30 Best & Fun Things To Do In Sioux Falls, SD

30 Best & Fun Things To Do In Sioux Falls, SD

 

To go on holiday, Sioux Falls is a great spot. It has lots of things to do, like malls, museums, and more.

This is one of the most famous towns in South Dakota, and there are lots of fun things to do there.

It has a reason why more than 1.6 million people visit every year!

It has lovely parks and lawns that people who love nature will enjoy.

Foodies will enjoy both the high-end restaurants and the strange snacks and street foods.

It has rough natural terrain that thrill seekers can swim, sail, ski, and snowmobile on. For art and culture lovers, its ballets and bands make the finer things in life more enjoyable.

People who like to drive, there’s also something for you.

 

1. Orpheum Theater Center

What?

It’s raining really hard in Sioux Falls where you just got off the plane.

What fun things can you do inside?

Going to the Orpheum Theater Center to see a show is one idea.

It was built in the early 1900s and has all the prestige of a big, old-fashioned theater. However, it’s full of lively, modern actors who love putting on a good show.

Concerts, musicals, plays, dances, rallies, and other events happen all the time.

Look at the schedule to see what’s going on in the place when you’re there.

The shows at the Orpheum Theater Center are a good idea for things to do in Sioux Falls on a wet day.

It doesn’t matter if you want to see a funny show or a play or musical that is good for the whole family.

Behind the curtain, there’s always something fun going on.

Address: 315 N Phillips Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, United States

2. Terrace Park

A lot of the things to do in South Dakota are based on the state’s rough natural beauty, and Terrace Park is no different.

With its lakes, parks, and trees, it has some of the most beautiful views in Sioux Falls.

It even has a park that looks like it was inspired by Japan. There is a small waterfall with stone pagodas and lanterns all around it.

You don’t have to meditate in silence, though. If you’d rather do something more active in your parks, that’s fine too.

You can find a lot of other ways to have fun.

There are tennis courts, baseball fields, and a bandstand where you can watch an outdoor show. You can swim, canoe, or kayak in the water.

The water park with pools, slides, and tubes is another fun thing about the resort.

Terrace Park is a great place to visit in Sioux Falls, even though it’s not as well known as some of the city’s other tourist spots. It’s especially great if you want to get out of hotels and other indoor places for a while.

Instead, go somewhere nice outside to get some fresh air.

Address: 1100 W 4th St, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, United States

3. Sioux Falls Stadium

People all over the world love baseball, and Sioux Falls Stadium is a great place to enjoy it in a charming, old-fashioned way.

The field is one of the oldest in South Dakota and the whole American Association. It was built more than 50 years ago.

Today, it’s thought of as small, but it was big for its time. It can hold just under 4,500 people.

Part of its charm comes from its small size and the bright green fields with old-fashioned scoreboards and bucket chairs all around them.

There are times when you’ll want to yell “Batter up!” and eat Cracker Jacks.

The stadium is also known as “The Birdcage” because it’s home to the Sioux Falls Canaries, a team that people in the area are very proud of.

There are some less exciting things to do in Sioux Falls.

Some, like the Sioux Falls Stadium, have a more homey feel to them.

The Birdcage is a great place to spend an afternoon before going to a baseball game.

Address: 1001 Northwest Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, United States

4. McKennan Park

The kind of place that’s always fun is McKennan Park.

No matter the season, you can have a great time. In the summer, you can splash around in the swimming pools, and in the winter, you can swirl around on the ice rinks.

The park is great for families because there are lots of fun things for everyone to do.

Small children can jump on the playground equipment, and bigger children can play basketball or tennis.

Adults can groove to performances outside at the bandshell.

The shuffleboard court is a fun place for everyone, even grandparents and great-grandparents.

Go to McKennan Park to have fun.

It’s the kind of tourist spot that always has something to offer, no matter when you go.

Address: 400 E 26th St, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, United States

5. The World’s Only Corn Palace

The title “The World’s Only Corn Palace” is enough to stop you in your tracks, and it’s great news that the draw itself is also a lot of fun.

