Things To Do & See
Day Trips
 Omaha's historic Old Market. |
IOWA
Atlantic, Iowa - 117 miles from Sioux City
Plan a trip to Atlantic for Atlantic Fest, the largest craft show in Southwest Iowa every August. Or go down in September for Coca Cola Days. People come from all around to show, buy, sell and trade Coca Cola items. To get to Atlantic take Interstate 29 south 72 miles to 680. Take 680 east 16 miles until it connects with Interstate 80. Continue on Interstate 80 for 13 miles until the U.S. Highway 59 exit. Take Highway 59 two miles south and then go east on State Highway 83 for 14 miles into Atlantic.
Denison, Iowa - 72 miles from Sioux City
The Donna Reed Festival for the Performing Arts is held annually the third week in June. Take Interstate 29 south 17 miles to the Sloan/Highway 141 exit. Take Iowa Highway 141 east 55 miles into Denison.
Elk Horn, Iowa - 111 miles from Sioux City
Tivoli Fest, Elk Horn's annual Danish celebration, is held Memorial Day weekend. Enjoy Danish foods and specialties as well as tours of the Danish Windmill, Bedstemor's Hus, the Danish Immigrant Museum and visits to unique gift shops add to the experience. To get to Elk Horn take Interstate 29 south 72 miles to 680. Then go east on 680 for 16 miles until it connects with Interstate 80. Continue on Interstate 80 17 miles and exit on to Iowa Highway 173. Travel on Iowa Highway 173 for six miles into Elk Horn.
Manning, Iowa - 106 miles from Sioux City
Interested in German heritage? Then visit Manning for Weihnachtfest, just one of their many German heritage celebrations. To get to Manning go east on U.S. Highway 20 for 44 miles to U.S. Highway 59. Go south on U.S. Highway 59 for 47 miles and then turn east onto Iowa Highway 141. Go 15 miles into Manning.
Onawa. Iowa - 24 miles from Sioux City
Experience the Annual Lewis & Clark Festival the second weekend of June held at Lewis and Clark State Park in Onawa, Iowa. This event commemorates the infamous Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804 when the world famous explorers landed along the shores of the Missouri River at what is now Blue Lake. Take Interstate 29 south 22 miles and then turn east onto Iowa Highway 175 for two miles.
Orange City, Iowa - 48 miles from Sioux City
Join Orange City every May for the Tulip Festival. Orange City delights in its Dutch ancestry by planting tulips and recreating the authenticity of traditional attractions. Take U.S. Highway 75 north for 23 miles through Le Mars and then take Iowa Highway 60 15 miles north. At Iowa Highway 10 go west three miles into Orange City.
Okoboji, Iowa - 104 miles from Sioux City
Okoboji offers many events, the Iowa Great Lakes, Arnolds Park amusement park and much more. To get to Okoboji take U.S. Highway 75 north for 23 miles. Go through Le Mars and then take Iowa Highway 60 thirty-two miles north to Sheldon. In Sheldon, go east on U.S. Highway 18. Take U.S. Highway 18 for 35 miles and then go north on U.S. Highway 71 for 14 miles into Okoboji.
Sac City, Iowa - 75 miles from Sioux City
Visit Iowa's most unique museum - restaurant, the award winning Early Mansion - home of 425 original oil paintings and million dollar antiques. For private lunch and dinner parties call for reservations at 712-662-7116 or e-mail at email@earlymansion.com. Take Highway 20 east 75 miles into Sac City.
Walnut, Iowa - 115 miles from Sioux City
Visit Walnut, "Iowa's Antique City." Walnut became established as a major Antique venue and in 1987 Governor Terry Branstad designated Walnut, Iowa as "Iowa's Antique City." For more information about shop hours and special events, call the Walnut Visitors Center at 712-784-2100. Take I-29 south to I-80 east, take Walnut exit.
NEBRASKA
Fremont, Nebraska 75 miles from Sioux City
Take an elegant ride on the Fremont Dinner Train. Enjoy a delicious five-course meal while on a 30-mile trip from Freemont to historic Hooper, up the beautiful Elkhorn River Valley. Fremont, Nebraska is a 75-mile trip south on U.S. Highway 77 out of South Sioux City, Nebraska.
Nebraska City, Nebraska - 141 miles from Sioux City
Celebrate the apple harvest by attending the AppleJack Festival the third full weekend of September. Take Interstate 29 south for 138 miles and then exit onto Highway 2. Go west on Highway 2 into Nebraska City.
