Sioux Falls, SD

Situated on the Big Sioux River, Sioux Falls was founded in 1856. South Dakota's biggest city, Sioux Falls is named for the Sioux Indian Tribe. The population grew around 25 percent to around 150,000 during the 2000s and Sioux Falls is rapidly becoming an urban center. Though the core of Sioux Falls may be enjoying increased urbanization, the city continues to boast rural areas that offer a wide variety of recreational opportunities. And although the average January temperature is a frosty 4 degrees, the 211 days of annual sunshine, along with the 40 inches of snowfall, make Sioux Falls a great place to have fun.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

The Downtown Historic District, is home to 57 historic buildings, many of which have been recently restored. The buildings range from the Romanesque revival and classical revival styles of the 1880s to the Art Deco and W.P.A. era Moderne of the early 1930s. Many of the oldest buildings in the district are constructed of Sioux quartzite. Among these are the Central Fire Station, the federal building, and the Carnegie Library (now home to the Civic Fine Arts). City Hall, at 9th and Dakota Ave., is a wonderful example of the Moderne architectural style and the Masonic Grand Lodge Library at 415 S. Main Ave. is possibly the best example of Classical Revival style in South Dakota.

While downtown is not a primary residential area, there are several neighborhoods spread throughout Sioux Falls:

• Central: Some of Sioux Falls' early charm is preserved at the city center. The central district of Sioux Falls includes the Cathedral neighborhood, which is one of the city's five historic districts, as well as the McKennan Park neighborhood. Turn-of-the-century homes and tree-lined boulevards make this area distinctive.
• Northeast: Newer residential and commercial development surrounds Washington High School, offering an array of family-centered amenities.
• Northwest: There's a flurry of new development in this area, which offers easy access to the airport, Sioux Falls Arena, Sioux Falls Convention Center, and Sioux Falls Stadium.
• Southeast: A neighborly environment distinguishes this area, where residents have easy access to the interstate, as well as to malls, schools, parks, and much more.
• Southwest: Also a growing area, southwest Sioux Falls includes the Roosevelt Valley and the more well-established Kingswood/Silver Valley neighborhood, which offers contemporary housing and a quick and easy commute to other parts of Sioux Falls.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Like most cities in the western United States, Sioux Falls was originally an agricultural community, but local industry also included quarrying. Today, however, the city has developed a diversified, modern business base, with concentrations in financial services, health care, and retail trade. South Dakota is a business-friendly state with no state corporate income tax. This naturally attracts financial companies, such as Sioux Falls' fourth-largest employer, Citigroup. Great Western Bank, BankFirst, Capital Card Services, and Wells Fargo also contribute to the Sioux Falls economy.

Sioux Falls is a leader in health care as well and has a number of major hospitals to serve the region. These hospitals include Sanford USD Medical Center and Avera Heart Hospital of South Dakota, both major employers in Sioux Falls, as well as Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, Children's Care Hospital & School, and Select Specialty Hospital.

Sioux Falls is also a destination for shoppers in the region. The 180 stores of Empire Mall provide a major retail concentration, while downtown Sioux Falls offers specialty shopping and unique restaurants.

In proportion to its size, Sioux Falls has a wealth of educational institutions, including Augustana College, University of Sioux Falls, Kilian Community College, Southeast Technical Institute, National American University, the South Dakota School for the Deaf, Great Plains Baptist College, the Sioux Falls Seminary, and the South Dakota Public Universities and Research Center.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• The Sioux Empire Arts Council maintains the Horse Barn Arts Center at beautiful Falls Park in downtown Sioux Falls. The organization distributes the annual Mayor's Awards for the Arts and sponsors a variety of community art projects. The Council also serves as an educational resource in all genres of art, including visual, performing, and literary.
• The Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science is the central venue for performing arts in Sioux Falls, home of the South Dakota Symphony as well as dance groups and theater events.
• The Washington Pavilion also includes a Visual Arts Center (with six galleries, featuring changing exhibitions), a Cinedome, and the Kirby Science Discovery Center (an extensive, interactive learning environment).
• At the Great Plains Zoo, the Delbridge Museum offers wildlife dioramas and insights into the region's natural history.

EVENTS

There are plenty of year-round events and activities in Sioux Falls. In the winter, there's an outdoor skating rink and a sliding hill. Summer offers an art walk in downtown Sioux Falls, along with several other annual events, including:

• The LifeLight Festival is the largest free Christian music festival in the country.
• Party in the Park is an annual outdoor musical event.
• The Sioux Empire Fair is a popular regional attraction with all the state fair trimmings, plus a roller derby.
• The Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Festival is a two-day outdoor musical event that attracts nationally known artists and tens of thousands of visitors.

Any time of the year, you can visit Sioux Falls' memorial to the World War II battleship USS South Dakota. And don't forget the jewel of Sioux Falls: the tumbling waters of Falls Park, which you can watch from the impressive observation tower or from the Falls Overlook Cafe, located in a restored 1908 hydroelectric plant.