Laura Ingalls Wilder Homestead
Time Needed: full-day, half-day
Experience Type: American icon, historic landmark
The Laura Ingalls Wilder Homestead brings the beloved Little House books to life. Explore the original grounds where Laura lived, taught, and wrote. Hands-on activities, pioneer replicas, and historical exhibits offer a tangible connection to one of America’s most iconic storytellers.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Step Into the Books – Walk the very land Laura Ingalls Wilder called home, experiencing the places that inspired her Little House adventures and shaped her enduring stories.
- Try Hands-On Activities – Wash clothes, drive a pony cart, grind wheat, or take the reins on a covered wagon ride. Visitors can also make pioneer toys, like a jump rope and corn cob doll.
- Camp on the Prairie – Spend a night on the homestead. Stay in a covered wagon or bunkhouse, or bring your tent or RV for an authentic prairie adventure.
- Learn American Frontier History – At the visitor center, discover the Homestead Act of the 1860s and how pioneers moved west, claimed land, and built new prairie communities.
- Connect With Laura Ingalls Wilder – Step inside a one-room schoolhouse, view exhibits, and encounter original items that bring Laura’s personal life and pioneer world vividly into focus.
Fun Find: Revisit the world of Little House with this 96-page coloring book featuring Garth Williams’ classic illustrations and favorite quotes from all nine novels. It’s a relaxing, creative way for kids or adults to enjoy pioneer-era scenes and beloved characters.
Photo Credit: © Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society, De Smet, S.D.