Norfolk, Nebraska - 84 miles from Sioux City
Norfolk is located in northeast Nebraska in the Elkhorn River Valley of Madison County. Norfolk is 75 miles southwest of Sioux City. Take U.S. Highway 20 west for 61 miles and then go 23 miles south on U.S. Highway 81.
Oakland, Nebraska - 45 miles from Sioux City
Oakland has many events throughout the year, including the Swedish Festivals, Annual Scarecrow Festival and more. Oakland is 45 miles south of Sioux City on U.S. Highway 77.
Omaha, Nebraska - 100 miles from Sioux City
To enjoy a day at the Henry Doorly Zoo take Interstate 29 south to Council Bluffs. In Council Bluffs take Interstate 80 west into Omaha. Then take exit 454 (13th Street south exit). Two blocks south, turn left at the Rosenblatt Stadium / Henry Doorly Zoo Sign. Continue east past the stadium, and the road will turn north onto 10th Street. Visitor parking to the right.
Pierce, Nebraska - 87 miles from Sioux City
Nestled in the rolling hills of northeast Nebraska, you will find Cuthills Vineyards. Located just 3 miles west of Pierce and north of Willow Creek State Recreation Area, a 1,600 acre recreation park with a 700 acre lake. Go west on U.S. Highway 20 for 61 miles and then go south on U.S. Highway 81 for 18 miles. From U.S. Highway 81 take Nebraska Highway 98 eight miles west into Pierce.
Ponca, Nebraska - 19 miles from Sioux City
Ponca is located west of Sioux City on Nebraska Highway 12. Take U.S. Highway 20 west for 11 miles and then eight miles north on Nebraska Highway 12. Visit the 1,100-acre Ponca State Park nestled in wooded bluffs along the Missouri River.
Valentine, Nebraska - approximately 235 miles from Sioux City
Come enjoy the Niobrara River, one of the top canoeing rivers in the country, its leisurely flow and shallow waters provide beginners as well as seasoned veterans with canoe trips they'll never forget. If paddling a canoe is not your style, stretch out on a giant inner tube and let the river do the work for you. The many canoe and tube outfitters in the area will equip you with everything needed for a perfect trip. Take U.S. Highway 20 west approximately 235 miles to Valentine.
Wayne, Nebraska - 39 miles from Sioux City
Wayne is located southwest of Sioux City. Go west on Nebraska Highway 35 for 39 miles. Experience the exciting Wayne Chicken Show held annually the second Saturday of July or visit the Tarbox Hallow Buffalo Ranch. Wayne is located southwest of Sioux City. Go west on Nebraska Highway 35 for 39 miles.
South Dakota
Yankton, South Dakota - 65 miles from Sioux City
Take I29 northwest to Hwy 50. Take Hwy 50 west to Yankton.
Yankton’s rolling green hills and bluffs are breathtaking. The town is rich in history and cultural charm, along with the wide-open fun of scenic Lewis and Clark. Golf courses, antique shops and amusement attractions line the lake above Gavins Point Dam. Riverside Park hosts Riverboat days the third weekend in August with a juried arts festival, children's activities, a rodeo and entertainment.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota 85 miles from Sioux City
I29 north to Sioux Falls.
Sioux Falls has nearly 4,000 hotel rooms, more than 400 restaurants and the state's largest selection of shopping. Experience history and culture museums, visit the Great Plains Zoo and view the beautiful falls of the Big Sioux River.
Rapid City, South Dakota 360 miles from Sioux City
I29 north to Hwy 90, west to Rapid City
Founded in 1876, 2 years after gold was discovered in the Black Hills, Rapid City now serves as a trading center and tourist headquarters for the Black Hills area. Guests in Rapid City are offered a variety of narrated tours of western South Dakota. Points of interest include the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, Spearfish Canyon, Deadwood and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
Black Hills of South Dakota
The Black Hills is an ancient mountain range/region covering 5,000 square miles in southwestern South Dakota and eastern Wyoming. It was named by Lakota Sioux for the dark looking slopes created by a thick covering of ponderosa pine. Caves are an integral part of the Black Hills experience. Established in 1876, Black Hills National Forest covers more than 1.2 million acres, home to mule deer, elk, turkey and mountain goat. The 111-mile Centennial Trail, open mainly to hikers and bicyclists, runs the length of the Black Hills from Bear Butte State Park to Wind Cave National Park.
