It had been a long day of driving (close to 1,000 miles), but I was on a high having reached Sioux Falls, Idaho. With plenty of energy to explore the Sioux Falls Park, I knew this would be the perfect opportunity for some exercise and a moment to stretch out my legs. The park was around the corner and the sun was beginning to set.
I could smell the mist of the falls long before they came into view. The sun felt warm upon my face and I could hear the spray from the water close by as I began making my way towards the roaring sound. From the parking lot, a paved walkway gave start to the art trail winding its way through the woods. Along the path were placards offering a brief overview of the park and its history. Magnificent sculptures were set up along the trail which was a part of “SculptureWalk”, a local event held annually, designed to help “keep the arts alive”. The small hike ended at the spectacular falls, observation deck and café.
Situated in the midst of town, this amazing attraction has been drawing visitors to its location since 1856. Photographs from the late 1800s document the popularity of this site and show how the park has evolved over time. Falls Park sits on 123 acres to include the falls, the cafe as well as the observation tower.
The park requires no entrance fee and accessing the observation tower is also free of charge. An elevator lifts visitors to the top to spend an unlimited time on the platform and it is definitely worth the view.
Known to the Lakota Sioux Indians as “Laughing Waters”, it was the Big Sioux River that wound its way through the town of Sioux Falls. It took over 7,400 gallons of water to drop 100 feet to create this beautiful cascade. During certain times of the day, the sun reflects off of the falls creating a beautiful scene of rainbows.
The “SculptureWalk” statues remain along the path until the next year when the new installments are presented on the lawn. A 20 mile path started at Falls Park and wound its way through the city providing areas of rest for those enjoying the trail.
The Monarch of the Plains, a permanent sculpture, was my first “bison” sighting of my trip.
I was happy to have a nice stroll after driving over 13 hours and this was a perfect way to wind down for the day. The park was busy with visitors and locals, fishing and enjoying the falls and a late afternoon meal at the cafe. There were several vantage points to enjoy the falls including the 5 story observation tower, offering a 360 degree view of the city’s skyline, the falls and the Big Sioux River.
Have you had the opportunity to visit Sioux Falls, South Dakota? Did you stop by Falls Park or can you recommend any additional sites in the area? I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Thanks for reading my blog post and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Falls Park, Sioux Falls
131 E. Falls Park Dr.
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Telephone: 605 367 7430
- Admission Fee: There is no fee for visiting Falls Park.
- Hours: Open daily from 5AM to 12AM
- Amenities: waterfalls, observation tower, picnic shelters, sculptures, restrooms, restaurant, open air shelter, bike trail access point, historic displays, drinking fountains and visitor center
- Scenic View: Spectacular views of the falls and an observation deck for incredible scenic views of nearby Sioux Falls.
- Length of Visit: 1 hour
- Tips for Your Visit: Wear comfortable shoes and be careful on the rocks.
Where to Stay:
Clubhouse Hotel & Suites
2320 S. Louise Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
Telephone: 605 361 8700
Where to Eat:
Taco John’s
1920 W. 12th Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
I ordered a couple of tacos and they reminded me of Taco Bell, but with more of a spicy kick.
What to Eat:
- Chislic: Similar to shish kabobs, this local food is made of cubed meat, usually fried while stacked on a stick. German and Russian immigrants are credited for bring this food to the US. Eat this amazing dish as an appetizer or a snack.
- Indian Tacos: Similar traditional tacos, the only difference is that the filling is stacked on fry bread instead of tortillas.
- Kolaches: Popular in Slavic countries, kolaches are mini pies filled with candied fruit or cream cheese.
- Kuchen: Also hailing from Germany and meaning “cake”, this pastry is made with sweet dough and filled with custard, fruit or nuts.
- Wasna: A food from the indigenous people of the Great Plains, the snack is made of dried buffalo meat, cranberries and grains.
- Wojapi: Another Native American recipe, Wojapi is a dipping sauce made of chokeberries.
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