What To Do

My children are all from the big city. They are used to the hustle and bustle and  stores that are open 24 hours a day.

Where I live now it is much quieter. Our little town does not even have a grocery store. And people are more friendly.

Anyway there is a lot to see here. We live only 25 miles from the Ice Cream Capital of the World. They have a huge ice cream parlor with any ice cream treat you can think of.

Trinity Heights is a religious site with giant shiny religious that stand about 3 stories high. There are little grottos all through the grounds. 

Inside one of the buildings you will see a life-sized Last Supper display. It is beautifully carved of wood by a local artist.

The Loess Hills are unique to Iowa. There is only one other place hills like this are found and that is China. They were formed by glaciers.

Stone Park is a state park. You can drive through on narrow trail roads. There are several scenic viewing areas. There are also picnic areas and you can camp there. The Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center is adjacent to the park. They have educational exhibits inside and hiking trails outside.

The Big Sioux River empties into the Missouri River in Sioux City. There is also a big park there. One of the attractions is the log cabin of Theophile Bruguier the first white settler of the area. Chief War Eagle gave Bruguier two of his daughters as wives. At the same time.

Before joining the Missouri River The Big Sioux River is the natural border between Iowa and South Dakota. The Missouri River does the rest.

Sioux City, North Sioux City, and South Sioux City are in Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska. All are connected except for the rivers running through them.

The Auditorium is the venue downtown for concerts, rodeos, pow-wows, graduations, circuses and other large events.

Jolly Time Popcorn Company was begun in the basement of the founder's home in 1914. They are the oldest popcorn company in the US and sell all over the world.

Of course there are the churches. Many different denominations and they range from very old to very new and plain to ornate. 

We even have a Hard Rock Cafe. It provides entertainment and gambling. 

There is Historic Fourth Street although I am noy sur why it is called that. It is certainly different than when I went to high school here.

Sioux Honey was originally Sioux Bee Honey. It began in Sioux City in 1921 as a group of beekeepers joined together to sell their honey. 

 The welcome center is an old riverboat. It is full of brochures of interesting sites.

The Lewis And Clark expedition is celebrated heavily. They passed through on their way to the Pacific Ocean and on their way back. The Floyd Monument is an obelisk overlooking the Missouri River. It honors Sgt. Charles Floyd who was the only member of the expedition who died. It is the first designated National Historic Landmark of the United States.

First Bride's Grave is near the Floyd Memorial. I do not recommend going to see it. The steps leading up the steep hill are treacherous.

Palmer Candy Company makes Twin Bing candy bars since 1878. Their candy shop sells them separately or in a box. They also make specialty chocolates and have bins of bulk candies. 

War Eagle's Grave is up on a hilt keeping watch above the Missouri River. It is well worth the short climb to see it.

Central High School is the third incarnation of the original high school in Sioux City. It is now low-income housing. It is a magnificent building that was made to look like a castle. Its nickname was The Castle On The Hill. 

Deer and wild turkeys are often seen as you drive in the country. In the summer you will see turkey vultures soaring the sky looking for prey. 

In the autumn  Ragbrai is a 7-day bicycle ride across the state. It is not a race. You can ride only part of the way if you wish.

This gives you an idea of some of the things to see here. There are more but I think people need to come explore for themselves.