Community Annual Events

Leisure time activities play an important role in the lives of Siouxland residents and visitors. Each year Siouxland hosts the River-Cade summer festival and Saturday in the Park music festival in July. On Labor Day weekend ArtSplash, a juried art festival, is held in downtown Sioux City on the Campus of the Sioux City Art Center.

Saturday in the Park

Artsplash
Artsplash is traditionally held on Labor Day weekend. This festival includes artists, entertainment, popular adult and children’s hands-on activities, a wide variety of food, and so much more. The event is held in downtown Sioux City on the Art Center campus.

Big Parade and Mardi Gras Festivale
A Mardi Gras Parade with giant balloons, bands, food, fireworks and more! The Mardi Gras Festivale features astounding costumes some 14 feet high and the “Taste of Liousiana”,  authentic Cajun food prepared by Louisiana chefs.

Downtown for the Holidays
Hosted by Downtown Partners, Downtown for the Holidays, is the opening of the Holiday season in downtown Sioux City, with a lighted parade, entertainment, food, festival of trees, and Santa Claus.

Downtown Live on Fridays
End your week with the best line-up of music from downtown Sioux City’s premier summer concert series, “Downtown live”. Now back on the best day of the week “Friday”. Come listen to some first class LIVE entertainment on the lawn at 4th and Nebraska Streets. Chill out with a bite from local food trucks, beverages and a different live band every week.

River-Cade
A Siouxland tradition for over 50 years, River-Cade is designed to celebrate the area’s history and culture and showcase our area’s potential for continued economic development. The festival also showcases the outstanding quality of life we enjoy in our regional community.

Saturday in the Park
Saturday in the Park is one of the premier festivals in the upper Midwest and is best known for its eclectic mixture of musical traditions. Live music acts are offered throughout the day at one of several stages located within Grandview Park. This free festival falls on the Saturday closest to the 4th of July and attracts around 50,000 people from all over the Midwest for the weekend.

Winnebago Powwow
Located 20 miles from Sioux City in the rolling hills of Northeast Nebraska lies the Winnebago Tribe Reservation. Each year, the Winnebago Tribe hosts a homecoming celebration called Winnebago Powwow. Traditionally held on the last weekend in July, the homecoming features Native American dancers in authentic dress performing traditional tribal dances.  The annual event is held in commemoration of Chief Little Priest and 75 of his Winnebago warrior who served with the U.S. Cavalry in 1865.  The celebration also pays tribute to the men and women who have served in the United States armed forces since Little Priest’s service.

Historic Sites & Landmarks

War Eagle Monument
Now located in its permanent home atop the bluffs overlooking Sioux City, the War Eagle Monument is a tribute to a respected leader who was a friend to the white man and firmly loyal to America.  Chief War Eagle died in the fall of 1851 after many years of leadership with the first white settlers. The Monument overlooks the tri-state area of Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota and offers a picturesque view of the Sioux and Missouri Rivers.

War Eagle Monument - Photo Courtesy of Raun Lohry

Flight 232 Memorial
Commemorating the heroic rescue efforts shown by the Sioux City community after the crash of United Flight 232 in 1989, this statue depicts Colonel Dennis Nielsen carrying a young child to safety.  The memorial is part of Sioux City’s riverfront development located near the Anderson Dance Pavilion.

The memorial features contemplative areas and a tree-lined approach with plaques narrating the tragic event.

Historic Fourth Street
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Fourth Street Historic District contains the best concentration of late 19th Century commercial buildings in Sioux City.  Most of the larger buildings in the district are notable for their distinctive Romanesque architectural style that was popular in the late 1800s.  Two blocks long from Virginia to Iowa Street, Historic 4th contains 15 buildings dating from 1889 to approximately 1915.  The area features antique and specialty shops, pubs and restaurants.

Historic Pearl District
The Historic Pearl District encompasses about 10 city blocks on the westside of Downtown Sioux City and is home to what is widely considered the first commercial area in Sioux City. When strolling through the streets, you will find a wide range of businesses, from pubs and restaurants to automotive service shops.  The beautiful streetscapes and historic architecture create an urban atmosphere unique to this area.

Queen of Peace/Trinity Heights
Consisting of the Queen of Peace statue, the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue, a park, a visitor’s center with a life size carved statue of the Last Supper, memorabilia of Trinity College (which once existed on this site), a gift shop and conference center, this complex is located at 33rd and Floyd Blvd.

Sioux City Riverfront
In 1991 Sioux City launched an extensive riverfront development program.  Lifetime resident Mildred E. Anderson realized a dream through the construction of the Anderson Dance Pavilion.  The Pavilion is located along the Missouri River on the riverfront trail system.

