Part of our South Dakota guide.
Sioux Falls offers seven relaxing retreats, six scenic hikes, 11 best local eateries, ten cultural hotspots, and five thrilling adventures. The following sections detail each category, with specific spots and practical tips drawn from our coverage.
Related travel guides: 30 Must Visit Places In Renton, Secret Natural Landmarks In South Dakota, Hiking And The Outdoors In South Dakota, and Historic Sites and Trading Posts In South Dakota.
7 Relaxing Retreats To Enjoy In Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Falls Park is the centerpiece, with its 100-foot-wide waterfall and walking paths along the Big Sioux River. The park’s viewing platforms and historic quartzite buildings make it a quiet spot for an afternoon. Nearby, the Japanese Gardens at Terrace Park feature a koi pond, stone lanterns, and shaded benches. For a longer escape, the Sioux Falls Bike Trail loops 20 miles through wooded corridors and past several small parks. The downtown area’s coffee shops, such as Coffea Roasterie on Phillips Avenue, offer a calm break with locally roasted beans. The Old Courthouse Museum, housed in the 1890s Minnehaha County Courthouse, provides air-conditioned galleries with free admission. Finally, the outdoor amphitheater at Levitt at the Falls hosts free concerts from June through August, with lawn seating for up to 4,000 people.
6 Scenic Hikes To Take In Sioux Falls, South Dakota
The Falls Park loop is a 1.5-mile paved trail that circles the falls and passes the historic Queen Bee Mill ruins. Good Earth State Park, six miles southeast of downtown, has 6.5 miles of trails through prairie and oak forest, with interpretive signs about the Oneota people who lived there. The Big Sioux River Greenway follows the river for 10 miles, connecting Falls Park to the northern edge of town. For a shorter walk, the 0.8-mile trail at the Sioux Falls Outdoor Campus winds through restored tallgrass prairie and includes a bird-blind for watching waterfowl. Palisades State Park, 20 miles north of Sioux Falls, offers 1.5 miles of trails along Split Rock Creek, with 50-foot quartzite cliffs and a natural rock bridge. The Tuthill Park trail, a 2-mile gravel path, runs through a wooded ravine and ends at a small waterfall.
11 Best Local Eateries In Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Phillips Avenue Diner serves breakfast and lunch in a restored 1950s dining car, with eggs Benedict and house-made pies. Bread & Circus Sandwich Kitchen, on 8th Street, uses locally sourced meats and bread from Breadico bakery. For dinner, Crawford’s on Phillips offers dry-aged steaks and a wine list focused on South American bottles. The Market, a food-hall at 300 N. Phillips Avenue, has six stalls including a ramen bar and a wood-fired pizza counter. JL Beers, on Phillips Avenue, grinds its own beef for burgers and fries hand-cut daily. Oshima, on 41st Street, specializes in sushi rolls and Japanese small plates. CH Patisserie, on 8th Street, bakes croissants, macarons, and seasonal tarts. For Mexican, Taqueria San Miguel on Minnesota Avenue serves tacos al pastor and tamales. The Carpenter Bar, inside the Hotel Phillips, offers craft cocktails and a small menu of charcuterie. M.B. Haskett Delicatessen, on Phillips Avenue, stacks pastrami and corned beef on rye from Breadico. Finally, Fernson on Phillips, a brewery and taproom, pours its own farmhouse ales and IPAs, with a rotating food-truck schedule.
10 Cultural Hotspots To Check Out In Sioux Falls, South Dakota
The Washington Pavilion, at 301 S. Main Avenue, houses the Kirby Science Center, the Wells Fargo CineDome, and the Visual Arts Center with rotating exhibitions. The Old Courthouse Museum, in the 1890s Romanesque Revival building, displays artifacts from the region’s pioneer and Dakota history. The Sioux Falls Art Council’s SculptureWalk places over 50 sculptures along Phillips Avenue from April to October. The Orpheum Theater, a 1913 vaudeville house on Main Avenue, hosts live theater and film screenings. The Pettigrew Home & Museum, the 1889 residence of Senator Richard Pettigrew, features original furnishings and a collection of Native American artifacts. The Eide/Dalrymple Gallery at Augustana University presents contemporary art exhibitions free to the public. The Siouxland Heritage Museums, which include the Old Courthouse and Pettigrew Home, offer free admission year-round. The Cathedral of Saint Joseph, at 523 N. Duluth Avenue, has a 1920s interior with stained-glass windows and a 175-foot bell tower. The Falls Park Visitor Information Center, inside the 1908 Sioux Falls Light & Power Company building, provides maps and a short film on the city’s history. The Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum, at 805 S. Kiwanis Avenue, houses over 1,000 animals and a collection of taxidermy from the region.
5 Thrilling Adventures To Try In Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Kayaking the Big Sioux River is possible from the 26th Street put-in to the Falls Park take-out, a 3-mile stretch with Class I rapids. The Sioux Falls Bike Trail offers a 20-mile paved route that connects parks and neighborhoods, suitable for road bikes. Rock climbing at Palisades State Park features quartzite cliffs up to 50 feet tall, with bolted routes for intermediate climbers. Ziplining at the Sioux Falls Adventure Park, on 41st Street, includes a 400-foot cable over a pond. For a winter adventure, the city’s outdoor ice rink at the Sioux Falls Arena opens from December through February, with skate rentals available.
