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Riverrfont Origins and Urban Currents in Sioux Falls

Natural Stop: Butterfly House and Aquarium

Imagine walking into a tropical garden where hundreds of colorful butterflies flit and float all around you. It sounds like a dream, but it’s every day at the Butterfly House and Aquarium.

“It is so peaceful,” said Wentworth. “The staff does such a great job educating visitors about the life of butterflies. The experience gives the visitor an opportunity to get up close and personal to butterflies.”

More than 800 butterflies from around the globe live in the 3,600-square-foot indoor tropical garden. The conservancy stays a balmy 80 degrees Fahrenheit year-round for the benefit of the butterflies and accompanying tropical flowers.

Tours teach guests about the species of butterflies from Central and South America, Asia, Australia and Africa. Through the Emergence Window, visitors can also watch butterflies break out of their cocoons and into the garden.

Many groups split up so half can wander first through the Butterfly House while the rest check out the more than 10,000 gallons of exhibits in the accompanying aquarium. They can touch slimy bamboo sharks in the Shark and Stingray Touch Pool and see sea cucumbers, hairy triton snails and sea urchins at the Pacific Tide Pool.

The Cove offers a large-scale view of ocean creatures with hundreds of fish, coral reefs, anemones and other saltwater exhibits.

Spirits Stop: Strawbale Winery

With a glass of wine in hand, groups can hear the unusual story of how Don and Susie South constructed a winery with straw bales. The couple used straw bales to insulate the winery building and reduce energy needs, as well as create a controlled environment to aid in the maturation of the wine, thus the name Strawbale Winery.

Groups can tour the winery to learn about the construction process, which involved repurposed wood and environmental sustainability. The Souths can also share how they first planted grapes for fun in 2000. After some encouragement from friends, they eventually built Strawbale Winery in 2005. The 2006 tasting room and gift shop also use straw bales for insulation.

After a tour, groups can sit back and sample some of the winery’s 20 wines produced from grapes and a variety of other fruits, such as black currants and strawberries. The sweeping view of the countryside elevates the experience.

“Your stress level diminishes as you enter the premises,” said Wentworth. “The setting is what sells Strawbale Winery. They produce delicious South Dakota wine. It is the most delightful afternoon activity.”

The winery hosts numerous events from May to October. The Strawbale Summer Porch runs on Thursdays all summer long and features concerts and work by local and regional artists. The popular Folk Off and Rib Challenge is held each July, with up to 12 musical acts and six barbecue vendors.