Insider's Guide
Feeling a little sad to leave summer behind? You’ll quickly fall for fall when you discover all the ways downtown Sioux Falls is the place to be this season.
Here are our top 10 reasons to head downtown in the weeks ahead.
You’ll be prepared for sweater weather
Fall is an excellent time for a wardrobe update – whether it’s a new coat to carry you through the cold ahead, some new attire for work or your upcoming holiday events. And, of course – there are sweaters everywhere.
Stop in boutiques in every direction downtown and you’ll find one-of-a-kind apparel and accessories.
Want to try out a new shop for the new season? Stop by Combine inside The Bancorp Building at Cherapa Place, which features men’s and women’s apparel, home and gift items.
And head to Pasque Boutique at The Steel District for fun women’s apparel and accessories.
The aromas will draw you in
There’s nothing quite like the smell of fall – especially in food and beverage form.
The Source just dropped its fall menu, you’ll find everything from apple cider donut muffins to pumpkin spice twist coffee cake at Queen City Bakery, and Josiah’s is featuring a house-made apple crisp latte and a “banana nut muffin” London Fog.
Want to brew a hot beverage for yourself?
Start with the fall sampler at the Spice & Tea Exchange and find your favorites among blends such as Bourbon Chestnut Herbal Tea, Ciderhouse Blend Herbal Tea, Pumpkin Chai Latte Black Tea and Warm Bread Pudding Black Tea.
You can find a new place to live
There’s never been a better time to make downtown your next home.
With an unprecedented number of new lofts available, and even condos for purchase, there’s a floor plan and amenity package for any prospective resident.
Get to know your options, plus take a rare look at occupied lofts, at the Sept. 21 Downtown Loft Tour. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., take a self-guided tour of available apartments and be amazed by your living opportunities. It’s $5 per person to tour and kids 12 and under are free.
After purchasing your pass at The Cascade – 701 N. Phillips Ave. — you will receive a guide with a map of all participating properties, as well as a sticker that allow you to gain entry to the properties.
Because Oktoberfest is about more than a month
October arrives early in the form of Oktoberfest at Remedy Brewing Co. Sept. 21 from 12 to 3 p.m., where you’ll find signature brews along with German food, live music, a stein holding contest and Dachshund races. Entry is free, but $45 gets you tastings from 15 local breweries.
The next weekend, Holiday Inn City Centre hosts Stacks and Steins from 5 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 28 featuring German food, live music, stein holding and the game of Hammerschlagen.
It’ll have you feeling crafty
Indoor activities are everywhere downtown this fall. For instance, decorate a pumpkin at the Washington Pavilion on Oct. 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. For $20, you can purchase a ready-to-go kit with a large pumpkin or three small ones plus decorating materials. Click here for details.
The Museum of Visual Materials is a great stop for paint-and-create classes for all ages, plus special programs for kids. Click here for the current offerings.
Plus, keep the creativity going at home with fun indoor activities you’ll find for kids at Child’s Play Toys.
Because it’s officially comfort food season
You’ve still got more than a week to sample the creations of more than two dozen downtown chefs with the entries in the fourth annual Pork Showdown. Plus, keep an eye on your favorite downtown restaurants for fall feature menus that will be ramping up in the coming weeks. Looking for a sweet treat? Don’t miss the fall favorites already in at Mary’s Mountain Cookies – from pumpkin chocolate chip to molasses chai.
And, up your skills as a home chef with a huge variety of cooking classes ahead at Plum’s Cooking Co.
Want one with an especially fall feel? Midwest Fall Classics on Oct. 11 will feature a menu of deer chili, beef and lamb chislic with chimichurri and sweet potato fries and caramel apple upside down cake. These classes fill up fast. Check out the schedule here.
It’s not too soon to holiday shop
Want to know what a stress-free December feels like? Ask the person who starts holiday shopping now.
Make sure and keep your gift-giving list in mind as you stop in some of downtown’s shops this fall. Check out the spooky windows at Zandbroz Variety and head in to find the perfect stocking stuffer or gift for someone who appreciates the unique.
Make an afternoon of it along the boardwalk at 8th & Railroad Center and discover fun new fall décor at Simply Perfect and Sticks & Steel while scoping out some holiday season gifts along the way.
And don’t miss a stop at Alcove from the Washington Pavilion – now open at The Steel District – for a museum store filled with gift ideas.
It’s the perfect time for movies
Downtown Sioux Falls offers movie-going experiences like nowhere else.
Take a step back in time with all the modern comforts of today’s movie theaters at the State Theatre, which is consistently bringing in new films.
Like Harry Potter and Batman films? You’ll love this month’s lineup. Click here to learn more.
And if you haven’t visited the Sweetman Planetarium at the Washington Pavilion yet, put that on your fall schedule. Current films are great for all ages and allow you to “fly” through the universe, feel like you’re part of a bird migration and take a peek at what cities will be like in the future. Plus, at 25 to 45 minutes long, the films easily fit into part of a broader visit downtown. Click here for details.
Because the forecast calls for jazz
Warm up the cool nights with a visit to downtown’s new Trio Jazz Club. Located inside Washington Square, you’ll find live jazz and other entertainment Tuesday through Saturday.
Plus, taste the latest menu from the owners of Brix Wine Bar, Maribella Ristorante and R Wine Bar.
Click here for the latest schedule.
Circle Oct. 26-27 on the calendar
If you make one family fall visit downtown this season, consider the weekend of Oct. 26-27.
It’s Spooky Science at the Washington Pavilion’s Kirby Science Discovery Center on Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Explore art and science while experimenting with oozing pumpkins, gummy worm dissections and more, plus kids take home a bag of Halloween treats. Click here for details.
Plus, get spooky for a good cause with 2024 Sioux Falls Zombie Walk. Purchase your parade button from 12 to 4p.m. at Remedy Brewing Co., get your zombie make-up done by fabulous volunteers, and walk the streets together! There’s a costume contest with prizes and a parade starts at 4 p.m. Parade proceeds this year benefit the Sioux Falls Roller Dollz and The Compass Center.
And then, keep the costume on and come back downtown Oct. 27 for trick-or-treating in downtown businesses from 1 to 3 p.m. There’s no need to register!
Keep up with everything happening downtown at www.dtsf.com.
