1. Forget The NHL. Junior Hockey Is What Gets Fans Riled Up Here.
The U.S. Hockey League Fall Hockey Classic is a major event in Sioux City, drawing fans of the home team, the Sioux City Musketeers. But they’ll have to contend with fans of the Sioux Falls Stampede, one of the best teams in the league, and 2012-2013 Western Conference Champions.
2. Eating At The Iconic Tastee Inn & Out Is A Requirement
Before waiting for other national fast food chains to make their way to Sioux City, one couple decided to open their own, Tastee Inn & Out. You must try the delicious onion chips and dip at least once—or a hundred times.
3. Siouxlanders Know That First Fridays Are The Best Fridays
On the first Friday of every month, the place to be is Downtown Sioux Falls. The city hosts First Fridays, keeping restaurants and boutiques—such as the greats like Chelsea’s Boutique, Man Code, My Current Obsession and Zandbroz Variety—open late and sponsoring live music and entertainment through the evening.
4. But Where Exactly Is Siouxland?
Well, there is dispute. When author Frederick Manfred first used the term, he meant the vernacular region crossing state lines, including areas of southeast South Dakota, southwest Minnesota, northeast Nebraska, and northwestern Iowa. However, Sioux City has often taken the name for its surrounding region, prompting the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, area to also call itself Sioux Empire.
5. The Sioux Empire Fair Is One Of The Best Of Its Kind
This annual fair in Sioux Falls is complete with carnival rides, livestock competitions, and horse shows—but don’t let that down-home vibe fool you. It attracts the biggest names in professional rodeo and top-notch music acts. Oh, and, hundreds of thousands of visitors.
6. Siouxlanders Know All The Best Produce Is Grown Right Here
You can’t throw a rock in Siouxland without hitting an amazing farmers market with fresh, local flowers and produce, plus plenty of homemade goods. There’s the Sioux City Farmers’ Market, the Akron Farmers’ Market in Iowa, Falls Park Farmers’ Market in Sioux Falls, and Wayne Farmers’ Market in Nebraska, and that’s truly just scratching the surface.
7. Siouxland Is Home To Some Seriously Tough Dames
Locals flock to the Longlines Family Recreation Center to watch the Sioux City Roller Dames knock around their competition, and in return, the athletes are committed to their community and even started another team in Siouxland, in Norfolk.
8. In Sioux City, Bandits Are The Good Guys
Powerhouse indoor arena football team the Sioux City Bandits are a major draw in the city to the Tyson Events Center, and the NFL also has its eyes on the team. Former running back Fred Jackson went to the Buffalo Bills in 2006.
9. Marching Bands Are Kind Of A Big Deal Here
More than 40 marching bands from all across the Midwest head to Sioux Falls to compete to crown the best at the Festival of Bands. But that’s not all; Sioux Falls also hosts the Sioux Empire Spectacular to find the best drum corps across the nation.
10. The Ice Cream Capital of the World Isn’t Just For Daydreams
In northwest Iowa, there’s ice cream with prestige. Le Mars has been dubbed “The Ice Cream Capital of the World,” for its Wells’ Dairy, the company that makes Blue Bunny Ice Cream.
11. You Can Eat Anything You Want In Siouxland
Siouxland isn’t just a great place to get a steak and a burger, but some of the best restaurants capture some delicious food around the globe, such as Phnom Penh Restaurant in Sioux Falls with killer Laotian, Cambodian, and Chinese cuisine, Taqueria La Juanita’s great Mexican food and Diamond Thai in Sioux City, and Sioux Fall’s amazing Indian food at Shahi Palace.
12. Want All-American Food Piled High, For Cheap?
Locals know for that, you need to go to the Phillips Avenue Diner in Sioux Falls, the best diner in all of Siouxland. You may as well stay all day with the banana bread French toast for breakfast, The Royal Tannenbomb burger for lunch, and the famous house jambalaya for dinner.
13. This Region Is Darn Proud Of Its History
Sioux City, Iowa, celebrates its role in Lewis and Clark’s expedition to the West with the Sergeant Floyd Monument dedicated to the only man to die on the trek and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. Luverne, Minnesota, was also one of only four cities featured in the famous Ken Burns World War II documentary The War.