The World’s Only Corn Palace really is the only place in the world that you can go to see something like this.

This building’s name comes from the “crop art” on its outside and the corn and grain-themed murals and drawings that cover the inside.

What is the Corn Palace?

It’s a convention center that’s used for concerts, protests, and other events that bring a lot of people together.

Fun events and festivals are held there, too. In July, the Corn Palace hosts the Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo. In August and September, it hosts the Corn Palace Polka Festival.

The only bad thing about the Corn Palace is that it’s not in Sioux Falls. You’ll have to go through Mitchell, South Dakota, on your way there.

The husks will be waiting for you, though, if you don’t mind taking a detour.

Address: 604 N Main St, Mitchell, SD 57301, United States

6. Pettigrew Home and Museum

The Pettigrew Home and Museum is one of Sioux Falls’s more interesting spots to check out.

It was first built in 1889 and had several owners before it was given its name to Senator Richard Franklin Pettigrew.

He stuffed the house with fun and interesting things, and when he died, he left the whole thing to the city so that other people could enjoy his strange collection.

What does the Pettigrew Home have to offer?

There’s something new on every shelf.

Stone tools, natural history items, Native American totems, and more can be found there.

The house itself is a sight to see. It has been carefully preserved to keep its 19th-century look, but it was also decorated in Pettigrew’s own unique style at the time, so you never know when you’ll see something like purple carpets going up the stairs.

Another important fact is that entry is free. If you’re looking for free things to do in the Sioux Falls area, this could be a great way to have fun without spending any money.

Take some time to look around the Pettigrew Home and Museum.

It’s both strange and amazing, so your trip there will be one you’ll never forget.

Address: 131 N Duluth Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, United States

7. USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial

People who are interested in history and the military have long thought that the USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial was one of the best places to visit in Sioux Falls.

Even if you don’t know much about history, you can enjoy seeing a rebuilt battleship in the middle of a green yard!

That’s one thing you can see at the shrine.

This book is about the U.S.S. South Dakota, which was the most honored warship in World War II. It talks about the ship’s whole service history.

The ship was so valuable that it was given the name “Battleship X” so that enemy forces wouldn’t be able to find it and attack it.

People who go to the memorial can look at displays inside and outside that will take them back in time and to the front lines of war.

The South Dakota Battleship Memorial is fun for everyone, not just history buffs.

A lot of different types of people enjoy going there, making it one of the best places to visit near Sioux Falls.

Address: 2705 W 12th St, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, United States

8. SiouxperCon

Are you proud to be a nerd?

Get dressed up as Naruto and go to SiouxperCon.

It is a yearly event that honors books, video games, comics, cartoons, and all other geeky things. It takes place in the fall.

During the contests, you can throw dice.

At the film festival, you can watch movies and try out virtual reality headsets at the game booths.

If you really like certain artists, you can buy tickets to see them on panels and in Q&As.

Of course, there are also booths, which offer a variety of ways to buy merchandise and meet other fans who share your interests.

You won’t want to miss SiouxperCon if you know you’re a nerd.

Address: 1201 West Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, United States

9. Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science

Address: 301 S Main Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, United States

10. PAve

PAve is one of the best places to go out at night in Sioux Falls. During the day it’s a restaurant, and at night it’s a club.

In addition to being right in the middle of downtown, it can be a fun place for people of all types to meet new people.

The trendy industrial look of the first floor goes well with the modern bar space and beer and burger menu.

The second floor is on top of the building. It has live entertainment, deep red padded seats, and lines of fairy lights that make it look like a glamorous night out.

Do you want to stand out in Sioux Falls??

Get a drink at PAve while wearing your nicest dress or jacket.

At night, you never know who you’ll meet!

Address: 130 S Phillips Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, United States

Why not check out some of the things to do in Rapid City?

11. Wild Water West Waterpark

12. JazzFest

Did you know that there is a lively jazz scene in Sioux Falls?

They celebrate the genre with Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) in April, which includes jazz crawls, camps, and concerts. They also have JazzFest every summer, which is a fun, family-friendly event.

At JazzFest, there are several stages where local and national artists perform.

