The Yankton center point is approximately the area of Dakota Territorial Museum and 1 mile east of Mount Marty College.
Average temperatures in Yankton vary substantially. For about half the year Yankton feels cold, with a chance of rain or snow right through the year. Spring has a moderately cold feel with temperatures ranging from 75.3 degrees to 32.3 degrees Fahrenheit. It rains for around two to six days a month from March through May. Spring is a good time if you are looking for hotel deals, as it is a fairly slow time for tourism.
The summer months, June through August offer comfortable weather with warm highs. Because this is the busiest time for tourism in Yankton, accommodation prices are higher.
During the fall months, September through November, daily highs range from 80.6 to 40.5 degrees Fahrenheit, with a chilly feeling due to the wind and humidity. It usually rains or snows one to four days per month during the fall. This is a slow time for tourism, so accommodation is often more affordable.
Warmer travelers will not enjoy visiting Yankton in the winter months as temperatures range from 35.6 to 29.4 degrees Fahrenheit. During the winter months, it rains or snows on average once to twice a month. Although this is a cold time of the year, it is the second busiest time for tourists who enjoy winter activities.
Take advantage of the discounts offered and save money during your trip to Yankton. The Best Western Kelly Inn is situated very close to several parks, museums, and recreational areas. All 121 air-conditioned guest rooms have flat-screen televisions and refrigerators. All rooms also have pillowtop beds and sofa beds. Make use of the recreational amenities offered which include a spa tub, waterslide, and an indoor pool. This hotel offers wedding services and free Wi-Fi. Start the morning with a complimentary continental breakfast. And as an added bonus, they offer AAA rates.
Enjoy the newly renovated Holiday Inn Express and Suites Yankton. Start each morning with a hot complimentary breakfast featuring scrambled eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy, and so much more. Stay connected with free Wi-Fi and entertained with satellite programming. Amenities include a phone with free local calls, desks, refrigerators, and microwaves. Don't miss out on the great recreational options such as working out at the fitness center, swimming in the indoor pool, or soaking in the spa tub. Senior and government discounts can be applied at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Yankton.
Mid-range hotels that offer good value for your money near Yankton include Red Roof Inn Vermillion - U of South Dakota. This 100 percent smoke-free hotel is pet-friendly and family friendly. Located a few miles from Yankton in the heart of Vermillion, Red Roof Inn Vermillion - U of South Dakota offers great conveniences such as coffee/tea makers, refrigerators, microwaves, cable programming, and phones with free local calls. They also provide on-site parking, free Wi-Fi, and a vending machine.
Located near Yankton in Harington, the Cobblestone Inn & Suites Hartington is within a 15-minute walk of Hartington Golf Club and Cedar County Historical Museum and is 24.8 miles from Riverside Park. This upper-midscale hotel offers a complimentary breakfast buffet, free Wi-Fi, an on-site convenience store, and the daily newspaper. Make yourself right at home in your guest room with flat screen televisions, cable programming, and DVD players. Relax in your private bathroom that features a soaking bathtub and complimentary toiletries. Take advantage of working out in the fitness center. This hotel also offers a wedding service and a vending machine.
Now that your accommodation is taken care of, there are loads of exciting and fun things to do in and around Yankton.
The stunning 30-mile Lewis and Clark Lake is great for fishing and boating. The Lewis and Clark Marina has over 400 slips, boat rental availability, a convenience store, mechanics, and fueling spots. In summer, enjoy the days bicycling, hiking, swimming, jet skiing, horseback riding, fishing, or catching a tan on the sandy beaches. In the cooler months, there is still boating and fishing to be done as well as cross-country skiing. It is easy to understand why the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area is one of the state park system's most popular parks.
Take a walk over the Meridian Highway Bridge - it's worth the visit. Dating back to 1924, the two-level lift bridge was originally designed to have railroad tracks on the lower level and vehicles on the upper level. However, that never materialized and so when it was refurbished in 1953, it was converted into two one-way paths. It's a fun walk with great views of the river for the whole family to enjoy. Stop at the park on the Yankton side for the kids to enjoy the run-through fountains.
Gavin's Point National Fish Hatchery is a great place to visit. Operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Gavin's Point National Fish Hatchery is one of 70 federal hatcheries. Take a tour of the hatchery or take a walk along the two miles of nature trails. There are great exhibits of fish and turtles to see. Stop at the aquarium's gift shop and buy some fish food, then feed the fish in the raceway. It's a fun outing for kids and adults alike.
Take a step back in time when you visit the Yanton pioneer history Dakota Territorial Museum. They have a large collection of memorabilia from early life in the area. The museum is open in the summer months from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, and from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the weekend. Winter hours are the same as weekend hours. Admission is a free will donation.
Browse specialty and antique shops downtown, and end the day by stopping for something to eat at one of the locally owned eateries or bars.
During the summer months, Yankton comes alive with summertime events such as the Yankton Ribfest, "Bash to the Colonies" Sailing Regatta, Summer Concert Series, and the Riverboat Days and Summer Arts Festival.
Whether you're a foodie who wants to be close to fine eateries, an adventurer wanting to explore, or a historian ready to take to the museums, there is certainly no shortage of fun things to do in Yankton! Luckily, there are plenty of quality hotel options close to all the right attractions to make everyone in your travel party exited to explore "River City."
Below are reviews of the city of Yankton, SD from an actual visitor's perspective.
There are a lot of restaurants. The downtown is nice and the city park is beautiful!
Nice and clean hotel.
For a larger community, the citizens are so friendly. One thing I mentioned to my wife one day while driving around is the traffic and the drivers are so laid back. No weaving in and out or honking if you're not smoking your tires when the light turns green. Just a very peaceful and relaxing place to stay.
Outdoors! Downtown!
Nice place!
Midway Lake is a great place to have family gatherings, the lock bridge is really cool too.
Went for a wedding and walked over the beautiful bridge, it was so pretty at sunset!
We love going on a lake drive and we always stop at Kleinschmit's Locker.
The Archery Center is the best!!! The people are great! A really friendly, welcoming community. I luv Muddy Mo's coffee shop downtown.
Closeness of everything.
Visited the dam, visitor center and aquarium. Good restaurant selection.
Ball fields are exceptional!
Great bars and restaurants.
NFAA Headquarters, JoDeans and Black Steer.
Yankton is beautiful and spread out.
Archery Center is fabulous. People are so friendly—great service in restaurants, coffee shops, and stores. Great small-town feel.