Siouxland Families

Who doesn't love finding a little basket or bag of treats left by a friend or loved one on their doorstep? And what kid doesn't love the thrill of the ding-dong-ditch?? On May 1st, families across Siouxland and the Midwest get to enjoy both those scenarios as part of one special little holiday. I love May Day and have been participating since I was a kid, and it might be even more fun as a mom who gets to be the getaway driver! Based on historical research and my many years of receiving and delivering May baskets including here in Sioux City, here's my full guide to what parents should know about celebrating May Day with their kids: What is May Day? May Day is a celebration of spring on May 1st. The holiday has roots in several different ancient celebrations; most historians specifically cite the Roman and Celtic spring celebrations around the same time as the most directly related. From these ancient spring celebrations through medieval Europe to the modern Midwest, early ...

Each October, the Kingdom of Riverssance takes over Riverside Park and transforms it into a magical experience straight out of the 16th century! Until this year though, I had not had the opportunity to experience the wonderful Kingdom of Riverssance myself. I got to visit the 2024 Kingdom of Riverssance and it was really fun. Based on my research online and my visit to the festival, here's what families should know about the Kingdom of Riverssance: What is the Kingdom of Riverssance? The Kingdom of Riverssance is Sioux City's annual renaissance festival, held the first weekend of October each year. The 2024 Kingdom of Riverssance will take place on Saturday, October 5th and Sunday, October 6th, 2024, beginning at 10am. It is organized by many of the same creative people as the Rivercade Festival in summer! The Kingdom of Riverssance features a kids zone, live entertainment, food, drink, and souvenir vendors, plus lots of creative surprises. I'll d...

To be honest, I had never previously wondered what Buffalo Bill ate. But once I heard about the concept for Galloping Gourmet , I knew I needed to know more about the culinary adventures of the wild west's greatest showman. And I definitely wasn't disappointed, as this book provides a fascinating look at the food encountered by Buffalo Bill and his performers. Here's what readers should know about Galloping Gourmet: Eating and Drinking with Buffalo Bill . Thank you to the University of Nebraska Press for sending a free copy of the book for review purposes.  Who wrote Galloping Gourmet: Eating and Drinking with Buffalo Bill ? Steve Friesen wrote Galloping Gourmet and is the retired director of the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave site in Golden, Colorado. He is also the author of two other books, Lakota Performers in Europe: Their Culture and the Artifacts They Left Behind and Buffalo Bill: Scout, Showman, Visionary and is a contributing editor of True West magazine What's...

The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center unveiled their new Kids' Corner in spring of 2024, and when I finally had a chance to check it out with my own kids, we were delighted! It's such a cute corner of the center with lots of options for playful fun! They put the kids' area in the corner of the hallway that leads from the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center's museum side to the Betty Strong Encounter side, and I think that was such a clever use of space that had been previously kind of underused. And then in that corner there are basically two nooks, and inside of two adorable canvas wall tents, there are now a variety of toys and other things that encourage imaginative learning. Here's what you can expect in the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center Costumes and props: there was a big linen-ish shirt, a blue jacket, and a tricorn hat that kids could wear to dress up as members of the Corps of Discovery. One thing I'd love to see added in ...

The National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City is home to the world's largest collection of WWI artifacts, and it's a surprisingly good place to take kids. I went with my family, and the museum provided complimentary admission so that I could write about it here and for an article I'm working on for Living Here Midwest . Here's why I think families should bring kids to the National WWI Museum, and what else families should know before you go: What is the National WWI Museum?  The National WWI Museum and Memorial is the home of the world's largest collection of WWI artifacts. The Museum and Memorial includes a permanent collection, traveling and temporary exhibits, a gift shop, a cafe, a research library, and the iconic Liberty Memorial Tower. While the Tower and its Courtyard are much older (1926), much of the current museum is new from renovations and expansion which happened while the museum was clos...

At first glance, Sioux City, Iowa, might seem like a strange place for a 100-foot tall, Egyptian-style sandstone obelisk. But the first National Historic Landmark is one of Sioux City's most recognizable landmarks, with deep ties to local and national history. Here's what families should know about the Floyd Monument: Where is the Floyd Monument? The Floyd Monument is just off highway 75 a bit south and east of downtown Sioux City, on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River. The official address is 2601 S. Lewis Boulevard. There is a parking lot at the monument with ample free parking.  History of the Floyd Monument The Floyd Monument is a 100-foot sandstone obelisk built as a tribute to Sergeant Charles Floyd, the only member of Lewis & Clark's Corps of Discovery Expedition to die on the expedition. Sgt. Floyd was a non-commissioned officer who served as Quartermaster for the first leg of the expedition. But afte...

The State Historical Museum of Iowa in Des Moines is now reopened after an extensive multi year renovation, and families will love what it offers! Here's what you should know about the State Historical Museum of Iowa What is the State Historical Museum of Iowa? The State Historical Museum of Iowa is a history museum run by the State Historical Society of Iowa which focuses on telling the stories of the people and places of Iowa from prehistoric times to modernity. The museum is free and open to the public and beginning October 14th, 2023, it's open from 9am to 4:30pm on Monday through Friday and from 9am to 3pm on Saturday.   Where is the State Historical Museum of Iowa? The State Historical Museum of Iowa is located in the State Historical Building of Iowa at 600 East Locust Street in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. There is metered street parking nearby, or there is free parking in the parking garage at Pennsylvania Avenue and Gran...