Experience · Sioux Falls

Family Day at the Great Plains Zoo

Kick off a full day of family fun with a visit to the Great Plains Zoo, home to fascinating animals and a natural history museum. Afterward, refuel with a casual, kid-friendly lunch nearby. Conclude your adventure with an optional visit to a delightful local shop to pick out a sweet treat for everyone.

A 5-hour Downtown full_day plan for families — Josiah’s Coffeehouse & Café, Great Plains Zoo, The Tavern Grill Sioux Falls.

Duration: 5 hrs
Cost: $50–$120
Stops: 3 stops
Area: Downtown
Walking: Light walking · Total 4.4-mile driving route
Ideal for: Families · Kids

Start Plan

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The plan

1Josiah’s Coffeehouse & Café(45 min)→
2Great Plains Zoo(2 hr 30 min)→
3The Tavern Grill Sioux Falls(1 hr)

Why this plan works

Every stop sits in Downtown, so the whole plan happens inside one neighborhood. Great Plains Zoo is the main event and takes the biggest block of time; the other stops are built around it. It finishes at The Tavern Grill Sioux Falls — a short, low-effort stop you can skip if you're ready to call it. Best suited to families and families with kids who want a planned Sioux Falls outing without improvising between stops.

The story

The itinerary

3 stops, one great day

1
45 min
Josiah’s Coffeehouse & Café
Food & Drink · Downtown
Cheerful daytime cafe with a fireplace serving espresso- based drinks, pastries & light cafe fare.
What to do — Grab espresso-based drinks, pastries, or light cafe fare to start your day with energy.
Scout Side Quest
Spot the most majestic-looking treat in the case and give it an official royal title before ordering.
1.8 mi · 7 min drive
Then Drive a short distance to the Great Plains Zoo for your main activity of the day.
2
2h 30m
Great Plains Zoo
Family
Zoo with wildlife from around the world plus a museum with over 100 mounted animals.
What to do — Explore the diverse collection of animals from around the world and discover the museum's mounted animal exhibits.
Scout Side Quest
Find the animal with the most dramatic facial expression and invent its inner monologue.
2.6 mi · 9 min drive
Then Head to The Tavern Grill for a relaxed and family-friendly lunch.
3
Optional 1 hr
The Tavern Grill Sioux Falls
Food & Drink
Easygoing restaurant & bar with tavern food such as burgers, pizza & sandwiches, plus Sunday brunch.
What to do — Find a comfortable booth and let everyone pick their favorite comfort food for a satisfying lunch.

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The route

On the map

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Common questions

Planning this outing

Is this a good Sioux Falls itinerary for families?: Yes. It's built for families and families with kids and runs about 5 hrs across 3 stops, starting at Josiah’s Coffeehouse & Café.
How long does this outing take?: Plan on 5 hrs door to door, including time between stops.
How much does this Sioux Falls itinerary cost?: Roughly $50–$120 per person, before parking and tips. Free and low-cost stops are marked on each card.
Is this itinerary walkable?: Not entirely. The stops cover about 4.4 miles, so you'll drive or rideshare between at least one pair.
Do I need reservations?: No. Every stop on this plan takes walk-ins, though weekends move faster if you arrive early.

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