Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center Reviews

neat best describes it- excellent story - the center is very nice . the folks that work here are very nice, and knowledgable- we loved the state.

This Center was located just down the street from our hotel. It is a very attractive place from the outside, with the art, statues and the building itself is intriguing. Inside there are many interpretive and hands-on displays that bring together the story of Lewis and Clark while they were travelling through the Sioux City area. Certainly a great free attraction to stop at and explore.

Very interesting, well-presented, updated museum detailing Lewis & Clark's explorations. The exhibit highlights the one man that died in their group - Sergeant Floyd - who died at the Sioux City location, which gives it more of a personal twist. Well-done animated life-size characters add an additional learning experience especially for kids. On the way to the other building are interesting posters of the floods that have befallen Sioux City over the years. The second museum had beautiful art work (photos of prairie flowers) which was a nice surprise. This museum exceeded expectations. Take your lunch and spend time on the grounds if able.
Highly recommend a stop at this Interpretive Center.

If you find yourself in Sioux City, take the time to visit here. It’s a well done museum/activity center for all ages. You will learn about the contributions of Lewis & Clark, and their guide Sacajawea. There are displays, photos, and animatronics as you move thru. The Lewis & Clark center is connected to another center, and they are connected. There is no charge, but there is a place for donations, if you want to contribute. Great spot for kids & families, as well as just adults.

Very nice place to visit. Exhibits were well done with many artifacts and stories to explain the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Was not an all day visit but can take a couple of hours.

This was a great stop on our road trip. It was so informative, with a lot of hands on exhibits. Kids would enjoy all the exhibits. The best part it was free. Donations are taken.

You are first impressed by the building and grounds as you arrive in the parking area. Both are beautiful and unique. Bronze statues of animals and scattered about the grounds
Inside in one of the adjoining buildings, many exhibits are hands on. Using a "journal" one can "sign on" with Lewis and Clark and follow them on the exploration. There are mini bios of each person on voyage and numerous stations to learn about the activities on the excursion. In the second adjoining building are several enjoyable exhibits of paintings and photographs either by regional artists or featuring regional topics.
For those with kids needing to burn off some energy there is a playground on the edge of the parking lot. We were pushed for time so had a shorter visit but try to give yourself about 2 1/2 hours for a visit including the short movie. There is no charge to visit this center. My 7 and 10 yr. grandsons really enjoyed themselves as did I. Its well worth the visit

I am so glad we found this place on Trip Advisor! The grounds were beautiful and the displays were very well done! There were free pamphlets and the lady behind the counter was extremely nice and helpful.

Stopped here to kill some time and it was a great museum. The animatronics were a little weird but fun. We learned lots of good stuff.

This place shows the history of Lewis and Clark and they do it well. Went thru with the kids who are in their teens and it kept them entertained. If you are passing thru the area stop and check it out.

Best historical stop in the area - good displays including animatronic Leeis, Clark and Jefferson. Very friendly staff FREE admission - next door to Iowa welcome center - clean restrooms. Free entertainment on most Sunday afternoons. Frequently has art or photography exhibits. Beautiful grounds and on the recreation trail system.

Everything was closed up but we were enjoying having the place to ourselves on an amazingly warm winter day! We'll have to check it out a little more when it's open.

My family and i were so pleased with touring this center can not wait to return again! Wonderful displays&informative. You get a real education from experiencing this . I highly recommend taking the time to stop&see this center. We bought a couple of unique tee shirts too. Great photo taking! Inside&out. Love the statue of Lewis and Clark& Seamen doggie. Jay&Kila Rusanda, Iowa

Great place for family and kids or anyone who love history. It goes into detail of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and related it to the Siouxland area.

Great place. Would be a great place to visit with school age children, but even this big kid enjoyed! I brought 2 exchange students to see it and I had never been either.

Any history seeker of Lewis and Clark information should stop here! This center has a very good amount of information about the explorations of their team. This is a great stop for either traveling either direction, west to the headwaters in Montana or to the tail waters in Missouri.

This was a very informative site from the moment you walk through the door. The staff is very knowledgeable. I could have listened to them all day. Their enthusiasm for their work and their love of the exhibit was evident. There are actually two exhibits. One is Lewis and Clark and the other is about natives of Sioux City. The art work is excellent. There is a 35minute video of Lewis and Clark expedition an their encounter with the Blackfoot tribe. I have never met a more friendly staff.

An excellent interpretive center, with hands-on stations to experience and observe things like tools, medical equipment, balancing weight on a boat, flora and fauna, to walk on "the night watch" line to see how long even a minute can seem, to see your handwriting and spelling transformed to that of 1804, and to keep your own "journal" and stamp it at each station. Life-sized Lewis and Clark figures speak as you enter one room, and a video and gift shop complete the visit.

Lots to see and do here if you enjoy history. Very easy to get to as it is right of I29 and it is a beautiful setting right on the Missouri River. My son liked the scarfs on the animals in the park especially the one on their dog Seaman. If you're visiting Sioux City it is a must see.

We all loved this place! Fun way to learn about history. Lots of interactive activites as soon as you walk in the door. My girls loved getting a book to stamp when they learned a new fact and Seaman barking was one of their favorites. We would definitely recommend this place to anyone in the area. It isn't a huge and overwhelming place and can be done in an hour or you could spend much more time there if wanted. And it is FREE. Nice area and beautiful facility with landscaped grounds and sculptures. Thumbs up all around from this group.

I went with a resident of Sioux City who wanted me to know more about Louis and Clark's stay in the area. The Center was very well presented with multiple displays recalling the actual history of the event. A must see if in or near Sioux City.

A Very pleasant visit , especially nice walk from Hilton garden hotel . Had some time to reflect and learn about local history as well as getting to walk with my two traveling companions! It was a very pleasant place even being close to interstate .

While we did not get to go inside, we did enjoy walking around the grounds and checking out the exhibits. The statue of Lewis and Clark with their trusty dog, Seamann, was a delight.

When I went there it was free and they were nice and there was a lot of history involved and it was very informative.

Super interesting and informative. The animatronics are phenomenal, so life like! The tour really brought history to life. Such a treasure and it's free!

I stopped at this place while on a road trip and found it quite interesting. I stop at Lewis & Clark sites whenever possible and this interpretive center uses dioramas and various artifacts to good effect. As Sergeant Floyd was buried not far from here, there are several displays having to do with his burial and current monument. I liked the fact that the expedition members are depicted in their military uniforms. Aside from some civilian employees, this was after all, a military operation, dispatched by the Commander in Chief, President Jefferson. Many people mistakenly believe that the Corps of Discovery was a bunch of explorer/fur trappers/adventurers and have no idea the true nature of the expedition and this center does a good job of informing what the expedition was about and the people who took part in it. If all a person did was walk in and watch the introductory film, I think most people would learn something of interest.

I had added this attraction to our family tour of South Dakota and Iowa not really expecting too much, but it ended up being one of the highlights of the trip. The center is not only free, it is so kid friendly with hands on exhibits and yet tons of information for adults too! Such a beautiful place with a park nearby so the kids could let off some steam.

I brought a group of students to the center for a field trip. The students enjoyed learning some area history as well as having lots of hands on activities. The center's staff was very friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating to our groups needs. Thanks again for a great day!

This is a great attraction on the Missouri River- good Lewis and Clark history plus great artwork. The building and grounds are scenic. Restrooms are modern and clean and staff knowledgeable and friendly

Great building and well constructed animated displays with a continuous movie with an interesting perspective.

Very nice and informative. Places to sit along the way. A video room and 2 Disney-like robots.
There are actives for children like a stamp book if they can identify the hidden features in the pictures.
One example is 4 different animal prints in the dirt of the pictures.
My husband enjoyed it very much. I would have preferred to see more items from the era.
There was a flag from WWII.
The workers are exceptionally friendly and willing to answer questions.

Great place for older children and adults. It's in a beautiful area along the Missouri River with exhibits of the area and early settlement facts. Good place to have a picnic in the summer. Park with picnic tables and children"s play area.

I'm sure this might be an interesting visit but we stopped on a Monday as we passed through Sioux City and it was closed. The grounds are pretty and there is a nice walk along the Missouri River.

Stopped at the center as we headed home. It was very interesting and well worth the time. Learned a great deal about Lewis and Clark and their expedition across the country. Would highly recommend it.

The Center is located on Sioux City’s riverfront off I-29 with ample parking available.

The main topic here is the Lewis and Clark expedition with some interesting details. Animatronic figures and other modern techniques are used to make the history as present as possible and a nice gift shop is also available.