14. Artists Bring Serious Pizzazz To Downtown Sioux Falls
Walking around Sioux Falls is never ordinary. Each year, the city hosts a SculptureWalk, where artists display their best work reflecting the region across downtown for a whole year and locals vote to give their favorite a huge prize.
15. Saturday In The Park Is Surprisingly High Energy
Saturday in the Park is an absolute can’t-miss annual festival in Sioux City at the Grandview Park Municipal Bandshell, dating all the way back to 1991. It has an eclectic mix of world-famous musical acts to please anyone, such as past performers Wilco, Melissa Etheridge, Sublime, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, and the Counting Crows.
16. Touch The Sky Prairie Is So Stunning, It Was Featured In A BBC Documentary
Touch the Sky Prairie near Luverne, Minnesota was featured on the massive hit BBC TV documentary “Life,” a follow-up to Planet Earth. Why? Because the national wildlife refuge is absolutely stunning.
17. The Verne Drive-In Is One Of The Best Drive-Ins In The Country
There are only just over 300 drive-in movie theatres left in the whole country, and the Verne Drive-In is one of the best of them. And the retro prices of $5 a pop if you’re over six really seal the deal.
18. Siouxland Is Grrrrrreat!
On the cusp of Siouxland is Norfolk, Nebraska which happens to be the birthplace of Thurl Ravenscroft. If the name isn’t familiar, I think Tony the Tiger and the singer of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” will resonate. Betty Draper, a.k.a January Jones, is also from Siouxland, in Sioux Falls.
19. Get Up Close And Personal With Natural Wonders
The city’s namesake waterfalls of the Big Sioux River are in Falls Park. And visitors are able to get close enough to feel the water spray and hear the rush of water.
20. You Can Thank Sioux City For Your Sugar Rush
Sweet toothed people, take note: Siouxland is home to the Palmer Candy Company, a family-owned and run company for—wait for it—more than a century.
21. Siouxlanders Will Bike 500 Miles
The Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa, or as locals know it, RAGBRAI, is a massive, world-renowned 500-mile bike ride that sets out from Sioux City, which hosts a celebratory concert and bike expo for the kickoff.
22. The Public Library Is All About Community
Pulling together the whole region is the Siouxland Public Library, with its main branch in Sioux Falls. The library is a fixture in the community, hosting many events, including book clubs, writing clubs, and everyone’s favorite YA movie screenings for teens.
23. Food Here Is Almost Too Pretty To Eat… Almost
If you haven’t tried a pastry or colorful macaroon from C.H. Patisserie is Sioux Falls, then you haven’t lived in scrumptious dessert heaven. Wash it down with some fresh hot coffee from Coffea.
24. It’s Always Wine O’Clock In Siouxland
Sioux City was dubbed “Little Chicago” for its reputation during Prohibition, and they’ve kept that reputation going with several incredible vineyards stretching across Siouxland. It’s bottoms up for red or white at Birdsong Vineyards, Valiant Vineyards, Alley Winery, Hannel Cellars, and way more.
25. It’s Home To Some Of The Best Artists
The Sioux City Art Center not only hosts many, many community events over the year, it also is home to several of the best national and international artists’ work, such as Salvador Dali, Robert Motherwell, and Grant Wood.
26. The Riverfront Is The Place To Be
Formally known as Chris Larsen Park, the Riverfront not only has the riverboat casino and several historical features, it’s also home to the MLR Tyme Marina with upscale dining options like Bev’s On The River with lovely views.
27. Even Baseball Is An Homage To Lewis And Clark
Fans come from across the region to cheer for the Sioux City Explorers, a baseball team in the American Association. And their home games? They’re at Lewis and Clark Park, of course.
28. The Amusement Parks Are A Slice Of History
Dare to ride one of the top 10 wooden roller coasters in the whole country? You’ll need to visit Arnolds Park Amusement Park in Iowa. But if you’re thinking more wet and wild fun, there’s always Kings Pointe Waterpark Resort in Storm Lake, Iowa.
29. For Hot And Smooth Nights, There’s Always JazzFest
Sioux Falls JazzFest website
The annual Sioux Falls JazzFest at Yankton Trail Park is the perfect way to spend a summer night. It attracts some serious jazz talent, as well as thousands upon thousands of visitors.
Featured Image Source: Flickr user Patrick Hawks
What do you love about living in Siouxland? Tell us in the comments below!
