Sioux Falls: Exploring South Dakota's Largest City

The natural spectacle of the loud roaring waterfalls of Falls Park is just amazing, so I sit down for a while on a small rock at the water's edge and let this place speak to me. All around are many beautiful hiking and biking trails as well as pieces erected by artists and historic buildings, including an old watermill, which tell of the earlier uses of this force of nature and symbol of the city.

Following the Big Sioux River on our bikes leads us through beautiful scenery and eventually into downtown Sioux Falls. As we bike in the crisp air of this sunny morning, we pass small bridges and benches on the riverbanks that invite us to rest for a while.

The River Greenway loop trail is more than 40 kilometers long and is perfectly suited for day trips. After a short while, we reach downtown Sioux Falls and take a rest at the amphitheater, which is home to many open-air events during the summer.

Downtown Sioux Falls makes a very lively and inviting first impression. There are nice little cafes and bars everywhere, the sidewalks are flanked with more than 50 statues of the SculptureWalk art project, and the little boutiques and shops look inviting.

After a quick lunch at a cafe, we stroll along the streets until we reach the Washington Pavilion. Here, I let my inner child run free. In this former school complex, you can visit such museums as the Visual Arts Center and the Kirby Science Discovery Center, both of which offer interactive exhibits. I try the tornado simulator, which really swirls me around, and then take some pictures in an original U.S. space suit.

Here, you‘ll also find the CineDome, with its huge screen, as well as the Husby Performing Arts Center, which offers many musical theater, comedy and dance performances throughout the year.

It seems that everywhere in Sioux Falls, there’s lots going on this July evening. Hot Harley Nights has brought more than 5,000 motorcycle enthusiasts to rumble through downtown tonight in a festive parade.

However, we have decided to spend the evening at the Strawbale Winery. In this great ambience among old barns and free-roaming hens and geese, we listen to a live band, relax and enjoy some of the many great wines they produce here.

Sioux Falls is a charming and vibrant city in southeastern South Dakota with a fun atmosphere, cafes, restaurants, bars, parks, events and extraordinary galleries that have fascinated us. We’re looking forward to our next visit!