Admission is free.

My husband and I recently were traveling through Sioux City, Iowa and were looking for something to see while in the area. Of course we checked TripAdvisor and found that this attraction was very highly rated. We weren't sure what to expect but were pleasantly surprised by the center. There are some statues outside of the center and a building filled with several exhibits and interactive activities. Kids can get a "passport" and stamp it at the various stations. There is a short (10-15 min) film offered that is very informative. We learned a lot about the Lewis and Clark Expedition!

There is no charge for this attraction, and the staff is friendly and helpful. We spent about 1/2 hour looking around and watching the movie. I would probably recommend at least an hour if you have children who would like to enjoy the interactive displays. If you are in the area, I would recommend a stop here.

Very educational and fun. Kids can play a game to help them learn or you can walk through out to read about Lewis and Clark. The museum continues on the back side with a lot of Native American history in another part of the building. Very fun and kids don't mind learning.

We were passing through Sioux City and had a little time to spare so I did a quick check of things to do in Sioux City. We were not disappointed in this stop. We spent a little over an hour browsing and learning. They had a program for kids to get "passports" stamped at each of the displays, but we didn't participate. The kids in the center looked like they were enjoying the experience as well as the adults. Definitely worth the stop.

So much to see and take in. Loved the history of Lewis and Clark and enjoyed the docent's recommendations on certain areas.
It will take a bit of time to be sure to schedule a fair amount of time.
Well worth the visit.

What a gem of a place. This museum is well kept with alot of interactive items for the kids. Beautiful sculptures outside and a very detailed history of the Lewis and Clark expedition. If you are around Sioux City I would certainly stop and spent an hour.

This is a small, modern, highly-interactive museum that would be great to teach upper elementary kids the history of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Mildly interesting for the rest of us. Worth a stop, and it's free!

The center includes a movie, animations, maps, and stories and provides a great overview of one of the most important expeditions in our nation's history. More important than an adventure story and a story of unparalleled bravery for kids, the center reminds adults of this nation's humanity, or lack-thereof, toward the native Americans.

We went out of our way to find this center. My GPS had some difficulties, maybe because of all the road construction going on. Once we got there it was very nice. There were many displays and diaoramas. You could self pace your visit. The problem we had was several school groups were there. It seemed short of staff so we couldn't get questions answered or help. The film room was reserved and se didn't have time to stay for the showing...if they would have let us in anyway. It was worthwhile, but more staff would have helped. Plus they must have known the groups were coming so poor planning on their part.

excellent museum, great historical displays, this is a great place for a middle school field trip. While you're there also check out "the Sergeant Floyd" museum & visitor center. It's well worth your time, and right next door, a 100 yards or so.

This is a fun and interactive display for the whole family. It is surrounded by beautiful landscaping for great family pics too.

Free, Fun, Educational and Interesting for the Whole Family! Follow Lewis and Clark on their journey through this region. Listen to them tell their story in their own words. Stamp your passport logbook on each leg of the journey. Stop at this facility and you will not be disappointed.

The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center is a great place to spend a couple of hours exploring.

The exhibits are designed for hands on use and giving people an idea of what it was to be on the expedition. The site does a great job of explaining who was on the expedition and the roles they played. It takes you on the journey and gives you a feel of what it was like to be a member of the expedition.

I loved the sense of whimsy in the exhibits especially with the prairie dogs. If you visit during the spring, summer or early fall you can take a look at the native gardens that were seen by Lewis and Clark. There are excellent programs and a good movie.

You can easily spend 2-3 hours at the center and will not be disappointed!

Went with the kids, they enjoyed it. I wish I had more time to read all the information. Everything was done well especially when it's free it's amazing. The kids loved the passport stamping, It's worth your time to stop.

New Animatronic “York” display is a great addition. The Combined museums, Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Betty Strong Encounter Center are must sees in Sioux City. Admission is free (free will donations appreciated). The center has great animatronic displays of Lewis and Clark, Sgt Floyd, an expedition member who died here) Thomas Jefferson and now “York”. There are many other exhibits and displays. Outside, this year, visitors can enjoy Scapasaurus dinosaur display. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful, and travelers will enjoy the clean modern restrooms.
This summer there is the addition of the dinosaur exhibit on the lawn of the exhibit that kids really love

It was a nice place. They had lots of good information. I would recommend to others for looking around and touring.

Amazing interpretive center!! The exhibits are designed for all ages and there is a passport activity for the kids--they must visit exhibits to get their passport stamped. Very well done in a beautifully designed building.

Wanted to visit but didn’t open until 12 on a Saturday. Why? It’s vacation season. I wish they were open sooner. We had to move on. Couldn’t waste 3 hours waiting for it to open.

Ok, this exhibit reminds me of the Wooly Mammouth exhibit at the Nevill Museum in Green Bay Wisconsin. Seaman is the name of the Newfoundland dog that accompanied the Lewis and Clark party. The dog will bark when you press this button and the mammouth roared when you walked past. Nicely done exhibits. Its a small museum, but a lot of care went into it. Worth it.

The initial video presentation in the theatre was impressive, with lots of historical information. We enjoyed touring the interpretive center, with all of its interesting exhibits. Best of all, it was FREE!

Stopped here because I have been reading about the Oregon trail and wanted to know more about this expedition. Found some of the information on the participants interesting but a lot of it was about Sgt Floyd who died and is buried in Sioux City. Could also have better explained the Louisiana purchase.

So interesting and well done. Beautiful murals and very educational. If you are interested in history, you must visit. No charge to this wonderful Center.

A great stop if you want a nice abbreviated history of the exploration of the Louisiana Purchase by Lewis and Clark.

The sculptures outside near the entrance are indicative of the animals they would have encountered in the area on their travels. It is a subtle way to invite you into learning of the expedition.

It is certainly worth a stop as Lewis & Clark were very instrumental in the exploration of the U.S. in the early 1800's.

On drive from St. Joseph, MO to Sioux Falls, SD, we decided to stop here on our way. Surprisingly good display. Not large but glad we decided to stop. Excellent displays and story on only explorer to die from the Corps of Discovery while on long Lewis & Clark venture. Learned about Seaman, Lewis' dog on trip, and York, Clark's slave who fascinated the native Americans and contributed notably to the trip.

Excellent place to visit! Very nice building with great exhibits of Lewis and Clark and dog name Seaman. Worth your time if you are visiting Sioux City. Its free!

My husband and I visited some years ago and found the center very informative. Having grown up nearby Sioux City, I learned things about Lewis and Clark that I never learned in school, even though their excursion was life changing for our country. Great place to bring kids.

Much better than I expected. The grounds and buildings were well laid out and very organized. Free admission was a complete surprise. Great sculptures.

As I continue my journey along the Lewis and Clark trail, I made my way into Sioux City, IA to the interpretive center. Although the section that I went through regarding the expedition is setup for children and teens, I took advantage of it anyway.
The interpretive center offers a visitors’ guidebook as well as a 70-page booklet titled, Lewis & Clark in Iowa. Both are free. The Official Visitors ’Journal, a stamping booklet, was used through the interactive, animated stations that offered information regarding the expedition specifically in this area and of the death and burial of Sergeant Charles Floyd. At each station the characters, Thomas Jefferson, Sergeant C. Floyd, the Corps of Discovery soldiers and York, the only slave in the group owned by William Clark. With the press of a button, these characters come to life to share their stories.
This wonderful exhibit is a great learning tool for everyone interested in the journey of The Corp of Discovery. This building is part of another, The Betty Strong Encounter Center. Overall: Take a moment to enjoy and explore at this wonderful and free interpretive center.

A great collection, friendly and informed staff. Easy to get around the property and handicap access is great.

This is very near the Hilton Garden Inn along the Missouri River, is FREE, and has some very impressive audio-animatronic replicas of Thomas Jefferson, William & Clark, and their amazing dog.

I think they said this is 10 years old. It looked newer than that. Liked the layout. Liked the interactive activities you could take part in. It is free; they take donations, and I think you will find it worth a donation. Learned more about the voyage of discovery, especially what they did in Iowa, Nebraska, and S. Dakota.

Very nice facility. Statues outside are very cool, inside you learn about Sgt Floyd and his death, along with other Lewis and Clark history

This is a great stop in Sioux City. Informative and done very well. Good for all ages. Nice hands on stuff for the kids. Enjoy and then go to Museum and Art Center 5 minutes away.

Lewis and Clark opened up the route from St. Louis to the Pacific on an amazing voyage of Discovery. A journey like no other. If you get a chance to read the Journals of Lewis and Clark, do so. You, too, will become a 'Clarkie.'

