Get The Most Out of Your Time in Sioux Falls
Located along the Big Sioux River, South Dakota’s largest city is overflowing with family-friendly experiences. With Dealer Kickoff being less than a week away, here are 10 ideas to enjoy Sioux Falls — without breaking your budget.
SculptureWalk Sioux Falls. From the Holiday Inn City Centre to Washington Pavilion and along several other city streets, you’ll find 80 new works on display for the 2024 SculptureWalk. You’ll see lifelike bronze statues, whimsical figures, abstract works and everything in between! You can even cast a vote for the SculptureWalk Sioux Falls “People’s Choice Award.”
Arc of Dreams. SculptureWalk Sioux Falls owns and maintains the Arc of Dreams, a stainless-steel sculpture that spans the Big Sioux River between 6th and 8th streets. The gap in its center represents the leap of faith that “dreamers take to see their dreams come to reality.” Created by South Dakota Artist Laureate Dale Claude Lamphere, the Arc provides stunning city views anytime of the day or night.
Falls Park is more than a park, although it does have a playground. It encompasses 123 acres with 38 miles of paved trails along the waterfalls and around historic buildings. The historic Overlook Café provides stunning views of the falls, as well as delicious ice cream and lunches. The park also features the Stockyards Ag Experience Barn. Learn about the city’s impact on agriculture, history, society and the economy through interactive displays. Admission is free.
Outdoor Campus. Hands-on experiences in hunting, fishing, outdoor skills and conservation science are offered by the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks. Youth, adults and families can explore indoor exhibits, a butterfly garden and an outdoor playscape, as well as enjoy two miles of trails for walking. All classes are FREE, and you can sign up online here.
Great Plains Zoo. The Great Plains Zoo is home to an award-winning snow monkey exhibit, as well as to traditional zoo animals like tigers and rhinos. This zoo also is a recognized leader in conservation, discovery and education.
Kirby Science Discovery Center at Washington Pavilion. Explore more than 100 exhibits that will spark curiosity and bring science to life. Each exhibit has something to captivate every interest, such as the human body, space, laws of motion and renewable energy. Paid admission to the science center also includes access to the Ravens Children’s Studio and the Visual Arts Center.
Rough Cut Social Axe Throwing. Test your aim or challenge your friends to hit the bullseye. Board and hook games are available, too. A player’s fee of $35 will allow you to indulge in good food, cocktails and (friendly) competition.
Battleship South Dakota Memorial. Visit the most decorated battleship of World War II. Commemorating the USS South Dakota (BB 57), this museum includes artifacts from crew members and the ship. Admission is free.
Downtown Food Tour. Founded in 2017 to highlight the best local culinary establishments, the Downtown Food Tour shows that Sioux Falls serves up more than meat and potatoes. If you don’t have three hours to dedicate to this food tour, check out the online Foodie’s Guide to Sioux Falls restaurants. Sioux Falls offers everything from cozy cafes and upscale restaurants to food trucks and street fare. The distinctive flavors of Bread & Circus’ signature Vietnamese fried chicken sandwich were a hit with Food Network star Guy Fieri.
Galaxy Gaming. Enjoy an out-of-this-world experience through space-themed laser tag, video games and virtual reality. Work out in a jungle-themed arena complete with game modes and targets. A fully-loaded trip to Galaxy Gaming is $25.
With all of the fun activities Sioux Falls brings, we can assure that you will have a great time at 2024 Dealer Kickoff.
Sioux Falls and South Dakota is best known for Chislic, which is cubed red meat. Enjoy this delicious recipe of South Dakota Chislic.
South Dakota Chislic
Recipe by Hank Shaw, Hunter Gather Cook
Ingredients
- 2 pounds venison loin, cubed
- 1 tablespoon garlic salt
- Oil for frying
- Hot sauce to taste
- Blue cheese sauce to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Be sure to remove any silverskin from the venison, and make the cubes about an inch across. Dust with the garlic salt.
- Fill enough oil in a heavy pot or a deep fryer to be able to submerge the venison -- you'll be cooking it in batches, so it doesn't need to be huge. Bring it to 350°F. Set out some paper towels to let the finished chislic drain.
- Pat the meat dry with paper towels and carefully drop about 1/2 pound into the fryer. It will roil violently. Let the venison fry for about 2 minutes, then move it to the paper towels to drain. Repeat with the remaining venison, a 1/2 pound at a time.
- Serve with toothpicks, hot sauce, blue cheese sauce, beer, and fries or Saltines.
