When the time is right to travel, you’ll need a little more than a change of pace. With sparkling waterfalls at its center, fantastic public art, great food and trails for days, Sioux Falls inspires many a Chicagoan to hit the road. The largest city in South Dakota is about a day’s drive on I-90 from the Loop – and there’s plenty to enjoy along the way. Once you get here, you’ll have days of great fun (and food) in store. To make the most of your time (and see some cool places on the way), start out bright & early. Don't forget to order your Vacation Guide before hitting the road to discover even more South Dakota adventures.

Once you’re officially out of the ‘burbs, why not get a little fresh air? The kids will love feeding the koi at Anderson Japanese Gardens. Just five minutes away by car, you’ll find the Mid-Century marvel that is Frank Lloyd Wright’s Laurent House. If you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Greenfire Bar & Bakery for some pizza and an impressive sweets menu (check their website for up-to-date hours info).

Now it’s time to hit the road to Madison, Wisconsin’s charming state capitol. Stretch your legs with a stroll through downtown, where you’ll find the capitol building and the beauty of Olbrich Botanical Gardens. If it’s lunchtime, opt for an only-in-Wisconsin dining experience (yeah, cheese curds!) at Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry or The Old-Fashioned before hopping back onto westbound I-90.

About halfway between Chicago and Sioux Falls, Rochester is a good place to stay the night if you’re stopping (which is obviously a good idea if you have little ones in tow). Check out the 38-room Mayowood Mansion and its beautiful grounds, the sprawling estate of Dr. Charles H. Mayo, cofounder of the renowned Mayo Clinic. Restaurants with local flavor and great happy hours include Canadian Honker Restaurant & Lounge or Chester’s Kitchen & Bar. If you’re calling it a day, Rochester has a lot of great hotel options to choose from.

With all the fun to be had in and around Sioux Falls, it can be hard to know where to start. We suggest beginning your adventure in the city’s very walkable downtown, then venturing beyond city limits to explore the beautiful open spaces surrounding the city.

Around Town

Start at the spot that inspired the city’s name, Falls Park (131 E. Falls Park Drive). Occurring along a stretch of the Big Sioux River, this park covers 123 acres of green space dotted with a couple of historic buildings. To see it all from a bird’s-eye view, climb the five-story observation tower at the Falls Park Visitor Information Center.

Next, head to SculptureWalk, where dozens of thought-provoking works of public art line the sidewalk, culminating with The Arc of Dreams , a massive sculpture that forms a towering arc over the river.

For an up-close look at fauna from across the globe, head to Butterfly House & Aquarium (4320 S Oxbow Ave.), where interactive exhibits put you and the kids face-to-face with rare butterflies, invite you to feel the smooth skin of stingrays, and more. No exploration of Sioux Falls is complete without a visit to the USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial (2705 W 12th St.), a tribute to one of the most significant World War II-era vessels.

Parks & Trails

Like much of South Dakota, the Sioux Falls area is full of wild, beautiful open spaces teeming with trails that invite your footsteps. Gaze at the salmon-hued Sioux quartzite dramatically bisected by Split Rock Creek as you hike the trails of (and can camp under the stars at) Palisades State Park (25495 485th Ave.). Go wildlife-spotting along the Brule River at Union Grove State Park (30828 471st Ave). Explore the “dark forest” and hilly terrain of Newton Hills State Park (28767 482nd Ave.).

For a look at how the first South Dakotans lived, head to Good Earth State Park (26924 480th Ave.), which is home to the site of what one of the longest continuously populated places in the country. Home to the Oneota peoples from 1300-1700 AD, this National Historic Landmark was also a marketplace for tribes from across the Great Plains. Today, you can check out hiking trails, artifacts and more!

Food & Drink

When you’ve worked up an appetite from all that exploring, Sioux Falls has one of the best dining scenes in the Great Plains. International flavors coexist alongside hearty Midwestern favorites.

For dinner, head to Minerva’s (301 S Phillips Ave.) downtown, a local favorite where you’ll find walleye and classic pasta dishes on the menu. ROAM Kitchen & Bar (4525 W Empire Place) features a scratch kitchen with an emphasis on wood-fire cooking and great happy hour specials.