Sioux Falls, South Dakota hosts a wide number of free and budget-friendly family attractions, with Falls Park as the crown jewel. Located adjacent to the downtown area, Falls Park features the city’s stunning namesake…the Big Sioux River’s Sioux Falls.
Visitors to the park can walk the many paths to points of interest around the falls, and enjoy the falls themselves, which cascade over geologically-fascinating beds of the rose quartz South Dakota is well known for. If you come during the day, you’ll want to dedicate about an hour to the park, with time to climb the five-story tower overlook and walk the paths over to the remains of the Queen Bee mill and Millrace and Dam, both rich in Sioux Falls frontier history.
Better yet, during the summer months, visits the falls in the evening, arriving before dusk and remaining to see the nightly Wells Fargo Laser and Light Show. With performances starting at 9:30 pm every evening, the show gives a fun (and quite in-depth) historical overview of Sioux Falls, starting from early Native American history and carrying on through the region’s Lewis and Clark Expedition history and pioneering history, all the way to present. The show utilizes laser lights and audio narrative to tell its story, and last about 45 minutes. It’s entertaining to even young kids and will educate everyone in your group. Best of all, the Wells Fargo Laser and Light Show is free.
Table of Contents
Date last visited:
August 2012
Distance from the interstate:
Easily accessible from both I-90 and I-29.
Admission:
Free
Dining Options:
There are picnic grounds on-site, and a souvenir shop with snacks.
Directions:
Falls Park is located near I-90 at North Phillips Avenue and Falls Park Drive. Alternatively, the Sioux Falls downtown trolley makes a stop at Falls Park.
