Located on the banks of the Missouri River in north-west Iowa, Sioux City lies amidst the tallgrass prairies of the Great Plains. It was settled by Spanish and French fur trappers in the 18th century on land inhabited by the Yankton Sioux. Later, it became a major transportation hub for Mormons heading west to Salt Lake City and gold diggers trying their luck in Wyoming.
Things to do in Sioux City
Artists from across the Midwest are showcased at the Sioux City Art Center, which hosts changing exhibitions and educational programs. Get up close to works by glass artist Dale Chihuly and painter Thomas Hart Benton, as well as the American Regionalist master Grant Wood. Of particular note is his “Corn Room” mural, which once decorated the dining room of the Martin Hotel.
Native American and pioneer artefacts are showcased at the Sioux City Public Museum, which occupies a former J.C. Penney store in the Downtown area. Don’t miss the hands-on replica of a fossil dig site or the 1880s horse-drawn sleigh. The museum also manages Peirce Mansion, a Romanesque-style residence that has been restored to its Victorian appearance.
If you’re interested in the history of shipping along the Missouri River, head to the Sergeant Floyd River Museum. It centres around a 1932-built towboat used by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, which is now designated as a National Historic Landmark. In addition to an exhibit about the 1804 Lewis and Clark expedition, fur-trapping artefacts and a dug-out canoe are on display.
Getting around Sioux City
Sioux Gateway Airport is a 10-minute drive from the city centre and has regular flights to Chicago and Denver. Long-distance buses connect to Sioux City while local services connect most of its attractions.