OT - Sioux Falls Trip

[Thunder]

We have always had pretty good breakfast at the All Day Cafe as well. We might have to try out the Original Pancake House next time too. I saw someone else reference Taphouse 41 and I second that. Look's Marketplace is a good lunch spot as well if you find yourself on the south side of town. Great Shots would be a good place to kill a couple hours if you are golfers at all.

[Purple Mav Man]

Canaries and Thunder are also at home this weekend too.

Whatever the field is called now, but where the Canaries play has had a TON of historical players go through it. I played there in HS and legion ball and remember all the name plates. Pretty cool park.

[SW_Mustang]

Whatever the field is called now, but where the Canaries play has had a TON of historical players go through it. I played there in HS and legion ball and remember all the name plates. Pretty cool park.

Oddly enough, the Argus Leader just posted their Top 10 Canaries of all-time this morning. Some interesting names, including Pat Mahomes:

The Sioux Falls Canaries' top 10 players in franchise history (argusleader.com)

I heard some chatter they might be looking to replace the stadium, but the new team owners just poured a bunch of money into renovations, so The Birdcage will last for a while longer. USF used it for a few years recently too, though I think they've since moved to Brandon. Not a half-bad place to catch a game.

I've only been once. Went down in 2015 to see Austin Stubbs play for the Explorers, except he'd been cut like the day before to make room for Rene Tosoni. It was a bummer, but I did get both Tosoni and Jason Repko to sign my ticket stub. Also said hi to Ozzie Canseco, which was cool.

[vikingfaithful]

The stadium the Canaries play in was once the home of Cincinnati Reds AA farm team called SF Packers in the 60's. Some famous Red's player passed through SF. They moved the farm team in the early 70's I believe. I remember going to games as a young child. Now you know I'm an old man.

[WPHB]

Oddly enough, the Argus Leader just posted their Top 10 Canaries of all-time this morning. Some interesting names, including Pat Mahomes:

Well now, every time I get involved here I find more and more Texas connections. My boy will think that is pretty cool that Pat was there too.

[crixus]

There's a lot of information about Sioux Falls on their Wikipedia page. I'm sure you'll have a good time! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sioux_Falls,_South_Dakota

I've been to Sioux Falls a couple of times and enjoyed both trips. The locals are nice there. I stayed at a hotel on the north end and when I went for evening run I came across the prison about three miles down the road. I thought it was a college at first, until I got close enough to see the sign. It was built in 1881 and was located in the outskirts at that time, but the city has grown nearer to it. I got this picture off the internet, I like the architecture.

[USFIllini]

For food hit MacKenzie River, Looks (my favorite) or Crawfords. We always try to hit these when we go see the boy. Josiahs has great breakfast.

Falls are a great stating point then just walking downtown is always fun

[Tundra_Man]

There's a lot of information about Sioux Falls on their Wikipedia page. I'm sure you'll have a good time! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sioux_Falls,_South_Dakota

I've been to Sioux Falls a couple of times and enjoyed both trips. The locals are nice there. I stayed at a hotel on the north end and when I went for evening run I came across the prison about three miles down the road. I thought it was a college at first, until I got close enough to see the sign. It was built in 1881 and was located in the outskirts at that time, but the city has grown nearer to it. I got this picture off the internet, I like the architecture.

The South Dakota State Penitentiary was designed by Wallace Dow, who was the premier architect in the region in the late 1800s. He had a distinctive style and is responsible for many of the famous buildings around Sioux Falls. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallace_L._Dow

Interesting note: While the style for which he is most known doesn't feature them in their construction, he was also the inventor of the cinder block.

[SW_Mustang]

The stadium the Canaries play in was once the home of Cincinnati Reds AA farm team called SF Packers in the 60's. Some famous Red's player passed through SF. They moved the farm team in the early 70's I believe. I remember going to games as a young child. Now you know I'm an old man.

Kinda wish I got to experience the old minor leagues. Watertown also had a team in the 1970s, they were an affiliate for the A's. Mankato had the Mets as well.

[SW_Mustang]

There's a lot of information about Sioux Falls on their Wikipedia page. I'm sure you'll have a good time! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sioux_Falls,_South_Dakota

I've been to Sioux Falls a couple of times and enjoyed both trips. The locals are nice there. I stayed at a hotel on the north end and when I went for evening run I came across the prison about three miles down the road. I thought it was a college at first, until I got close enough to see the sign. It was built in 1881 and was located in the outskirts at that time, but the city has grown nearer to it. I got this picture off the internet, I like the architecture.

Is that one of those full-service type places? Three hot meals delivered daily?

[SW_Mustang]

Well now, every time I get involved here I find more and more Texas connections. My boy will think that is pretty cool that Pat was there too.

Neat! I'm sure there are plenty more too.

Neat thing about Sioux Falls too is he'll be pretty close to SDSU and USD, two quality FCS programs with some good basketball, if he needs something out of town to do. I believe NDSU is playing at USD this season.

One thing I like doing is driving down Billionaire's Row at night (aka Phillips Avenue). It's usually pretty well lit, kinda neat. I think it's the heart of the city.

[Purple Mav Man]

I think the seedy little casinos around Sioux Falls are pretty fun too

[crixus]

I think the seedy little casinos around Sioux Falls are pretty fun too

I remember one that was about the size of my bedroom. It was near the Jefferson Lines bus station. I couldn't believe how small it was. Thanks for the reminder. :)

[SW_Mustang]

What did you end up doing?

[WPHB]

Hey everyone, thanks for all the suggestions. So it was a long 14+ hour drive up and back but we were able to see/eat/do some stuff....

Falls Park was absolutely amazing!

My wife and I walked Phillips and got to see a bunch of the art installations.

We went the first night to Mackensie River Bar & Grille (Stockman Pizza and the homemade chocolate chip cookie with ice cream was the right order). We were disappointed that we were not able to go across the street to Washington Pavillion, but there will be more trips.

The next day we got up and went to breakfast at Witt's suggestion of the Original Pancake House. Yeah, he was right on the money with that one.

Then we moved the kiddo into the dorm and made about 18,000 trips to Target and Walmart.

Wound up that afternoon with the boy, his mom, stepdad and my wife, and me at All-Day Cafe. Second best meal I had in Sioux Falls! Will go back (a lot). Bonus Points for the Bloody Caesar.

Ended the trip that night at Blarney Stone on Phillips. By far the best meal I had in Sioux Falls. Irish Egg Rolls for the win. Fish and Chips were pretty good, but again, Bloody Caesar was top-notch.

Got back last night and it was hard leaving a kiddo 1000 miles away, but 3 things made it easier...

1)All the people there were super friendly and helpful. Reminded me of the folks out here in West Texas.
2)The Augie coaching staff and upperclassmen being as good, caring, and family-oriented as they are gives me some level of peace.
3)He said he feels like he is at home and that means a ton.

My profound thanks to everyone who gave advice, help, or suggestions. While we were not able to do much, we will be returning in August for a check-in and will have a lot more time then and will be bringing my son's little brother, so we intend on hitting the zoo, falls park again, and the water slides at the Best Western!