Tour of Sioux Falls
I parked at Planet Fitness, one of two in Sioux Falls. This one, on the east side, is newer and smaller, but it’s open 24 hours and doesn’t get much traffic. It turned out to be a good spot to ride out a short storm—rain poured for about 30 minutes before clearing up.
Downtown Sioux Falls
By early afternoon, I drove into downtown Sioux Falls, known for the small art pieces tucked all around the city center. There are more than 60 sculptures on display, so I set out on foot and wandered for a couple of hours. Eventually, I decided to stop for a coffee and ended up at La Luna Café on Phillips Avenue. The street had a European neighborhood feel—apartment blocks above, shops and cafés below, and even a brewery and grocery nearby.
Ordering coffee, however, felt like a standup comedy. I ordered a small cappuccino in a porcelain cup with a chocolate croissant not heated. Simple enough, right? First came the size question: “We have two sizes, do you want the larger?” No, just a small. Then she held up two paper cups, one large and one small: “Which one?” Again, small, but in a porcelain cup. She grabbed a large and small porcelain cup and asked, “What size?” Small, please. Then came, “For here or to go?” I answered, for here, still not sure if she understood about the porcelain cup. Finally, she asked, “Is that all?” I said, “Did you get the chocolate croissant?” That led to, “Do you want it heated?” and “Is it for here?” Yes. She offered to bring it out to me, but since I was sitting close to the counter, I said I’d just grab it when it was ready. Instead, she carried it all the way around the counter, managing to slosh coffee into the saucer along the way. I just scratched my head.
In the end, the cappuccino tasted great, and the croissant hit the spot. I sat there for a while, just watching people go about their day. A man went by pulling two dogs in a wagon, which made me wonder why he didn’t just let them walk. A mother with two kids came down the street; the boy, maybe seven, darted across to the tree-lined median, and his little sister, about five, followed. Cars slowed down, uncertain what the kids might do next. It was one of those small moments of urban life that’s oddly entertaining to watch.
After some time, I headed back downtown, fed my parking meter, and kept exploring. That’s when I came across the courthouse, a striking building that immediately caught my eye. I snapped a few photos before realizing it was actually a museum—and the sign outside said admission was free.
The Old Courthouse Museum
The Old Courthouse Museum is one of Sioux Falls’ standout treasures. Built between 1889 and 1893 by Wallace L. Dow, it’s a Romanesque masterpiece crafted from local pink quartzite and crowned with a clock tower that still dominates the skyline. Back in its day, it was considered the largest courthouse between Chicago and Denver.
Outside the courthouse, a plaque shared the story of Thomas Egan, a man believed guilty of murdering his wife and hung in 1882. For years the case stood as one of the darker chapters in Sioux Falls history, until decades later when his stepdaughter Maggie confessed on her deathbed. She admitted that she, not Thomas, had been the one who killed her mother during an argument, striking her with a piece of firewood. It’s the kind of story that adds depth to the place—tragic, but also fascinating in how the truth eventually came to light. Standing there, with the quartzite courthouse behind me, the plaque gave a human layer to the building’s history, reminding visitors that its walls hold not only murals and architecture but also powerful stories from the past.
Inside, the craftsmanship is remarkable. Original features like slate stairs, granite columns, oak woodwork, stained glass windows, and decorative tile floors have all been preserved. Sixteen large murals painted by Ole Running between 1915 and 1917 still line the walls, depicting vivid scenes from Dakota history. Walking through, you really feel like you’ve stepped back into another era.
By the 1960s, the building was nearly lost—Sioux Falls had built a modern courthouse and was ready to tear the old one down. But local citizens stepped in, campaigning to save it. Their efforts paid off, and after a full restoration, the courthouse reopened in 1974 as the Old Courthouse Museum. The restored courtroom and law library are highlights, and each floor offers something different—from exhibits on prairie life and Native American culture to railroads and the early growth of Sioux Falls.
The museum’s exhibits cover an impressive range of stories and artifacts. One section highlights the history of the courthouse’s restoration, showing how the community rallied to save the building from demolition. Nearby sits a car that was actually built in Sioux Falls, a reminder of the city’s early ties to manufacturing and innovation. Another gallery traces the evolution of how we listen to music, starting with Edison’s phonograph cylinders and moving through record players, radios, cassette decks, and eventually iPods—a timeline of changing technology in just over a century. Courtroom exhibits detail the judicial process that once unfolded here, while another display focuses on financial collection devices, from ornate cash registers to early accounting machines. It all makes for an eclectic mix—part history, part technology, part local pride—that keeps the experience fresh as you move from room to room.
Today, it’s part of the Siouxland Heritage Museums and continues to serve as a cultural anchor downtown. The fact that admission is free makes it even more accessible. For me, it was one of the most rewarding stops of the day—a building saved from demolition that now feels more alive than ever.
The Coliseum
Right next to the courthouse stands another Sioux Falls landmark—the Coliseum. Built in 1903, it was once the city’s grand auditorium, a place where everything from political rallies and concerts to basketball games and conventions took place. Like the courthouse, it’s faced in the city’s signature pink quartzite, giving the two buildings a kind of family resemblance. Over time, newer venues took over many of its roles, but the Coliseum never disappeared. Today it’s still used for theater productions, dances, weddings, and community events, carrying on its tradition as a gathering space for Sioux Falls.
Evening Downtown
The museum closed at 5 p.m., so I kept walking through downtown. I circled back to the river, took a few breaks along the path, and then returned to feed the parking meter one last time. By evening, parking was free after 6 p.m., so I decided to find a place to eat nearby.
The highest-rated spot on Google, with a 4.9 rating, was Harvester Kitchen by Bryan, just two blocks away. The menu looked intriguing, so I stopped to take a look. A woman came out and asked if I had questions, then invited me in. At the front desk, I noticed there was only one occupied table—five businessmen in suits and ties. I didn’t see any prices on the menu, so I asked. She explained the nine-course meal was $190 per person, not including wine, and that she could recommend wines (plural) to pair with each course. Other meals were similarly priced. I thanked her and decided I’d look for something a bit more moderate.
That search led me to the Steel District, a newer development on the river just above the falls. I stopped at Dahlia Kitchen + Bar, a lively Mexican Restaurant and bar where Malachi and Tony were behind the counter. Tony recommended the fish tacos, but I went with the chile relleno. He warned me it was massive and suggested I might want to take some home. I ignored the advice and paired it with a Negro Modelo on tap. It turned out to be the biggest chile relleno I’ve ever seen—delicious, but a serious stretch to finish.
After dinner, I needed a walk. On the sidewalk, I passed a mother with her two young daughters. They looked like twins, holding hands as they toddled along. I smiled at the mom and said, “Too cute.” She lit up with a big smile, fully agreeing.
Wrapping Up
Back at the van, I considered just staying put on the street. Across the way was a coffee brewhouse and taproom that looked tempting, the kind of place where I could have ended the evening with a beer while finishing the day’s blog. Instead, I drove off to the other Planet Fitness in town and noticed the “No Overnight Parking” signs. Still, there were eight vans and two tractor-trailers already tucked along the side. I pulled in, found a quiet corner away from the others, and settled in for the night.