In 2023, the $12 million Chris Larsen Park Riverfront Redevelopment project was completed. Located on the former site of the Argosy Casino along the Missouri River, the redevelopment project included park spaces for small and large family/community gatherings, event spaces, native plantings, active recreation areas, fitness stations, three park shelters, restroom facilities, two basketball courts, a dog park for both small and large dogs, play equipment for ages 2-12, and enhancements to the recreational trail system.

Sgt. Floyd Monument
This 100 foot high stone obelisk memorializes Sgt. Charles Floyd, who died on the 1804 Lewis and Clark Expedition.  This historic landmark was registered by the U.S. government in 1960.  Located off Highway 75 near Glenn Ave., the monument overlooks a breathtaking view of the Missouri River.

Woodbury County Courthouse
Because of its architectural uniqueness and sculptured details the Woodbury County Courthouse was put in the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.  The courthouse took three years to construct and was completed in 1918.  A large multi-storied tower emerges from its center.  Sculptured figures representing the Spirit of the Law decorate the main entrance.  The inside is decorated with murals by John W. Norton.

Museums / Points of Interest

Adams Homestead & Nature Preserve
As “a place of inner renewal”, there are ten miles of walking and biking trails within the park.  The visitor center is located in a restored barn and features an exhibit of farm life and pictures of the Adams family which homesteaded the area in the 1870s.  The homestead area of the facility includes a restored one-room schoolhouse, church, barn, log-cabin, and the Shay-Adams House which has been restored to a 1930s decor.

Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve

Ice Cream Capital of the World
A stop at the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor and Museum, located in downtown Le Mars, will be sure to please both the young and young-at-heart.  The parlor offers an outdoor seating area, indoor first floor ice cream bar and table seating, and a grand staircase that leads to a second level of indoor seating where informal comfortable spaces are available for guests to relax and enjoy their ice cream treats.  Historical photos, interactive kiosks and exhibits that highlight the Wells company history are integrated throughout the parlor.

LaunchPad Children’s Museum
Opened in February 2016 in downtown, LaunchPad is an immersive learning environment for children ages 6 months to 10 years.  Hands-on exhibits emphasize STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) principles and reflect the history and heritage of the Sioux City region.

Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center/Betty Strong Encounter Center
Located on Sioux City’s Missouri Riverfront, the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center will begin your journey back in time…back to the days when the Corps of Discovery made its historic journey up the Missouri River, traveling past present-day Sioux City.

MidAmerica Museum of Aviation & Transportation
Take a step back into history and encounter unique artifacts and exhibits that help tell the exciting story of aviation and transportation in our lives.  Explore a wide variety of displays and exhibits of full size aircraft and surface transportation from bicycles to vintage automobiles, a fire engine, and even a Boeing 727-200.

Sioux City Railroad Museum
Relive history; get up close and personal with everybody’s favorite pastime – TRAINS!  Thousands of people every year come to see history under construction at the Milwaukee Railroad Historic Shops.

Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center
This facility houses a variety of exhibits including interactive prairie, wetland and woodland exhibits, live native reptile and fish exhibits, and natural history dioramas.  A discovery area provides opportunity to handle furs, fossils and other artifacts.  A resource library covering a variety of natural resource topics is also available to visitors.  Two miles of interpretive hiking trails offer spectacular views and connect with other park trails.

Sgt. Floyd River Museum & Welcome Center
The Sgt. Floyd riverboat serves as a welcome center with information and brochures for tourists.  It also contains exhibits and interesting artifacts that describe the Missouri River’s historic role in the development of the West.  A gift shop is on site.

Sioux City Public Museum
Discover Sioux City in a whole new way!  The new Sioux City Museum features large, colorful exhibits, interactive displays, and much more.  It’s a must-see destination for residents and tourists alike.

Parks & Trail Systems

PlyWood Trail in rural Plymouth County

Siouxland offers over 50 park sites, trails, pools and historic sites.  Siouxland parks offer a wide range of amenities including camping, picnicking and swimming areas, canoe and pedal-boat rentals, tennis, pickleball and basketball courts, playground equipment, hiking and biking trails and plenty of places to relax.

City Parks
City of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa
City of Sioux City, Iowa
City of South Sioux City, Nebraska
City of North Sioux City, South Dakota

State Parks
Adams Nature Preserve
Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve, given to South Dakota by sisters Maud and Mary Adams, displays the natural beauty of the region.  Featuring 8 miles of hiking and biking trails with interpretive signs and displays, wildlife observation blinds, and historic Adams homes and other renovated buildings, it is the fourth largest state park in South Dakota. Located off I-29, McCook Lake exit, 1 mile west, 1/2 mile south.

