Take a Sioux Falls STAYcation!

Making the most of your STAYcation dollar - ideas from the Sioux Falls Convention and Vistor's Bureau. Click each selection below to learn more about all of the fun things that are available to do in Sioux Falls!

1. Fun at the Falls	click to enlarge
THE FALLS OF THE BIG SIOUX RIVER have been a focus of life in the region throughout history. Native American peoples were the first to visit the falls and bring stories of them to European explorers. They have been the focus of recreation and industry since the founding of the city in 1856. Today the park covers 42 acres. Each second, an average of 7,400 gallons of water drop 80 feet over the course of the falls.
2. Attend a Block Party	click to enlarge
Did you know DTSF already planned this summer's block party for you? That's right. . . all you have to do is show up! Come downtown to the Block Party on the Eastbank! Music, fun, food, and free entertainment. Event located in the parking lot of 8th & RR: 401 East 8th Street. (June, July & Aug)
3. Send'em to Summer Class	click to enlarge
Did you know that the Great Plains Zoo, Washington Pavilion & the Outdoor Campus all offer economical summer classes and camps to keep your kids' brains working throughout the entire summer? Sign up early because these wild classes fill up quickly.
4. Create Art for your Home	click to enlarge
Indulge your inner artist and show off your creative flair with a budget-friendly project. Check out some of the classes and workshops offered at the Horse Barn Arts Center located in Falls Park. Check out 'Second Saturdays' learn from an artist class or 'Fourth Tuesdays' Watercolor Painting Group.
5. Parks, Parks, Parks	click to enlarge
Nothing says outdoors more than enjoying one of the over 70 parks Sioux Falls has to offer.
6. Plan a BBQ	click to enlarge
Or just enjoy South Dakota's biggest backyard BBQ at RibFest. It's where summer begins. May 28-31, 2009.
7. A Day in the Tropics	click to enlarge
It is always 70-80 degrees at the Sertoma Butterfly House. . . bring your family and explore the amazing habitat of over 800 free flying butterflies from around the world.
8. The Old & The New	click to enlarge
The Museum of Visual Materials is the one of the oldest building in Downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota(1887) but is one of the city's newest museums. The museum offers a unique museum experience in many different senses, five to be exact. The MoVM is a hands on experience where you will learn by your sense of touch, smell, hearing, taste and of course sight. The MoVM gives you the chance to experiences things like no other museum with all of the materials and facilities for you to expand your horizons for free. It's so different; you might forget you're in a museum!
9. A taste of the Good Life	click to enlarge
Strawbale Winery is tucked in a farm setting between a 100-year-old barn and established shelter belt, the straw buildings, vineyard, and animals may introduce or remind you of a simpler time. Embrace and enjoy a glass of wine or tasting in a country setting.
10. Come on and Ride Along!	click to enlarge
Jump on the trolley and travel thru the downtown area and back to Falls Park FREE! Enjoy many shops, museums and SculptureWalk along the route.
11. Girls Getaway Weekend	click to enlarge
Book your weekend girls get away and make it all about you! Take advantage of the abundant shopping, including the downtown specialty shops and the Empire Mall. Relax and treat yourselves to a unique restaurant, get pampered at a spa, or enjoy a glass of wine at one of the area's wineries.
12. Turn Back Time	click to enlarge
Don't miss visiting the Prairie Star Gallery in downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Prairie Star is filled with centuries-old art forms displayed in a century-old building. It's located in the heart of downtown Sioux Falls, on Phillips Avenue. Share in the spirit of indigenous art. Timeless batiks, embossings, jewelry, quilts and sculpture. Extraordinary art by Native artists.
13. Plan a 'Fun in the Sun' Day	click to enlarge
Enjoy an entire day at Wild Water West Waterpark which is now bigger and '"wetter" than ever. New for the Summer of 2009 will be an all new 500,000 gallon wave pool set in an exotic tropical setting. Come out and enjoy SD's largest waterpark and ONLY wave pool. There is so much to do . . . batting cages, mini golf, go-karts, bumper boats, slides, lazy river, paintball, sand volleyball and so much more!
14. Walking Tour	click to enlarge
Do you want to get some exercise and some culture all in one outing? Be sure to take in a self-guided walking tour of the SculptureWalk throughout the downtown area. The sculptures are changed out yearly. Make a scavenger hunt out of it! Pick up brochures all along the route on Phillips Avenue.
15. Your Reason to Ride	click to enlarge
Mark your calendars now for the 14th annual Hot Harley Nights™, scheduled for July 10-12, 2009! This incredible event supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of South Dakota, and has raised over $1.3 million dollars so that children with life threatening diseases can experience a "wish come true." Hot Harley Nights™ involves a casino run, motorcycle parade, live music, raffles, bike show, silent auction, great food and an outdoor party at Falls Park West. As always, our goal is to expand the event, draw more people, raise more money, grant more wishes and have more fun. We hope to see you there!
16. Need a day of 'Blues'?	click to enlarge
Enjoy the annual Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Festival, JazzFest, has become a summer favorite for Sioux Falls and the region. JazzFest is a two-day outdoor musical event, featuring two stages and is FREE to the public. This year's event is July 17 & 18, 2009.
