Things to Do in South Dakota

Swiss army knives are famed for the many vital tools hidden in the nooks and crannies of their surprisingly small exterior; Star Performance Complex takes a similar approach to educating kids in fitness. Their instructors offer swimming, gymnastics, tae kwon do, and dance lessons to tykes who enjoy competitive athleticism. They also provide day and night care that combines structured activity with open play in their fun gyms, which feature not only gymnastics equipment but inflatable play houses. Other teachers focus on team sports, training kids to work together in softball, soccer, and cheer. All of this – excepting the swim lessons – takes place in their single, colorful facility full of squeaky hardwood, soft mats, and all the equipment a kids needs to build a strong body.

Dynamic Martial Arts specializes in jujitsu, a Japanese martial art grounded in Samurai tradition. Since it doesn't do much good to hit an armored opponent and takes all night to seduce them out of their armor, schools of jujitsu place the most emphasis on throwing, joint manipulation, ground locks, and using an opponent's energy against them. DMA will tutor you in all these aspects. And since jujitsu involves getting thrown as much as it does getting to throw others, DMA's senseis also teach you the vital art of falling down without hurting yourself. In addition to unarmed fighting, DMA offers a traditional Japanese weapons class twice weekly, which is under the strict safety supervision of DMA's highly trained instructors rather than some guy in a trench coat clutching a toy lightsaber.

Landshark Scuba is one of South Dakota's only Professional Association of Diving Instructors–certified centers; the facility has been educating landlocked locals in the diving arts since 2005. With the Discover Scuba class ($35), novice divers will be introduced to scuba diving within the safe and relatively shark-free confines of Landshark's pool (a $5.35 pool fee is included with this deal). Diving basics will be covered by Landshark's staff of friendly and experienced masters of maritime mobility. Should you choose to pursue further diving instruction at Landshark, credit from this beginner's class will count towards your PADI Open Water certification.

Though The Dharma Room is a yoga and wellness studio, it often reverberates with the telltale sounds of a comedy club or a dentist's office with leaky nitrous-oxide containers. Owners Jill Johnson and Sean Gallup put a playful spin on the ancient practice during Laughter yoga classes, a style that mingles breathing exercises with spontaneous giggles. The sessions reflect an overall commitment to finding joy through the studio's yoga and holistic health services, which include massage, reiki, and meditation in addition to the class curriculum.

The Dharma Room's staff endorses acceptance of all guests regardless of experience level or age. Their workshops often stretch beyond the scope of traditional yoga, tapping into happiness reserves with tai chi and crystal-singing-bowl meditation.

The Ballroom is the dancing brain baby of Denise Aamlid, who graduated with a dance minor in 1981 and has been helping folks two-step their way through life ever since. Friday-night open dances include 20 minutes of instruction on the dance style of the week, anything from swing and the cha-cha to the tango and waltz. Following the introductory lesson, you and your partner will dance to handpicked tunes for an hour and a half, providing a full night of lively dancing fun. Partners don't change at Friday-night open dances, so you won't have to worry about wrapping your arms around the neighborhood garbage can filled with baby raccoons. The card you'll get with this Groupon can be used by more than one person; it allows both you and a partner to get in for the reduced rate. Check the schedule to find a date that works for you.

Bookended by the rippling waters of Lake Madison and Round Lake, The Lakes Golf Course’s nine-hole layout arches over 3,128 yards of rolling, lush terrain. Conscientious clubbers will spend time at the adjacent driving range before the round to prepare swings and motivate lazy golf carts in time for the first hole, a par 5, 533-yard monolith rated the course’s hardest hole. Throughout the layout, gentle elevation changes create the occasional tricky lie and give way to splendid views of the lakes and the surrounding countryside topography. Those looking to extend their golf outing to an overnight trip or romantic getaway with their sand-wedge can hunker down in the rustic but modern accommodations at The Lodge, or pitch a tent made of polo shirts at the Camping Grounds.

Course at a Glance:

• 9-hole, par 36 course
• Course rating of 72.2 (adjusted for 18-hole round)
• Slope rating of 121
• Three tee options