Stone State Park
The 2,069-acre Stone State Park, named for the Thomas Jefferson Stone Family, boasts rugged topography and panoramic views.  The park offers picnic areas, camping, and over 10 miles of recreational trails for hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing.  Located on the western border of Iowa in Plymouth and Woodbury counties.  Park office is at 5001 Talbot Road.

Download Siouxland Metro Trails Map PDF

Recreation & Sports

Sports enthusiasts enjoy Sioux City Explorers minor league baseball at Lewis & Clark Park, fast paced football action with the Sioux City Bandits of the Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL), Sioux City Musketeers (USHL Tier One) hockey games, casinos and IMCA racing. College football, volleyball, basketball and baseball teams and numerous high school athletic activities round out an outstanding array of sporting events.

Cone Park

Auto Racing
The exciting IMCA Weekly Racing Series begins in late April and ends in October.  Racing fans can enjoy the excitement weekly at Park Jefferson International Speedway in Jefferson, South Dakota.

Long Lines Auditorium & Climbing Wall
The Long Lines Auditorium offers the perfect space for volleyball, basketball, soccer, wrestling, pickleball, and special events! Managed by The Arena Sports Academy, the former Sioux City Municipal Auditorium is a renovated historic gym space offering upgraded seating, floor, and the new Coca-Cola Lounge. The Long Lines Climbing facility includes a world-class 53' climbing complex and bouldering features for all ages to practice rock-climbing techniques, along with yoga space, conference rooms for meetings, parties and other events.

Cone Park
Located near the Lewis & Clark ball park, Cone Park offers a tubing hill, ice skating rink, an outdoor fire pit, and a day lodge for warming, rentals, and concessions during the winter. The lodge is used as a rental facility during the non-winter months and the ice skating rink converts to a free public splash pad in the summer. A 2-mile trail loop is also available connecting with Sertoma Park to the east.

In 2024 Cone Park is excited to introduce their newest attraction, a mountain bike park. There will be something for everyone, from tot tracks to advanced jump lines, the entire family will be able to enjoy this new attraction!

Disc Golf Courses
Sioux City offers three disc golf courses made through partnerships with the Parks & Recreation Department, the Mayor’s Youth Commission and local businesses. The course at Grandview Park is for beginners, Leif Erikson is an intermediate course and Sertoma is an advanced course. All are free and open to the public during regular park hours. The only equipment needed is a disc.

Fishing
Fishing is a popular pastime in Siouxland.  The following major rivers and lakes in the Siouxland area offer great fishing:  Missouri River, Big Sioux River, Little Sioux River, Missouri River Oxbow Lakes, Brown’s Lake, Crystal Cove, Blue Lake, Snyder Bend Lake and McCook Lake.

Gaming
Our area casinos are designed to provide you with a memorable experience and countless hours of entertainment.

Golf Courses & Country Clubs
Both public and private courses in and around Siouxland offer golf enthusiasts an opportunity to enhance their skills and enjoy their favorite sport.  You’ll find beautiful courses for every skill level and every price range.  You’ll be impressed with both the quantity and quality of the courses in our community.  In November 2002, Golf Digest published their rating of the top 314 metropolitan area golf courses..Siouxland was ranked as number one in value and eighteenth over all in the entire United States.

Health Clubs
The Siouxland community offers a wide variety of exercise and fitness opportunities.  From classes in yoga, spin cycling, aerobics, kickboxing, and tai chi, to free weights, weight machines and weight trainers; our health clubs have it all.  Indoor basketball, tennis, racquetball and pickleball courts along with indoor swimming pools are all available.  No matter where you live or work in the area, you have ready access to one of our community’s many health clubs.

Hunting
Hunters and the game they hunt are plentiful in Siouxland.  The Siouxland area provides excellent ring-necked pheasant hunting, as well as wild turkey, white-tailed deer, fox squirrel, and bobwhite quail.  Duck and geese hunters take to area lakes and the Missouri River to hunt their game.  Game is abundant on both private and public property.  For a list of area hunting lodges, click here.  To apply for a hunting license, contact the following: South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, or Nebraska Game and Parks.

Indoor Ice Skating
The IBP Ice Center is open year-round for youth hockey programs, public ice skating, tournaments, figure skating and off-season inline skating and indoor soccer.

Sports Leagues & Clubs
Regardless of your age or skill level, if you’ve got an interest in athletic activities, chances are good that there is a club or league in Siouxland that is perfect for you!  From highly competitive to simply recreational, we’ve got adult clubs and leagues for cycling, walking, running, soccer, golf, softball, basketball, hockey, ice skating, bowling, flag football, volleyball, swimming, fencing, horseback riding, skiing, martial arts, and more!