Outdoor Activities & Entertainment

Falls Park

The Falls of the Big Sioux River have been a focus of life in the region throughout history. Native American people were the first to visit the Falls and bring stories of them to European explorers. The Falls have been the center of recreation and industry since the founding of the city of Sioux Falls in 1856. At Falls Park, located at North Phillips Ave. & Falls Park Dr., visitors can see the city’s namesake as well as some of the first buildings in Sioux Falls. Today the park covers over 128 acres. An average of 7,400 gallons of water drop 100 feet over the course of the Falls each second. 

Levitt at the Falls

Levitt at the Falls is a family-friendly, pet-friendly, outdoor concert venue perfect for enjoying a beautiful summer night. Starting in June and running through September, enjoy 50 FREE concerts on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, plus youth shows on select Friday mornings. Enjoy live, professional music from your lawn chair at a state-of-the-art outdoor amphitheater in Falls Park West. Come experience our great community vibe and amazing artists...the music might move you and dancing is always welcome. 

Denny Sanford Premier Center

Denny Sanford PREMIER Center is a multipurpose facility that houses sporting events, concerts, conventions, meetings, banquets, and more. 

The building seats up to 12,000 for concerts. The four level facility consists of the event level, main concourse level, suite level and upper concourse level. There are 22 suites and 18 loge boxes. 

Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, attached to the existing Convention Center and Arena, is the largest venue between Omaha and Fargo, and from Minneapolis/St. Paul to Denver. 

Denny Sanford PREMIER Center includes an integrated LED video display system designed and manufactured by Brookings, SD-based Daktronics to enhance the fan experience. The complete super-system consists of a center-hung scoreboard that includes four main video displays, four corner shroud displays, and upper and lower ring displays; a 360-degree ribbon display along the seating bowl fascia; two end-wall displays; and an exterior marquee display at the entrance to the facility. State-of-the-art LED lights are used instead of traditional incandescent lights, further enhancing the fan viewing experience. 

The facility was named by three title sponsors – First PREMIER Bank, PREMIER Bankcard and Sanford Health – in honor of T. Denny Sanford, the founder of First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard in Sioux Falls whose philanthropy includes a $400 million gift made in 2007 to what was then called Sioux Valley Hospital. 

Sculpture Walk

Sculpture Walk Sioux Falls is the largest and most-recognized annual exhibition of public sculpture in America. Located on the sidewalks of historic downtown, it  delights visitors with a variety of world class sculptures. Included in this is the Taste of Sioux Falls is the region’s premier tasting event and fundraiser for SculptureWalk. The event brings together more than 250 local foodies for a night to support our guiding principle —to be the highest quality, most professional, financially strong, artist-friendly, year-round outdoor sculpture program in the United States. 

Visit Gerretson

GARRETSON is a popular place for visitors and the perfect stop for families. Home of Jesse James Pontoon rides and the famous Devil’s Gulch–the actual spot where Jesse is said to have bounded across on horseback while making his escape. Enjoy quartzite rock formations at Palisades State Park and Split Rock Park. Great for camping, fishing, hiking, or just enjoying a picnic. 

Palisades State Park

Palisades State Park is one of the most unique areas in South Dakota. Split Rock Creek, which flows through the park, is lined with Sioux quartzite formations varying from shelves several feet above the water to 50-foot vertical cliffs. Scenic overlooks and rushing water make Palisades a popular getaway. The park is popular among campers, photographers, sightseers, picnickers, rock climbers and hikers. 

A huge flour mill was once located on the bluff overlooking the park. The mill was powered by a large water-wheel installed along the rushing Split Rock Creek. The once-bustling town of Palisades grew up around the success of the mill. In 1886, silver was discovered downstream. The silver ore proved to be low in quality, however, and the nearly 300 claims were quickly dropped. 

For millions of years, Split Rock Creek cut deep gorges through Palisades State Park. Geologists estimate the Sioux quartzite spires are 1.2 billion years old. Four hiking trails twist and turn through these beautiful Sioux quartzite formations. The cliffs and formations at Palisades are used by rock climbers to practice their scaling and rappelling techniques. Bolting is not allowed on the quartzite formations. Please contact the park before you head out for other climbing regulations. 

