The city of Sioux City, IA is a great place to visit, and there are plenty of things to do. From shopping to visiting museums, this city has it all!
It borders three states and has an excellent livability score. The region is primarily an agricultural and service center, with major employers including Tyson Fresh Meats and Mercy Medical Center.
Fourth Street Historic District
A new renaissance for this downtown business and entertainment district is underway. The two-block area along Fourth Street has a large selection of restaurants, brewpubs, live music clubs and specialty shops in buildings built between 1889 and 1915. Many of these are designed in the Richardsonian Romanesque architectural style, whose heavy stone construction and decorative arches were popular in the 1800s.
Sioux City Public Museum archives manager Tom Munson is a walking encyclopedia of local history and the lead organizer for this year’s Third Annual Paints for Preservation, a trivia contest and architectural hunt that takes place throughout Historic Fourth Street and nearby Jennings, Virginia, Court and Iowa streets.
Munson says the event helps connect Iowans with their heritage. It also teaches them how to preserve and sustain culturally vibrant communities.
Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center
Located within Stone State Park, the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center is home to Woodbury County Conservation offices. It features indoor exhibits and classes, plus two miles of hiking trails in a woodland and prairie environment.
Trails are shared by hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians and cross country skiers. They should stay on their designated paths to avoid conflicts and prevent erosion.
Explore the Discovery Forest Nature Playscape, learn about the Loess Hills in hands-on exhibit areas or attend a natural history program. In winter, the facility also offers snowshoeing and hiking. Admission to the nature center is free.
Chief War Eagle Monument
Overlooking the confluence of the Big Sioux and Missouri Rivers stands the impressive Chief War Eagle Monument. The monument honors a Native American leader who supported the US government during the War of 1812 and worked with other tribes to broker treaties. He was also a skilled orator and diplomat. The statue depicts him with an eagle feather bonnet and calumet/peace pipe, symbolizing his leadership and love of peace.
The monument is located at War Eagle Park on 4000 War Eagle Drive in Sioux City. Visitors can also learn about the early days of Sioux City at the Woodbury County Museum. Here you can explore exhibits that showcase early Native American life through clothing, housing, tools and weapons.
Sioux City Museum
The Sioux City Museum focuses on local history through large and colorful exhibits and interactive displays. Exhibits include a live 12-minute orientation film in an ornate corn palace theater, Native American artifacts, pioneer artifacts, historic transportation vehicles, agricultural history, geology and fossils. Kids will love the Big Dig exhibit where they can dig for replicas of terrestrial and marine fossils built into the floor!
The museum also features rotating and temporary exhibits in a large room and the hallway adjoining it. Past themes have included a tribute to the Beatles, Brazilian culture, quilts, and WWII photography.
The museum is free to visit and open daily. Parking is available onsite. From I-29, take exit 141 and turn north on Al Haynes Drive and west on Expedition Court to the museum.
Orpheum Theatre
The Orpheum Theatre is a performing arts center and the home of the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra. The beautiful theatre was built in 1927 as a vaudeville and movie palace and has been restored since 1999. It is flexible enough to host a variety of events, from theatre and symphony performances to movies and national touring shows.
The 2,650-seat theatre has a Wurlitzer pipe organ, half circle boxes, stunning chandeliers and hand carved detailing. During its rich history, the Orpheum has hosted entertainers including Fred Astaire and Tallulah Bankhead.
The Orpheum Theatre hosts concerts for all ages. The lineup includes artists such as Brad Williams, Cheap Trick and Shane Gillis. You can also track your favourite artists and be notified when they are playing at the venue.