There is lots of food and drink to go with the music, and many people set up booths to sell jazz-related stuff.

It’s all put together by the Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Society.

They also came up with the idea for Jazz Appreciation Month. If you like JazzFest, you might want to go in April to enjoy many other music camps, shows, and workshops.

Address: Sioux Falls, SD, United States

13. Museum of Visual Materials

A Museum of Visual Materials is the best place to go to see weird and interesting things.

This nice place to visit with your family is full of interesting art that will make you say “ooh” and “ahh” while you’re in Sioux Falls.

As the name suggests, the museum isn’t just about pictures, though.

The many arts and crafts supplies make it fun for all five senses.

From blocks and dolls to construction paper and glitter glue, you and the kids can touch, smell, stamp, poke, color, and build.

People also like to meet and get together at the museum, so if you’re planning a wedding, a convention, or a class reunion, you might want to check out their event space.

Going to Sioux Falls for work can be just as fun as going there for vacation.

Make the Museum of Visual Materials one of your things to do in and around Sioux Falls. It’s fun for the whole family and more.

Address: 500 N Main Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, United States

14. Old Courthouse Museum

The Old Courthouse Museum is only in Sioux Falls. It is also known as the “Old Minnehaha County Courthouse.”

This is because it is made of quartzite, a mineral that South Dakota miners used to grow and sell a lot in the 1800s.

The whole building is made of quartzite, which gives it a unique look that looks like textured dark stone.

A clock tower, granite pillars, tiled fireplaces, decorative dormers, and a number of stained glass windows are some of the other architectural wonders.

There are dozens of paintings on the walls inside the building, and there are also displays that teach people about South Dakota.

Some of the things that are talked about are trains, small towns in the country, colonial life, and the Native American groups that lived in the area.

When it comes to Sioux Falls sites that will stick with you, the Old Courthouse Museum is quite the standout.

You won’t forget this kind of site quickly.

Address: 200 W 6th St, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, United States

15. Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History

The Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History is a great place for people who love animals. It has more than 1,000 animals.

The living history museum has a lot of different kinds of animals, from slinking snow leopards to huge, lifelike giraffes. You can also see rare and endangered species through taxidermy animals.

It is easy to get around the zoo. There is even a bright red train that you can ride to see all the animals.

You can get where you need to go whether you’re interested in birds, bears, or flowers.

The zoo also has food stands, carousels, feedings of animals, zookeeper talks, and a “zoovie theater” where kids can see themselves reflected on a big screen with different animals.

The Great Plains Zoo and the Delbridge Museum of Natural History are great places for people who love animals.

It’s one of the best places to get close to animals, and it can also teach you a lot about geology, biology, and other sciences.

It might turn out to be a great place to learn that gives your kids fun while they learn

Address: 805 S Kiwanis Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, United States

16. Great Bear Ski Valley

One of the best winter things to do in Sioux Falls is ski at Great Bear Ski Valley. You can have a great time both on and off the slopes.

You can start by getting gear and making an appointment for a lesson with the staff. You don’t need to have any experience before.

Once you’re used to skiing, you can test your skills on more than a dozen trails. Some of them can only be reached by taking a scary-high lift.

Cross-country skiing is another choice for people who have done it before.

You can also go skating and snowboarding at the park. When you’re ready to try an ollie or an indy, why not shred it up at the terrain park?

As you fly down the hills, the wind in your hair and the world blurry in front of your eyes, there’s nothing better.

You can start your winter trip as soon as this weekend if you buy tickets to the Great Bear Ski Valley.

Address: 5901 E Rice St, Sioux Falls, SD 57110, United States

17. Strawbale Winery

The Strawbale Winery is in the South Dakota city of Renner, which is not in Sioux Falls. However, it’s only a 20-minute drive from downtown Sioux Falls, and the trip is well worth it.

It looks like a farm made of straw!

Straw pieces that were packed together were used to lay the building and keep it warm.

Straw bales were used to build the tasting room.

Even the wood floors and frames have been decorated with tastefully rustic “straw art.”

The wineries look more like they belong in Napa Valley when you look at them from the outside.

