Siouxland Families

I'm so excited to announce my first ever children's book: S is for Sioux City ! I've been working on it for literally years, and it's finally done and ready for the kids of Siouxland and beyond to enjoy! Here's a peek at the cover: Inside S is for Sioux City S is for Sioux City is a full-color, 32-page picture book that features local fun for every letter of the alphabet, from the Sioux City Art Center to the Ziplines at Miracle Field. The book is 8.5" square with a glossy cover, and I chose the most premium paper option they had available in hope the colors will look nice! Each letter page features a simple concept like "L is for Loess" which is great when you or your kids want a quick read. Each letter page also has a full paragraph of fun facts for kids who want more info on these cool local attractions! I tried to make it a book my preschooler would sit through the entire thing for, but also that my 9-year-old would enjoy pouring over for a long t...

The best hot dogs in Siouxland come from a historic, family-owned diner named after another Midwest city: Milwaukee Wiener House. For more than a century, Milwaukee Wiener House has been serving up delicious hot dogs in downtown Sioux City. I'm a huge fan of this local treasure and included it in my book 100 Things to do in Sioux City & Siouxland Before You Die because it truly is a must-visit. Whether you're a local or a visitor to Siouxland, stop by Milwaukee Wiener House sometime for vintage charm and great food. Here's my full guide to Milwaukee Wiener House: Where is Milwaukee Wiener House? Milwaukee Wiener House is located at 301 Douglas Street in downtown Sioux City. There is free parking in their lot, which is connected to the Hard Rock Casino parking lots, and there is additional street parking nearby and throughout downtown, including metered street parking and a limited amount of free parking at the Sioux City Art Center....

Kelly Park is a quiet, cute little neighborhood park, and it'd be easy to drive by or even play there without realizing it's been the site of fun for Sioux City kids for more than a century, starting with the homesteading Kelly kids in the late 1800s! Here's my guide to Kelly Park, including a bit of the park's history:  Where is Kelly Park? Kelly Park is listed by Sioux City Parks and Rec as being at "Fall Avenue and Carlin" which should get you there too, but according to the assessor's office is officially at 3300 Parkview Avenue in Sioux City, Iowa, 51105. There is no parking lot, and no parking on Parkview on the park side of the road, but there is free street parking on other streets near the park.   Amenities and Fun at Kelly Park Kelly Park in the 2020s includes two acres of grassy space according to Parks & Rec, but it felt like more to me. The park also has picnic tables (I counte...

Sioux City's stunning Peirce Mansion on 29th and Jackson is an iconic local landmark, easily recognizable by its distinct style. But do you know the story behind this quartzite behemoth, and how to visit it?  Here's my full guide to Sioux City's beautiful and historical Peirce Mansion:  Where is the Peirce Mansion? Photo used with permission from the Sioux City Public Museum and Historical Society The Peirce Mansion is located at 2901 Jackson Street in Sioux City, Iowa. There is a small driveway, so if you're there for a small, private event you *may* be able to use that, but for most purposes, assume you will need to park on the street. Street parking on both Jackson Street and 29th Street is FREE and not metered. John Peirce and the construction of the Peirce Mansion So who built the Peirce mansion? John Peirce was one of the most notable members of Gilde...