Sioux Falls & Lennox, South Dakota
Sioux Falls attractions • click here for Lennox
Delbridge Museum of Natural History
Located at the Great Plains Zoo, the Delbridge Museum of Natural History features one of the country's most fascinating collections of mounted wildlife exhibited in naturalistic dioramas. The Delbridge Museum offers visitors a closer look at a one-of-a-kind collection comprised of 145 mounted specimens – including 35 “vanishing species.” Admission to the Museum is free with paid admission to the Zoo.
Self-Guided Historic Walking Tours
Falls Park is the foundation of the community's heritage. It is the most significant historical site in the city. The story of Sioux Falls is intimately entwined with Falls Park, and the history to be found here is both broad and deep. A system of ten large interpretive panels is distributed across the park. The panels include full color graphics and many early vintage photos provided by the Siouxland Heritage Museums System to convey the fascinating story of Falls Park. How were the falls formed? Why does the river run north in this area? What product fabricated at Falls Park was distributed through Tiffany's of New York and featured at two worlds fairs? How did the entire lower tier of the falls disappear? What happened to Seney Island? The answers to these questions and much more can be found in the system of interpretive panels.
Visual Arts Center at the Washington Pavilion
The Washington Pavilion's Visual Arts Center brings the visual arts to children and adults through exhibitions, education and collections. Six galleries feature changing exhibits, and the Children's Studio allows children to explore art through hands-on activities. The permanent collection features works by regional artists such as Robert Aldern and Signe Stuart. Most exhibits are free!
The Pettigrew Home and Museum
Richard F. Pettigrew, South Dakota's first full-term U.S. senator, purchased this 1889 Queen Anne home in 1911 and arranged for the building to be donated to the city upon his death in 1926. A seasoned traveler, Pettigrew collected artifacts from all over the world, and many of these items are now on display. Tour the restored home and attached museum, with galleries that detail the area's natural and cultural histories. A research library in the home's basement contains Pettigrew's personal papers and a 5,000-volume library. Free admission; free parking. Open daily. Wheelchair accessible.
Wineries
Schade Winery
Valient Vinyards
Art Galleries
ArtPlus Gallery - 605-361-0841
Center for Western Studies - 605-274-4007
Cliffhanger's Gallery - 605-330-0113
Craftsman Creek Studio - 605-338-2328
Eide/Dalrymple Gallery - 605-274-4609
Horse Barn Arts Center - 605-977-2002
Mears Library Gallery - 605-331-6660
Northern Plains Gallery - 605-334-4060
Old Courthouse Museum - 605-367-4210
Orpheum Theatre - 605-367-4616
Prairie Star Gifts & Gallery - 605-338-9300
Rehfeld's Art & Framing - 605-336-9737
SculptureWalk in Historic Downtown - 605-977-2002
Self-Guided Historic Walking Tours - 605-367-4210
Sioux Empire Community Theatre (SECT) - 605-360-4800
Sioux Empire Medical Museum - 605-333-6397
Sticks & Steel Gallery - 605-335-7349
The Pettigrew Home and Museum - 605-367-7097
Science
The United State Geological Survey's (USGS) Center for Earth Resources Observation & Science (EROS) Is it possible to learn and have fun at the same time? It is in Sioux Falls. Discover science with hands-on experiments and displays or visit the great outdoors and see science in nature. If technology is more your speed, check out The USGS Center for Earth Resources Observation & Science (EROS) and view your home as seen from miles above earth's surface.
Husby Performing Arts Center, Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science, Cinedome Theater
Night Life and Live Music
Touch of Europe If you want a good laugh, a place to unwind or somewhere to dance the night away, Sioux Falls is the ticket. The nightlife here is diverse and continuous from plays and stand-up comedy to dance clubs and two microbreweries. And music lovers can find a roster of country, rock, folk, blues and jazz musicians on stage in a variety of settings. Following is a sampling of local favorites. When you're planning a night on the town, call ahead to find out about special events and live music performances, or check out the events Web site: www.SiouxFallsEvents.com.
Visual Arts Center at the Washington Pavilion www.washingtonpavilion.org
Golf Courses
Sioux Falls area boasts over 20 golf courses.
Outdoor Adventures
Falls Park
Bike Trail and bike rental
Rock climbing - Palisades
Shopping
Downtown Sioux Falls
Empire Mall
Lennox, South Dakota
Lennox's Old Fashioned Fourth of July
One celebration that can't be missed is Lennox's Old Fashioned Fourth of July! Every year the celebration gets bigger and better!
Sunday, July 1: Communuity Church Service in park with lunch following. Gospel Show in the big tent following lunch. Christian rock show in the big tent at 8pm "Bread of Stone" - free will offering.
Tuesday, July 3: "The Rumbles" in the big tent - doors at 8pm, show from 9pm - Midnight. $10 at the gate.
Wednesday, July 4: Firecracker Road Race, a parade, food, games, arts, crafts, music and entertainment in the park and more. There are ball games being played and a car show that draws entries from miles around! The day concludes with a band concert and at dusk, a fireworks show lights up the night sky.
Longest running Municiple Band in South Dakota
In Lennox we are extremely proud of our Municipal Band. One of the most popular summer pastimes for Lennox residents is the summer Thursday night band concerts in the park. The band performs in the Jacobs Memorial Bandshell, built in 1963 and named in honor of the Jacobs brothers who played a prominent part in making a city band a permanent part of Lennox.
The City helps support the Municipal Band which has been operating continuously since 1882, which makes it the longest running municipal band in the state of South Dakota. Band members are from Lennox and surrounding communities and range in age from 12 to 80+.
Tour De Kota
Over 1000 bicyclists will stop on in Lennox, Monday, June 11th after beginning the bike tour on Sunday from Vermillion. Bikers will be spending the night in Westerman Park before continuing on the following day to Dell Rapids. Live entertainment from 6-10pm will be provided by The Dakota Jazz Collective and Along For The Ride at the part. Food and beer vendors, and massage therapists will also be available. Riders come from all over the United States to participate in the Tour.
The Lennox Museum
The City's rich history is preserved through the effort of the Lennox Historical Society and shared with the public through the Lennox Museum, located at 305 South Main Street. There are four floors of exhibits in the museum. The carriage house that sits in the back of the museum is also ready for visitors. With new items being acquired all the time, the exhibits are continually being added to and changed. Lennox residents and visitors alike will find the museum an enjoyable and educational place to visit.
Lennox had its beginning with the establishment of the Milwaukee railroad branch through here in 1879. Settlement in the Lennox territory gained momentum during the decade of the 1870's. The photo above is a celebration in Lennox during the late 1800's. Lennox was named after B. G. Lennox, private secretary to S.S. Merrill, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific railroad executive.
Restaurants
Southeast South Dakota Threshing Show
Each year Lennox hosts the annual Southeast South Dakota Threshing Show. The Threshing Show features demonstrations of the old threshing process dating back to the late 1800's. The show is usually during the first part of the month of August and features activities for the entire family. The location of the show each year is the Goeman Auction Pavilion one mile north of Lennox on Highway 17.
Lennox Doll Museum
Doll Museum with over 300 dolls on display. In July 2004 Cheryl Cressman bought a turn-of-the-century home and moved it into a lot here in Lennox and opened Cheryl's Doll House. Cheryl's doll collection includes more than 300 dolls. The museum is open by appointment and admission is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for those under 10. Call (605) 647-0170 to make an appointment.
