Top 5 things to do for under $5 during a weekend in the Spearfish area

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Check out these top five activities you and your buddies can do for under $5 for an entertaining weekend in the Spearfish area! Spearfish, home to Black Hills State University, is known as an arts and outdoor community and many of the premier art galleries are free or low cost.
Check out these top five activities you and your buddies can do for under $5 for an entertaining weekend in the Spearfish area! Spearfish, home to Black Hills State University, is known as an arts and outdoor community and many of the premier art galleries are free or low cost.

Explore Local Art
Internationally-known local artist and BHSU alum Dick Termes displays anywhere from 70-80 “Termespheres” at the Termesphere Gallery the Termesphere Gallery(1920 Christensen Dr, Spearfish). Each globular artwork hangs from ceiling motors and each is a complete world. Stop by from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. any day of the week at no cost! Termespheres are also located throughout the community and on campus. Check out the one on Main Street and then see how many others you can find in town!

Black Hills State University offers several galleries on campus. First and foremost is the Ruddell Gallery. The Ruddell rotates content every couple of months. Exhibitions vary from local artists, student exhibitions, and nationally-recognized artists. You can find student work also exhibited year-round in Meier Hall and Jonas Hall. All campus galleries are free and open to the public.

Another great choice is the Matthew’s Opera House. Take a stroll in downtown Spearfish and swing by for a visit to their Fine Arts Gallery. All artwork is local, and admission is free; the gallery is open year-round Tuesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Around each nook and cranny you will find” bold, innovative, and diverse art pieces in every medium.” There is also a light-up art table and craft area forthe little ones!

Learn the History of your College Campus
Black Hills State University has been around for more than 130 years. There is a lot of history to be discovered on your college campus. Take the time to walk around campus and learn about all of the historical places and significant events. You can find a copy of the Historical Walking Tour at the Welcome Center in the Student Union.

Take a Hike
With the Black Hills right in our backyard, there are over 80 miles of trails for hiking or biking. Go to www.visitspearfish.com to map out or locate your favorite hikes. Several favorites that locals suggest are Crow Peak, Roughlock Falls, Spearfish Community Caves, and Eleventh Hour. Fall colors are most prominent the last few weeks in September throughout the first week or so in October. (The Spearfish Canyon is a great spot to view the colors!) There are quite a few hikes in the hills that are kind of a “mystery spot” left unmarked. They are all the more exciting if you are able to locate and hike until the end. Happy hiking!

Visit D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery
Feed the fish for only a dollar while you walk around the historic hatchery near the Spearfish City Park. This hatchery was established in the late 1800s and is one of the oldest operating hatcheries in the country dedicated to fish culture and resource management. Take a stroll around the grounds, get up close and personal with the trout, or learn how fish were transported by railcar!

Play a Game of Disc Golf
Exploding in popularity in the U.S., disc golf is a great game to play with a group of friends. If you’ve never heard the term disc golf, the game is also referred to as “Frisbee golf” depending on dialect and location. The goal of the game is to throw a disc at a target; similar to golf, it is often played on a course of nine or 18 holes/targets.
Take a swing at the game by playing the 18-hole course at BHSU or explore the largest disc golf course in the area at Spearfish Canyon. This 27-hole course is accessible via the Spearfish Rec Path or via Winterville Drive from Hwy. 14A.