Sioux Falls, South Dakota, might not be one of those cities family travelers think of when planning a trip, but Sioux Falls boasts countless fun and memorable sites and activities for the whole family. With less crowds and the natural beauty of South Dakota surrounding the city, Sioux Falls makes a great family vacation destination.
Here are just some of the popular spots to visit when in the city:
Covering 128 acres, Falls Park not only features an observation tower and the ruins of a 19th-century mill but also includes great waterfalls. The Big Sioux River runs through the park, allowing for great spots to watch the water billow down rocks. Falls Park also includes a museum and learning center, as well as Falls Overlook Café for families to enjoy lunch, dinner and ice cream.
Butterfly House & Aquarium is a nonprofit organization and the only public saltwater aquarium in the Dakotas. Explore exotic animals and interactive exhibits, such as the butterfly house, which features more than 800 free-flying butterflies, and the aquarium, displaying hundreds of different species of fish and corals. The center also includes the Pacific Tide Pool, an interactive station with sea stars, sea urchins and sea anemones filling the shallow waters of tidal pools.
Located a short drive outside Sioux Falls, Palisades State Park is a haven for campers, hikers, picnickers and sightseers. Unique to the park is Split Rock Creek, a river lined with Sioux quartzite formations with some reaching 50 feet high. The park also offers miles of hiking trails and lookout spots to see the Sioux quartzite spires from above.
As the largest and most-recognized annual exhibition of public sculpture in America, SculptureWalk features more than 65 sculptures, all on display year-round. From Falls Park to downtown Sioux Falls to Washington Pavilion, the sculptures lie throughout the city. From May to September, visitors and locals can even vote for their favorite sculpture, with the winning sculpture purchased and added to the city’s permanent collection.
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