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North America, South Dakota, United States

How to Spend the Perfect Day When You Visit Sioux Falls

December 15, 2016
Visit Sioux Falls South Dakota Justin Walter travel writer blogger Falls Park Big Sioux River atwjustin.com

After spending a few days in Sioux Falls, South Dakota I discovered “12 Reasons to Travel To (and Not Through) Sioux Falls” thanks to Travel Mindset and the Sioux Falls CVB. If you’ve decided to travel to the Midwest to visit Sioux Falls (which I hope you do!) I’ve got the perfect day planned for you. With options to explore the arts, outdoors, restaurants, breweries and music get ready to uncover why South Dakota’s largest city is full of small town charm.

BREAKFAST:

PAPPY’S THE ORIGINAL or ODE

Sioux Falls has over 650 restaurants and is known for having one of the largest restaurants per capita ratios in the country. Whatever type of cuisine you’re looking for, they’ve got it. To kick off your day, grab a quick bite at the locally owned coffee shop Pappy’s The Original or take your time at ODE where Chef Bob’s goal is for you to leave “happyful” – the perfect combo of happy with a full belly.

Visit Sioux Falls South Dakota atwjustin.comVisit Sioux Falls South Dakota Ode To Food and Wine Restaurant atwjustin.com

MUST DO:

SCULPTUREWALK

After you’ve fueled up, take a leisurely stroll down Phillips Ave to enjoy downtown and the SculptureWalk. This outdoor exhibition is a collection of artwork that displays local artists’ work for a year. The sculptures are eligible to win awards totally $15,000 in prizes and are up for sale if you want to bring one home.

Visit Sioux Falls South Dakota SculptureWalk Justin Walter travel writer blogger atwjustin.com

MORNING ADVENTURE:

VISUAL ARTS CENTER or OLD COURTHOUSE MUSEUM

Next up, keep enjoying the arts! Choose between the Visual Arts Center at the Washington Pavilion with galleries showcasing regional, national and international artists specific to South Dakotans or the Old Courthouse Museum focused on natural and cultural histories of the Sioux Falls region.

Visit Sioux Falls South Dakota Washington Pavilion Visual Arts Center Steve Bormes Deep Sea Imaginarium Justin Walter travel writer blogger atwjustin.comVisit Sioux Falls South Dakota Old Courthouse Museum clock tower Justin Walter travel writer blogger atwjustin.com

LUNCH:

BACKYARD GRILL or JACKY’S

What sounds better to you – BBQ or Mexican? Good thing when you visit Sioux Falls there’s both options. For finger-lickin’ good BBQ chow down at Backyard Grill or head over to Jacky’s for Mexican to spice up your afternoon with a meal from across the border.

Visit Sioux Falls South Dakota Backyard Grill BBQ downtown restaurant atwjustin.comVisit Sioux Falls South Dakota Jacky's mexican restuarant atwjustin.com

AFTERNOON ADVENTURE:

BIKE TRAILS or BREWERY TOUR

Up next it’s time to work up a sweat exploring the outdoors on the 26 miles of biking trails or embark on a craft beer lover’s dream come true brewery tour. For bikers, ride over to Spoke-N-Sport to rent gear and to learn all about the bike trail system. For drinkers (and your DD), my top picks for a fun-filled pub crawl are Hydra, Fernson, Monks, Prairie Berry East Bank and WoodGrain.

Visit Sioux Falls South Dakota bike trails Justin Walter travel writer blogger Spoke-N-Sport Spoke N Sport bike rental atwjustin.com

Visit Sioux Falls South Dakota Justin Walter travel writer blogger Fernson brewery atwjustin.com

MANDATORY:

FALLS PARK

You can’t visit Sioux Falls, South Dakota without going to Falls Park! Watching the Big Sioux River flow through the city center is a beautiful experience for any visitor of any age. It’s the city’s most iconic destination for a reason. Falls Park is also a great place to catch a sunset.

Visit Sioux Falls South Dakota Justin Walter travel writer blogger Falls Park Big Sioux River atwjustin.com

DINNER:

BOB’S CAFE or PARKER’S BISTRO

It’s time for your last meal of the day so choose something classic or upscale. For a classic diner Bob’s Cafe serves up some of the best comfort (and fried) food in town. For an upscale, made from scratch meal using local organic ingredients your answer is Parker’s Bistro. If you’re there on the “First Friday” of the month get ready for a drink theme night.

Visit Sioux Falls South Dakota Bob's Cafe atwjustin.comVisit Sioux Falls South Dakota first fridays atwjustin.com

NIGHT ADVENTURE:

TOTAL DRAG or ORPHEUM THEATRE

Arts, museums, outdoors, food, drinks… what’s left? Music! When you visit Sioux Falls enjoy the vibrant live music scene for all types of music lovers. End your night at record shop Total Drag for an intimate, hipster-esque underground show or class it up with some classical music at the Orpheum Theatre.

Visit Sioux Falls South Dakota Total Drag atwjustin.comVisit Sioux Falls South Dakota Orpheum Theatre atwjustin.com

THE NEXT DAY:

PALISADES STATE PARK

After you visit Sioux Falls, I highly recommend taking a 30-minute drive to Palisades State Park. This must see destination for outdoor adventurers is home to 1.2 billion years old Sioux quartzite formations, hiking, cliff jumping and beautiful views. Palisades State Park is definitely worth the trip!

Visit Sioux Falls South Dakota Palisades State Park Justin Walter travel writer blogger atwjustin.com

Psst – did you find this post informative? Useful? Inspiring? Save it for later on Pinterest!

Are you headed to Sioux Falls South Dakota? Choose your own adventure and plan the perfect day in this small town.

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9 Comments

  • Reply Kristin Luna December 20, 2016 at 10:12 am

    How awesome is Fernson? We took a couple of those glasses home with us and drink our nightly pint(s) from them 😉 We had rain the whole time we were there in April, but I’m dying to go back and bike that trail in drier months!

    • Avatar photo
      Reply Justin Walter December 20, 2016 at 1:58 pm

      I loved Fernson and all the breweries! I’m am so jealous you took home a glass. I do that when I go wine tasting in LA and should have packed a few in my bag from SF. You should definitely check out the trails in the spring or summer months. Heavy winds prevented me from going on a hot air balloon ride so when I go back that’s number one on my list.

  • Reply Lindsay January 3, 2017 at 10:07 am

    This makes me want to go back! I heard from the locals that they ride snowmobiles on the river after it freezes over. SAY WHAT?!

    • Avatar photo
      Reply Justin Walter January 4, 2017 at 11:35 am

      Hi Lindsay! I would love to go back and ride around on snowmobiles, how fun. Getting back and doing a hot air balloon ride is also high on my list.

  • Reply Eric D. Maldonado August 31, 2018 at 4:25 am

    Hey,

    Really like your post!

    I love to travel at every possible opportunity. After reading your post, Sioux falls is really a great destination. One can find the best places for their needs.

    Thanks for sharing!

    • Avatar photo
      Reply Justin Walter September 6, 2018 at 10:32 am

      Thanks for checking out my post and hope you get to check out Sioux Falls! I’m the same way, all I want to do is travel! Exploring new destinations, even hidden gems and small towns like Sioux Falls, is the best!

  • Reply Moa January 12, 2020 at 1:38 pm

    A great article in which I found many of the information I was looking for.

    • Avatar photo
      Reply Justin Walter March 1, 2020 at 2:15 pm

      Thank you so much! Hope you have a great time in Sioux Falls. Let me know what you do!

  • Reply Jenny Jenkins November 21, 2023 at 10:38 am

    There is a ton of useful information in this article. I loved the witty writing style.

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