Welcome to Sioux Falls, where traveling on a budget is fun! Keep reading for plenty of low-cost (or even free!) things to do in this must-see Midwestern city.
This article is sponsored by Experience Sioux Falls.
Free Museums in Sioux Falls
The Pettigrew Home and Museum served as the home of South Dakota’s first full-term senator after being built in 1889. Today, visitors can take a fascinating — and free — look at Senator R.F. Pettigrew’s impressive collection of artifacts, including ancient stone tools and natural history specimens.
Once used for county business, the Old Courthouse Museum is now home to three floors of exhibits that include Indigenous artifacts and artistry, plus 16 large murals painted between 1915 and 1917 by Norwegian artist Ole Running. Admission is free, making it easy to explore the restored courtroom and law library before shopping for Dakota-made gifts in the museum store.
Kid-Friendly Attractions
Kirby Science Discovery Center in the Washington Pavilion is an interactive wonderland with more than 100 STEM-focused exhibits. From space exploration to dinosaur excavation, there’s something for every member of the family to discover. Admission also includes access to the Visual Arts Center, so your money will stretch just like your imagination throughout all the amazing exploration.
The Stockyards Ag Experience celebrates the legacy of the Sioux Falls Stockyards with hands-on displays set in an 1800s horse barn. The Farm to Table exhibit invites kids to peek inside livestock barns and scan food products to learn about their origins. Admission is free, and the barn is conveniently located next to the outdoor beauty of Falls Park.
The South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department offers free educational classes for kids, adults and families at The Outdoor Campus in Sertoma Park in Sioux Falls. Besides 2 miles of walking trails and an indoor play area, The Outdoor Campus hosts nature hikes for kids, archery lessons and more outdoor fun.
Free and Low-Cost Outdoor Activities
On the northern edge of downtown, Falls Park offers up more than 128 acres of natural beauty. The Falls Park Visitor Information Center features a viewing tower with an outdoor observation deck that provides amazing views of the park and city skyline. During the summer, Levitt at the Falls hosts a free, family-friendly concert series with a variety of music.
Wander through the Japanese Gardens, a peaceful hidden oasis in Terrace Park. Find exotic flowers, blossoming trees, serene pagodas and enchanting lanterns throughout the park. The park is most beautiful during the spring but enjoyable during the summer and fall, too.
Even though it’s South Dakota’s newest state park, Good Earth State Park at Blood Run is one of the oldest sites of long-term human habitation in the United States. The park is open year-round and offers birding, hiking and snowshoeing, as well as a museum and visitor center. Admission is $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents, or free with a South Dakota State Park Entrance License.
Art Exhibits and More
Ready for a wonderful stroll? SculptureWalk in downtown Sioux Falls is the largest annual public sculpture exhibit in the world. Dozens of sculptures line the streets of the city, including the Arc of Dreams, which bridges the Big Sioux River as a tribute to those who dare to dream big.
The Visual Arts Center at the Washington Pavilion includes eight art galleries with work from local and international artists. Most exhibits rotate, but the permanent collection showcases work from Northern Plains Tribal artists. Admission also includes access to the Kirby Science Discovery Center.
