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Old Courthouse Museum

200 W 6th St · Sioux Falls, SD

Why you should go…

The Old Courthouse Museum occupies the former Minnehaha County Courthouse, a Richardsonian Romanesque landmark built of native pink quartzite between 1889 and 1893 and designed by Wallace L. Dow. Three floors hold exhibits on the history of the Sioux Falls region, along with a restored courtroom and law library and 16 hallway murals painted by Norwegian immigrant Ole Running between 1915 and 1917. The building served county functions until 1962 and has been a museum since 1974, run by Siouxland Heritage Museums, which also operates the Pettigrew Home & Museum a few blocks away. Admission and parking are free; it is open daily, with evening hours on Thursdays.

  • #history museum
  • #historic courthouse
  • #murals
  • #downtown
  • #free admission

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Old Courthouse Museum, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Siouxland Heritage Museums

    Free

    Two free Sioux Falls history museums: the Old Courthouse Museum and the Pettigrew Home and Museum.

    Right next doorMore like this

  • Museums
    Free Entry

    Pettigrew Home & Museum

    Free

    Free guided tours of the 1889 Queen Anne home of South Dakota's first U.S. senator in Sioux Falls' Cathedral district, with his own artifact museum attached at the back.

    0.4 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Thunder Road Family Fun Park

    Under $25

    A Sioux Falls family entertainment park with go-karts, mini golf, bumper boats and an arcade.

    1.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Family Favorite

    Wild Water West Waterpark

    Under $25

    South Dakota's largest waterpark, with a wave pool, lazy river and a six-story waterslide.

    8.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Attractions
    Quirky Fun

    Porter Sculpture Park

    Under $25

    Roadside prairie park with more than 60 giant metal sculptures made by self-taught artist Wayne Porter.

    24 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    Children's Museum of South Dakota

    Under $25

    A 44,000 square foot hands-on children's museum in Brookings with a full-size animatronic T. rex.

    52 mi awayMore like this