But the farm still has a cute and kitsch look to it.

This is a simple, family-run business, right down to the black slate menu and the brightly colored lawn chairs used for parties outside.

A fancy winery is open to everyone, but the Strawbale Winery’s unique, country charm makes it a more unique and memorable experience.

Looking for sweet things to do or funny, unique places to take selfies that will get a lot of likes on social media? This place has it all.

Address: 47215 257th St, Renner, SD 57055, United States

18. Buffalo Ridge Ghost Town

The ghost town full of animatronics is one of the most interesting things to do in Sioux Falls.

Yes, you read that right. It’s a “ghost town” with a Wild West theme and lots of moving robots.

The Buffalo Ridge Ghost Town is much stranger than the word “quirky.”

It’s not real, and it doesn’t try to be. It was built in the 1960s to look like a house from the 1800s.

A lot of buildings look very old and worn out, with things like peeling paint, rusting stairs and shutters adding to the shabby look.

The dead town’s charm comes from how strange it is.

There will be a lot of things that you’ll want to take pictures of, whether they are grotesque taxidermy animals or a bunch of chipped and faded mannequins set like cowboys.

Oh no, those bloody ones might even come back to haunt you in your dreams. But don’t worry, everything is PG.

Anyone of any age can go there safely and understand what it’s trying to do.

Buffalo Ridge Ghost Town is one of the strangest places you can see along the road.

Don’t go through South Dakota unless you want to see some interesting sights. Stop at the 1800s robots museum.

Address: 46614 SD-38, Buffalo Ridge, SD 57107, United States

19. The Outdoor Campus

The South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks Department owns and runs the Outdoor Campus. It is a “outdoor learning center” where you can learn fun and usefuloutdoor skills while being in touch with nature.

For both adults and kids, there are courses that teach everything from archery and hunting to farming, orienteering, cooking wild game, and shooting a bow and arrow.

There are even programs that let people boat and cross-country ski through the hills and rivers of South Dakota.

A lot of them are cheap or even free, which is great for budget tourists.

Families may also be interested in Outdoor University, the center’s program for families that offers lots of kid-friendly events and activities, such as meetings with animals in the area.

When you’re not sure what to do in Sioux Falls, visit the Outdoor Campus and go on an adventure.

You’ll have a great time and learn skills that will help you for a long time.

Address: 4500 S Oxbow Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57106, United States

20. Good Earth State Park

One of the most beautiful places in the US to visit is Good Earth State Park.

It’s a nature retreat, as its name suggests, and it’s known for its deep roots and rich cultural history that comes from the Native American groups that lived in the area.

There is a lot of beauty in the park.

With its vast fields and quiet rivers and brooks, Canada gives you lots of chances to disconnect from modern life and enjoy nature.

You can also hike, bike, watch birds, geocache, have a picnic, and sled.

The park is also important to South Dakota’s native tribes, which is another important thing about it.

People have lived there from 1300 to 1700 AD because it has rich land and natural shelter from the weather.

A museum on-site gives more information.

Good Earth State Park is a few miles south of the city borders, but it’s often thought of as one of Sioux Falls’ attractions, and the half-hour drive is well worth it.

You can enjoy a relaxing time in nature and learn about important history and culture for the north central US at the same time.

Address: 26924 480th Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57108, United States

21. Cathedral of Saint Joseph

There is a beautiful building called the Cathedral of Saint Joseph that is on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1881, it was just a simple wooden building. But after a hundred years of repairs, it has grown into the huge structure it is now.

Window panes with stained glass give the pulpit a lively glow.

In the middle of the rows is a huge pipe organ.

Outside, the church’s twin towers can be seen for miles, calling people to come see how beautiful it is.

Did we say that there’s no charge to get in?

There are lots of free things to do near and in Sioux Falls. This trip will not cost you a dime.

You don’t even need a ticket to take a trip; just show up and begin.

If you go into the Cathedral of Saint Joseph, you can leave this world and enter a heavenly one.

There are so many beautiful sights and sounds of its past, craftsmanship, and people that it will move even nonreligious people.