17. Off to the Races	click to enlarge
If speed is your ticket, race right over to Thunder Road the most dynamic go-kart tracks in the area. The fun continues by playing a round of golf at the 18 hole Viking Fjord Miniature Golf Course guaranteed to entertain players of all ages and skill levels. This Viking themed course is accented by rippling streams, waterfalls, fountains and colorful landscaping.
18. Keep your 'Eyes to the Sky'	click to enlarge
Featuring in Sioux Falls skies again this year will be the U.S. Navy Demonstration Squadron - the Blue Angels. Power on the Prairie is July 25 & 26 from 9am until 5pm each day.
19. Automania	click to enlarge
16 blocks of excitement, live rock-n-roll bands, food and exciting auto related vendors. Don't miss this exciting night of fun happening June 17 in downtown Sioux Falls.
20. Shop 'til you Drop at Crazy Days	click to enlarge
Shop The Empire Mall is going CRAZY! Retailers mall-wide will be clearing out merchandise with low, low prices in our semi-annual mall-wide clearance sale. Look for great deals both inside your favorite stores and in the hallways! July 10-12.
21. Moonlight Movies	click to enlarge
Enjoy FREE family movies in Fawick Park every Saturday night June through end of August. The movie will begin at dusk. Bring your favorite chair or blanket and sit back and enjoy the show. Refreshments will be sold during the movies. We ask that you do not bring coolers or pets and no alcohol is allowed in the city park.
22. Canaries	click to enlarge
Enjoy a game at the Sioux Falls Stadium. Canaries play regular season games at the bird cage mid May through the end of August.
23. Center for Western Studies	click to enlarge
The Center's Fantle Building has a Northern Plains library, archives, exhibits of Native American & Scandinavian cultures, Jim Savage wood carvings and changing art shows.
24. EROS	click to enlarge
Did you know EROS offers FREE daily tours Monday-Friday at 10am and 2pm?? A great way to get a little science into your family's summer.
25. USS Battleship	click to enlarge
The USS South Dakota was the most decorated battleships of World War II. Memorial is open daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
26. Attend a Patio Party	click to enlarge
Or find one of Sioux Falls' famous hotspots and enjoy a meal and an evening "out". . . Granite City, Bracco, Spezia. Enjoy!!
27. Sioux Empire Fair	click to enlarge
Take part of the 70th Annual Sioux Empire Fair August 11-16, good family fun!
28. Lifelight Music Festival	click to enlarge
The LifeLight Music Festival began on a church lawn for one night in 1998 and has become one the nation's largest FREE outdoor music festivals in the country, September 4-6.
29. German Fest	click to enlarge
The Sister Cities Association of Sioux Falls presents the 15th Annual German Fest on Saturday September 12th. German Fest is FREE and is a wonderful festival for all ages, Sept 12.
30. Family Evening Out	click to enlarge
Every Friday enjoy the Greatest Show on H2O, a water skiing comedy adventure for the whole family including acting, singing, dancing and amazing stunts. Catfish Bay has trained 20 skiers for professional shows around the world like Sea World and Cypress Gardens!
31. A little something for Everyone	click to enlarge
The Washington Pavilion or Arts and Science was the first facility in the nation to house a visual arts center, a performing arts center and a science center in one building. Come check it out for yourself!
32. Sidewalk Arts Festival	click to enlarge
Showcases 250 fine art, folk art, and craft booths, is the largest one-day outdoor festival in the region, September 12.
33. Go on a Family Cycling Adventure	click to enlarge
You don't have to be an avid (or experienced) biker to have a blast. For a safer adventure traverse local bike trails instead of hitting the streets. Don't forget to check out the bike rentals at Falls Park.
34. Enjoy the Wild West	click to enlarge
A celebration of all things western from the 1800's to the present. Visiting the Spirit of the West Festival will allow you to travel back in time, be entertained, and to shop from one of the many vendors during our Three day event. The goal of the Spirit of The West Festival is to keep the history and the spirit of the Cowboy's and the Old West alive. Whether you're attracted by the history of the west, the western collectible, an exhibitor or the lore of the Cowboy, there's something for everyone at the Spirit of The West Festival. Sept 18-20, 2009.
35. Get back to Nature	click to enlarge
The Outdoor Campus' mission is to provide education about outdoor skills, wildlife, conservation and management practices of South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks to all ages in order to preserve our outdoor heritage.
36. Plan a Historic District Tour	click to enlarge
Just because summer is fast approaching doesn't mean you have to be done learning. See what Sioux Falls History is all about. Can you name the historical districts in Sioux Falls?? 1)All Saints District 2)Sherman District 3)Hayes District 4)Old Courthouse & Warehouse District 5)Cathedral District 6)Downtown District
37. Northern Plains Indian Art Market	click to enlarge
Be part of the largest Northern Plains Native American art show, Pow Wow and more, September 24-27.
38. Take a walk on the Wild Side	click to enlarge
The zoo is open year round and no the animals don't go south for the winter. . they stay right here in Sioux Falls. The zoo is home to over 800 animals representing 150 different species.
39. Premier Quilt Show & Wine Tasting Event	click to enlarge
Presented by and in conjunction with Project Linus, this colorful showing of quilts hung over the rich green grape vines is a sight to behold. Lazily stroll throughout the quilt-decorated vineyards while tasting a variety of wines produced solely with South Dakota grown fruits, berries and grapes. At Strawbale Winery, August 8 at 10am.