10 Unique Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
In this travel guide, I share 10 unique things to do in Sioux Falls, including exploring public art installations, visiting historic sites, and indulging in the local food scene. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure in this vibrant Midwestern city.
Sioux Falls, in particular the downtown area, invites guests to experience a fantastic array of food, shopping, and art. Sioux Falls is a great stopover city for anyone road-tripping across the Midwest United States. I rate it highly for families, foodies, and fun-seekers alike. I’ve rounded up 10 unique things to do in Sioux Falls, from exploring its natural scenery to supporting small businesses.
Sioux Falls is, in my opinion, a bit of an underrated Midwest metropolis. Nestled along the banks of the Big Sioux River, the city offers an array of attractions that cater to visitors with varying interests. From the thundering cascade of Falls Park to the lively downtown, Sioux Falls is a beautiful blend of urban amenities and lush landscapes. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, I’ve created this guide to help you unlock the very best of South Dakota’s biggest city.
getting to Sioux Falls ↴
Sioux Falls is serviced by Sioux Falls Regional Airport with an estimated 150 weekly flights. For such a small airport, Sioux Falls Regional has a lot of direct flights that make it relatively easy to get to and from Denver, Dallas, Las Vegas, and Minneapolis to name a few. However, as you’ll read further down, you’ll want a car to get around the city and its nearby attractions, so road tripping to Sioux Falls is a great alternative to flying.
getting around Sioux Falls ↴
Downtown Sioux Falls is entirely walkable. There is also a trolley that runs around the downtown area during the summer months (from June through August). It’s a budget-friendly option, costing just USD $2 per day for adults. The rest of Sioux Falls, however, is a little harder to navigate without a vehicle. I’d highly recommend having a car to get you around. It’s necessary if you want to visit Palisades State Park and explore the wider Sioux Falls area.
where to stay in Sioux Falls ↴
There is no shortage of hotels and motels to stay at in Sioux Falls thanks to it being a hub in the northern Midwest U.S., the largest city in the state, and home to a lot of South Dakota’s high school sporting events. During our 3-day visit to Sioux Falls, we stayed at the EconoLodge at Empire Mall. It wasn’t glamorous and it isn’t anything to write home about, but it was clean and had all the basic amenities we needed. A double room starts at just USD $62 and is inclusive of a continental breakfast.
We love using Booking.com to book the best places to stay around the world.
where to eat + drink in Sioux Falls ↴
For a small city of 117,000 people, Sioux Falls has an impressive number of breweries, coffee shops, and restaurants. Here are a few of my favourites in the city:
Josiah’s Coffee: come here for great coffee accompanied by soups, salads, and hot sandwiches
Coffea Roasterie + Espresso Bar: great for a quick pastry and a cosy hot drink, especially on a gloomy day
Fernson Brewing Co.: good food and even better beer, patio seating in the summer
Bread + Circus: veggie options, large portions, great beer
CH Patisserie: French-style dessert pastries, including delicious macarons
10 unique things to do in Sioux Falls ↴
visit Falls Park
Falls Park is a free public space with It’s especially good to visit at sunset. During the summer months, the park hosts a Saturday morning Farmer’s Market with vendors selling fresh local produce and artisan crafts. Make sure you go up the observation tower to see the falls from away and above.
Sertoma Butterfly House + Marine Cove
Nearly 800 butterflies call Sertoma Butterfly House home. The inside is kept at optimal temperature (80F) for the hundreds of butterflies to thrive.
enjoy live outdoor music
SUMMER ONLY
South Dakota isn’t known for its year-round warm weather, but in the summertime, Sioux Falls hosts regular live music concerts. The best part is that they’re free to the public, as a way of encouraging people to enjoy the good weather (while it lasts) and the green spaces in Sioux Falls. Bring a blanket, grab some refreshments from the surrounding food trucks and concession stands, and enjoy the featured musician.
shop small at locally owned boutiques
It’s super easy to support small businesses in Sioux Falls, because there are so many. The downtown area has a particularly concentrated number of boutiques, art galleries, antique shops, and specialty shops.
My favourites include:
Mint + Basil
TH Grey
Layered Elements Boutique
Urban Archealogy
hike at Palisades State Park
30-minutes from the city is Palisades State Park, where quartzite forms pink cliffs around the edge of the river. Geologists estimate that the quartzite that makes up these cliffs is approximately 1.2 billion-years-old. Palisades has four hiking trails, many scenic overlooks, fresh running water, and steep rock shelves that make it incredibly popular with outdoor recreation enthusiasts.
catch a concert
Whether you’re into classical or mainstream music, Sioux Falls has a venue for you! The Marquee, Sanford Premier Center, Convention Center, and the Orpheum Theatre all host a bevy of concerts throughout the year. Tickets vary in price depending on venue and artist, but planning online can set you up for a very musical visit to Sioux Falls.
watch a movie at the State Theatre
The Sioux Falls State Theatre was built in 1926 for silent film screenings. In 2006, it got a beautiful facelift and is now a centerpiece of the downtown area.
cheer on the Canaries baseball team
Few things say summer the way attending a baseball game does. The Canaries are the local Sioux Falls team, and their home field, called “the Birdcage”, is one of the oldest ballparks in the U.S. If you happen to be visiting Sioux Falls in the right season, a visit to the ballpark is a must!
stop by the Cathedral of St. Joseph
Driving around Sioux Falls, it’s hard to miss the most magnificent building in the city— the cathedral. The cathedral was constructed in 1881 and has been altered over the years. Inside, you’ll find a pipe organ from 1935 and French stained glass windows. The Cathedral is a beautiful, slightly unexpected, piece of architecture near the downtown area that’s well worth taking a peek at.
stroll along the Sculpturewalk
Throughout the downtown are a number of sculptures commissioned by local and regional artists. The sculptures vary widely from depictions of bears to famous figures of the American West. Stroll through the downtown and see how many sculptures you come upon on your wander.
map ↴
Find all the best things to do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on the map below.
