For being South Dakota’s largest city, the metropolitan area sure offers visitors plenty of ways to connect with nature. Explore the 123-acre Falls Park to see magnificent waterfalls. Try fishing, kayaking or camping classes at The Outdoor Campus. Go hiking and birdwatching at the Good Earth State Park nature retreat, one of the oldest human habitation sites in the nation.
Nature lovers adore the Butterfly House & Aquarium, where you can walk among 800 butterflies and view hundreds of fish and marine life species. Continue your wildlife adventure at the Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History. You'll find close-up exhibits of animals, camel rides and a Face-to-Face Farm.
Get the best of both worlds in Sioux Falls — with big-city amenities and first-class outdoor recreation, there are more than enough fun things to do in South Dakota’s biggest city.
Falls Park
Explore Falls Park and witness every second, 7,400 gallons of water drop 100 feet throughout the falls. Stop by the Visitor Information Center and the five-story observation tower for awe-inspiring views of the park and city. At Falls Park, you'll also find the Queen Bee Mill, a cafe, and excellent hiking trails.
One of the can’t-miss highlights of Falls Park is the Stockyards Ag Experience, an exhibit that tells the story of the impact of agriculture on South Dakota and the region. Visitors will journey through the history of the Sioux Falls Stockyards while learning more about the connection between agriculture, science, economics, technology and more.
If you’re a concert enthusiast, Falls Park has you covered. Levitt at the Falls is an outdoor music venue in downtown Sioux Falls that offers a season of 50 free concerts each summer. The annual Levitt at the Falls event is a great gathering place for the community and gives anyone access to great concerts from professional artists in various musical genres.
SculptureWalk
One of the world’s largest annual public sculpture exhibits, the SculptureWalk is a can't-miss attraction. Walk through downtown Sioux Falls and observe dozens of elaborate, expertly crafted sculptures displayed year-round. New and unique works of art are added to the program each year, so you never know what you’ll get (other than amazing art, of course).
Great Bear Recreation Park
No matter the season, traverse over 200 acres at Great Bear Recreation Park. In the winter, the park’s Ski Valley features snowboarding, skiing, snow tubing and snowshoeing. In the summer, you can hike the park’s four-mile trail system that will make you forget you’re even in a city!
The Outdoor Campus
Learn a new outdoorsy skill while enjoying nature at the Game, Fish and Parks Outdoor Campus in Sioux Falls. This 100-acre nature park offers experiential education opportunities for the public, offering hunting, fishing, environmental science and outdoor skills classes. The area includes two miles of walking trails, birdwatching, a natural playscape, a butterfly house and aquarium, bike trails and more.
Good Earth State Park at Blood Run
The Oneota people inhabited this area around 1500 A.D., but others lived there as early as 6500 B.C. Visitors can stroll among the wildlife, wild grasses and magnificent oak trees. Relax along the banks of the Big Sioux River, walk the 3.1-mile Riparian Trail, and enjoy various kid-friendly activities throughout the year.
The Washington Pavilion
The Washington Pavilion is the region’s home for the arts, entertainment and science. Located in a beautifully renovated historic building in downtown Sioux Falls, it is one of only a few facilities in the world to bring together the performing arts, visual arts, interactive science and educational opportunities under one roof.
Butterfly House & Aquarium
Enjoy more than 800 free-flying butterflies of various species in this tropical conservatory. View hundreds of vibrant marine fish and corals in more than 10,000 gallons of aquariums, including the Pop-Up Dome Aquarium, Shark & Stingray Touch Pool, and Pacific Tide Pool. Experience interactive learning and relaxation at the same time.
Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History
The Great Plains Zoo is a 45-acre park with more than 1,000 animals, offering close-up views of giraffes, tigers, rhinos and primates. Ride a camel or get a kiss from a sheep before exploring the Delbridge Museum of Natural History, a one-of-a-kind collection of 150 mounted animals, including 38 vanishing species.
Walkthrough Gardens
Who doesn’t love a stroll through beautifully designed gardens? In Terrace Park, located in the heart of Sioux Falls, take a walk through the Shoto-Teien Japanese Gardens. This acclaimed garden features pagodas, lanterns, koi ponds, waterfalls, exotic flowers and more than 200 trees.
Venture east of Sioux Falls and visit the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum and East Sioux Falls Historic Site. It’s a unique, 145-acre natural oasis that nurtures the past and present connection between plants and people. Explore the arboretum’s wetlands, gardens and native plants by getting your hands in the dirt in a gardening class or volunteering a few hours a week.
Hiking Trails
Sioux Falls may be the biggest city in South Dakota, but you can still escape into nature on one of the hiking trails within a 30-minute drive. Good Earth State Park, Newton Hills State Park, Beaver Creek Nature Area, Great Bear Recreation Park and Lake Vermillion Recreation Area offer various trails for every skill level.
Plan Your Visit
Sioux Falls is the perfect destination for big-city fun and outdoor recreation. Start planning your trip today.
Places to Stay Near Sioux Falls
Look no further, whether you want to stay in the middle of it all in South Dakota's biggest city or hang your hat at a low-key outpost.
Where to Eat and Drink
With 700+ restaurants dotting this urban landscape, you'll find it all here, from hearty Midwestern fare to sophisticated farm-to-table and plant-based offerings. The array of dessert spots and bars won't disappoint, either.
What to See & Do Nearby
Feel the zen of sparkling waterfalls in the heart of downtown. Catch a local indie band amidst tasty eats and delicious cocktails. Or splash around at Wild Water West Waterpark before saying hello to the animals at the Great Plains Zoo. It's all here in Sioux Falls.
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