Looking for free things to do in Sioux City? Here are seven things to try this summer.
Recently, my mom and I have been trying to come up with a list of free things we can do over the summer. Our thought was to save up for one bigger adventure per month while still keeping ourselves entertained. If you’re in the same boat and you live in or near Sioux City, you’re in luck. From the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center to the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center (and plenty of stops in between!), the city boasts numerous free things to do over the summer and beyond.
This list isn’t inclusive of every free event, museum, or nature center found in Sioux City, but I wanted to at least hit the highlights to give you some jumping-off points that encompass a wide range of interests.
Let’s get started!
1. Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center
Admission to the Sioux City Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center is free. The museum is open on the following days and times:
- Mondays: Closed
- Tuesdays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Wednesdays: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Thursdays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Fridays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Sundays: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
In addition to the center’s permanent and temporary exhibits, over 135 children’s activities and classes are offered here, as well as 65 programs for families and adults. Programming options include a performance from the Many Moccasins Dance Troupe, A Walk in Poetry, Crabgrass Country and Bluegrass music, and more. All classes, exhibits, and activities are free. Monthly events for all ages can be found here.
Per its website, “The Center explores the stories of how we live together as diverse people; and how we care for our land, our great river, and the other natural resources we have inherited,” and many of its permanent exhibits reflect this mission. Visitors can learn more about Lewis and Clark and their enslaved servant, York, along with other key historical figures, through these exhibits.
2. Sergeant Floyd River Museum
The Sergeant Floyd River Museum is located at 1000 Larsen Park Road and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This location (and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center) is closed on all major holidays. Admission to the Sergeant Floyd is free, and parking is offered on-site, which you also won’t have to pay for. As a bonus, it’s adjacent to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, so history buffs can hit up both in one day without spending a dime.
Permanent exhibits explore the history of the Missouri River and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Both the Sergeant Floyd River Museum and its Welcome Center are accessible via a ramp on the first floor. There’s also an elevator to the second floor, and the public restroom is accessible as well.
3. Sioux City Public Museum
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Sioux City Public Museum is another great family-friendly location to explore without spending money. Check out exhibits like the “Dinosaurs of the Hell Creek” (which runs until Aug. 3, 2025) and “Uncle John’s Ceiling Murals” (which runs until Oct. 5, 2025), or partake in one of several planned events, like the Cowboy Round-Up.
All upcoming events and temporary exhibit information can be found here. Adult programs, like walking tours and History at High Noon, are available for those who don’t have kids but would still like to have some free fun at this museum.
4. Sioux City Art Center
If history isn’t your thing, the Sioux City Art Center is free to visit, though a small fee may be applied for special events and exhibitions. Wheelchairs are available on request, and the Art Center says that it’s a barrier-free location. It’s open at the following times:
- Tuesdays: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Wednesdays: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Thursdays: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Fridays: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sundays: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Like some other locations on this list, the Art Center is closed on Mondays and on all major holidays.
Current exhibitions as of writing include “Siouxland Artists: Annual Exhibit” and “People – Places – Things: Selections from the Sioux City Art Center’s Permanent Collection,” among others. Click here for additional details and upcoming exhibitions, and here for general information.
5. Palmer’s Olde Tyme Candy Shoppe
The Palmer Candy website sums up this attraction best: “Every visit to Palmer’s Olde Tyme Candy Shoppe is a wonderfully-delicious step back in time.” The Shoppe houses a small museum where you can view historical items, including retired candy-making equipment and vintage photos. You can also see how the candy used to be made, which is a unique blast from the past.
Visit the Candy Shoppe and museum for free on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Any candy you’d like to try while you’re there will need to be paid for, so I’d recommend budgeting some money ahead of your trip so everyone can get a little something special while you’re at the Candy Shoppe.
6. Stone State Park
Okay, nature lovers, these next two are for you! Stone State Park is located near the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, so you can wander back and forth between the two, or dedicate set days for each area. Walk, hike, or bike along miles of trails that loop through Stone State Park, observe birds and the surrounding wildlife, and take a moment to appreciate the beauty and solitude of your surroundings.
Here’s a PDF map of the park, including trail markings, restrooms, and points of interest. I’d recommend downloading it on your phone or printing it out in advance to make sure you don’t get lost on your excursion.
7. Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center
The Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center spans 14,000 square feet and features interactive exhibits showcasing woodland, wetland, and prairie environments, as well as displays of fish and native reptiles, and a bird-watching area. As if all of that wasn’t enough, there’s also a wildflower garden, a butterfly garden, several trails, and an outdoor amphitheater…and that’s just scratching the surface!
Check out all of these free things Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays (May 1-October 31) from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Click this link for info on accessibility, a map of the nature center, and other helpful details.