There is so much to see here that it demands that I return some time in the future to study more of the center!
One of the "docents" suggested Stephen E. Ambrose's book "Undaunted Courage" as one of the best to recount the expedition. So, I bought it and am not disappointed!

We just did not allow enough time for this visit, but I will should I return.

We visited last June with our grandson who completed the Junior Ranger program while there. This is a very impressive interpretive center for the Lewis and Clark trail. I have been to two others, this one was set up for young and old to learn from. everyone was very good at answering questions.

Because of timing and hours we were unable to go inside the center. However we were able to walk around the outside. I would make this on the list of stops and wish it would have worked out timing for us. We will be back to check the inside out. Even just the outside statues and set up was very cool.

We’re from New Zealand but knew the Lewis & Clark names courtesy of the movie ‘Night at the Museum’. For people like us who are relatively new to the L&C story, this place provided a really good overview of the 19th century expedition, its central characters, purpose and achievements. A nice mix of animatronics, story boards, displays and some hands on activities. Good clean restrooms. Plenty of parking. Right on the river-front park, so also good for walking or cycling.

This is a wonderful center, with great amenities. Lovely location, alongside the Missouri River, and adjacent to a recreation area. This has it all: plenty of parking, a play area for the kids, and a fabulous hiking trail along a nature path with lovely large cottonwoods providing shade. Great trail for bicyclists, hikers, and nature photographers. The interpretive center is chock-full of exhibits and historical artifacts for the history buff. Bring the kids, the bikes, a picnic lunch, and plan on spending the day at this wonderful center.

This museum is world - class and worthy of coming out of your way to see it. Free admission. If it's closed, there is a sculpture park on the grounds. Outstanding!

This is a neat museum/art gallery. There is a lot of interactive stuff in the museum part and some great photos! Love the statues out front.

There was a large exhibits about the Lewis and Clark and the talks about the Indian territory. We are part of the Louisana purchase. They do go into length on how they settled, fished, or explored a country. There is more there but time was abarrier that I couldn't go back to finish. The mayor of town was there and he was NOT nice or friendly. We say Hello Your honorable mayor and he ignored us.

This is a wonderful interpretive center. Something for the whole family. Free to visit. Very interesting account of Lewis & Clarks journey through this area. Has several animatronics. Also visit the Sgt. Floyd riverboat that is next door. Tells a lot about the history of old riverboats on the Missouri.

We found the L&C Center a very interesting experience and we learned many things about their journey. We wished we had more time to thoroughly enjoy the entire facility. The statues outside were also very interesting.

Great stop along the way. The museum is especially great for kids. They had activities throughout to keep them engaged. We stopped in Omaha at the Lewis and Clark site and this was a great addition. Enjoyed walking around outside as well. Don't forget to visit Sergeant Floyd's Monument.

Animatronics, videos, memorabilia, this little interpretative centre has a lot in one location. A great way to spend an hour learning about the Lewis and Clark in the local area. The kids will love the stamps and the dog.

I thought I already knew a lot about Lewis and Clark, but I learned a lot more at this interpretive center. It has great exhibits featuring the latest research. For instance, they stress that the expedition was military in nature, and military discipline was enforced. Therefore the depictions are of clean-shaven men in military uniforms of the period, rather than fringed buckskin clothing of some depictions. I really liked the exhibit that listed every man in the expedition by name, with pertinent known facts about each individual. I did notice one misrepresentation however. There is a large mural depicting fish that were supposedly caught in the Missouri River. One of the men is clearly holding a carp. That species was not introduced to North America until decades after the Lewis and Clark exploration.

OK. I rated this poor because it was closed! Why is it closed on a Monday? Really?! We were on a motorcycle trip to the headwaters of the Mississippi and then riding the Miss. River Road back South. So, this would have been a great stop to go with our trip. Expand your hours!!

A must see if you're visiting Sioux City. Easy to get to and the price is right.. free. Great setting right along the river and they have lots of picnic areas too. It well organized and easy to navigate. Lots of great info here. Have to admit I didn't know a lot about their journey and I found it very interesting.

This center provided lots of great information regarding Lewis and Clark. As a nurse, I especially was interested in the exhibit regarding medicine/health care in the 19th century. Must see in Sioux City! The statue outside the center is cool too.

Nicely done displays including animatronics, photos and interactive activities. The grounds are beautiful. Also on the grounds is a Visitors Center that was an old river boat. The displays in both areas focus on the Lewis and Clark expedition as it touches on Iowa. No cost at either place.

Learn about the challenges Lewis and Clark faced on their journey west in the wonderful museum. Spectacular view of the Missouri River Basin!

Super fun interactive museum! Very educational in a fun way! Some of the exhibits come to life and the characters each tell their stories. Very well put together.

This is a small center with the area's Corp of Discovery history and local artist displays. There was a local musician performing when we came as well. There are statues in the front that depict local animals and one of Louis and Clark and the dog. There are four flower shaped instruments and some signs about local species with fun little activities to do.

The best part about the center is that it has booklets for kids that you can stamp as you walk through learning more about the expedition in Sioux City. The added interactive component was the best touch.

The center is free.

My wife and I visited since this was highly recommended in Trip Advisor. I was a little disappointed frankly. The facility is beautiful and the staff very friendly and helpful but the exhibit was haphazard and in my view did not tell the story very comprehensively or chronologically which is what I was looking for....But, it has numerous interactive learning options for kids (pick a job or pick a person on the expedition to understand what they had to do on a routine day) and it is certainly educational from that standpoint.

It was worth the visit but I have seen other exhibits that were easier to follow hence the 3 rating. I would stop if you are going through Sioux City but might not travel out of my way for this now that I have seen it....

Two museums in one building. The Interpretative Center includes several Disney like animatronic characters discussing the Lewis and Clark Expedition- the other part of the center includes art exhibits.
Very friendly and helpful staff. Free entertainment ion Sunday afternoons. Free will offering admission. Beautiful grounds along the Missouri River with long recreational trail along the river.

This place is a good place to go with kids. There are some hands on things to do. It is a big place. Takes a little time to go through if you listen to all the narratives at each section.

They are always adding new things or updating displays. The toud guides for schools are fantastic! They know what they are talking about, can answer questions, and know ho a to relate & talk to kids. It's a must-see for anyone interested in U.S. history.

Don't get me wrong it is a fine educational place to visit, but it is pretty small, and exhibition lacks and sort of detail - I guess their audience is the preteens. But if you are in the area and have 30 mins of free time, go for it.

This free admission center is one of the best because of its quality, interactiveness and the additional Betty Stong Center. The small sculpture park is a delight. The hostess that greated me was named Connie and was so engaging and kind!

All ages love thisplace. From top of the line interactive technology to great exhibits that are very informative. One of the best around for all ages.

Excellent exhibits of the Lewis & Clark expedition. I had been to at least 3 other Lewis & Clark interpretive centers in other states so was very glad to see information presented I had not come across in the other centers. The murals on the walls were beautiful and there were many interactive exhibits for kids. This center was also free which surprised me since I had paid a fee at other Lewis & Clark interpretive centers. The young woman at the desk was very friendly and helpful. I especially enjoyed the 15 minute film which featured William Clark giving a talk about the expedition. In his talk, he emphasized the importance of Sergeant Floyd on the expedition which helped me understand the importance of the Sergeant Floyd monument in Sioux City.

Great building great staff some interesting displays but certainly. Could use updating of displays while many of the items were interesting the placement of animal displays did not allow for any decent photography with an cell phone.

Lovely site on the river, nice gardens, wildlife statues, ample things to see and do at the center. Staff were great - wonderful stop for whole family.

Very interesting history and art work. Beautiful facility on the River. Wish weather would have allowed us to walk the trails around the center. Don't miss.

Two centers connected inside with two entrances, so a little confusing from the outside. Once inside whichever entrance you used, I highly recommend you see both the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center and the Betty Strong Encounter Center. We went for the Lewis & Clark Center ,but enjoyed both. It was very well done. A thorough introduction to the Lewis & Clark Expedition with interesting and interactive exhibits, including some animatronics and recorded stories. This would be fun and educational for families with children or grandchildren. Art and additional interesting exhibits in the Betty Strong Center. You could easily spend an hour or more here. I also highly recommend the Sergeant Floyd River Museum Museum, a museum inside a riverboat, which is pretty much next door.

the lady there was prettyyyy sus, I mean idk bout you but she was WEIRD. like wdym. she talked to much. (it was the old lady) I just wanna enjoy.

