What Makes Sioux Falls a Great Staycation Location?

According to The Vacationer travel guide website's latest survey, 82% of Americans plan on traveling this summer season. 52% plan on flying and 75% are road-tripping.

So- - you could opt for congested stop-and-go highway travel, dotted with intermittent road construction detours, crowded airports, campgrounds, hotels, motels, restaurants, etc., or you could "staycation".

If this year's WalletHub Best & Worst Cities for Staycations 2024 Report is any indication - Sioux Falls is a pretty great place for a stay-at-home vacation.

WalletHub crunched the numbers from 182 American cities in three basic vacation category necessities; 1) Recreation, 2) Food & Entertainment, and 3) Rest & Relaxation.

Levitt At The Falls Sioux Falls South Dakota

Recreation included the number of places where you could do the usual fun vacation stuff, like swim, golf, hike, bike, picnic, and shop.

Food and Entertainment options included movies, festivals, museums, zoos, arcades, and eateries of all kinds.

Finally, the Rest & Relaxation area considered the number of beaches, beauty salons, spas, house cleaning services, and the idealness of the weather conditions.

Sioux Falls did fairly well in all categories, (placing 65th overall), and why not? We have an exceptional park system, great public pools, and aquatic centers, tons of shopping opportunities, and well over a million places to eat! (Okay, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but you know where I'm coming from!).

Getty/Thinkstock Images and Canva

Sioux Falls is a great staycation location due to its unique blend of natural beauty and urban amenities. From the stunning Falls Park with its cascading waterfalls to the vibrant downtown area filled with shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions, there is something for everyone to enjoy without the need for extensive travel.

Whether you're seeking outdoor adventures, art and history exhibits, or simply a relaxing getaway, Sioux Falls offers a delightful staycation experience.

So if you're like me, and you're perfectly willing to make some time for yourself, and your family- - while avoiding the travel headaches - take a chillin' staycation.

What Was It like to Vacation in South Dakota’s Black Hills 60 Years Ago?

This time of year our thoughts often turn to planning that perfect getaway to enjoy the warmer weather and extended daylight.

For a lot of us in South Dakota, that means a trek to the Black Hills and all of the things they have to offer.

But vacationing in western South Dakota is hardly a new concept. People from all over the globe have been coming to the area for decades.

Gallery Credit: Jeff Harkness/B1027.com

Sioux Falls Area Farmer's Markets

We can finally go outside without our nose hairs freezing! It must be spring in South Dakota. And when the days are warm that means the gardens are growing. It's farmers' market time in Sioux Falls.

Fresh produce, locally made goods, great people, and a good time are found at these farmer's markets around Sioux Falls.

Gallery Credit: Ben Kuhns