Why You Should Make Sioux Falls Your Next Family Vacation Destination

Sioux Falls is the Heart of America. It has a hometown feel with new adventures for everyone in the family whether you’re into exploring nature, family entertainment, great food, or wine tasting. Sioux Falls is an up and coming travel destination and the next big Midwest vacation spot. Even if you’re just planning a weekend getaway, there’s plenty to do and see.

What’s so special about Sioux Falls?

Photo: The Taylor House

Falls Park

Falls Park is the number one attraction of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Look at those gorgeous waterfalls! It covers 123 acres and there’s a 19 mile hiking trail along the Big Sioux River.

I could spend a whole day outside exploring this park. Toot loves to be outside and poke in the dirt.

Wild Water West Waterpark

I love waterparks! Sioux Falls happens to have the largest waterpark in South Dakota. There are slides for all ages, bumper boats, and a wavepool. And they have my absolute favorite thing: a swim up bar! It’s along the lazy river.

And it’s not just a waterpark. There are also go-carts, paintball, batting cages, and mini golf. So even if water isn’t your thing, there’s always mini golf. (My favorite kind of golf! lol)

Photo: Day Tripper

Sculpture Walk

There’s an art exhibit of sculptures displayed year round. It’s called the Sculpture Walk, and there are new sculptures every year. The public gets to vote for their favorite, and the winning sculpture is purchased for the city’s permanent collection.

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The Outdoor Campus

Want to experience the natural landscape of South Dakota? The Outdoor Campus is a joint project of the SD Department of Game, Fish, and Parks and the City of Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation. (Shout out to their local Leslie Knope!)

You can check out the South Dakota Outdoor Museum, a 3,000 gallon aquarium, and two miles of walking trails. They also have hands-on “try it” events and classes.

And it’s a great place for Geo-Caching. We love to Geo-Cache. You get GPS coordinates of something someone has hidden (usually outside or in nature) and you have to find it. It’s like a scavenger hunt. You can either take the treasure inside and replace it with your own or leave it for the next person to find. Geo-Caching is a lot of fun and a great way to get outside with your family.

Photo: The Taylor House

Amazing museums

Sioux Falls is home to several museums. The Old Courthouse Museum has permanent and changing exhibits from the Siouxland region. Currently, there’s a WWI exhibit and a Native American Tipi exhibit.

The African American History Museum showcases the contributions and leadership of the African American community of South Dakota as well as the struggles they face.

The Sioux Empire Medical Museum has exhibits on the medical advances of the last century through today.

Richard F. Pettigrew was South Dakota’s first full-term US Senator and donated his home to be displayed as a museum when he died in 1926. The Pettigrew Home and Museum has many artifacts from all over the world that Pettigrew collected. Added bonus: it’s free admission!

The Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History has over 1,000 animals to discover. They have tiger cubs! 😍 And your littles can feed goats, ride a camel, and meet animals up close in the face-to-face farm. All around family fun!

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Midco Aquatic Center

Are you asking “Yeah, but do they have an indoor waterpark?” Yep! The Midco Aquatic Center is open all year and has a huge pool complex and events for every age group.

Photo: Day Tripper

Great food

If you’re wondering about where to eat, there are plenty of restaurants with delicious food. Sioux Falls has everything from Denny’s to fancy lounge restaurants and gourmet cupcakes!

There are family restaurants for a comfy sit down meal with the kids.

And if you’re into nightlife, there are sushi restaurants and live music and cocktails at PAve and the Icon Lounge.

Wineries and Wine Tasting and did I mention Wine? Because Wine.

Wilde Prairie Winery is over 100 years old. You can taste their wine and wander through their vineyard.

Strawbale Winery is made of straw bales! They’re open all year and have several events and wine tasting. If you visit in the summer, there are local musicians, food vendors, and artisans on Thursdays.

Photo: Day Tripper

Good Earth State Park

Good Earth is a new state park and has gorgeous views of natural South Dakota. It was originally a crossroads for indigenous people from 1300-1700 AD.

There are scenic hiking trails with overlooks to really take in the beauty of nature. Sioux Falls is a hiker’s dream.

A Huge Corn Maze

What kid doesn’t love a corn maze? I’ve always wanted to go through one, but I’ve never had the chance. The closest I’ve gotten is just walking around in the cornfield behind my house.

Sioux Falls has the Heartland Country Corn Maze which is over 11 acres of family fun. If you go after dark, bring flashlights!

If corn is maize, does that make it a… (puts on sunglasses) maize maze? (YEAAAAAAHHHHH!!)