The Lewis and Clark Center is amust for anyone traveling the Lewis and Clark Trail. My family settled in the area in the mid 1800s and it brought the exploration of the area to Life. Anytime we have visitors from out of town it is a must for the sounds to the feel of the prairie and the camp of Lewis and Clark

My family really enjoyed this place. Kids can learn about history in a great interactive way. Something for all ages.

Good trip. We arrived at approximately 2:30 pm and made our way towards the entrance of the interpretive center. Admission was free, and we started off our trip by watching a short 15 minute documentary in their theatre. The documentary went over some of the trials and tribulations that Lewis and Clark faced on their journey, along with some background information on Charles Floyd, the only member of the crew to die during the expedition. After watching the documentary, we started to explore the museum. There were many informational plaques scattered across the museum that provided information on Lewis and Clark’s journey, along with the death of Charles Floyd. There were many artifacts and life sized paintings/sculptures located throughout the museum as well. There was a gift shop and restrooms on site.

Tip: I recommend spending 1.5 hours here if you truly want to see everything.

It is not too often that one can combine a fun experience for adults and kids with a history lesson. With life-like talking mannequins, one can learn about the Lewis & Clark Expedition and its importance to the USA west of the Mississippi. Seaman, the Newfoundland dog, even barks at you as you walk by him. Plan on a couple of hours for the self-guided tour. Also, the grounds are nice to stroll around in; plus there are very nice walking trials that continue up into South Dakota along the Missouri and Little Sioux Rivers.

This is a great place to visit! It's a small but very well appointed centre with modern displays and even state of the art Disney-style animatronics! The staff and tour guides were friendly and extremely knowledgeable. There's plenty to see, so book as much time here as you can!

We have been to several of these centers and this facility is the best for grades 3-8 to learn about this important part of history. Adults will appreciate the overall quality of displays and layout.
It's focus is local highlighting the death of Sgt. Floyd but does cover the full journey. The use of robotics was also a surprise since the museum is free and the displays have to be costly to maintain.

We stopped here on our way to Sioux Falls. What a great interpretation center! Especially kids will love the many hands on activities!

Nice stop on our way through town. Excellent displays and a nice movie. Loved the dog!

We stopped for some rainy day fun. Because we are locals, we thought we knew everything about our city. NOPE! Lots to learn about even when you think you know it all!

This is a great stop to learn more about our American history. Hands on interaction for the kids.

The building is very nice inside and out but I didn't find the exhibits to be very interesting. The entry fee is free so if you are in the area I would check it out but I would not make a special trip.

I was one of the adult chaperones for my daughter's school field trip (including 4th and 5th graders) that spent a couple hours here.

As a big history buff I really enjoyed the outstanding exhibits that documented and described the Lewis and Clark expedition. And the tour guides did an outstanding job of explaining things to the kids, making use of the exhibits that offer something for all ages. The guides were very accommodating.

The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center is a high quality facility and an impressive resource. It offers a super way for anyone with even the slightest interest in this part of U.S. history to spend a few hours. I wish I could have spent more time perusing all the well-done exhibits.

Luckily this gem was saved from the flood. A wonderful depiction of life for Lewis and Clark as they passed through the area. Also changing films on different subjects. My favorite was on the Sioux City Stockyards in it's hey day. Also an ever changing art and photo display. One of my favorite places to take visitors.

Staying in Siouxland for several days it's hard not to get immersed in all things Lewis and Clark. The L&CIC has some nice exhibits, even a couple of animatronic ones, that are interesting for both adults and children. The staff is very nice there as well.

My kids 12 & 10 didn’t know about the Lewis and Clark expedition. This was a great stop and introduction! A lot of information, interactive displays, and it’s free!

...we arrived on a Monday and the center was closed. We were able to explore the outside area. The grounds are well-maintained and relaxing to walk through. The River Museum was open and we were able to explore it thoroughly.

Very nice center. Learned a little more about Lewis and Clark. Interesting for all ages.
They have you walk through in a single flow to keep you from mixing too much.
Signage on the road to get there was a little sparse.
It was cold and windy so we didn't tour the grounds.

Stopped by and disappointed that it was closed on Monday. Still was able to walk the outside grounds which has numerous statues and a nice view of Missouri River.

The staff that works here were amazing with the kids. They showed us and around and answered all of our questions. We will be coming back again.

Alongside the Missouri, is a cleverly designed history site giving numerous details about Lewis and Clark’s trip to the West.

It gives you a well thought out presentation of the amazing trip taken so early in our National History.

Interactive displays helpful volunteers make this one of the best stops we’ve seen on our travels along their route West.

The wonderful statue of Lewis and Clark as well as the dog Seamen is an additional reason to stop as is the details of Sgt. Floyd the only member lost on the entire trip.

This center was a wonderful surprise. In addition to lots of interactive activities for children (say age 7 to 14) concerning the Corps of Discovery there currently is a photo gallery of local WWII vets from the local area. And a book which reveals their story in their own words.

There is also a photo gallery on current locations of various sites where the Corps traveled.

There is a wonderful photo gallery on Sioux children from a nearby mission that records the kids names and ambitions.

This is a first rate attraction for history buffs on Lewis & Clark and is impeccably clean, well lit, and attractive inside and out.

Great place to learn about history and fun for all ages. Fun activities for kids to help learn. Statues outside are great to take pictures with. Really close to the center is the riverboat which it's also a great place to walk thru and take kids

This is a hidden gem. The center has animatronic Lewis and Clark and Thomas Jefferson characters explaining the Lewis and Clark Expedition that actually passed this site. In addition to learning about the expedition, the center has rotating displays of artwork from the area, and many Sunday afternoon lectures, demonstrations, and concerts. The center is adjacent to a nice playground and an Iowa Welcome Center located on a dry docked tow boat. It ia all free. Restaurants, hotels, City museum and art center and Hard Rock Casino are all located nearby so this is a great stop for travelers.

This is a great hands on place for the kids. So clean and nicely set up. It's amazing that it is free.

This interpretive center was a pleasant surprise. We saw a brochure and thought we would stop. The displays were well done, some parts of the displays were interactive. A great place for all ages.

The interpreter center keeps it interesting with various rooms and displays (including animatronic figures) that teach about the journey of Lewis and Clark and the way it was documented.

Beautiful place...buildings, landscaping, setting next to the river, & displays. There are 2 buildings with different displays. We mainly experienced the Lewis & Clark museum. It was all free. I especially loved the interactive displays with the figures that tell you a story. They seemed so real & were as good as those you might see at Disney. We were on the road to Fargo ND so did not take the time to visit the next door Sargent Floyd Riverboat Museum. Highly recommend you visit this wonderful place!

Worth visit. Very well done. Even my teens are interested. Lots of interactive activities for them. Learning history in fun way. Staff are very friendly and helpful.

I loved the animatronic figures. It really brought the Lewis and Clark expedition alive. And it's free!

had interactive style learning in the kids area and that was fun the rest is just a suitable museum its a good free learning experience

One of the interesting features of this exhibit is the act of helping you understand one of the members of the trip. Art, artifacts, personal history, historical data, and interactive displays (enjoyed by children), are all combined to give you an understanding of the challenges of this great experiment. The grounds are worth a visit as well. Hint: Engage the docents and they will break from the routine history to tell you some interesting background stories. They know how to keep the kids engaged.

The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Centre was an interesting walk into what life was like for the First Nations people who always lived here and for European explorers who were looking for ways to take advantage of the abundance that was clearly visible to any newcomers.

This is a great experience! The building and outdoor area is beautiful and the inside exhibits are very interactive and educational. Its free and easy to access off the interstate. Its a wonderful addition to any trip to Sioux City.

Took grandkids -- they were very eager to listen and learn about history while in this place...

This was an excellent interpretive center for several reasons. We liked its focus on the life of those in the Corps of Discovery, and the displays about the connection to Sioux City. With the only death on the expedition occurring here, they of course focused on Sgt Floyd, but they gave a good explanation of many other things as well. There’s a good video, interactive displays, and we found ourselves staying for well over an hour. And thanks to the people of Sioux City, it’s provided free.

My father and several other former service people were recently celebrated as a Korean War veterans; Tim Gallagher emceed the session. It was really well conducted and thorough. I took my 5-year-old grandson through the Center as well. He really liked running from display to display to stamp his "passport" activity pamphlet. The volunteer staff was really helpful, and spoke to him on his level. The full-size animated explorers were a great hit. Just across the street is a really nice playground. We will return, that's for sure.

The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center is interesting and educational for all ages. My students were impressed with the animated life-sized figures of Lewis, Clark, and Seaman the dog. Admission is a free will donation and plenty of parking is available. It's located by the river and adjacent to a public park with a picnic shelter and playground.

