Discover some of the best winter adventures in Sioux City. When the snow falls and temperatures drop, the city's hilly landscape is transformed into a wintry playground that offers endless family fun.
Fly Through the Sioux City Art Center
Day One: Embrace the Snow
Morning: Brightside Cafe & Deli
Fuel up for the day's adventures with a classic breakfast from Brightside Cafe & Deli. They open bright and early and serve breakfast, brunch and lunch, allowing you to create your own schedule. When you're ready, grab a table and place an order for everything from classic favorites like pancakes, French toast and waffles to omelets, skillets and even breakfast tacos.
Afternoon: Cone Park
Spend the afternoon embracing all the best things about winter at Cone Park. Challenge the family to a race down the 700-foot-long tubing hill, which can be enjoyed with unlimited rides throughout a three-hour session. Or enjoy fun at a slower pace by gracefully gliding across the 5,400-square-foot ice rink, hiking along the Trail Loop and enjoying a steaming hot chocolate next to the outdoor firepit.
For a more private escape, bring your own sleds to race down the area's public hills (for free!). Grandview and Sertoma Parks are the only two public parks that allow sledding and have designated areas for the winter activity. Or, make the short drive to nearby Hinton to race down the hills at Hillview Recreation Area. It's open for public sledding and tubing and offers a tow rope, tube rental and supervision from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, December through February.
Evening: El Fredo Pizza
When it's time to head inside for a break, stop by Sioux City's favorite pizza joint, El Fredo. It's has been a community staple since 1957 and is especially loved for its generous toppings and cheese. Even the pickiest eater can find a menu favorite, whether it's one of El Fredo's signature pizzas, a classic pie or an delicious pasta dish.
Stay: The Warrior Hotel
Wind down for the night inside a luxurious room at the Warrior Hotel. Warm up by taking a dip in the hot tub or enjoy a peaceful swim in the pool Then, enjoy a night filled with friendly competition at the hotel's bowling lanes.
Day Two: Indoor Thrills
Morning: Jitters Cafe
There's no better way to start the morning than with your favorite donut. Jitters has perfected the craft of creating some of the area's best homemade donuts, and uses a vintage Donut Robot from the 1900s to do it. Visitors can see the donut-making process in action, then handpick their own to enjoy alongside breakfast wraps and specialty coffees.
Afternoon: Long Lines Family Rec Center Climbing Wall
Once you're properly fueled up, head to Long Lines to experience some of the best indoor rock climbing around. Step inside to admire the 53-foot-tall climbing wall and free-standing boulders, which offer over 20 climbing routes and obstacles that all ages and skill levels can enjoy. Choose between bouldering (free climbing, good for beginners), auto-belaying (certification required), top rope (great for all skillsets) and lead climbing (geared toward experienced climbers, certification required). Once you've mastered the routes, find more fun at the center's batting cages and sport courts for basketball and volleyball.
Add another thrilling adventure to your afternoon by stopping by Combat Live, which boasts a 5,000-square-foot laser tag course with game modes that change every week. Challenge your friends and family to compete in various game simulations for the ultimate competitive outing.
Evening: Milwaukee Wiener House
Celebrate your rock climbing achievement with a Coney Island-style chili dog and retro bottled soda from Milwaukee Wiener House. This eatery has maintained its fame since 1918, and kids and adults alike love its small-town diner atmosphere and menu items like hot dogs, burgers, pies, shakes ad more.