Visit Brookings is excited to welcome you to Brookings for SDSU’s Family Weekend! Whether this is your first visit or a return trip, explore the vibrant downtown, interactive museums, stroll through campus and enjoy the football game. With so much to see and do in Brookings, the toughest part will be deciding what to try first!
We hope your weekend is filled with wonderful memories, leaving you excited to plan your next trip back!
Family Weekend 2024
Family Weekend is a great way to enjoy time with your student and family from September 13-15! Check out the activities hosted by SDSU or find additional inspiration below for things to do within Brookings.
How to Spend Family Weekend in Brookings
There is no one way to spend Family Weekend in Brookings. Whether you want to hit all the Brookings staples or leisurely explore, below is a list of ideas to mix and match to curate your weekend’s itinerary.
Turn this card into your own Brookings itinerary! During Family Weekend, check off as many spots as you can. Then, students take time to explore and check off additional spots around Brookings.
– Explore Downtown Brookings! Perfect for grabbing some new Jacks gear, enjoying a slice of George’s pizza or finding the murals and art hidden around. A new addition to Downtown Brookings is the Bunny Trail, a scavenger hunt with 12 hiding hares around the neighborhood.
– Need a little wellness break? Hit the Miller Wellness Center on SDSU’s campus. Family members and students can get their sweat on all weekend. Remember to check in at the front desk.
– As the seasons begin to change check out McCrory Gardens! This beautiful botanical garden and arboretum has over 60 acres to explore. Families get in free with the student present.
– Looking for a restaurant to dine out at? Try James Beard Award recipient, Pheasant Restaurant and Lounge on Main Avenue. South Dakota classic dishes like chislic, pheasant, bison and walleye are all on the menu as well as more traditional restaurant finds.
– Grab a coffee from a local coffee shop. If you are Downtown, Kool Beans and Cottonwood Coffee are two options.
– A great opportunity to get out and explore Downtown Brookings is by visiting the Farmers Market. Open 9am to 12pm. Find honey, locally grown produce, fresh baked goods and hand-made products.
– Fall for Downtown also kicks off at 9am and runs until 4pm. This fall festival has something for all ages from vendors, games and activities, a petting zoo and so much more.
– Already Downtown, pick up lunch at one of the many restaurants. Nick’s Hamburgers Shop is a classic stop to order burgers by the bag.
– Explore the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum and the South Dakota Art Museum before heading to Family Weekend tailgate.
– Family Weekend Tailgate is located south of the Miller Wellness Center and is from 3pm to 5pm. Enjoy yard games, music and family fun. Free SDSU Ice Cream will be served.
– If you are here to watch the football game, head over to the Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium! If you did not purchase tickets and want to watch the game, Cubby’s, The Lanes, Buffalo Wild Wings and Wooden Legs Brewing Company are just a few of the places in Brookings showing the game.
– Skipping the game? Have a game of your own at The Lanes or Tee’d Off.
– Enjoy breakfast at Cook’s Kitchen where you will find ooey gooey cinnamon rolls or savory breakfast staples.
– Looking to stretch your legs and explore the outdoors? Visit Dakota Nature Park where you can take a walk, rent equipment and take in the nature’s beauty.
-Visit McCrory Gardens for their Party on the Porch event from 1pm to 3pm with where you can enjoy the gardens, live music and food vendors.
Looking for Additional Inspiration?
As the destination marketing organization for Brookings, explore more of what the community has to offer.
South Dakota State University has planned an entire weekend for you.