Sioux City is located in the northwest corner of Iowa, and has a population of 83,148 (2005). The tri-state area of Sioux City and its surroundings, northeastern Nebraska and southeastern South Dakota, are often referred to as Siouxland, especially by the media. This metropolitan area has a combined population of 143,474 (2006), with residents spanning four counties.
Sioux City has many parks, recreational opportunities, and locations of interest. Stone State Park, for instance, has been popular for decades for picnicking, day hiking, and mountain biking. The Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, located within Stone State Park, is known for its butterfly garden, whitetail deer, and wild turkeys. Riverside Park, located on the banks of the Big Sioux River, is one of the oldest recreational areas in the city and is the site of the area’s first white settler’s home. The Sergeant Floyd Monument is a prominent 100-foot obelisk, similar to the Washington Monument, located on 23 acres of parkland, high on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River Valley. These are just a few of the many attractions Sioux City has to offer residents and visitors.
As for shopping, dining, and entertainment, downtown Sioux City has a selection to satisfy any taste. Downtown is nestled along the banks of the Missouri River, and is considered the entertainment and cultural hub of Siouxland. Catch a concert at the Orpheum Theatre, a Sioux City Bandits indoor football game at the Tyson Event Center, peruse the galleries of the Sioux City Art Center, hit the slots at the Argosy Casino, check out the live music scene in the Historic 4th Street District, or enjoy billiards and a brew at Dalton’s Pub.
