Sioux Falls South Dakota was not what we expected, but in the best way! This city is full of amazing food (did you know there’s multiple restaurants owned by James Beard nominees here??), a fun sports scene, and outdoor adventures. There’s lots of interesting things to do in Sioux Falls with kids, or without!
We spent a weekend here (Friday – Sunday) in March with our two kids and could easily come back for more. Here’s my well-curated list with everything we did!
How to get there
We drove to Sioux Falls, which is less than 4 hours from the Twin Cities in Minnesota. You can also fly as there’s a regional airport.
Where to stay in Sioux Falls SD
I highly recommend staying downtown Sioux Falls. The “downtown” here is not that of high rise buildings, but a sprawling historic downtown that hugs the Big Sioux River. You’ll be centrally located here, close to our favorite Sioux Falls with kids itinerary spots, many within walking distance!
We stayed at The Catlin hotel right along the river. It’s nestled between the historic downtown and the up and coming North End of Sioux Falls. The hotel has free parking, an attached restaurant and coffee shop, and has recently been renovated. PS – This was previously called Hilton Garden Inn Sioux Falls Downtown, so it might show up that way online!
Sioux Falls with kids Itinerary
Science Discovery Center
Located in Washington Pavilion, the Kirby Science Discovery Center has 3 floors full over over 100 exhibits for all ages. Highlights for our 1 and 4 year old were the dinosaurs, space exhibits, water play area, and quarry dig. We easily spent 2 hours here. There’s also an ice cream shop on site! One of the best things to do in Sioux Falls with kids.
Shop Downtown Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls is full of the cutest boutiques and shops. My favorites include, Bloom & Branch (located in Jones 421 Market – more on that below), Terra Shepherd Boutique & Apothecary, Matchbox Candle Co, and Mint + Basil. I’m sure there’s many more where these came from!
Jacobson Plaza at the Falls
The new Jacobson Plaza at the Falls is a gathering place for all of Sioux Falls. We visited in Spring, so we played on the huge playground, tried our hand at curling, and rollerskating at the loop which doubles as an ice skating loop in the winter! The Lodge Grill is also on site serving food and drinks. Such a fun spot to spend an afternoon no matter the season!
Catch a local event – Summit League Basketball Championships
Sioux Falls is host to lots of fun events throughout the year, so make sure to check out their event calendar here. Many of the larger events are located at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. The Summit League Basketball Championships were taking place when we were in town so we caught both a men’s and women’s game. So much school spirit here – we had a blast!
Butterfly House and Aquarium
We visited this spot for the Butterfly House, but there’s a small aquarium here too! The butterfly house was 85 degrees which felt so nice coming out of a long Midwest winter. Our 1 year old loved seeing the butterflies up close. There’s fish, ducks, and turtles here too! The butterflies land on you which is such a cool experience. Just make sure to watch your step and walk slow!
Palisades State Park
About 20 minutes from Sioux Falls proper you’ll find Palisades State Park. This state park is popular for hiking and camping in the summer and boasts beautiful quartzite rock formations along Split Rock Creek. I recommend the King and Queen Rock Trail for gorgeous views, bridge crossing the creek, and a small playground.
Where to eat in Sioux Falls
Bibisol
If you can only eat at one place in Sioux Falls, make it Bibisol. This spot blew me away, not only with the food and drinks, but the cozy space as well. Chefs use local ingredients and traditional techniques to create indigenous-inspired food. You can’t find many spots in the Midwest using the traditional Mexican nixtamalization process for corn like they do here! Oh, and its chef, Marcela Salas, has a James Beard Award nomination, so definitely a spot to check out.
The Source Coffee Roasters + Taproom
The Source is located in Jones 421 Market which is a historic building that is now full of shops and restaurants with common areas for socializing and eating. We visited in the morning for coffee, but they have wine and pour your own beer from the tap wall in the afternoons.
North End Bakery & Deli
Also located in Jones 421 Market, North End Bakery & Deli offers breakfast and lunch. Everything is made fresh, like the sourdough which is baked fresh daily and the focaccia for breakfast sandwiches that literally melts in your mouth. Get some for dine in or grab something to go!
Looks Marketplace
One of the most recommended spots to eat in Sioux Falls is Looks Marketplace. As its name suggests, this is a market AND a restaurant. You’ll find a coffee shop, ice cream, deli, seafood and meat counter, and lots more here. The restaurant serves classics like pizza and sandwiches in addition to beer from its own brewery. Looks Marketplace can get busy, especially on the weekends, so be prepared to wait in line, or find a table and order from your phone to skip it (local’s tip!)
CH Patisserie
Another James Beard Award semifinalist (!!!), Chris Hammer, owns CH Patisserie in downtown Sioux Falls. This French bakery has coffee, macarons that are to die for, and decadent pastries. It was our kids’ first time trying macarons and they will now have the highest expectations set for all future macarons!
Fernson Downtown + Totally Rad Eats
Fernson Downtown is a casual spot for burgers and beer. This order-at-the-counter brewery is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We always appreciate a spot where our kids can be loud and wander around if needed, and Fernson Downtown was just the place. Definitely try the chicken sandwich here too, it’s so good!
We had a great time exploring this city. If you have more recommendations for things to do in Sioux Falls with kids, let me know below!
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