Address: 521 N Duluth Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, United States

22. Falls Park

The name “Sioux Falls” comes from a group of streams that rush over rocks.

They are some of the best places to see the wild beauty and raw power of South Dakota’s natural settings because they drop an average of 7,400 gallons of water per second.

Falls Park’s main draw is its waterfalls, which can be seen from a number of vantage points, including a five-story tower that gives you a view of the rushing water from above.

People can get close enough to feel the spray on their face by walking or riding a bike on the trails.

In the park, there is also a granite museum and an old mill that has been abandoned since the late 1800s.

In what’s left of an old light and power company building, there’s also a cafe.

If you only have time to see one tourist spot while you’re there, make it the city’s namesake.

People have been coming to Falls Park to see the beautiful views since it was first settled in 1856.

Address: 131 E Falls Park Dr, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, United States

23. Sioux Falls Bike Trails

One of the best things to do in Sioux Falls is to take a walk through the city’s parks, gardens, and rivers.

To get around, many people drive or even walk. But if you want to do something more active, you could rent bikes and hit the bike tracks.

The bike trails are a network of well-kept, well-organized paths that go around the whole city and cover almost 30 miles.

A lot of them go through the 3,178-acre Sioux Falls park system. Other ones go by stores, bars, malls, and museums.

You can start hiking on the trails anywhere, but popular tourist spots like Falls Park are good places to start.

There are paths that can be used by people who aren’t cycling. You can walk, jog, or walk your dog on them.

When you think about it, the Sioux Falls Bike Trails are some of the best ways to see the city.

You can take a break from the walks to see whatever strikes your fancy. You’ll see the sights and get some fresh air.

What’s not to like?

Address: Sioux Falls, SD, United States

24. Candy Cloud Factory

Do you want to know what to see in Sioux Falls? How about a huge tower of cotton candy?

With just one cotton candy machine, the Candy Cloud Factory began as a small store in downtown Sioux Falls.

It has changed into a variety of tastes and colors today, with many of them coming in the form of very creative treats.

There’s the “magical taco,” which has a cotton candy shell with ice cream inside.

The “jumbo cake” has six layers of colored cotton candy stacked on top of each other to look like a staircase.

Regular fluff comes in bags and plastic tubs, and taste combinations that could work are as different as banana and bubblegum to pina colada and pink vanilla.

It might not be on your list of things to do, but at the Candy Cloud Factory, you can add it and cross it off.

The event will be exciting, bright, and fun, and you’ll have a great story to tell about Sioux Falls.

Address: 701 N Phillips Ave Suite 160, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, United States

25. SculptureWalk

Take a walk along the SculptureWalk if you want to see things in Sioux Falls that won’t cost you a fortune.

It’s a free business, so it won’t cost you a dime and is fun, engaging, and full of creativity.

The walk doesn’t follow a set plan.

Instead, you just walk around downtown and play “I Spy.” You are always looking for things made of metal, glass, wood, and stone that look like birds, butterflies, flowers, and geometric shapes.

On your own trip, you can end with a visit to the Arc of Dreams, a bridge that curves over the river and stands for the city’s spirit of entrepreneurship.

The SculptureWalk is a great place to find free things to do while you’re on vacation.

It will be a big deal in Sioux Falls and all of South Dakota

Address: 300 S Phillips Ave L104, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, United States

26. Butterfly House and Aquarium

The Butterfly House and Aquarium is one of Sioux Falls’s most interesting spots.

It’s a fun mix of a zoo, a refuge, and a tourist spot.

The butterfly house is home to hundreds of butterflies, and people can walk among them like they are in a fairy tale.

The species are not just from South Dakota, but also from all over the world.

The aquarium and marine cove on the other side of the building are mostly filled with sea life.

You can watch sharks and stingrays swim by in tanks, and you can touch starfish, sea urchins, and anemones in tide pools.

If you want to do something fun this weekend, you might want to check out the Butterfly House and Aquarium.

Because it’s open every day, its doors are always open to new animal lovers and people who like to learn new things.

