Siouxland Families

The Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center in Sioux City is one of the cutest nature centers in Iowa and has a particular focus on the natural environment of the Loess Hills and Siouxland. It's totally FREE to visit, and a fun place to spend a day in any season, offering activities both indoors and outside. And it's one of my personal favorites. My kids and I have had so much fun at the nature center over the years! Here's what you should know about the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center: Where is the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center? The Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center is located at 4500 Sioux River Road in Sioux City, Iowa. There is ample free parking in their parking lot, but there is a gate that closes each afternoon. If you are planning to leave after it's closed, park in the small lot between the road and the gate instead of in the large lot near the nature center itself so you aren't trapped! The Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center includes the nature ce...

While researching a story for the upcoming winter issue of  Living Here Midwest magazine, I had the opportunity to check out Split Rock Creek in Garretson, SD at Split Rock Creek Park and Devil's Gulch Park, two city parks almost adjoining, and they were so cool! Where are Split Rock Creek and Devil's Gulch? Split Rock Creek Park and Devil's Gulch are both in Garretson, SD, right next to each other but separated by some railroad tracks. 512 5th Street is the official address for the Split Rock Creek Campground, and Devil's Gulch doesn't seem to have a specific address, but it's hard to miss: Split Rock Park Split Rock Park overlooks Split Rock Creek, including the Split Rock Dam, which was built in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration.  At the park, there is a campground for RV and tent camping, as well as a day use area with a nice playground, benches and a picnic shelter, and a cute bridge with a view of an even more scenic ...

***UPDATE: this post now reflects dates, hours, and prices for fall of 2024*** It's officially apple picking season in Sioux City!! Autumn Grove Orchard just announced that they are opening for the 2024 season on Sunday, September 1st from 11am to 5pm, and that they should have Macintosh, Gala, and Honeycrisp apples ready! What is Autumn Grove Orchard? Autumn Grove Orchard is Sioux City's only pick-your-own apple orchard. Autumn Grove is locally owned by a Sioux City family and grows 9+ varieties of apples, which are available to pick as they ripen throughout the fall. They may also offer a variety of baked goods and crafts for sale, so watch for those as well! Where is Autumn Grove Orchard? Autumn Grove Orchard is at 1658 180th Street in Sioux City, just a few minutes past the Lakeport Commons shopping area and Fleet Farm. There is ample free parking at the orchard, and if the parking area is full, just pull over along the road! When is Autumn Grove...

On January 1st, 2022, state parks across the nation will be hosting their annual "First Day Hikes" to encourage people to start their year off well! One special note for this year is that it is supposed to be extremely cold--dangerously so--in Siouxland on January 1st and it is essential if you plan to go out that you gear up appropriately.

One of the most peaceful places in Siouxland is also bustling with life and adventure. Stone State Park, nestled in the northwest corner of Sioux City, provides just under 1600 acres of hiking, fishing, camping, and other outdoors fun in all seasons, from spring and summer wildflowers to beautiful autumn colors and snowshoeing in winter!

Just an hour north of Sioux City on the Big Sioux River, you find the city of Sioux Falls, and nestled in the heart of it all is 123 acres of Falls Park, where the namesake waterfalls provide a scenic background for family fun. Over 7000 gallons of water per second fall over 100 feet! Here's a look at a recent visit to Falls Park: Want to find out more? Read on! As you saw, Falls Park in Sioux Falls offers many other attractions to families beyond the beautiful waterfalls, like lots of grassy space, picnic tables, outdoor sculptures, and much more, including: The Stockyards Ag Experience in Falls Parks The Stockyards Ag Experience is a museum devoted to the history of the Sioux Falls stockyards and to agriculture in general. The upstairs consists mainly of informational exhibits and artifacts to look at, while the downstairs is almost a mini-children's museum. My kids loved the downstairs, especially a "farm to table" play area with tons of toy food. A...

Have you heard of Tinkergarten? It's a fun learning option for the preschool crowd that is new to Siouxland in 2018. I chatted with the Tinkergarten leaders for Sioux City and Spencer to find out more about it. Here's what Siouxland families should know about Tinkergarten: What is Tinkergarten? Sioux City Tinkergarten summer 2018 Tinkergarten is a play based outdoor preschool program for kids ages 2-5. Tinkergarten focuses on hands-on activities and lots of movement and exploration. Sessions are usually about an hour long and take place at local parks where kids can discover nature while learning with their peers. According to the Tinkergarten website, focus areas are: sensory skills motor skills focus and self-control self-reliance creativity & imagination collaboration problem solving empathy communication Who teaches it? Sarah Newswander teaches Tinkergarten in Sioux City and says: "I have a background in early childhood education...