Sioux City is western Iowa's premier recreational, cultural, historical, and entertainment destination. The Missouri River city is a transportation hub with a strong Native American and westward expansion history. The metro area is home to more than 130,000.
Downtown Sioux City sits along the Missouri River and contains many of the city's entertainment, dining, and shopping venues. On the riverfront, visitors can enjoy riverboat gambling or explore the city's Lewis and Clark connection. The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and the Sergeant Floyd River Museum and Welcome Center both feature exhibits of this historic expedition.
The riverfront's Anderson Dance Pavilion is the site for several of Sioux City's most popular festivals. In June the riverfront is busy with The Big Parade, a Mardi Gras-style event. In July the River-Cade festival brings visitors riverside for sports and music. In September the pavilion hosts Artsplash.
Along Fourth Street an historic section of 19th century buildings house a mix of restaurants, clubs, and shops. The Orpheum Theatre hosts Broadway shows and concerts in opulent 1927 surroundings. Sporting events, concerts, and other shows fill the Gateway Arena at Tyson Events Center. Skywalks connect many of the buildings downtown.
A closer exploration of the area's unique geography and history can be found along two scenic byways: the Loess Hills Scenic Byway and the Lewis and Clark Trail. Stone State Park provides a three-state view along with camping, fishing, and snowmobiling, horseback, and hiking trails.
Sioux City is located in western Iowa near the South Dakota and Nebraska border. It is 97 miles north of Omaha, Nebraska and 122 miles west of Fort Dodge and is accessible via Interstate Highway 29 and U.S. Interstate Highways 20 and 75. There are many hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast in the area.
