Where to find summer fun in Tea

Megan Raposa -

This is a paid piece from the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

Simplified: You don't have to spend a long time in the car to find out-of-town adventures in eastern South Dakota. Tea has outdoor activities, shopping and dining just southwest of the city.

Why it matters:

  • Tea is the fastest-growing community in the state, and as more people flock to town, so too do new businesses and events.
  • Through the strong growth, Tea has maintained a strong sense of community, said Ruby Zuraff, owner of Roo's Sanitation and president of the Chamber for Development.
"We're Titans, through and through," Zuraff said. "Everybody's always willing to be helpful, and it makes for a good day trip, or even if you want to move here."

Here are some reasons to pay a visit to Tea.

Outdoor recreation

The town has bike trails, parks and a public pool complete with waterslide in Tea City Park.

Retail shopping

New retail stores to check out include:

  • Dart Boutique on East Brian Street,
  • Average Joe's Gaming & Hobby Store on Verhey Place,
  • And Retro Exchange, a store specializing in sneakers, on Main Street.

Food and drink

Squealer's Smoke Shack Bar & Grill has a rooftop patio

"It's kind of the hot spot," Zuraff said. "But if you're looking for a smaller place, Sky Lounge is a great place to go for a night out."

What people are saying:

"We're getting more and more (businesses and entertainment options)," said Mike Stephenson, vice president of the Tea Chamber. "We're just a really growing community."
"More and more people are seeing Tea as a place to live, raise families and start businesses, but it's also worth checking out for a day trip or a night out," said Jesse Fonkert, president and CEO of the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.
"We've got Dairy Queen coming in, Scooters coming in, and other businesses I can't even tell you about yet," City Administrator Dan Zulkosky said. "We just continue to keep growing and growing."