Very difficult to get to from the north as it was on the south side of the interstate. Most underpasses with closed due to construction. Go west about 4 underpasses to get through. Pour signage. It's the first parking lot east past the welcome center's parking lot

This center located along the banks of the Mighty Mo is a tribute to Lewis and Clark and the history of the area. The sculptures outside are worth a photo op. and the kids will enjoy the exhibits. Adults will find the history fascinating. Built to commemorate the 200 th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark discovery voyage it is still relevant today.

This is an excellent FREE place to take the kids. The museum is very well-kept and there is a playground outside. Its a great way to spend a couple of hours, especially with school-agers.

Seems like it would be a great place to take kids. Interactive exhibits to fool with, with lots of information of the L&C expedition. The animitronics were neat, but one the Floyd one was creepy as hell to me. Definitely worth a stop if in the area.

There were tons of information about the expedition as well as lots of hands on (especially for the kids). 35 minute movie which was very well presented. Don't miss out!

Hands on exhibits - extremely interesting for the whole family. Featured animated dioramas, a film, plenty of larger than life info about these great men.

Interesting stop and located right next to the Sgt Floyd Museum and Welcome Center. Free to enter and the woman at the desk explained everything to us before the self guided tour. There’s also a short film to help you better understand the story of Lewis and Clark.

Read a book about it instead. That's all it is, a series of displays like the pages of a book. No real artifacts, no new information. Sorry to be so blunt, but it's a waste of time.

Traveling cross country with our grandson and we were seeking some interesting places to visit. This is a real treasure trove of information about a very important historical event -- the Lewis & Clark Expedition. We loved it.

This space has potential, but I was pretty boring for me and my kids. Definitely go and see it once, but there will be little occasion to visit again. My oldest daughter is a teenager, but short, and one of the stage referred to her as a little explorer. I got a chuckle out of it, but she was not impressed. This would probably be interesting for someone not from here, but if you know the Lewis and Clark story it's nothing exciting.

This is really two or three museums in one. The story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition is well told and the museum is right on the original route. There is also a room dedicated to veterans. The Adjacent Encounter Center offers art and photography exhibits. There is also an auditorium featuring free live entertainment. Check out their website

Wonderful exhibits i formative visual pleasing great i tro to hostory and the city i enjoyed-it immensely

This is a good museum about Lewis and Clark - lots of interactive displays. The displays are well thought out and easy for children to use.

This was the second stop on our week long vacation. We had originally had this on our plan for Monday but we switched up the route to get here Sunday afternoon. So keep in mind it is closed on Mondays. It was worth it. We are traveling with two children ages 7 and 4. It is a museum that is certainly focus on interactive activities for children. It was perfect match for our 7 year old and with our help the 4 year old could do much of it as well.

When you come in, you can pick up a little activity book and work your way through helping to guide you through the exhibits. The kids favorite area was trying to decide which person they wanted to be in the expedition. They tried to be a private and do guard duty, they tried to balance blocks on a boat to see if they could be a boatman and they looked for the markings for the animals to see if they could be hunters. We also enjoyed the movie in the theatre very much and gave us a fresh look at the expedition. Seamen, the dog was my 4 year olds favorite display. We had an excellent time at this museum and it seemed to be just the right size for us.

There are great bathrooms but no food for purchase. There is playground equipment near the parking lot which made for a nice snack area and we were able to run off a little energy before getting back into the car. A great stop for this family!

Very cool place to explore especially for families with kids. The inside interpretive center is interactive with a book to get stamped. Nice metal art outside as well and spots to picnic. Near the river and bridge views into Nebraska.

We were most impressed with the interactive displays, the art work, depiction of Thomas Jefferson as a wax figure. He seemed so real - even blinked! I learned about Lewis and Clark way back in grade school. I found this interpretive center to be a reminder of a highly important piece of American history and what an important assignment this was for Meriwether Lewis and his team of explorers. Highly recommend a stop. The kids will love it also!

Interesting subject matter, and was done very well, the animatronics are really cool. Lots of interactive things for the kids.

Historical artifacts and a great deal of information regarding the Lewis and Clark expedition. It's worth the visit if you've never been there before.

The Lewis and Clark Center is a wonderful stop along I-29. It is adjacent to the Iowa Welcome Center along Chris Larson Park near the Hamilton Blvd exit. The Center includes very good video and interractive displays on the Lewis and Clark Expedition - the adjacent and connected Betty Strong wing of the Center regularly features outstanding photography exhibits and videos of Sioux City history. For travelers the center charges only a free will donation and has very modern and clean restrooms. The Sgt Floyd dry-docked riverboat/Iowa Welcome Center is also worth walking thru.

The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center is a must see when traveling through or staying in Sioux City, Iowa. The center is an incredibly good tool for children as the interpretive center takes them from the beginning of the Lewis and Clark expedition and walks them through on the entire journey. Plenty of exhibits to keep their attention. Do your children know that Sgt. Floyd was the 1st US soldier to die West of the Mississipi River?

This interpretive center is also an exceptional way for people who are very familiar with the original journey of Lewis & Clark to feel as if they are actually living alongside these fellows, including the extrodinary moments as well as utter defeats that were faced.

If you have any interest in the history of this country I promise that you will be ecstatic for taking the time to experience this incredible center. And by the way, it's free!

We stopped off here with some friends who wanted to check it out (they are American History teachers). I was not expecting much, but it was very informative and the display and building was really nice. They did a good job with this place and we were pleasantly entertained and surprised.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition is certainly one of America’s greatest discovery visit for westward expansion. This place is one of the milestone when the only casualty of the expedition happened. This center provides an excellent presentation of what happened during the voyage and the importance of Sioux City in the whole process. The center consists of a number of personalities and exhibits related to the discovery exhibition. It is all free and has a number of activities for elders and young folks alike. Must visit.

The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center is awesome. So much history and so many displays. I have been there many times. Always clean and well kept. You can spend hours there learning so much about our history. A must see at the Sioux City Riverfront.

Awesome place to take children. Very nice layout and the displays are great! Very clean, lots of parking. Learn about history!

The center is the tell all center for everything Lewis and Clark. Lot of reading, and some interpretative manikin displays tell you everything from the state of the expedition all the way to the end. Including the death of Sgt Floyd. A must see if you want to learn about these great men and the growth of America.

My husband was never viewed this before, so it was a must visit since we stayed at the hotel just down the street. The three different levels are awesome to view. The stairs are narrow and steep, but they do have an elevator for people with disabilities. It was cool to see all of the artifacts and journal entrys of the explorers. We also loved seeing the engine and captains deck with all of the controls for the boat. We loved the little gift shop also.

This is a nice family friendly museum. There's an interesting movie. Interactive activities for kids, but with good information. I enjoyed the interactive center too. Galleries with beautiful and appropriate photography. It's right on the river and the grounds are lovely

The center takes about 1 1/2 hours to do it justice. It is connected to another center (Betty Strong Encounter Center), which will add some time to your visit. The Interpretive Center uses huge, curved murals on the walls of each section to visual depict what the interpretive signs and exhibits are explaining. It is a wonderful way to put all the details...large and small...into a vivid, visual representation. There are fun interactive appealing to both children and adults. It's an indoor site and seemed like it would afford good wheelchair access.

This is another part of the multi-part attraction, including the old boat the Sgt Floyd. Several displays depict pioneer explorers life and area history. The whole park is worth a stop for any history buff.

This is a "hands on " experience for learning about this area as it was as Lewis and Clark passed through on their journey of discovery . Be prepared to be amazed by what you did not know about their journey of discovery and the human endurance and challenges required of it .
Next door visit the presentation of American Indians and their life in this area . Both centers surrounded by grasses native to this area and present when Native Americans lived here and when Lewis and Clark passed through here . Be surprised by the the number of Native American Indians and tribes who had long lived here before Lewis and Clark . True Real Americana - don't miss it !

Was very cool and informative. Interactive displays were cool. Would highly recommend stopping here when in sioux city

Very interesting. Well done and informative. Free State operation and worth a stop.
Detailed explanation of the Sgt. Charles Floyd death and burial.

We were pleasantly surprised with our visit to the Center. There were three exhibits there, one showcasing the barns of Iowa, another the very sweet children of the reservation and a great, interpretive/interactive area covering the Lewis and Clark expedition. This was a super hands-on area for the kids, helping them learn and enjoy the visit as well.

