Where to find free summer fun in Sioux Falls

Megan Raposa -

Simplified: School's out, and summer is in full swing. Here's a roundup of fun things you can do in town without spending a dime.

  • Catch a concert. Levitt at the Falls hosts 50 free outdoor concerts each summer, and this year's season kicks off May 31. You can find a full lineup here. You can also find live music during Mondays at McKennan, as well as Fridays on the Plaza downtown.
  • Splash around. You will have to pay at least a day rate to use the city pools, but there are also a couple of options for water fun that don't require any payment. Pioneer Spray Park, Hayward Park splash pad and the McKennan Park wading pool are all available to use for free.
  • See some art. It costs $0 to walk around and check out the 80 sculptures included in the downtown SculptureWalk. You can also vote for your favorite because each year the city purchases one sculpture to become a permanent installation in Sioux Falls.
  • Get fit. The parks and recreation department offers six free Fitness in the Park classes throughout the summer at Rotary Park. No registration is needed, and you can find dates and times here.
  • See a children's theater show. Catch a free children's theater performance in the McKennan Park bandshell as part of the city's Storyland Children's Theatre. The first show is "The Wizard of Oz," starting June 18.
  • Check out a state park. Typically you have to pay an entry fee to get into a state park, but if you've got a library card, you can rent a state parks pass from Siouxland Libraries. It's a great, free way to check out places like Palisades State Park, Good Earth State Park, Newton Hills State Park and all the other regional parks. Learn more here.
  • Explore the outdoors. You can learn all about outdoor activities like hunting, fishing and more through programming at the Outdoor Campus. Find hours and a detailed list of programs here.