Lights twinkle and children of all ages glee with delight at each winter at Falls Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The park is decorated in thousands and thousands of lights, and garland galore.

The park is decorated and lit up nightly from Saturday, November 19 through January 8, 2012.

Another great event associated with the Winter Wonderland at Falls Park, is the Twilight Flights hosted by Strawbale Winery, located in the neighboring community of Renner.

Twilight Flights is a magical evening filled with great food, and of course, great wine. First, visitors will enjoy hor’douvres and wine tasting at the winery, then hop into a helicopter to be whisked away to view the spectacular light show at Falls Park and a great view of Sioux Falls. And last but not least, upon returning to the winery, you’ll enjoy desserts and more delicious wine!

For more information about the festivities at Falls Park, contact the Sioux Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau via their website.

For information and reservation information for the Twilight Flights event at Strawbale Winery, visit their website.

The natural beauty of the Big Sioux River gave South Dakota’s largest city, Sioux Falls, its name, and like a lot of places in South Dakota, it has a long history. Falls Park is one of South Dakota’s Great Places.

Cascading water at Falls Park, photo by SD Dept. Tourism

Queen Bee Mill at Falls Park was built in the 1880s and was used to tap the falls for water power. In 1908 the hydroelectric plant was built and the original dam was raised to supply power to the plant. Parts of these structures are still visible to the visitor and provide a glimpse at the area’s history.

On the grounds of the 123 acre park are picnic areas, six viewing areas, walkways, a restaurant and an Arts Center inside a historic building. Each second, an average of 7,400 gallons of water drop 100 feet over the falls.

The Falls Park Visitor Information Center features a 5-story observation tower where visitors can take in the 360-degree view of the majestic falls along with the city skyline of Sioux Falls.

The park is free to visit and offers a Sound and Light show which tells the history of Sioux Falls; it is shown at dusk Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather permitting.

The Viewing Tower is open to the public during the hours when the Visitors Center is operating. For a detailed listing of seasonal hours, visit the Sioux Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau website, www.siouxfallscvb.com.

South Dakota’s Great Places weekly press release series is a project of the South Dakota Department of Tourism, designed to highlight places in South Dakota that are unique to travelers and residents alike. Click on the special “South Dakota’s Great Places” link at www.MediaSD.com to access the complete list of articles. Information for this release was obtained from the Sioux Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Summer is one of my favorite times to road trip across the state of South Dakota. The skies are typically clear and blue, and the sunshine just makes everyone happy.

A perfect stop on any road trip across South Dakota is Sioux Falls. Located at the junction of I-29 and I-90, this is the largest city in the state.  It’s filled with hundreds of shops, what seems like thousands of restaurants and lots of family fun.

Falls Park is the namesake of South Dakota's largest city, Sioux Falls.

Falls Park is the namesake of South Dakota’s largest city, Sioux Falls.Falls Park is in the heart of the city with beautifully landscaped walkways, a viewing tower and visitor’s center.  The Lakota call them “laughing waters” and as you watch them dance over the quartzite rocks, you’ll see how the falls got their name. A great place to watch the falls is from the deck of the Overlook Café. Here you can enjoy a sweet treat or a deli-style meal. 

Another highlight of the city is the Sculpture Walk. This free walking tour takes you through downtown as you view sculptures from artists around the world. You can pick up a map at any one of the downtown merchants.

The Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science is a hands-on science center for kids of all ages.

The Washington Pavilion is a hands-on science center for kids of all ages.The Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science is another great stop. The hands-on science center is ideal for kids of all ages who get to learn while they play. The I-Max style CineDome features daily showings, and hot, buttered popcorn.

Regionally, Sioux Falls is best known for its shopping and dining experiences. You’ll never have to eat the same thing twice when you visit Sioux Falls. You’ll find hundreds of chain and local flavor restaurants, as well as an ethnic blend of food including authentic Mexican, Indian, European, Ethiopian and a Brazilian Carnival. 

Looking for a unique shop or a national favorite?  You’ll find that in Sioux Falls too. The Empire Mall (which some locals claim has more visitors than Mount Rushmore) is the crown jewel of the retail hub with 180 stores. You’ll also find specialty shops, boutiques and more places to shop than anywhere else in South Dakota.

Sioux Falls boasts a zoo, a butterfly house, outdoor campus, fabulous parks and a bike path that circles the city. Come explore all of this and more, and enjoy a chuckle–or two–with the laughing waters of South Dakota.