Falls Park brings a distinct touch of nature to Sioux Falls: the park is located north of downtown on the Big Sioux River and offers several observation platforms, including a five-story observation tower. Paved trails, wildlife and culture also cater to a range of visitor interests. If you’re looking for hotels, it helps to first consider whether scenery, animals or cultural attractions will shape your stay.
Waterfalls and trails along the Big Sioux River
At Falls Park, an average of 7,400 gallons of water per second cascade over the falls, which drop 100 feet. Several observation platforms and the five-story observation tower are among the park’s visitor features. This connects the site to the river while providing specific viewpoints, without requiring you to limit your focus on nature to a single feature.
The Sioux Falls Recreation Trail comprises an extensive network of paved trails. The Sioux Falls Recreation Trail has more than 45 miles of paved trails. The Greenway Recreation Main Trail Loop follows the Big Sioux River for 19.13 miles. The paved trail network provides a broader setting for walking and hiking, while the Greenway Recreation Main Trail Loop is a specific 19.13-mile route along the Big Sioux River.
Wildlife and seasonal attractions
The Great Plains Zoo is home to animals from seven continents, and its campus covers more than 20 acres of habitats. The zoo also features seasonal attractions: a splash pad, a carousel and a train. If any of these offerings are important to your visit, check seasonal availability in advance and don’t plan on them being available year-round. This helps distinguish the animal exhibits from the additional attractions mentioned when choosing activities.
Science, art and culture
The Kirby Science Discovery Center offers more than 100 interactive exhibits for hands-on learning for all ages. This gives it a specific focus on science and participation alongside the visual and performing arts. The Visual Arts Center offers a distinct experience: its eight galleries feature works by local artists, internationally recognized artists and Indigenous artists of the Northern Plains.
Downtown Sioux Falls’ Washington Pavilion also brings together several cultural areas: it features performing arts shows, visual arts exhibitions, interactive science galleries and year-round educational programs. If you want to focus your stay more on culture, you can distinguish between performances, art and science rather than treating the offerings as a single experience. The Kirby Science Discovery Center and the Visual Arts Center provide more specifically defined points of interest: interactive exhibits and eight galleries featuring different artistic perspectives, respectively.
Discover more destinations: Brandon, Dell Rapids.
See the main travel overview: Minnehaha.
