Free & Cheap Things to Do in Sioux Falls

Parks & Nature

The roaring pink quartzite waterfalls of the Big Sioux River cascade through the center of this stunning 123-acre free park right in downtown Sioux Falls. A free observation tower, walking paths, historic ruins of the 1870s Queen Bee Mill, and a visitor center make this one of the most impressive free city parks in the Midwest.

Address: 300 N Kiwanis Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

Tip: Climb the free observation tower for the best bird's-eye view of the falls. Open daily 5am–midnight. The falls are dramatically lit at night and just as beautiful after dark.

Arts & Culture

The largest annual outdoor sculpture exhibit in the world, with 80+ rotating sculptures by artists from across the country displayed year-round along a mile-long stretch of downtown Sioux Falls — all completely free to view. Each year's new lineup is unveiled in the spring, keeping the experience fresh for return visitors.

Address: Phillips Ave, Downtown Sioux Falls, SD 57104

Tip: The sculptures run from the Washington Pavilion all the way north to Falls Park — combine with a Falls Park visit for a full free afternoon in downtown. A free visitor center at the Washington Pavilion has maps and information.

History & Culture

The beautifully preserved 1889 Queen Anne Victorian home of South Dakota's first U.S. Senator, Richard Pettigrew, now serves as a free city museum with exhibits on Sioux Falls history, Native American culture, and Great Plains natural history. One of the hidden gems of downtown Sioux Falls.

Address: 131 N Duluth Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

Tip: Open Tuesday–Saturday. A compact museum that rewards slow exploration — the Victorian architecture of the house itself is as interesting as the exhibits inside. Just a few blocks from Falls Park and SculptureWalk.

History & Culture

An outdoor memorial in Sherman Park traces the actual hull outline of the USS South Dakota — the most decorated U.S. battleship of World War II — in life-size concrete on the original deck plan. The grounds include the ship's anchor, mast, and main guns, plus a free indoor museum with crew memorabilia, photos, and artifacts open in summer.

Address: 2705 W 12th St, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

Tip: The outdoor grounds are open year-round; the indoor museum is open daily 9:30am–5:30pm May 1–September 30. Pair with a walk through surrounding Sherman Park, the city's oldest, which has a free playground and lake.

History & Culture

Three floors of free exhibits inside the dramatic 1893 quartzite-and-granite former Minnehaha County Courthouse in downtown Sioux Falls. Original 1890s murals by Norwegian artist Ole Running line the rotunda, and the building itself — slate stairs, granite pillars, stained glass — is half the attraction. Permanent and rotating exhibits cover regional history, Native American culture, and pioneer life.

Address: 200 W 6th St, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

Tip: Open Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Thu until 9pm, Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 12pm–5pm. Free two-hour parking to the west of the museum. Pair with the Pettigrew Home & Museum (also free, run by the same organization) just a few blocks away.

Parks & Nature

A serene Japanese-style garden tucked into Terrace Park along the shore of Covell Lake — pagodas, stone lanterns, an entrance arbor, koi-friendly water features, and seasonal blooming gardens, all completely free. The surrounding Terrace Park is the oldest in Sioux Falls and adds a paved lakeside walking path, picnic grounds, and a band shell.

Address: 1500 W 4th St, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

Tip: Open daily 5am–10pm. Spring and early summer are peak bloom; fall foliage around the pagodas is also striking. Free street parking on adjacent neighborhoods. Combine with a Falls Park visit just over a mile away for a free park-hopping afternoon.

Arts & Culture

An open-air concert venue just west of Falls Park that hosts 50 free concerts every summer — from indie folk and jazz to bluegrass and global music, with national and regional acts on a permanent shell stage. Bring a blanket or low chair and stake out a spot on the lawn; food trucks line the venue most show nights.

Address: 504 N Phillips Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

Tip: Concert season runs roughly June through August, Thursday–Sunday evenings. Check the season schedule in advance — popular acts draw big lawn crowds, so arrive early for the best spots. Off-season the venue grounds are still free to walk through.

History & Culture

A French Renaissance-revival cathedral built in 1915 atop a downtown Sioux Falls bluff, with two soaring twin spires visible from across the city. Inside: imported Italian marble, German stained glass, hand-carved oak, and a recent 10-year restoration of the original interior. Free self-guided tours daily and free guided tours weekday afternoons at 1pm.

Address: 521 N Duluth Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

Tip: Open daily 8am–4pm for visitors. Free 1pm volunteer-led tours Monday–Friday — call ahead at (605) 336-7392 to confirm. Quiet and contemplative — keep voices low if mass or services are in progress.

Museums & Galleries

Sioux Falls' premier arts-and-science center houses the Kirby Science Discovery Center with 100-plus interactive exhibits, the Wells Fargo CineDome theater, and the Visual Arts Center galleries. One ticket covers the science center and unlimited dome films, plus hands-on homeschool classes.

Address: 301 S Main Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

Tip: Admission is 50% off after 3 p.m. and online tickets save $1; the price includes unlimited CineDome films.

Parks & Nature

An AZA-accredited zoo on the west side of Sioux Falls, home to more than 1,000 animals from seven continents, with an Africa area holding lions, giraffes and zebras and seasonal extras including a splash pad, a carousel and a train. It is one of the two Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium campuses, paired with the Butterfly House & Aquarium across town.

Address: 805 S Kiwanis Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

Tip: Those are the online prices — the gate charges $2 more ($18.95 adults, $14.95 youth). Open 9am–5pm with last admission at 4pm, and the Africa area closes at 4pm, so lions, giraffes and zebras may not be viewable after that. The carousel and train are seasonal and cost extra. ⚠ The on-site Delbridge Museum of Natural History is currently closed.

Museums & Galleries

A tropical butterfly conservatory and marine aquarium where hundreds of free-flying butterflies drift past visitors and touch-pool tanks hold rays and tide-pool creatures. Now part of the Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium, it's a warm, hands-on stop that's especially good with younger kids.

Address: 4320 Oxbow Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57106

Tip: Wear bright colors and the butterflies may land on you. It's run by the Great Plains Zoo, and a combo membership covers both sites. Open year-round 10am–4pm, last admission 3:30pm.