Sioux City is known to be one of the country’s most affordable cities in Northwest Iowa, 820 kilometres (510 miles) from Chicago, the USA. It was ranked number one for Economic Development by Site Selection magazine, fourth for the Most Competitive City in North America for Food and Beverage, and within the Top 10 Startup Ecosystem in Silicon Prairie. Some of the top attractions include Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Sioux City Public Museum, and Sergeant Floyd River Museum and Welcome Center. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best attractions in Sioux City including Jolly Time Pop Corn Museum, Drop Zone Family Fun Center and Wild Water West Waterpark. Ready to fill up your list of the best things to do in Sioux City, Iowa? Scroll down to continue reading.
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1. Check out the artifacts at Sioux City Public Museum
This museum is the to-go place if you would like to find out about the history and culture of Sioux City. It is located along 4th Street, a three-minute walk from Sioux City Convention Center. There are both children and adult programs and summer walking tours at the museum. Prefer to do some research before heading to the museum? You can now do so online on their official website. Look through the virtual museum artifacts and take in the Sioux City history all from the comfort of your home.
Sioux City Public Museum
Address: 607 4th St, Sioux City, IA 51101, United States
Website: Sioux City Public Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 1pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: Free admission
2. Spend an evening at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
This four-star hotel situated along 3rd Street has a couple of places you can visit. Have your American cuisine fix at Fuel American Grill, extensive craft beer selection at Main + Abbey or hit up one of the three bars for some unique cocktails. Feeling lucky? Try it out at the casino’s hottest slots, video poker machines, and table games! You can view the calendar of events on their website for other existing promotions, dining specials, and entertainment.
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
Address: 111 3rd St, Sioux City, IA 51101, United States
Website: Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
3. Remember the past with the Spirit of Siouxland Statue
The Spirit of Siouxland Statue, which can be found at the Flight 232 Memorial, is located beside the Anderson Dance Pavilion. At this memorial, you can take time to commemorate the rescue efforts taken by the people of Sioux City after the United Flight 232’s crash landing at Sioux City’s airport. The statue is made in remembrance of Iowa National Guard Lt. Col. Dennis Nielson carrying a three-year-old child to safety.
Spirit of Siouxland Statue
Address: Sioux City, IA 51103, United States
4. Visit the history-rich Jolly Time Pop Corn Museum
Jolly Time Museum is located at Jolly Time Koated Kernels along Terminal Drive. You will be able to peek into the 100 years of history of the beloved Jolly Time Pop Corn and learn more about how Jolly Time grew into a nation-wide household name loved by many. You can look forward to interesting exhibits of vintage packaging, celebrity endorsements from the past and personal artifacts from the company’s founding members. Don’t forget to get your hands on some delicious handmade flavored popcorn before you leave.
Jolly Time Pop Corn Museum
Address: 1717 Terminal Dr, Sioux City, IA 51105, United States
Website: Jolly Time Pop Corn Museum
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 5:30pm; Sat: 10am - 3pm (closed on Sun)
5. Go all-Mexican at La Juanita
Have your burritos, tacos, and chimichangas cravings fix at La Juanita, an authentic Mexican restaurant along Pierce Street. You might be expecting a queue to get a seat but we heard that the food is great and worth the wait. Do remember to bring along enough cash as the eatery does not accept cards.
La Juanita
Address: 1316 Pierce St, Sioux City, IA 51105, United States
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 9am - 1am; Fri - Sat: 9am - 2:30am; Sun: 9am - 2am
6. Expend your energy at Drop Zone Family Fun Center
As the name suggests, this is a family-friendly amusement center located along Stadium Drive, an 11-minute drive from Southern Hills Mall. Activities at the center include open jump on the trampoline, slam dunk, dodge ball, ninja course, laser tag, arcade games, and a play area for the little ones. Prices vary across different activities and you can either purchase the tickets online or do a walk-in to enjoy discounted day specials on tickets.
Drop Zone Family Fun Center
Address: 3840 Stadium Dr, Sioux City, IA 51106, United States
Website: Drop Zone Family Fun Center
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 3pm - 8pm; Fri: 12pm - 9pm; Sat: 10am - 10pm; Sun: 12pm - 7pm (closed on Mon)
7. Beat the heat at Wild Water West Waterpark
This is a seasonal water park that opens during the summer season. Get the heat off by springing into action at Wild Water West Waterpark along 466th Avenue. The entry ticket will give you access to the entire waterpark, go-karts, mini-golf, sand volleyball, and more. Pre-purchase your tickets online to enjoy discounts. Good news for parents because children under the age of two can enter for free. If you’re planning to drop off your children at the park and go enjoy some me-time, remember that it’s best that your child is above the age of 13 or of the age to be able to follow park rules without adult supervision.
Wild Water West Waterpark
Address: 26767 466th Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57106, United States
Website: Wild Water West Waterpark
Opening hours: 11am - 8pm (daily, from late May to September)
Price: From 14.95 USD
8. Stop by Peirce Mansion
John Peirce Mansion along Jackson Street is a Victorian-era home completed in 1893. It was purchased by the Junior League of Sioux City in 1958 and donated to the City of Sioux City as a cultural building. It is now open seasonally to the public for events like weddings ceremonies, family gatherings, parties, or even simply for photoshoots. There are three levels in the mansion and the first floor is handicapped-accessible.
Peirce Mansion
Address: 2901 Jackson St, Sioux City, IA 51104, United States
Website: Peirce Mansion
9. Let your kids enjoy the summer camp at Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center
Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center is an educational hub along Sioux River Road. There are various events available at the center and you may head over to their official website to view the calendar of events. Thinking of keeping your kids occupied with something meaningful during the summer holidays? Enroll your kids into the Woodbury County Conservation Summer Day Camp! There’s an activity available for kids three years old and above.
Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center
Address: 4500 Sioux River Rd, Sioux City, IA 51109, United States
Website: Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 9am - 4:30pm; Sun: 1pm - 4:30pm (closed on Mon)
10. Find your favorite treats at Palmer's Olde Tyme Candy Shoppe
Palmer’s Olde Tyme Candy Shoppe is a candy store that is a four-minute walk away from LaunchPAD Children’s Museum. Well-known to many as a manufacturer of chocolate and holiday confections, you will be sure to find your favorite candies there. There’s also an on-site museum where you can find retired candy-making equipment, vintage photos, and other interesting items from the past. We can’t wait to bag home some chocolate covered-peanuts and peppermint twists.
Palmer's Olde Tyme Candy Shoppe
Address: 405 Wesley Pkwy, Sioux City, IA 51103, United States
Website: Palmer’s Olde Tyme Candy Shoppe
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5:30pm; Sat: 9am - 5pm (closed on Sun)
Activities for family fun
Looking at the list of best things to do in Sioux City, we think this city is a perfect place for families to come and have fun together. Children will love the sweets at Palmer’s Olde Tyme Candy Shoppe, flavored popcorn at Jolly Time Pop Corn Museum, expending their energy at Drop Zone Family Fun Center, and having a splashing good time at Wild Water West Waterpark. Go ahead and make that reservation because we wouldn’t even think twice.
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