Sioux Falls is the largest city in South Dakota. Sioux Falls is the county seat of Minnehaha County, and also extends into Lincoln County to the south. It anchors the fastest growing metro area in the Midwest.

Sioux Falls offers everything you would expect from the best: a welcoming atmosphere, unmatched convenience, big city entertainment, and most importantly, small-town attention.

A series of natural cascading waterfalls flow through the city of Sioux Falls. Actually, the city was named after this beautiful natural wonder.

The park features several historic buildings such as the Queen Bee Mill built in 1887 and a hydroelectric plant built in 1908. There is an observation tower which is 5 storeys high and provides visitors with a birds eye view of the entire park. Be sure to watch the light show which takes place in the evening. There are paved paths to meander through making this area of town a popular spot with locals and tourists.

The list of Sioux Falls attractions includes many museums, where visitors can explore the history of the Old West, Native Americans, and the US military. The Center for Western Studies at Augustana College works to interpret life on the Great Plains. An extensive collection of art and artifacts from Native Americans and frontier settlers is on display in interesting exhibits at the center. Special events include the Arts of the Plains Show held every February. The USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial honors the sailors who served on the decorated ship in the Pacific theater from 1942 through 1945.

Among the most-visited Sioux Falls attractions, the Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum of Natural History offers a variety of experiences on its 45 acres. With children's programs and more than 800 animals from around the world, the zoo features natural habitats and a newly added African savanna. Visitors will find plenty of things to do in Sioux Falls here; they can take a whirl on the carousel, enjoy a train ride, and meet the four-footed residents in the critter barn. The museum also features mounted animals and settings that re-create environments from five continents.

A network of Sioux Falls attractions, the Siouxland Heritage Museums include the Old Courthouse Museum and the Pettigrew Home & Museum. Standing since the 1890s, the quartzite courthouse has been restored and transformed into a regional history museum. The historic home, another example of Sioux Falls's transformation from frontier outpost to thriving city, was the home of South Dakota's first senator. Visitors can take guided tours of the Queen Anne-style residence and explore the interesting exhibits.

Not all of the things to do in Sioux Falls involve being inside. Those who enjoy golfing will find several courses. Dakota Golf Management oversees three public golf courses: Elmwood, Prairie Green, and Kuehn Park. In addition to its golf course, Kuehn Park is a favorite place for hiking and admiring the scenery. Visitors also can learn where Sioux Falls South Dakota got its name when they make a visit to Falls Park. Its visitor center is topped by a five-story observation tower; those who make it up to the top will be treated to views of the Big Sioux River and the pink quartzite rock deposits.

Just outside of town, Palisades State Park is another place to see quartzite. Whether hiking the trails, fishing, or lounging on the front porch of one of the cabins, visitors will have plenty of opportunities to admire the views. Another one of the state parks, the Big Sioux Recreation Area is another place to enjoy the great outdoors.

Among the wealth of things to do in Sioux City, connecting with local arts and culture is another option for visitors. The Sioux Empire Arts Council launches special events and manages the Horse Barn Arts Center in Falls Park, and this historic building is filled with creativity all throughout the year. In charming downtown Sioux Falls, there is an array of outdoor sculptures to admire and galleries to visit. Walking tours will also help reveal the intriguing story of the city through several interpretive panels.

The Washington Pavilion of Arts and Sciences is another place to experience culture in Sioux Falls South Dakota. Its Husby Performing Arts Center provides a home for the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra and Broadway-caliber stage shows. The institution also offers several other entertaining things to do in Sioux Falls through visits to the Visual Arts Center, Kirby Science Discovery Center, and the CineDome Theater.

Housing Cost

Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $141,700

Mean prices in 2007: All housing units: $172,762; Detached houses: $178,853; Townhouses or other attached units: $248,286; In 2-unit structures: $95,000; In 3-to-4-unit structures: $162,904; In 5-or-more-unit structures: $120,866; Mobile homes: $28,883


Demographics

Population in July 2008: 154,997. Sioux Falls covers 56.3 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 1,442 feet above sea level. Area code: 605

Weather

Sioux Falls, SD climate is warm during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 70's and extremely cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 10's.

The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 85.60 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 2.90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Temperature variations between night and day tend to be moderate during summer with a difference that can reach 25 degrees Fahrenheit, and moderate during winter with an average difference of 22 degrees Fahrenheit.

The annual average precipitation at Sioux Falls is 24.69 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is June with an average rainfall of 3.49 Inches.

Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com