A practical day trip from La Quinta Inn & Suites Sioux Falls
Stay at La Quinta Inn & Suites Sioux Falls and you can do a practical, family-friendly day trip that mixes shopping in the Mall District, a riverside visit to Falls Park, and a few easy local attractions. The hotel provides free Bright Side Breakfast, free parking, an indoor heated pool and shuttle options to help you get around.
In this guide
Start from the hotel: practical amenities and where to meet
La Quinta Inn & Suites Sioux Falls (4521 W. 41st Street) is located in the Mall District just off Interstate 29. Use the hotel as a base for a short, one-day itinerary that keeps driving low and family needs covered.
Key on-site amenities that help a day trip run smoothly include free Bright Side Breakfast each morning, free Wi-Fi, free self-parking, an indoor heated pool and hot tub, a fitness center, and a business center. The 24-hour front desk and guest laundry can help with last-minute needs.
- Free Bright Side Breakfast (hot and cold items)
- Indoor heated pool and hot tub
- Free self-parking and free Wi‑Fi
- On-site business center and guest laundry
- Complimentary local-area and airport shuttle (confirm availability with front desk)
| Practical detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Check-in / Check-out | Check-in from 3:00 PM; check-out by 11:00 AM |
| Family policy | Children of all ages welcome; up to 4 children 18 and under stay free in the same room using existing bedding |
| Pet policy | Dogs and cats allowed (confirm fee and limits with hotel); service animals exempt from fees |
Morning: grab breakfast and head out
Fuel up with the hotel's complimentary Bright Side Breakfast before you set out. The buffet includes hot and cold options such as waffles, scrambled eggs, and biscuits and gravy.
Decide whether you want a mostly walking day (downtown and Falls Park) or to visit a few spread-out attractions (zoo, Butterfly House). The front desk can confirm shuttle service or local taxi/rideshare options.
- Eat at the hotel breakfast area before 10:00 AM for an earlier start
- Ask front desk about shuttle availability if you prefer not to drive
- Bring reusable water and comfortable shoes for walking at Falls Park or downtown
| Option | Good for |
|---|---|
| Downtown + Falls Park | Walking, scenic views, sculptures and visitor tower |
| Mall District (Empire Mall) | Shopping and quick lunch options |
| Attractions cluster (zoo, Delbridge Museum, Butterfly House) | Family attractions and indoor/outdoor mix |
Midday: choose Falls Park or Empire Mall
Falls Park is Sioux Falls' signature outdoor spot with walking paths, a visitor tower and historic mill ruins; the park is open from 5 a.m. to midnight and the falls are lit nightly. It's best for scenic walking, photos, and a light picnic if weather allows.
If you prefer shopping, the hotel sits in the Mall District near Empire Mall, which is within an easy walk from the property and offers food and retail options for a quick lunch and browsing.
- Falls Park highlights: observation tower, Queen Bee Mill ruins, walking trails, river views and nightly illumination
- Empire Mall: quick access from the hotel for lunch, stores and indoor walking
- If visiting Falls Park, expect uphill and downhill walking on paths and stairs near overlooks
| Destination | Best for |
|---|---|
| Falls Park | Scenery, riverside walk, photos |
| Empire Mall | Indoor shopping, food court and rest stops |
| Both in one day | Start with the mall for midday shelter, end at Falls Park for late-afternoon light |
Afternoon: family-friendly attractions nearby
Several family attractions are a short drive from the hotel: the Great Plains Zoo, Delbridge Museum of Natural History, and Butterfly House & Marine Cove are popular with families. These venues offer a mix of indoor exhibits and outdoor viewing.
Pick one or two attractions depending on your group's pace—kids often prefer the zoo or Butterfly House for hands-on displays, while the Delbridge Museum appeals to natural-history interests.
- Great Plains Zoo — animal exhibits and family-focused programming
- Delbridge Museum of Natural History — mounted specimens and displays
- Butterfly House & Marine Cove — indoor butterfly exhibits and marine displays
| Attraction | Why visit |
|---|---|
| Great Plains Zoo | Animals and family programming |
| Butterfly House & Marine Cove | Indoor butterfly exhibits suitable for younger children |
| Delbridge Museum | Natural history displays and mounted specimens |
Late afternoon and evening: downtown walk and Lights at the Falls
If you have energy left, consider a Phillips Avenue stroll toward Falls Park to see SculptureWalk and downtown sights, then finish at Falls Park to view the Lights at the Falls after dark. The park's walking hours are 5 a.m. to midnight.
If you prefer to relax at the hotel after a full day, the indoor hot tub and heated pool are available (hours vary — confirm at check-in). There's also a fitness center if you want a short workout before dinner.
- SculptureWalk along Phillips Avenue offers outdoor public art en route to Falls Park
- Lights at the Falls is a nightly illumination of the falls — check local listings or the park visitor center for seasonal schedules
- Confirm pool and hot tub hours with the front desk; some guests have reported variable availability
| Evening choice | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Downtown + Falls Park | Evening illumination and riverfront views |
| Return to hotel | Pool, hot tub or quiet evening in your room |
| Light activity | Short downtown walk or shopping at nearby stores |
Where to sleep: room types and simple packing tips
La Quinta Inn & Suites Sioux Falls offers three room types: Room, City View; Deluxe Suite, City View; and Deluxe Room, City View. Each room includes a refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker, plus free Wi‑Fi.
For families, Room, City View or Deluxe Suite, City View with two Queen Beds may be convenient. Confirm bedding configuration and availability at booking time.
- Room, City View — available in 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds
- Deluxe Suite, City View — available in 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds (sitting area in suite)
- Deluxe Room, City View — available with 1 King Bed
- Pack swimwear if you plan to use the indoor pool/hot tub; bring layering clothes for variable Sioux Falls weather
| Room type | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Room, City View | Solo traveler or small family |
| Deluxe Suite, City View | Families wanting extra sitting space |
| Deluxe Room, City View | Couples or business travelers |
