You'll find a wide variety of things to do in Sioux City, Iowa. There are attractions here for every age and interest. Sioux City has many parks and outdoor spaces as well as interesting museums and other cultural attractions.
What is Sioux City Known For?
Sioux City, Iowa is famous for a handful of interesting facts:
- Sioux City actually has sections in three different states: Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska. The largest portion of the city is in Iowa.
- Iowa is also known as the Hawkeye State.
- Sioux City (sometimes referred to as “Little Chicago”) lies just short of an hour and a half from Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
- Iowa’s state bird is the American goldfinch.
- The state song is The Song of Iowa written by Samuel Hawkins Marshall Byers.
- The oak tree is the state tree of Iowa, with no specification on a particular species.
The city is known for its many historical sites and beautiful nature parks. There are plenty of things to see and do here.
Trinity Heights
Trinity Heights is a Catholic Church with beautiful, gigantic artworks of biblical figures. The Church features a 30-foot (9.144 m) tall stainless steel statue of the Virgin Mary and a 33-foot (10.0584 m) tall stainless steel statue of Jesus. There is also a life-sized carving of The Last Supper. The areas of statues at Trinity Heights include the Walk of the Saints and Trinity Gardens.
Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center & Stone State Park
Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, in Sioux City's Stone State Park, has hiking trails complete with rustic bridges. The indoor area includes a library and a meeting room as well as educational materials and interactive exhibits for children. For example, there may be materials such as fossils and antlers for children to examine and learn about. The Nature Center also houses birds and may have educational programs such as "Identify the Birds." The Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center is known for its aquarium of fish native to Iowa and its underground prairie display to walk under.
Stone State Park
Stone State Park has picnic areas, campsites and trails for horseback riding, mountain biking, snowmobiling and skiing. Some areas in the Park offer views of the Big Sioux and Missouri rivers. Stone State Park includes prairies and woodlands and is known for its rare butterflies.
Snyder Bend Park
Snyder Bend Park is another popular outdoor space in Sioux City, perfect for picnicking, boating, canoeing and fishing. Snyder Bend Lake has species such as walleye, largemouth bass, catfish, perch, crappie, bluegill and northern pike.
Sioux City Public Museum
The Sioux City Public Museum has been opened since 1961 and it focuses on the history of Sioux City and Iowa. The Museum includes material about the area's natural history and its Native American history. The Sioux City Public Museum is located in the 1893 John Pierce Mansion. Pierce was a Sioux City real estate developer.
Sergeant Floyd Monument, River Museum & Welcome Center
Sergeant Charles Floyd was the only member of the Lewis and Clark expedition to have died during the journey (from what doctors now believe may have been appendicitis, for which there was no cure at the time). The monument was built to honor his memory and seal his remains.
The Sergeant Floyd River Museum and Welcome Center, located at a different site, offers more details on the history of Sergeant Floyd and the Missouri River. The site is set on a dry-locked motor vessel, the M.V. Sergeant Floyd (named in honor of Charles Floyd). Admission to the museum is free.
Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
Sioux City’s Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center is an interactive exhibit that tells of the journey of the Corps of Discovery through the area. Visitors can learn the story through animatronics, computers and interactive devices, murals, flip books, and DVD presentations in a theater resembling the vessel used in Lewis & Clark’s expedition. The story it follows centers around the honored Sergeant Charles Floyd.
Sioux City Railroad Museum
Take a little trip about 100 years back in time to when this site was the 10th largest railroad station in the country. Back in the 20’s and 30’s, what’s now the museum was the Milwaukee Railroad Shops complex—a railroad hub with tracks that branched out to several locations through the U.S. At the museum, you can learn some history, take a ride, touch the old train cars, and see the landmarks onsite.
Sioux City Art Center
The Sioux City Art Center features works from classic artists like Jackson Pollock and Leonardo Da Vinci, as well as local contemporary artists. The pieces on display are rotated regularly, so there will be something new to see every time you go. Before heading inside, be sure to check out the pieces on their sculpture walk around the outside of the building. Admission to the art center is free.
There is much to see and do in Sioux City, Iowa. You can find a variety of activities and cultural experiences for all ages and family members to enjoy. Experience the rich history and fun the city has to offer.
