Driving I-90 through the Midwest will bring you through Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A year ago, I was grateful to see the city as it meant a hotel room and a break in the monotony of the long drive from Spokane. This year, I had the opportunity to visit the city for its own sake.
Traveling with friends who knew the area well, I was saved the hassle of trying to wend my way through the expansive city. Looking much like a sprawling suburb, Sioux Falls doesn’t have a concentrated city feel, but it does have all the standard big city amenities: independent restaurants with cosmopolitan menus, the standard chain restaurant representatives, and a comprehensive mall (it claims to be the largest single-story mall in the Midwest). It reminded me of Spokane- everything you want or need without the crush and frantic pace of a metropolis.
Wanting to show off their favorite city, my friends brought me to Phillips Street, a quaint district reminiscent of the Ballard area of Seattle. Two- and three- storey brick apartment buildings lined the street, each with business spaces on the first floor. Walking the street, one could find boutiques, an art gallery, several pubs, a jazz café, a cigar bar, some of the funkiest restaurants and bistros in town, and an old-school cinema (the non-multiplex variety). But perhaps the best part of this mile-long stretch of road is at its far end: The entrance to Falls Park.
As we passed under the welcome arch, the road stretched and wound into the distance. In the median of the split-lane drive, trees were wrapped in white lights, giving off a holiday feeling year round. At the end of the lane, we pulled into the parking lot which the park planners had neatly tucked away inside a grove of trees, maintaining the aesthetic of the park proper.
Running through the middle of the park, and clearly the centerpiece of the green space, is the Big Sioux River. It tumbles over rock of pink granite in several spots, giving rise to the park’s name. It seems the entire river bed is comprised of that same pink granite, and it extends well beyond the border of the river. Stepping off the main path, the rock makes for a good adventure playground for children, dogs, and romantic couples alike. Moving away from the river, large patches of grass have been cultivated, with walking and biking paths crisscrossing the green expanse.
The park was full of people stretched out on blankets, children running around, and dogs playing fetch. There were several wedding parties that had come for the photo opportunities afforded by the waterfalls and old buildings. The falls were once used to power a grain mill, and the original mill tower still stands above the river’s edge. Ruins of the mill itself can be found a few yards away, looking forlorn and forgotten. Newer buildings have gone up in more recent years, including an observation tower and visitor center, the Overlook Café, and an art gallery, all constructed with the granite and brick motif in mind.
The overall effect of the park is one of languid peacefulness. Even with the activity of wedding parties, pets, and other park goers, the wide open space felt relaxed and un-crowded. It seems the perfect place to spend an afternoon unwinding from a busy day, or stretching your cramped legs after a long drive. Whether making a day of it or simply passing through, I highly recommend making Falls Park a stop on your I-90 itinerary.

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