Sioux Falls stands out as a lively city packed with surprises, whether you’re interested in sampling local flavors, solving puzzles around the city, or exploring its wild side at a zoo. What makes Sioux Falls especially appealing for tours is its compact downtown, rich with eateries and landmarks, making walking tours and food tastings particularly enjoyable. We love the Downtown Sioux Falls Food Tour for its delicious bites and insider insights, and for a more active approach to sightseeing, the Fun City Scavenger Hunt offers a playful way to explore.
This list showcases a variety of tours and experiences, from culinary adventures and scavenger challenges to wildlife visits and immersive detective missions. Whether you’re traveling with family, friends, or flying solo, there’s something to match different tastes and energy levels. Now, let’s get into the details of each top-rated Sioux Falls activity.
1. Downtown Sioux Falls Food Tour
At number 1 on our list, the Downtown Sioux Falls Food Tour offers a delightful way to explore the city’s culinary scene and historic districts in just about three hours. For $110 per person, you’ll visit several local restaurants, sampling dishes from sushi and nachos to craft beers, all while hearing stories about Sioux Falls’ development and food culture. This tour is capped at 10 participants, ensuring a personalized experience and plenty of interaction with your guide.
Your journey begins at the Old Courthouse Museum, where you’ll meet your guide and set out on a walk through the city’s core. Expect to stop at various eateries, each with a story and a specialty. Guests rave about their guides, with reviews highlighting Brandon’s extensive knowledge and fun storytelling. One reviewer notes, “Amazing food, great conversation, and it all flowed nicely,” reflecting how the tour combines good eats with engaging local history.
The highlight is the variety — each bite offers insight into Sioux Falls’ traditions. The tour is perfect for food lovers, first-time visitors, or those wanting a relaxed, tasty introduction to Sioux Falls. The tour’s value lies in the small group size and the opportunity to learn about local businesses from owners themselves.
Bottom Line: A flavorful, personal introduction to Sioux Falls’ culinary scene, ideal for those who enjoy food and history in equal measure.
2. Fun City Scavenger Hunt in Sioux Falls by 3Quest Challenge
For just $10 per person, the Fun City Scavenger Hunt offers a playful, interactive way to see Sioux Falls in about two hours. Using an app, you’ll be given riddles that lead you to landmarks, waterfalls, and hidden corners of the city. This experience is perfect for groups that want a fun challenge and don’t mind a bit of physical activity.
The game involves answering riddles, taking photos, and completing challenges—all designed to test your knowledge of the city and encourage teamwork. One reviewer mentions, “It was a great time, though the heat was tough with just three people,” indicating that the experience works well for small groups and sunny days. It’s an easy way to get a feel for Sioux Falls’ most iconic spots without strict schedules or large groups.
This scavenger hunt is especially suited for friends, families, or team-building groups who enjoy puzzles and competition. Since it’s self-paced and flexible, you can start whenever you like, making it a low-pressure way to explore.
Bottom Line: A fun, budget-friendly way to navigate Sioux Falls, combining sightseeing with light-hearted competition.
$10.00 per person
3. Great Plains Zoo
Number 3 is the Great Plains Zoo, where a day of wildlife exploration costs only $17 per person. Located just outside Sioux Falls, this expansive zoo features over 1,000 animals, including a bustling African exhibit and the ever-popular Humboldt penguins. If you’re traveling with kids or simply love animals, this zoo provides a solid dose of fun and education.
Highlights include the Primate Paradise, where you can observe monkeys swinging, and the African plains exhibit, which recreates a savanna environment. The zoo is well-maintained and offers plenty of shaded areas to relax and watch animals. Visitors often comment on the zoo’s diversity and the quality of exhibits, making it a good value for a full day out.
The zoo is suitable for all ages and offers enough walking to keep active, but it’s manageable in a few hours. With an admission of only $17, it’s an affordable family outing, especially if you want to combine it with other activities in Sioux Falls.
Bottom Line: A lively zoo experience perfect for animal lovers and families, offering a great mix of exhibits at an accessible price.
4. Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt: Rock and Roll Through Sioux Falls
At number 4, this Self-Guided Rock and Roll Scavenger Hunt turns exploring Sioux Falls into a musical adventure. Using your smartphone, you’ll visit landmarks connected to local music history while solving puzzles and gathering points. The hunt takes about two hours and is ideal for music fans, history buffs, or those looking for a flexible, active outing.
The app delivers clues that prompt you to explore waterfalls, statues, and historical sites. It’s a clever way to learn about the city’s cultural side while moving at your own pace. Though this is a less-reviewed activity, it appeals to small groups or families who enjoy interactive challenges and music themes.
While it’s more of a casual outing, it’s quite affordable at $12.31 per person. It’s best suited for those comfortable with technology and eager to discover Sioux Falls through a different lens.
Bottom Line: A fun, tech-savvy way to uncover Sioux Falls’ musical and cultural landmarks at your own pace.
$12.31 per person
5. Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Sioux Falls SD
Number 5 on our list, the Murder Mystery Detective Experience, offers a 2.5-hour crime-solving adventure for $14.99 per person. Participants act as detectives, visiting 10 mapped locations in downtown Sioux Falls to piece together clues about a fictional murder case. This activity can be done via walking or driving, depending on your preference.
