Top 5 Surprises You Will Find in Sioux Falls

Most people know about Falls Park, our downtown SculptureWalk, and our bike trail looping the city, but we're always itching for more. Here are some things in Sioux Falls that may surprise you.

Outdoor Campus

Take your group to the Outdoor Campus where they can partake in one of many free classes that are offered year-round. Seasonal classes include: fishing, archery, shooting, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and many more! The Outdoor Campus sits on a beautiful nature preserve area, so if you're not interested in one of the classes you can explore the area on their trail system.

Celebrity Chefs

Did you know Sioux Falls is home to two chefs whose talents were featured on national television? Chris Hanmer, owner of CH Patisserie and Parlour Ice Cream House, was the season two winner of Bravo's Top Chef: Just Desserts. Chris rose through the dessert ranks, and his shops have now become a must-stop on the list for anyone visiting Sioux Falls.

Sanaa Abourezk, owner of Sanaa's Gourmet Mediterranean, was featured on an episode of Food Network's Beat Bobby Flay where she competed one-on-one against famed chef, Bobby Flay, in a Syrian cook-off. Sanaa's restaurant is consistently named one of the top restaurants in the city as well as the top vegetarian restaurant in the state.

Cocktail Culture

With Sioux Falls being located in the heartland of America, some people assume that this is the land of domestic beer, and that cocktails just don't exist. Well, that couldn't be further from the truth. Sioux Falls is full of excellent mixologists who are always whipping up delightful beverages to please your palate. Some of our top picks are Carpenter Bar, Crawford's, The Hello Hi, and The Treasury. Grab your colleagues and enjoy a drink at one of our fine establishments.

Hiking

You obviously can't expect any mountain hiking in Sioux Falls, but we certainly do have a variety of trails and parks to explore in the area. A few of our favorites include Great Bear Recreation Park, Good Earth State Park, Palisades State Park, and Newton Hills State Park.

Great Plains Zoo

Explore the Great Plains Zoo's multiple award-winning exhibits. Experience animal encounters with the likes of giraffes, tigers, zebras, brown bears, snow monkeys and much more! One of the more fascinating aspects of the Zoo is the Delbridge Museum of Natural History, which includes a one-in-the-world collection of 150 mounted animals from around the world.