We pull a 43ft fifth wheel so parking is always a concern. I sent a message ahead of time asking if there was adequate parking and was assured there was. Coming up from the south on I29 our GPS got us on the right road, down by the riverfront BUT where it said the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center was, there was nothing! (Strangely signage to the center was not plentiful either.) Thankfully there was a local cyclist where we pulled in who told us to go further on and we would come to it.

Pulling into the large parking lot, we originally pulled in lengthwise where cars park as once again there was no signage. Once we got out and walked we saw the big rig parking in the next section so re-parked there. Now for the Interpretive Center....

EXCEPTIONALLY well done museum. The murals/paintings are very good and some of the characters including Seaman, the Newfoundland dog, are animatronics so talk/bark making the exhibit much more interesting.

If you have children with you make sure they pick up an Official Visitors' Journal. Around the museum they will discover different challenges/questions. Solve them and earn a stamp. With the completed book they are then eligible to receive the Visitors' Guidebook which is a beautiful publication containing a lot of interesting historical information, coloring pages etc.

As others have mentioned this is a FREE exhibit so don't hesitate to visit. It is joined to the Betty Strong Encounter Center, also free and then don't forget to go to the Welcome Center on board the Sergeant Floyd.

I liked that it was free and there seemed to be a lot of information. they also had some really nice free postcards.

Loved it here with all the history with stations such as one to dress up as you would have long ago! There is history from one end to the other with push buttons that tell a story for each history item. It was very clean, well lite, has an area with a theater or movie telling of lewis and clarks adventures and more. Literature for you to take at the front door, and a small gift shop if you so please. This is a must see and i look forward to seeing it again!

If your passing thru Sioux City this is worth a stop. Right on the banks of the Missouri it’s a beautiful setting. A 15 minute video is worth watching. The animatronics were well done. Exhibits focus on the Sioux area of the expedition.

Well done and interactive. Also the surrounding plants and landscaping are excellent. Educational and relaxing. Worth the stop!

This attraction is free. Good Lewis and Clark displays along with other exhibits. There is free entertainment most Sunday afternoons. Very friendly staff, convenient to local trail system and other attractions. Don’t miss the chainsaw art on trees on the grounds. Clean restrooms. Closed Mondays.

It isn't large, but it is incredibly well done, and very interesting. It is totally worth the time, regardless of your interest in history.

Nice museum of the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1803. Many rooms full of artifacts and animated figures. Great for school groups. Very informative movie.

I've been here 3 times and its a very interesting place. You learn a lot about the Lewis and Clark trip across the barren land. its neat to see how they made such a great part of history in a little area in Iowa. Good for all ages

I always take visitors to the interpretive Center. It ihas such an interesting showing of our history. Everyone I have taken seem impressed.

My husband and I had such a nice time exploring this place. It is lovingly cared for and serves as a nice community center too. We enjoyed a little Thursday afternoon music jam session and an exhibit of the local photography club while learning about the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Great little history center, with animatronics teaching you about the Lewis and Clark expedition.

A fantastic way to spend an afternoon or morning in Sioux City, especially if you happen to catch some live music while there !

The L&C center was very informative. Enjoyed learning more about their travels and the group that was with them.

As far as the attached center (Betty Strong) I never really figured out what the place was supposed to be or do or what it had to do with L&C.

This was a pretty nice place. It was in good shape and the guy at the front desk was very helpful. The only *slight complaint that I had was that Sacajawea's eyes weren't painted! :) They have anamatronics for Lewis and Clark, as well as a dog. Everything is interactive. Good place to go with friends or kids.

I am in the process of following the Lewis and Clark Trek from one end to the other. Sioux City was a wonderful stop on my journey. The galleries were beautiful and the artifacts helped me to picture what this group went through. It was a very enjoyable afternoon.

A step back in time with an abundance of history, ways of life and how this area was founded. I was thrilled that you can practically spent most of day and be highly intertained.

This is a great stop to take a break and learn a little about some of the most famous American trail-blazing explorers of the early American frontier. There are many artifacts and reproductions of the Lewis and Clark expedition to view.

This is a wonderful museum! It is interactive and everyone can be involved. I would recommend this for everyone.

The Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center is a must-see for anyone visiting Sioux City, passing through, or even those who live here. The historical information about the Louisiana Purchase Expedition is a very important part of the history of the United States, especially as it relates to Western Expansion and the history within the Jefferson Presidency. Schoolchildren throughout the local area visit regularly to learn more about this time in history and everyone loves Seaman, the Expedition's best friend! Take the time to visit, and then in nice weather, you can have a picnic lunch at the Riverfront Anderson Dance Pavilion, which is beautifully landscaped and welcoming to visitors as well.

We enjoyed this free find, donations welcomed. Very well done. Interactive experience for kids to keep them engaged in history of Lewis & Clark. Enjoyable experience for whole family. Animatronics were lifelike.

Absolutely loved this. It was educational, beautiful and very creative. I would love to come back again and spend even more time looking around. The employees were very nice and helpful too! Make sure to look at the trees in the back that have art work in them.

Friendly staff, interesting exhibits, makes you feel you were there with the explorers. They have really good photo exhibits, some are rotating, and some permanent. I loved the Native American portraits. A definite stop if you are in Sioux City. Free.

Construction of long standing blocks vehicles from accessing the center. You can rude round and around attempting to navigate entry to no avail. After all our effort, we learned the Center is not open today.

I visited it when I was there in September with a friend, brought the kids to see it on Christmas Eve, but is was closed :-(

I have been to many of the L&C interpretive centers and they have all been great. This one is no exception. Sgt. Floyd was the only member to die on the expedition and that happened near here. There is a monument to him south east of here on the river which is also a great site. If you are a history buff don't miss this two attractions.

This was a great place for our granddaughter to visit. She is from Arkansas and she enjoyed this exhibit a lot.

My wife wanted to touch Thomas Jefferson to see if it was a real person. Not only Lewis and Clark were animated (Sargent Floyd's burial), but best of all so was Seaman. Very nice things to do for children. The movie theater was set as if you were on the keelboat and Captain Lewis told of the Expedition hardships as well as the death of Sargent Floyd.

the attraction includes interactive activities and a lot of great information. this offers a great learning experience and a look into history.

My son doesn't have a very good attention span, so we didn't stay long, but this place is full of rich history. I could have stayed all day and soaked it all in. The best part, ITS FREE!! (Well free to you nothing is free) There is fun things for the kiddos todo and lots of things to learn. The robots look so real we thought they were people in costume! totally worth the stop if you need a rest from driving. Don't forget the ship down the sidewalk!

Helps to learn about our past on the River. No dislikes. Many stories and tales of our past heritage here in Soland.

We all know about Lewis and Clark but this is a good interactive experience, pleasant surprise to see in Sioux City

I like to take every opportunity to see places like this. I was in the area for business and spent about 60 minutes here. It was worth my time.

GPS will send you the wrong way!! Use exit 149! We arrived just as they were closing but they did allow us to come in and get literature about the museum. We were able to walk around the grounds for pictures. Wish we could have gotten to see the museum, the informational packets were wonderful.

Very nicely done, free museum about the Lewis and Clark expedition. Learned (or re-learned!) a good bit about this expedition. The replicas of the main characters in this era were very well done and spoke eloquently about information relevant to the era. We enjoyed our time here. The activities aimed at children were great, if there was an adult willing to guide them in the completion of the activities. The workers there were super friendly and very willing to answer questions and help children complete the activities designed for them. I also loved the metal sculptures out front!

This museum exceeded all my expectations!

The building and the grounds were gorgeous. The exhibits were well thought out and appropriate for all ages. The flipbook was a great idea to keep the kids engaged while creating a free souvenir.

The gallery displayed dried local plants beautifully as art work.

Fr. Doll, S.J.'s photos displayed in the Betty Strong Encounter Center were amazing, vibrant and expressive.

The staff are super friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. We probably had four interactions to make sure we were doing okay.

One could not ask for more from a museum.

The museum is set up for kids. The exhibit inside was fun and educational, but didn’t know which entrance to use. We went backwards on exhibits. Also, disappointed in gift shop. Would like books for young children

There are animated figures and a great video telling the story of Lewis and Clark. Nice sculptures outside too. Easily can spend an hour here. Good stop for kids too.

What a great place to bring the young ones! There is a lot of hands on stuff to do here, and so much to learn about the Lewis and Clark Expedition! If you like history you really need to visit. They've done an excellent job with this exhibit. The grounds are beautiful, too, very well-kept. We try to visit yearly with our grandson.

I visited this this past summer and the area is nice enough. I'm all for furthering education of our city's heritage! Thumbs up from me!

