When you think of South Dakota you probably think of tractors, cold weather, Mount Rushmore, and vast, open landscapes filled with nothing… and you wouldn’t necessarily be wrong! But we’re here to show you that there’s a whole lot more to South Dakota than the stereotypes! Per usual, we only had a day to explore this beautiful state, so we focused our efforts on the quaint town of Sioux Falls, and we can promise you that it did not disappoint! If you’re a time-crunched traveler like us and looking for a way to make the most of your time in the Mount Rushmore State, then you’ve come to the right place! We’ve put together what we think is the perfect one day in Sioux Falls Travel Guide!
*Be sure to check out our “One Day in Sioux Falls” travel vlog for a closer look at our time in South Dakota!
Now, let's get to it!
8:30 am: Coffee/Breakfast
Coffea Roasterie & Espresso Bar (200 S Phillips Ave)
Josiah’s Coffeehouse & Cafe (104 W 12th St)
The Source Coffee Roastery & Taproom (421 N Phillips Ave Suite 101)
9:15 am: Explore Downtown
Sites/Shops to note:
Sculpture Walk
Sculpture Walk is an outdoor art exhibit where sculptures are displayed year-round in downtown Sioux Falls and it is a must-do/see when visiting!
Downtown Trolley ($2/person)
The Downtown Trolley is a hop-on, hop-off historic tour of downtown Sioux Falls that runs a loop from Falls Park, down Main Avenue to the Washington Pavilion, and back up Phillips Avenue to Falls Park, stopping along the way at 8th & Railroad Center on East 8th Street. Each loop takes 25-30 minutes.
Cathedral of St. Joseph (521 N Duluth Ave)
Built from 1915-1918, this Romanesque and French Renaissance structure stands tall above the Sioux Falls skyline and is a must-see.
The State Theatre (316 S Phillips Ave)
This fully restores 1940’s theater is THE place to for live music in Sioux Falls
10:45 am: CH Patisserie (309 S Phillips Ave)
The brainchild of Bravo's Top Chef Just Desserts season 2 winner, Chris Hanmer, CH Patisserie is a little slice of Paris in the heart of downtown Sioux Falls offering a showcase of delights ranging from French macarons and petit gateaux to croissants, beignets, and other delectable favorites.
11:30 pm: Falls Park (131 E Falls Park Dr)
No trip to Sioux Falls would be complete without actually visiting the falls of the Big Sioux River at Falls Park. This more than 128-acre park is located just north of downtown and offers many different viewing platforms of the falls. Falls Park is also home to a rich history that includes some of Sioux Falls' oldest buildings!
1:00 pm: Lunch
Phillips Avenue Diner (121 S Phillips Ave)
Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews (2616 S Louise Ave)
JL Beers (323 S Phillips Ave)
2:30 pm: Brewery Tour
5:00pm: Strawbale Winery (47215 257th St, Renner, SD)
If you’re fortunate enough to visit Sioux Falls during the summer months, then you definitely need to make the short 15 minute drive out to Strawbale Winery for their Summer Porch Series featuring live music, food trucks, and of course… delicious wines! The winery itself, made of straw bales, is nestled between a hundred year old barn and old shelter-belt in a beautiful country setting surrounded by fields of wildflowers. It doesn’t get more picturesque than this place!
7:15 pm: Arc of Dreams (43.5499° N, 96.7244° W)
The Arc of Dreams is America's newest landmark sculpture (as of January 2022) created by South Dakota Artist Laureate, Dale Claude Lamphere. The monumental stainless steel sculpture spans across the Big Sioux River downtown nearly the length of a football field between 6th and 8th streets. 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. This is a truly inspiring piece of art that is well worth a visit… especially at sunset!
8:00pm: Dinner
Minerva’s (301 S Phillips Ave)
Grille 26 (1716 S Western Ave)
Parker’s Bistro (210 S Main Ave)
9:45pm: Drinks at The Treasury at Hotel on Phillips (100 N Phillips Ave)
Located in the recently renovated Sioux Falls National Bank building, Hotel on Philips is a true masterpiece of a hotel and the hotel bar is just the icing on the cake! The Treasury is located inside the old bank vault from the 1918’s and is one of the most unique bar experiences we’ve had to date. On top of the ambiance being absolute perfection, the drinks were delightful. A must-try in Sioux Falls!
Also, if you're looking for an amazing place to stay during your visit, we HIGHLY recommend Hotel on Phillips!
And just like that your day in Sioux Falls has come to an end! We hope that this travel guide has helped you make the most of your time in the Mount Rushmore State! Be sure to check out our YouTube Channel for a closer look at our journey to all 50 states in 2021 and follow us on Instagram (@AdventuresofMattandNat) for more fun travel content!