefully they will find what they're looking for in terms of the archaeological dig. It is need to see history on earth in this timely fashion and looks like they're doing a good job. 5.0 stars for the overall experience. Support local! A+ read more

It's the only active archeological dig sight in the Great Plains! Incredible place to visit. The staff are all knowledgeable and friendly.

I say skip the Corn Palace and go to the Indian Village. It was such a neat cultural stop. The descriptions in the musem and the recreated lodge was so interesting to look at. We didn't get to spend enough time there since we had a bit of schedule to stick to. I strongly encourage going to the gift shop where several local paintings hang. We were very moved by a few of them and could feel the stories that they tell. Take an afternoon to explore the area, as there are trails and plenty of places to have a picnic. read more

We stopped at corn palace & saw info about this site. What a great find! Beautiful scenic location with nearby hiking trails. So much to see & learn. We are fortunate we had time to watch a 20 minute information orientation video. Artifacts to see as well as recreation of technically correct lodge. We spent nearly 2 hours there. A docent gave us a private tour packed with so much information. What an amazing experience. Evidently this is a hidden gem that many in the area don't even know about it. A rare opportunity to see how the Mandan people of yesteryear lived. Wow! One of trips highlights! read more

This is a Gem! Our little ones needs a break in the car, so I googled what is in Mitchell, our next exit, and found this. It is an active archeological site and they allow you to look in the lab, recent discoveries and other information. There is evidence of trade in far regions here as well. It was worth every penny to be exposed to history and ancient native culture. read more

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What's an archeodome, you ask? I know, I was wondering the same thing & I had to check it out... An archeodome is a dome built over a site where an archaeological dig has been taking place. The dome allows the site to be available for digging year-round. Wow, huh? I know! :) This place was pretty cool. $6 admission gets you the 20 minute video, tour of a reconstructed hut, lifestyle, & archaeological findings, & a walk through of the Archeodome. A neat historical site to visit if you are in the area. read more

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Ehhhhhh...it wasn't that great. The best part was the Archeodome, although even that wasn't too flash. Admission is $6 for adults, with various discounts for students (up to high school age), seniors, veterans, etc. The museum portion was small and kinda meh. Plus I made the mistake of asking the one dude there to give us a guided tour. It was being in class. The information was interesting, especially since I used to be an anthropology major, but he took too long. We eschewed the video altogether. The Archeodome is a short walk outside, right by the river. It's a large, round structure that allows scientists to dig there year-round. There's two or 3 levels and stairs and labs and all that, and then the ground floor is the actual dig site. It had a couple of visible cache pits and middens, but otherwise was nothing spectacular. There's a gift shop inside, which looked like it had some neat stuff, though I wasn't at all interesting in buying anything. It was interesting to see, but I'm definitely not going back ever again. read more

I found this place fascinating! Walking the path to the Archeodome you could look over the rolling grassland and see small yellow flags which outlined ancient lodges below, yet to be excavated. Walking through the model lodge in the museum really gave you a sense of the living conditions 1100 years ago. Unfortunately, we were driving cross country and forgot about the time change, so we arrived at 6pm instead of 5pm - they closed at 7pm. Eric was very gracious and gave us the accelerated tour - packing a lot of information in a short time period. He never made us feel rushed. If I am ever in this area again, I would definitely stop by and spend more time here. read more

This little museum is a jewel. Admission is cheap; the staff is helpful and knowledgeable; and the archeological dig part is fascinating. Dennis, the docent who works in the Archeodome, took my wife and me throughout the site and explained every nuance of the dig. The museum gives a very different view of the civilizations than what our Western lore may provide. Well worth a couple of hours' time. read more

This was a great place to look back at our past. Eric sold us our tickets and then told us an amazing amount of facts! He was very knowledgeable and very nice. He wore his mask and was careful to social distance. Well worth going to see! The dig site was something to see. I bought earrings and a bracelet and a deer horn whistle for our granddaughter. read more

Need about an hour to do this. It was a cold day and no one else was there. Got our own private tour. He gave so much info. A lot more than I will ever process. They have a building over a dig site. This was interesting. I would not carry small children. They would get bored.You also have to be curious to enjoy. Over 60 price was 5 a person read more

I have always been interested in history, so this was right up my alley. My wife and I visited this a couple of years ago, and we found it interesting. Not too expensive, which with the tourist trap of the Corn Palace nearby, this is quite a great deal. The video was a little blah, and the museum was small, but the archaeodome was pretty amazing. Very interesting to look into the pasts of these ancient peoples. I would have given it more stars if the museum was a little bigger or if the archaeodome had a on-site archaeologist to walk us through. read more

Was okay. Had to watch a 20 minute boring video when we arrived which made me feel like I was in school again and my boyfriend almost fell asleep through. Don't get me wrong we were interested in coming here but we expected a more hands on experience. After the video the lady said she would take us on a tour. We got out of it by asking if we could walk around ourselves. The video was informative in telling us about the dome. The best part was the view of the lake and imagining the Indians being in that exact spot years ago. I was looking forward to purchasing some items from the gift shop since I have been looking for some Native American items but everything seemed to be extremely expensive. Should make this place free to visit. I know they can't keep it up without an income and donations but just wasn't what I expected. read more