This place was fantastic! So much more informative than some of the other L&C places (maybe we haven’t been to most?). Anyway, this had a LOT of exhibits and explanations of why, where, and what happened during the journey. Nice layout inside with “talking” men telling us about their journey. There was a terrific statue outside that really was dramatic.

We visited this museum on a recent trip. We really enjoyed the gallery style set up. Interesting for both kids and adults. Outside area was nice as well. Saw some beautiful butterflies! Also it was free. Well worth the time we spent there

This Lewis and Clark exhibit is good for both adults and children. Lots of history with details not found in other locations. Complete list of participants in the Lewis and Clark trip with short info of each. Animatronics explain different aspects including President Jefferson giving his direction to the expedition leaders. Much more here than in the history books. If you are trying to learn more about this piece of American history, this provides lots of good info. Don’t drive by this one.

If you are looking at what made this county great... check the history of some real explorers, Lewis and Clark.

We were in Sioux City for an event at Morningside College. I checked TripAdvisor for top recommendations in town, and this was #1. So we checked it out on a Saturday afternoon.

We walked in the front door and were greeted by a very friendly woman. I reached for my wallet expecting to pay, but there isn't an admission charge. The woman explained that somehow the success of introducing legal gambling in Iowa had funded this place. There are two buildings connected by an enclosed hallway. The exhibits are very professional and informative about the entire Lewis & Clark expedition. There is special attention to Sgt. Floyd who was the only death during the expedition. It happened just South of present-day Sioux City and Floyd has a monument down there. I really enjoyed looking at everything they had in there.

The other building seems to have rotating exhibits from local artists and photographers. Some nice work over there too. The hall in between had nice exhibits about the history and development of Sioux City and the river flooding.

The buildings are in a nice spot next to the Missouri River, and right next to Bev's which is one of the best restaurants in Sioux City.

I think this place is hard to beat, especially since it's free. We tossed a donation in because we enjoyed it very much.

Extremely interactive museum! My kids (age 5-10) really enjoyed all the hands-on activities. Very kid-friendly exhibits. Lots of great info, but small enough to make a quick visit if necessary. Friendly staff and beautiful grounds as well. Highly recommend!

We had a great time at this museum. The staff are incredible. You can make your time here long or short. Lots of activities for the kids. Very educational. Easy access off the interstate. Free!

If you are interested in learning about the history of the Northwest Passage then this is a great stop while traveling. This center is located right off I-29 in Sioux City Iowa at a welcome center on the Missouri River. The building is easy to access and there are several robotic type statues that speak and tell the history of Lewis and Clark's expedition. There are grounds outside to sit or picnic and there is also a Steamboat museum at the same visitor center called Sargeant Floyd's. Very interesting slice of history....

Missing the big picture, but a Staff member happily filled in the blanks. This was very Iowa centric, but We picked up a brochure that helped , and made for interesting travel talk.

For anyone interested in Lewis & Clark, this is a "can't miss" attraction. There are exhibits aimed at kids, together with things for the grownups. The medical kit and supplies are fascinating - an exhibit stemming from the Expedition's only casualty, Sgt. Charles Floyd, who died on a bluff in Sioux City now crowned by an obelisk that looks like a miniature Washington Monument. There are even a couple animatronic Lewis & Clark mannequins. The gift shop has a great selection of Lewis & Clark paraphenalia and books. (What kid can resist taking home a stuffed Seaman, the Newfoundland that made the trip with them. On weekends there are sometimes family projects or music programs in the attached theater.

After having travelled most of the actual Lewis and Clark route via car, this was a great way to sum up our travels! Kids especially LOVED the place where they could do the "rubbings" of various aspects of the L & C Journey. Several "hands on" activities. The store also had some great stuffed toys-- Seaman, the dog, was a favorite. I liked the sweatshirt!

Stopped in because of our interest in history - Wow! Was not expecting a top notch museum with interactive life like animatronics. Very informative - great for all ages. Staff is very friendly and helpful.

This is a very well done exhibit with animatronics and interactive displays that can engage all ages. Presents the story of L&C in a very interesting and entertaining manner. Well worth an hour or so of your time. Free admission. Ample free parking nearby.

The interpretive center is very informative about the adventures of Lewis and Clark. The only bad thing about it is that, after you've gone roughly a hundred times, it starts to become boring and repetitive.

Many of the displays are designed to engage visitors - particularly kids - in the experiences of the Corps of Discovery. It also had a good exhibit on flooding in the area over the years.

I have visited several L&C Interpretive Centers over the years. They have never bored me. Each center has been set up with a specific purpose: present the history of the M. Lewis, W. Clark and their expedition members, and tell the adventures of the expedition in the local area. This center has taken a refreshing approach. Inside it looks almost like a L&C museum. The murals are beautiful and make the visit unforgettable. A wonderful place to visit. The only point of criticism has to do with the movie. The quality is outdated.

When we got there it was closed. There are outside things but the museums were closed. There was no web address posted so the only way to find out the hours is to call. The outside attractions are really neat though.

So much to discover at this attraction. You will really enjoy the different point of view of where and how this expedition took place. Our country was growing and here is a wonderful way to discover how it was happening.
Enjoy

The Interpretive Museum being fairly new, features animatronic displays of significant figures in the Lewis and Clark expedition. There are many interactive displays and activities that will appeal to both children and adults. Don't miss the Dog!

Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center it was a really interesting stop on our trip to Sioux City and South Sioux City. The staff were very helpful and friendly, and the exhibits are very interesting. Easy access, and some walking trails along the river made it well worth our stop.

Called and they kindly mentioned it's Free for all. The museum is super informative and a very inique experience! Very close to Hilton and right off the highway.

Highly recommend to all! Takes about 45 min to 1.5 hr. Kids and adults with both appreciate.

Wonderful center full of information and interactive exhibits which are great for kids. The staff is very friendly.

My wife and I stopped at this center to see what we could see about Louis and Clark, the explorers of early 1800s. We found that it was more than it seemed. The entire center appears to be named the Betty Strong Encounter Center, for the complex is more than just the original Lewis & Clark section.

Upon entering the center, we were warmly greeted and were told just how the place is laid out. This entranceway contains photo and art exhibits, a fascinating gallery of large full-size photos of Native American children in traditional dress, their names and what they want to be in their adult lives. This part was both amusing and heart warming. There is a room exhibiting a large number of wild plants native to the area which were collected by the Lewis and Clark expedition in the early 1800s as they went through the area. The last galleries were specifically about the Corps of Discovery trip up the Missouri River and back.

I recommend this to anyone with a heart for history or an eye for photography. A truly must see while in Sioux City.

Helpful staff. Liked their “talking heads” explaining their part in the journey. Learned about each member of the Corps of Discovery—we never saw that anywhere else. Lots of kids’ activity. Also good exhibit on different tribes nearby.

Lean the story of the Lewis and Clark Corp of Discovery. There is so much to learn that you won't learn it all here but it will be more than enough to get your interest. You'll want to follow their trip all the way.

Worth a stop. No groups coming during Covid time, I heard they only get a few dozen guests a day, a shame for such a nice attraction.

We decided to make a short detour to visit this center when we were returning north from a quick trip to the Omaha Airport. We had to ask for directions at the nearby Hilton Garden Inn-- there's road construction and we didn't see a sign to direct us to the center which wasn't visible from the hotel parking lot. Look for the steam ship on display up the road! That's an Iowa Welcome Center-- the two-building Interpretive Center complex is close by. There is no charge for admission.

The exhibits are focused on the Lewis and Clark expedition and particularly on the segment of the journey that took them up the Missouri River to what is now Iowa. The only member of the expedition who died, Sgt. Charles Floyd, was buried on a bluff near what became Sioux City. Several locations in the region carry his name.

The exhibits are well-designed for visitors of all ages, and the murals are beautifully executed. Everyone in our party learned a lot. I was especially pleased to learn more about the enslaved person, known as York, who accompanied Clark as his servant.

The center presents important information about the Native American groups the Corps encountered-- they have some wonderful toys on display, and a contemporary painted buffalo robe. But the most poignant exhibit referred to the Omaha, once the major group that controlled trade on this area of the Missouri River. The tribe was tragically devastated by small pox brought by Americans/Europeans around 1800. Chief Blackbird was among those who died. He was also buried on a bluff over looking the river.

We also liked seeing the small exhibit related to Sioux City and the "modern" history of the Missouri River, and a special exhibit of photographic portraits in the Betty Strong Center that is connected to the original building.