Arc of Dreams

This high-profile structure spans 285 feet across the Big Sioux River in downtown Sioux Falls between 6th and 8th streets. The monumental stainless steel sculpture spans across the Big Sioux River downtown nearly the length of a football field. At the center of the Arc of Dreams is a 15-foot gap, 85 feet above the river, representing the leap of faith dreamers take to see their dreams come true. 

 

The Arc of Dreams is America's newest landmark sculpture created by South Dakota Artist Laureate, Dale Claude Lamphere. The sculpture is a tribute to the dreamers of the past, present and an inspiration to the dreamers of the future. 

 

"The Arc of Dreams is the capstone of SculptureWalk, recognizing and elevating the public art program to national prominence," said Jim Clark, SculptureWalk founder and the driving force behind the Arc of Dreams. 

 

The iconic sculpture is the signature piece of art for the city of Sioux Falls, helping to illustrate what we want to be… a unique and thriving modern city on the prairie. 

 

Join us in taking that leap of faith. 

GREAT BEAR SKI VALLEY

Great Bear Ski Valley features winter sports activities for the whole family, including downhill skiing and snowboarding, a Terrain Park and tubing, as well as cross-country and snowshoeing trails! During the summer months, Great Bear provides the perfect setting for hiking, birdwatching or enjoying a picnic along the 4-mile trail system. 

WINTER 
Great Bear Ski Valley in Sioux Falls features winter sports activities for the whole family. The park features 14 downhill trails, a terrain park, Kirby Family Tubing Park, and cross country and snow shoeing trails that provide fun and excitement for all skill levels. Great Bear also offers lessons and complete equipment rentals. Get the most out of winter at eastern South Dakota’s only ski resort. 

SUMMER 
From challenging backcountry hikes to relaxing nature strolls, Great Bear offers a beautiful escape to nature just minutes from Sioux Falls. The Ralph and Doris Wallin Nature trail system, nearly 4 miles of trails, provides 3 distinct trail loops through hills and valleys with scenic views. Choose your path and choose to have great day at Great Bear. 

Wild Water West

As the largest waterpark in the state, Wild Water West is the best summer entertainment in South Dakota! We’ve been in business of providing safe, family fun for over 30 years. Thousands visit every year, traveling from near and far. With water and land attractions for the young and the young at heart, everyone can get their fill of thrills. 

For over 30 years, Wild Water West has been bringing the latest water attractions to Sioux Falls. We have something for wild to mild thrill seekers in a safe and family-friendly environment. 

One pass gives you access to all waterpark attractions, go-karts, mini golf, and batting cages. So attempt every waterslide, float down our lazy river, or air dry on our fast-action go-karts again and again! 

We also have multiple concession stands, a swim-up bar, picnic pavilions, shade cabanas, a bathhouse, and 25,000-square feet of sunny decking—every amenity needed under the sun! 

Sanford Sports Complex

Sanford Health’s Mission is to improve the Human Condition and what better place to do that than the Sanford Sports Complex? Sports teach us about living healthy, and the lessons we learn on the field, on the court, and in the games are the very values of Sanford Health itself.  Passion, Energy and Commitment drive every great athlete, and we're using this same passion, energy and commitment to help the people of our region reach their goals and obtain their dreams. This begins by giving them the opportunity and resources to stay healthy, improve, develop and pursue their dreams. 

Basketball. Football. Baseball. Softball. Hockey. Tennis. Volleyball. Soccer. Wrestling. And more. If it involves kicking, running, jumping, hitting, catching, skating, shooting and scoring, you’ll be able to do it at the Sanford Sports Complex. With nearly 500 acres dedicated to pursuing excellence in personal and team fitness, POWER training, competition, sports medicine, athletic science research and retail and hospitality – we’re changing the way sports and health care unite. 

We’re committed to the health of everyone in our region, young and old. Rural and urban. This includes giving them the opportunities and the resources to stay healthy. By applying the science of health care to the arena of sports, the Sanford Sports Complex will serve our region in three important ways: Access, Education, and Economic Development. 

Sanford Fieldhouse

The Sanford FIELDHOUSE is the premier indoor sports facility for local, regional and national athletic training, soccer, baseball, softball, football, co-ed sports leagues, and POWER fitness programs. Athletes enjoy 62,000 square feet of professional grade Field Turf®, state-of-the-art training facilities, full amenity locker rooms – all designed to make sports an integral part of staying healthy. 