What makes this experience appealing is its blend of storytelling and exploration. The audio clues guide you through the investigation, making it engaging and interactive. Reviewers note that it’s more like an escape room on wheels than a traditional scavenger hunt, which can be a plus if you enjoy puzzles and role-play. However, some find it less of a sightseeing tour since it doesn’t necessarily lead to historical landmarks.
Suitable for groups of friends or family, this experience combines mystery with a bit of urban adventure. It’s a different way to see parts of Sioux Falls while testing your detective skills.
Bottom Line: Ideal for puzzle lovers and groups seeking a role-playing challenge that also explores the city.
$14.99 per person
6. Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Sioux Falls by Operation City Quest
Another option for scavenger hunters, the Operation City Quest adventure costs $10 per person and takes about two hours. This activity uses an app to spot objects around Sioux Falls in any order you choose, with challenges to complete along the way. It’s a flexible, competitive way to see the city with friends or family.
No reviews are available yet, but the format suits those who like to set their own pace and enjoy puzzles. You can strategize your route, race against others, and learn about local landmarks through the clues. The remote chat support adds an extra layer of convenience, ensuring you’re never truly on your own.
This experience is best for casual explorers with smartphones who want a quick, fun challenge without fixed schedules.
Bottom Line: A straightforward, flexible scavenger hunt perfect for tech-savvy travelers wanting to explore Sioux Falls actively.
$10.00 per person
7. Sioux Falls Showdown Scavenger Hunt
The Sioux Falls Showdown Scavenger Hunt offers a unique, interactive experience with a live, remote host guiding your team via your phone. Priced at $23.20 per person for about two hours, it combines traditional scavenging with creative challenges and detective work, making it more immersive than typical hunts.
Participants discover landmarks and hidden spots around the city while engaging in social challenges designed by the event creators, based in Austin, TX. Although this hunt is new, it promises a lively, engaging experience and is suitable for groups wanting a bit of friendly competition with an energetic twist.
Since it includes live hosting, it’s more interactive and social than purely app-based hunts, making it ideal for groups that enjoy a bit of entertainment along with their sightseeing.
Bottom Line: For those seeking an interactive, guided scavenger hunt with a social element, this is a fresh and engaging choice.
$23.20 per person
8. Fun City Scavenger Hunt in Sioux Falls by Wacky Walks
Coming in at $10 per person, Wacky Walks’ Fun City Scavenger Hunt offers a whimsical way to explore Sioux Falls. Using an app, players compete to find items and complete challenges, earning points for their efforts. The game lasts around two hours and encourages friendly competition among friends or family.
Participants act as “kings or queens” of their group, trying to stay in the lead by completing challenges and snapping photos. It’s light-hearted and fun, especially for those who enjoy a little playful rivalry. While there are no reviews yet, it’s a straightforward, inexpensive choice for groups wanting a casual adventure.
Ideal for casual outings, birthday parties, or family days, this scavenger hunt combines city exploration with fun challenges.
Bottom Line: Perfect for a relaxed, entertaining way to see Sioux Falls while adding a royal twist.
$10.00 per person
9. Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Sioux Falls by Zombie Scavengers
Finally, the Zombie Scavengers experience taps into the fun of surviving a zombie apocalypse. For up to 10 people and $20 per group, you’ll find survival items and complete zombie-themed tasks using an app. This one-hour game adds a playful, spooky element to your Sioux Falls visit, perfect for groups wanting a quick, themed challenge.
You’ll explore the city streets, searching for supplies in a scenario where zombies are lurking. A remote host supports you throughout, ensuring the game runs smoothly. Reviewers note that it’s a light-hearted, fun activity that mixes adventure with humor.
It’s well-suited for groups who enjoy horror themes or want a quick, energetic activity to break up a sightseeing day.
Bottom Line: A quick, themed scavenger hunt ideal for groups interested in a playful zombie survival scenario.
$20.00 per group (up to 10)
How to Choose the Right Sioux Falls Tour
When selecting a tour in Sioux Falls, consider your budget, interests, and physical activity level. If you love food and culture, the Downtown Sioux Falls Food Tour offers a delicious, in-depth experience, while active explorers might prefer the Self-Guided Rock and Roll Hunt or Wacky Walks for their interactive challenges. Families or groups looking for wildlife can’t miss the Great Plains Zoo.
For those who enjoy puzzles, role-playing, or competitive fun, the Murder Mystery or Showdown Scavenger Hunt provide immersive experiences. Budget-conscious travelers may opt for the Zombie Scavengers or 3Quest Challenge, which are affordable and flexible.
Booking early is recommended, especially during peak seasons. Think about what excites you most—food, animals, puzzles—and pick a tour that matches that passion for a memorable Sioux Falls experience.
Sioux Falls offers a range of ways to see and enjoy its streets, parks, and attractions. Whether you opt for a culinary journey, a lively scavenger hunt, or a wildlife adventure, you’ll find plenty to keep you engaged. For a laid-back introduction, the food tour is hard to beat, while active travelers will appreciate the puzzle and challenge-based experiences. Whichever you choose, early booking will help ensure your spot on one of Sioux Falls’ best adventures.