Sioux Falls: Where the Wind Howls and the Doughnuts are Divine (Seriously)
okay, so. sioux falls. i didn’t plan to end up here. my van, bless its rusty heart, decided it needed a serious nap somewhere in South Dakota. and sioux falls was…well, it was close. and honestly? it’s kinda growing on me.
I just checked and it’s spitting ice right now, a proper, teeth-chattering kind of cold. Feels like -6.53, which is… delightful. I’m bundled up like a yeti, let me tell you. The wind’s got a real bite to it too, like a grumpy old man yelling at you to get off his lawn.
I’ve been wandering around, mostly trying to find decent coffee (a quest, let me assure you). The Falls Park is… well, it’s falls. Pretty falls, I guess. Lots of water. People taking pictures. You know the drill. I did overhear someone - looked like a college kid, probably from *Augustana - saying that the falls used to power all the mills in the city. Wild, right?
“Apparently, back in the day, you could smell the flour all over downtown. Now it’s just…doughnuts. And that’s a good thing, obviously.”
Speaking of doughnuts… oh. my. god. Queen City Dough Co. is a revelation. Seriously. Get the maple bacon. Don’t even think about it. Just get it. I’m pretty sure I saw a guy propose to his girlfriend there. It’s that good. Check out their Yelp page: https://www.yelp.com/biz/queen-city-dough-co-sioux-falls. You’re welcome.
I’m staying at this weird little motel on the edge of town. It’s called the “Fallsview Inn” which is a blatant lie, because you can’t see the falls from here. But the owner, a woman named Agnes, is a sweetheart. She keeps leaving me little plates of cookies. I think she thinks I’m starving. I’m not starving, Agnes, I’m just…traveling.
Someone told me that the Washington Pavilion is worth a visit. Apparently, they have a really good science museum. I’m not usually a science museum person, but… I’m open to suggestions. I’m also hearing whispers about a surprisingly vibrant arts scene. I’ll have to check that out. Maybe find a decent open mic night. I’m always looking for new material, you know?
If you get bored, Mitchell and Brookings are just a short drive away. I’m thinking of heading to Mitchell tomorrow to see the Corn Palace. I know, I know, it sounds ridiculous. But hey, when in South Dakota, right? You can find more info here: https://www.cornpalace.com/.
I’m trying to find a decent vintage shop. Agnes said there’s one downtown, but she couldn’t remember the name. Drunk advice is always the best advice, I guess. I’ll keep searching. I’m hoping to find a killer denim jacket.
I checked TripAdvisor and it seems like people really like the SculptureWalk*. Apparently, it’s a self-guided tour of public art. Sounds… pleasant. https://www.siouxfalls.com/sculpturewalk/. I might give that a whirl tomorrow.
Honestly, Sioux Falls is…unexpected. It’s not flashy. It’s not trying to be anything it’s not. It’s just…there. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need. I’m still figuring it out, but I’m definitely not hating it. And the doughnuts… seriously, the doughnuts.
Oh! And a local warned me about the geese in Falls Park. Apparently, they’re ruthless. Don’t make eye contact. Just…walk quickly. Trust me on this one. You can find more local tips on this forum: https://www.city-data.com/forum/sioux-falls-sd/.
Okay, I’m off to find more coffee. Wish me luck.