'Adventureland' in Iowa Adding Two New Exciting Rides This Summer

The summer vacation season is coming up on us fast, and if you're looking to embark on an ultimate adventure during the summer of 2023, one awaits you about 280 miles just south and east of Sioux Falls.

Adventureland Resort near Des Moines, Iowa is in the process right now of gearing up for the summer vacation season with two new big additions planned for adventure seekers.

As Dakota News Now reports, the popular Midwest outdoor amusement park is adding two new adventures for thrill seekers to explore during the summer of 2023, the "Flying Viking" roller coaster and the return of the "Draken Falls" log ride.

Get our free mobile app

And what's really exciting, both new Viking-themed rides are intertwined!

The highlight, Draken Falls, was a staple of Adventureland ever since the resort opened to the public in 1974. However, they replaced the beloved ride following the close of the 2015 season. The good news is it's finally back after eight long years, and it promises to be better than ever, with an aerial panoramic turnaround, an airtime hill, and that same 40-foot drop at the very end that every Adventureland Resort goer will no doubt remember.

Adventureland is also rolling out the park's seventh roller coaster this summer.

The Flying Viking promises to climb to a height of 50 feet, as it soars, over, under, and around the new Draken Falls log flume ride. Adventureland is billing its latest roller coaster as the perfect ride for Viking invaders from young kids to adults.

Adventureland guarantees to have even more surprises planned for their guests when the park kicks off its 2023 summer vacation season on Saturday, (May 6).

Get Adventureland season pass information here.

Source: Dakota News Now

15 Free Things to Do with Kids in Sioux Falls

"What are we gonna do with these kids?" A question every parent askes, especially in the summer. And it's always better if what you do with the kids is free.

Sioux Falls is a small city full of big fun for all ages, and a lot of it is free. We have world-class parks, museums, live music and so much more. Here's a handy list of 15 free things for you and the kids to do in Sioux Falls.

Dives Worth a Drive in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota

Almost every small South Dakota town has a watering hole. It’s where the locals go to kick back a few brews and engage in conversation.

Some of these establishments are located in buildings almost as old as the town itself. There might be a fresh coat of paint on the walls or new vinyl on the booth seats, but the ambiance is still reminiscent of a good ol’ dive.

If you think a "dive" is all about the sketchy clientele, the smell of the Devil’s lettuce, and stale Grain Belt, you’d be wrong. Not every dive has a bad reputation.

What makes a dive, a dive?

A dive has character. Neon beer signs and local memorabilia adorn the walls.

You might find a pool table, dart board, and a few video lottery machines.

The bartender knows the regulars by name and they know what you drink.

Some dives don't even serve food except for bags of chips and pickled eggs that sit in a jar of brine on the bar.

Dives aren't fancy. You might see 70's-style wood panels on the walls and wobbly tables leveled with a folded napkin.

Finally, the bathrooms. The bathrooms in dives are in a class by themselves and could be a whole topic on its own.

There are several small-town dives in our area with friendly faces, cheap booze with a burn, and even really good food! We use the term "dive" in the most affectionate way.

Here are some of the best and why you should go there.