With its buzzing downtown district, flourishing food scene and stunning riverside location, Sioux Falls more than lives up to its reputation as South Dakota's most vibrant city. There’s plenty of history to discover, from the legacy of the American Indian Sioux Tribe to the city’s role in the American Civil War.
Things to do in Sioux Falls
For the best views of the waterfall head to Falls Park, where the Big Sioux River plunges through a series of tiered rock faces. It’s incredibly picturesque, fringed by lush lawns and the ruins of the old Queen Bee Mill.
If you want to enjoy the scenery, stretch your legs on the River Greenway. Beginning at Falls Park, it loops around Sioux Falls and will take you past everything from urban scenery to riverside pastures.
Want to know more about the region’s colourful history? Visit the Old Courthouse Museum, originally built in the late 19th-century and blessed with a grand facade. The not-for-profit Butterfly House & Aquarium is perfect for a nature fix, home to hundreds of colourful butterflies.
Sioux Falls is the beating heart of South Dakota's foodie culture and serves up some of the best cuisines in the state, from artisan bakeries to farm-to-table restaurants. In the summer, pavement cafes and al fresco restaurants spill out onto Phillips Avenue.
Getting around Sioux Falls
Downtown Sioux Falls is compact and easy to walk. Local buses also connect you to most major attractions, while renting a car is ideal for venturing further afield.