Sanford FIELDHOUSE is also home to Sanford POWER Athletic Enhancement Program, Sanford Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, and Sanford Sports Medicine Outreach (Athletic Training Program), as well as the Sanford Sports Science Institute.  

Sanford Pentagon

The Sanford Pentagon is a 160,000-square-foot multi-purpose facility that houses up to 11 basketball and volleyball courts. It’s the home of the Heritage Court Arena, which seats 3,250 fans, the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame, and Sanford POWER Basketball and Volleyball Academies. 

The Pentagon has the ability to host basketball, volleyball, wresting, cheer & dance, badminton, gymnastics, concerts, graduations, and many other events! The facilities include three concession areas, a lounge, six classroom/meeting rooms, eight locker rooms, and much more. 

Restaurants & Nightlife

Sioux Falls, South Dakota is the perfect travel destination with options to explore the arts, the great outdoors, music, shopping, and family fun! Located right in the heart of America at the center of it all, it’s a community with a small-town welcoming vibe and big-city entertainment. Whether you’re taking a leisurely stroll down Phillips Avenue to enjoy downtown and the SculptureWalk, spending the day in the iconic Falls Park or checking out a show at the Orpheum Theatre, you’ll find plenty of ways to stay busy here. Plus, Sioux Falls has over 650 restaurants spanning every imaginable cuisine so you won’t have a problem staying fueled up on your adventures. Here is our Tastemaker List of the very best restaurants in Sioux Falls to help you narrow down your options while you’re in town. 

https://www.opentable.com/lists/best-restaurants/sioux-falls 

THE TREASURY

The Treasury at Hotel on Phillips in Downtown Sioux Falls is located inside the recently renovated Sioux Falls National Bank building, The Treasury is bringing back everything good from the 1920s. Step into a unique, imaginitive and classic setting. With decor inspired by the historic buildings past, and innovative craft cocktails, we combined two time periods to create a truly unique attraction in historic Downtown Sioux Falls. 

R Wine Bar & Kitchen

This brings the Italian experience to Sioux Falls. Riccardo Tarabelsi was born in Florence, Italy and his wife is a Sioux Falls native. Together they bring you a hand-picked wine list, local craft beer on tap, and well executed food. Their chef-driven menu includes antipasti, pasta, entrees, salads, and desserts. Free wine tasting Tuesdays, live jazz Thursday nights, The Hegg Brothers live on Friday nights, and solo artists on Saturday nights. 

Sanaa’s Gormet Mediterranean

Sanaa Abourezk, owner of SANAA'S GOURMET RESTAURANT, claimed her fame when she donned her boxing gloves and went head to head with Bobby Flay on the Food Network. Her cooked from-scratch vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free Mediterranean dishes are worth the fight. 

Sanaa Abourezk is a Gourmet Chef, Restauranteur, Author, Nutritionist, Blogger Passionate about the art of cooking and teaching cool recipes and fighting child hunger in America and the world. 

Sanaa owns and operates a popular Middle Eastern Restaurant in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Engineering from Damascus University and a Masters degree in Nutrition from California State Polytech University, Pomona 

She attended cooking school in Florence, Italy, as well as the Cordon Bleu Baking School in Paris, France. 

CH Patisserie

CH Patisserie is a little slice of Paris in the heart of downtown Sioux Falls. 

Renowned for Chef Chris Hanmer’s artistry and constant innovation, we offer a showcase of delights ranging from our playful French macarons and petit gateaux to croissants, beignets and other tempting favorites. 

Chef Chris was awarded the gold medal as the youngest-ever American chef for a World Pastry Team Championship. He was named one of the Top 10 Pastry Chefs in America and awarded the title "Top Chef" on Season 2 of Bravo’s Top Chef: Just Desserts. 

Whether you are relaxing with friends over Spyhouse Coffee and almond croissants at one of our banquettes or bistro tables, or stopping in for an assortment of macarons to bring home to your friends and family, CH Patisserie satisfies all your sweet cravings. 

This perspective has made CH Patisserie, his namesake shop, more than a pastry shop — it’s a delightful experience. Chef Hanmer's meticulous craft has been twenty-five years in the making. From peeling potatoes at a country club at age fifteen to competing against world-class chefs on the international stage, he brings a fresh and innovative focus to everything he does.  