Corn Palace (Mitchell, SD)

Well, I FINALLY made it to the famous Corn Palace and let me tell you something — it’s just as wonderfully quirky as you’d expect, and then some. You can’t really miss it as you’re driving through Mitchell, SD. One second you’re cruising down main street, and the next — bam — there’s a building covered in corn!

Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Corn? Really?” But hear me out as I share all about the World’s Famous Corn Palace!

In 1892, the palace was formed as a gathering place where city residents and their rural neighbors could enjoy a fall festival with extraordinary stage entertainment – a celebration to highlight a crop-growing season and harvest that continues to this day. In 1905 a new Palace was built, but it soon became too small, so in 1919, the decision to build a third Corn Palace was made. The present building was completed in 1921 (which was considered to have the finest basketball arena in the upper Midwest!), just in time for the Corn Palace Festivities. In the 1930’s, steps were taken to recapture the artistic features of the building, and minarets and kiosks of Moorish design were added restoring the appearance of the early day Corn Palace.

This place is a labor of love, and it shows! The Palace is redecorated each year with naturally colored corn and other grains and native grasses to make it “the agricultural showplace of the world.” Currently 12 different colors or shades of corn are used to decorate the Corn Palace: red, brown, black, blue, white, orange, calico, yellow and now green corn.

A different theme is chosen each year, and murals are designed to reflect that theme. The theme during my visit was “Famous South Dakotans.” Can you tell who they are in the pictures below? The decorating process usually starts in late May, then the corn murals are stripped at the end of August, and the new murals are completed by the first of October. Folks from all over come to see what the new design will be!

Today, the Corn Palace is not only the home of the festival or a point of interest of tourists. It is also used for industrial exhibits, dances, stage shows, meetings, banquets, proms, graduations, as well as district, regional and state basketball tournaments. There was a girls’ basketball game being played when I visited the Corn Palace!

If you enjoy art exhibits there is the Oscar Howe exhibit up in the balcony. Oscar Howe was a Yanktonai Dakota artist in South Dakota. From 1948 to 1971, Howe designed the murals outside the Corn Palace, and then became a professor at the University of South Dakota, in Vermillion, SD. Over his 41-year career, Oscar Howe won numerous awards, including grand and first prizes. Be sure to check out his beautiful exhibit!

Also, be sure to go across the street to check out the Corn Palace gift shop where you’ll find all the souvenirs you could think of – mugs, t-shirts, books, jewelry, magnets, and of course, popcorn!

So, when you’re passing through eastern South Dakota, don’t just gas up in Mitchell and go — stop by the Corn Palace. Take a walk around, snap a few pictures, and grab some popcorn. Trust me — it’s cornier than a dad joke, and that’s what makes it perfect!

Tips for Visiting the Corn Palace

• 🕗 Hours: Open 8 AM – 5 PM Daily (Open until 9 PM during summer months)
• 🧭 Location: 604 North Main Street in Mitchell, SD
• 🚗 Parking: Three lots near Corn Palace – plenty of room to park cars, trucks, or campers
• 💰 Cost: Free to visit
• 💡 Pro Tip: Schedule a free public tour during your visit from Memorial Day to August