Quick Summary:

  • The largest city in South Dakota, Sioux Falls, was founded in 1856 and is located next to the spectacular falls on the Big Sioux River.
  • Plan a weekend trip to explore the city’s magnificent nature, historic buildings, unique museums, art, and romantic restaurants.
  • Top things to do in Sioux Falls for families with kids include the Great Plains Zoo, the Outdoor Campus, and the Sertoma Butterfly House & Marine Cove.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Falls Park ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Falls Park | Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
© Courtesy of malajscy - Fotolia.com

2. Sertoma Butterfly House & Marine Cove ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Attractions
Sertoma Butterfly House & Marine Cove | Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
© Sertoma Butterfly House & Marine Cove

3. Old Courthouse Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Old Courthouse Museum | Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
© Courtesy of bonniemarie - Fotolia.com

4. Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science

Category: Kids & Family
Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science | Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
© Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science

5. Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History

Category: Kids & Family
Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History | Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
© Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History

6. The Outdoor Campus

The Outdoor Campus | Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
© The Outdoor Campus

7. Terrace Park

Category: Activities
Terrace Park | Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
© Courtesy of visitsiouxfalls.com

8. USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial

Category: Attractions
USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial | Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
© Courtesy of visitsiouxfalls.com

9. Cathedral of Saint Joseph

Cathedral of Saint Joseph | Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
© Cathedral of Saint Joseph

10. Veterans' Memorial Park

Category: Activities
Veterans' Memorial Park | Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
© Courtesy of visitsiouxfalls.com

11. Pettigrew Home & Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Pettigrew Home & Museum | Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
© Pettigrew Home & Museum

12. Falls Overlook Cafe

Category: Activities
Falls Overlook Cafe | Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
© Falls Overlook Cafe

13. SculptureWalk Sioux Falls

Category: Activities
SculptureWalk Sioux Falls | Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
© SculptureWalk Sioux Falls

14. Arc of Dreams Monument

Category: Activities
Arc of Dreams Monument | Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
© Jacob/stock.adobe.com

15. Wild Water West

Wild Water West | Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
© Wild Water West

16. Carnaval

Carnaval | Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
© Carnaval

17. Camille's

Camille's | Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
© Camille's

18. Crawford's

Crawford's | Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
© Crawford's

19. Great Bear Recreation Park

Category: Activities
Great Bear Recreation Park | Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
© Great Bear Recreation Park

20. Sioux Falls Bike Trails

Tours
Sioux Falls Bike Trails | Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
© Courtesy of malajscy - Fotolia.com

21. Good Earth State Park

Category: Activities
Good Earth State Park | Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
© Jacob/stock.adobe.com

22. Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum

Category: Activities
Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum | Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
© Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum

23. The Center for Western Studies

Category: Attractions
The Center for Western Studies | Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
© LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/stock.adobe.com

24. Catfish Bay Water Ski Park

Category: Activities
Catfish Bay Water Ski Park | Things to Do in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
© bernardbodo/stock.adobe.com

Sioux Falls Events & Festivals:
- Sioux Empire Fair - August 1-9, 2025
- Winter Wonderland at Falls Park
- Festival of Cultures - Every June

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