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Buffalo Ridge, Cowboy Ghost Town
5 mi. west of Sioux Falls on I-90, exit 390
Sioux Falls, SD
Phone: 605-528-3931
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| Inside old rustic buildings, along main street, life sized animated mannequins re-enact 1880s history and life typical of the region. Huge display of antiques horsedrawn farm equipment. Authentic Lakota inipi (sweat lodge). Buffalo burgers. Learning American West history is fun a Buffalo Ridge.
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Center for Western Studies
2001 S. Summit Ave.
Sioux Falls, SD 57197
Phone: 605-274-4007
Website: www.augie.edu/CWS
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| Housed in the Fantle Building at Augustana College, the Center for Western Studies is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history and cultures of the northern plains. The center serves as a repository for more than 200 archival collections and maintains a library of some 35,000 volumes concerning the American West.
In addition, the center also holds an extensive art and artifact collection, as well as sponsoring annual events such as an annual history conference, the Boe Forum, and the Artists of the Plains Show. The Center for Western Studies is the largest academic publisher in South Dakota.
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Delbridge Museum of Natural History
805 S. Kiwanis Ave.
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: 605-367-7059
Website: www.gpzoo.org
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| Located at the Great Plains Zoo, the Delbridge Museum of Natural History features one of the country's most fascinating collections of mounted wildlife exhibited in naturalistic dioramas. The Delbridge Museum offers visitors a closer look at a one-of-a-kind collection comprised of 145 mounted specimens – including 35 “vanishing species.” Admission to the Museum is free with paid admission to the Zoo.
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Historic Downtown Sioux Falls
Main Street Sioux Falls, Inc.
230 S. Phillips Ave., Ste. 110
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: 605-338-4009
Website: www.downtownsiouxfalls.com
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| Main Street Sioux Falls invites you to experience the perfect mix of carefree spirit, cultural celebration and refined style. From museums to a unique selection of eating establishments and specialty shops to a full calendar of events and activities - there's always something happening downtown Sioux Falls. You may be interested in a new dining experience, an extraordinary gift, a gallery walk or a get-together with friends. One thing is certain - downtown Sioux Falls has what you're looking for.
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Museum of Visual Materials
500 N Main Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: 605-271-9500
Website: www.sfmvm.com
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| The Museum of Visual Materials is housed in one of the oldest buildings in Downtown Sioux Falls. Originally the Consolidated Tank Line Building, it was built in 1887. By 1898 it was the Standard Oil Company warehouse and gas station. Our restoration was completed in 2007 when we opened our doors as one of the most advanced LEED certified “green” buildings in the state. Our building combines a Geo-Thermal open-loop system and photo-voltaic panels to increase the building’s energy efficiency. We incorporated rapidly renewable resources such as cork, bamboo and wheat straw in our furniture and flooring. Our plumbing and light fixtures are low-flow and low-watt and use motion sensors to maximize efficiency. Four skylights have been added to the building to make use of natural light. Guests can learn more about our “green” technology in the LEED section of our website. www.sfmvm.com
The MoVM offers a unique museum experience. Featuring the private collection of the Faithe family, our guests are encouraged to touch and experience every exhibit. We have sewing machines for the community to use along with fabrics, threads and buttons. We offer monthly cooking demonstrations in our restaurant-quality kitchen. An insulated listening room houses over 1000 LP records, 8-track tapes, CDs, musical instruments and an organ. Over 4,500 books line birch shelves encouraging guests to while away the hours reading subjects such as cooking, religions, science, gardening, children's, fantasy and the arts. Complimentary coffee and Wi-Fi round out what we hope to be “Unlike Anything You’d Expect!”
The Museum of Visual Materials also offers an original banquet location for your next special event. Whether you’re an environmentally-conscience bride or just looking for a pretty space, we offer full-service party planning. Contact Carmen at carmen@sfmvm.com.
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Old Courthouse Museum
200 W. 6th St.
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: 605-367-4210
Website: www.siouxlandmuseums.com
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| This restored, 1890's Richardsonian Romanesque building, constructed of native pink quartzite, is a National Historic Landmark that features an 1893 clock tower, a restored circuit courtroom and law library, and 16 wall murals painted from 1915 to 1917. Opened as a museum in 1974, the building houses permanent and changing exhibits focusing on the natural and cultural histories of the Siouxland region. Home to the Minnehaha County Historical Society, Sioux Valley Genealogical Society Library and Queen City Mercantile (the museum's gift shop), the museum hosts lectures, workshops, astronomy programs, walking tours, children's programs and traditional music concerts year-round. Free admission; free parking. Open daily. Wheelchair accessible.
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Self-Guided Historic Walking Tours
Sioux Falls, SD
Phone: 605-367-4210
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| Falls Park is the foundation of the community's heritage. It is the most significant historical site in the city. The story of Sioux Falls is intimately entwined with Falls Park, and the history to be found here is both broad and deep. A system of ten large interpretive panels is distributed across the park. The panels include full color graphics and many early vintage photos provided by the Siouxland Heritage Museums System to convey the fascinating story of Falls Park. How were the falls formed? Why does the river run north in this area? What product fabricated at Falls Park was distributed through Tiffany's of New York and featured at two worlds fairs? How did the entire lower tier of the falls disappear? What happened to Seney Island? The answers to these questions and much more can be found in the system of interpretive panels.
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Sioux Empire Medical Museum
1305 W 18th Street
Sioux Valley Hospital
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Phone: 605-333-6397
Website: www.sanfordhealth.org
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| Housed at Sanford Hospital, this museum includes displays relating to medical history from the early 1900's through today's advanced technology, providing visitors with an appreciation of medical progress. Nursing uniforms, equipment and photographs depict the legacy of medical changes and advancements. Groups of 15 or more please call ahead for a scheduled visit. Open Mon.-Fri. 11am-4pm.
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St. Joseph Cathedral
523 N. Duluth Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: 605-336-7390
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| The 1918 Romanesque and French Renaissance cathedral is one of Sioux Falls' finest and most recognizable landmarks. Also on the campus is a Mothers Garden including a grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes.
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The Pettigrew Home and Museum
131 N. Duluth Ave.
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: 605-367-7097
Website: www.siouxlandmuseums.com
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| Richard F. Pettigrew, South Dakota's first full-term U.S. senator, purchased this 1889 Queen Anne home in 1911 and arranged for the building to be donated to the city upon his death in 1926. A seasoned traveler, Pettigrew collected artifacts from all over the world, and many of these items are now on display. Tour the restored home and attached museum, with galleries that detail the area's natural and cultural histories. A research library in the home's basement contains Pettigrew's personal papers and a 5,000-volume library. Free admission; free parking. Open daily. Wheelchair accessible.
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USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial
Sherman Park
12th Street & Kiwanis Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD
Phone: 367-7141
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| Having participated in every major battle in the Pacific from 1942 through 1945, the USS South Dakota is the most decorated battleship of World War II. This U.S. Navy memorial in Sherman Park was built to honor those who served on the vessel and the 42 people who died while aboard. A museum housing historical memorabilia is open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
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