Address: 4320 S Oxbow Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57106, United States

27. Downtown Sioux Falls

Filled with tourist attractions, downtown Sioux Falls is a highlight of the city, so much so that you could easily spend your entire vacation visiting the shops, cafes, restaurants, museums and theaters of a few square blocks.

Do you want something to eat?

There are a lot of places to eat, from simple diners to fancy bakeries.

Do you want to learn something new?

See a dance, an orchestra play, or a live theater show.

Want to shop until you drop?

Take out your wallet when you go to art galleries, bookstores, nail salons, and stores that sell souvenirs.

There are also tours of breweries, trolley rides, museum classes, and more.

There are many restaurants in the area where you can rest your head when you’re done having fun.

One of the best things to do in Sioux Falls is to take a walk through downtown.

Make the most of your short trip if you only have time for one!

Address: Sioux Falls, SD, United States

28. Arrowhead Park

Sioux Falls also has a place where you can look at the stars. You just need to find it.

One of these places is Arrowhead Park.

The area is still in the city, but it’s far enough from downtown that you can look up at the stars and see what’s beyond.

It has been used as a base of operations by many scientists and astrophotographers in the area.

During the day, the park is also fun to visit because it has lovely trails and interesting sites like a rough, old barn.

But in the end, the best time to visit Arrowhead Park is at night.

It’s one of the best places in Sioux Falls to look at the stars, so get your binoculars ready and start counting the stars.

Address: 1600 River Bluff Rd, Sioux Falls, SD 57110, United States

29. Denny Sanford Premier Center

Have you always loved big events like fairs, festivals, bands, and so on?

If so, you will probably be told to go to the Denny Sanford Premier Center.

Plus, it’s right in the middle of Sioux Falls and is the state’s biggest indoor venue.

The center is linked to the Sioux Falls Arena and the Sioux Falls Convention Center and is where many events take place.

The other spaces are usually used for smaller events, while the center, which can hold up to 12,000 people, is where the big events happen.

As for what goes on at the center, the schedule is full and different.

Kids have been able to sing along to Kidz Bop and Slipknot has played late at night.

People also like sports. There have been basketball games, hockey tournaments, indoor football finals, and even a few bull-riding conventions.

There are many things to do in Sioux Falls that will lead you to the Denny Sanford Premier Center and the sites nearby.

While you’re at it, you might as well learn the name!

Address: 1201 Northwest Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, United States

30. Big Sioux State Recreation Area

Big Sioux State Recreation Area is one of the most beautiful holiday spots in the whole northern US.

There are lots of outdoor activities to choose from, such as camping, paddling, hiking, biking, and snowmobiling. It is right on the Big Sioux River.

You can sleep outside under the stars and ride your horse across the plains.

Archery classes and disc golf gear rentals are also available.

Still, you don’t need to be a thrill junkie to enjoy the park.

You can just take a cabin in the woods and enjoy nature at your own pace. It’s a beautiful place.

Wouldn’t it be nice to wake up every morning to the sound of trees rustling?

But if you want to have fun, the Big Sioux State Recreation Area is the place to go.

You can have the best holiday ever at this Sioux Falls getaway. You can go kayaking down the river and hunt animals in the forest.

Address: 410 W Park St, Brandon, SD 57005, United State

31. Carnaval Brazilian Grill

Carnaval is a restaurant with a Brazilian theme that will make you feel like you’re in another country without leaving South Dakota.

It’s one of the most romantic things for couples to do in Sioux Falls because it has an award-winning food and a lively social scene that makes it great for date nights.

The freshly painted walls and artwork from around the world add to the party atmosphere.

Live music, usually by local singers, and patios inside and outside are two other things that make it unique.

The best thing about the place, though, is its food.

People can eat as much slow-roasted meat as they want, which is cooked just right with a variety of Brazilian sauces and spices.

You’ll want to lick your fingers while you dance to the music or laugh with your partner across the table.

A special someone should have a special night out.

If you want to experience real South American culture in the middle of Sioux Falls, make a ticket at Carnaval.

Address: 2401 S Carolyn Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57106, United States