Enjoyed the visit. If you like history and want to learn about the Lewis & Clark expedition you will really enjoy it. Beautiful facility and beautiful grounds. Take a picnic lunch. Playground for the kids.

Very nice presentation and facilities. They have a 15 minute movie that tells about Lewis and Clark's journey. The displays are very well done and the outdoor displays are great. Stop here.

good exhibits and even animated figures. Pretty spot and nice architecture suggesting a keel boat. And did I say free?

Be sure to visit.....closed Monday.....great for children.....free! They usually have free programs featuring fabulous speakers or music on Sunday afternoons at two.

I've visited many of the L&C centers across the country, and this is one of my favorites. I visited alone, but it's especially great for kids. The exhibits are really interactive and the staff is friendly and helpful. It's also in a beautiful location along the Missouri River. Make a stop here if you're traveling on I-29.

very good and changing displays - Disney type animatronics - wonderful artwork, helpful staff.

We seen the place from the side of the road and decided go visit. Its pretty interesting if your into the history.

Entertaining, enlightening, intersting experience and the whole thing is free! (You can help support by donating money as you leave.)

The book shop is terrific. If you are a Lewis & Clark scholar, do not miss it. The movie is well worth the time to view it.

The Betty Strong Center next door has numerous photographs also worth viewing.

The grounds have native prairie plants.

The Center is closed on Mondays.

I did a Lewis and Clark trip from Missouri to Nevada - stopped at many, many Lewis and Clark centers. This is the BEST. I spent couple hours there and wished I had more time. There are fun things to do and it's very informative. Great for kids. They let me bring my dog in for a minute to get a picture with Seaman.

Beautiful center and very informative. I grew up in Sioux city back in the 70's and this was all new to me

A beautiful place on the Missouri river. The architecture is outstanding and the exhibits are very well done. A great way to learn more details of a very important event in the history of our nation.

We were traveling through the area. Felt we must visit this attraction. We live in St. Charles, Missouri which is the kick off spot for the Lewis & Clark Expedition. It was interesting to see that they have a Lewis and Clark statue much like the one in St. Charles, Missouri. The building and grounds are very attractive from the outside. Inside there are interpretive and hands-on displays. A great free attraction. Well worth visiting.

This is a smaller museum that has some nice exhibits on the Lewis and Clark expedition. Clean restrooms and informative information. Great for families since there is a park right here and some great photo ops with the outside statutes.

Nice stop. Lots of good stuff look at and learn from. Must ask about the pelican being waterboarded. Lol

Really loved this place. I think my kids learned more about the Lewis & Clark expedition from here than any combination of other sites we have been to. Staff was terrific. A must see if you're passing through.

We went to see the free exhibit on the waterfront out of interest of Lewis and Clark. This place is an incredible gathering of data about the entire expedition. There are sculptures of famous people, animals, scenes. Wonderful artwork and photos from world-renown photographers line hallways.And then, Thomas Jefferson, so lifelike, you would swear he was an actual person on display. When you walk around him, his head turns and follows you as you view the displays around his stage. He moves and talks about the need for the exploration expedition. Lewis' dog, Seaman, also is animated (very likelike) and barks and wags his tail at a critter. Make sure to look for Sara. She is an excellent source of information (great with children) who will gladly share her wealth of expertise with anyone who wishes more quite accurate information. A word of caution: This place is addictive. Make sure to schedule plenty of time to view everything it has to offer!

Interesting presentations and certainly interactive (I'm a 65 year old kid). It seems everywhere along the Missouri River you can find a Louis and Clark stopping spot. A good place to take the kids particularly with the park grounds surrounding the Center.

My husband and I stumbled on this place while driving from Lincoln, NE to Sioux Falls, SD. It was a great opportunity to stretch our legs and learn a little something about the area. The staff at the center were friendly and helpful. The exhibits were well-presented and very interesting.

The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center is Free to attend, but you will want to give a freewill offering after you have toured this.
The Interpretive center is located in the Betty Strong Encounter Center
The entire Center is highly educational and will leave you filled with Pride.
The Photography exhibits of Americana are museum quality and are worth driving out of the way to see. The good news is, the center is a stone’s throw distance from the Interstate between the Sgt Floyd Museum and Argosy Riverboat Casino.

I love this little place. Its full of history and a few fun things for the kids (and adults to do/see) and the people who work here are just so friendly. LOVE IT

If you want to know about Lewis and Clark's expedition, this is a good place to start! It is designed for kids to learn about the Expedition and also for the adults who accompany them! There animatronic statues of important people and Seaman, Lewis' Newfoundland dog, lots of hands on activities to get kids interested in history, and a flatboat theater to see a short film about the Expedition as told by William Clark. This center is centered around Sgt. Charles Floyd, the only member of the expedition to die. He died a short distance from the center. The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable about the history. They even answered my question as to why some of the men were pouring water into a pelican's beak! (It's included in one of the murals!)

Well worth the time to stop and explore. There is no cost and the staff is awesome. Good for all ages.

It is a very interesting center. You can learn a lot about Lewis and Clark and the surrounding area. It is next to the Missouri River, a nice park with a playground and walking, bicycle trail, boat ramp not too far away and a Welcome Center. The center is also good for kids.

Very nice grounds and buildings located along the SC river walk. Extremely friendly and helpful staff provided useful information and answered all our questions. Wonderful place to brush up on L&C history!

The L and C Interpretive Center is well worth a visity. It's location along the river is nice. This free center has interactive displays centered around Lewis and Clark's Expedition as well as photography and displays related to local interests. When we were there last, there was display about Midwestern weather, another on WWII veterans, and another on area Native Americans. There is a picnic area and walking trail close by.

Fantastic place filled with rich explorer history of Lewis and Clark. Friendly staff and knowledgeable.

We enjoyed this place. well layed out, nicely done and kept up. The center has very good displays and animated maniquines; i.e. Jefferson, Lewis & Clark. Every Wednesday they have local performers jam and you can sit in to listen or join them. Spent 2 hrs listening.

Although this museum is small it has a great set of animatronic figures who bring life to the exhibits. There are a number of things for the children to do and see while learning about the history of Lewis and Clark.

I had forgotten how awesome this place is...a true gem for Siouxland. A great place to visit and learn some history. A great place to have an event. If you are local use this facility, if you are visiting the area please take some time to check it out. Quite the history.

The highlight of this museum is the animatronic robots. They look very life-like and help explain some of the aspects of the trip. The museum has a number of interactive exhibits that should appeal to kids. Mine are a bit older than the target, but we all enjoyed the exhibits. There's an attached second museum that has some of the local history and at least when we were there some music.

The title tells you everything, this is mostly about Sgt Floyd. We always make a point of seeing the video if offered. That is the first thing viewed if possible.

This appears to be a fairly new building and if you are a history buff then this place is for you. Very well lit inside and everything very clean. Is not real large, so unless your going to read everything in there you can be in and out in a short time. Beautiful grounds with seating outside to enjoy it.

Fun, interactive, and informative. Very interesting! Was greeted by a very knowledgeable staff and they even had some of my family history in the museum.

If you need to stop for a bit while traveling on I-29, take the exit for the Lewis and Clark interpretive center. It is full of interesting stories about the Lewis and Clark Expedition, especially since the only man to the perish on the expedition did so close to this location.

There is art, and history, and gorgeous trails and gardens. It is a great spot to visit, very educational about Lewis and Clark and the time period.

Super displays with an art exhibition thrown in. We loved the interesting displays and friendly greeting.

Great little snippet of history in the Midwest. Well worth the stop Great location, beautiful view of the river. Nice park..

(free; closed Mondays) is Exit 149/Hamilton Boulevard off I-29. Sioux City, Iowa 900 Larsen Park Rd, Sioux City, IA 51103 (712) 224-5242. 9 - 5 pm. statue in front by Pat Kennedy “Spirit of Discovery” depicting larger than life Lewis, Clark, and Seaman their trusty Newfoundland dog.  There is also a garden of over 200 native plant species.  Terrific museum about the Corps of Discovery and the Native American Indians. Good movie. Used the displays and reference material for the Boy Scout Merit badge on Indian Lore. Also enjoyed the playground and picnic tables.

Museum is extensive and very well done. Tells you everything you need to know about the expidition, with a nice video presentation also. Museum is free, but with donations suggested. Well worth a visit.

Our grandchildren said this Interpretative Center is "interesting, interactive, and fun". We agree, The introductory film sets the stage for basic information which can be expanded by the many roles and exhibits of the Corps of Discovery. Thei children also commented "this is not a boring museum."
Free parking and free admission. Lots of covered picnic tables outside.
Outside is a terrific sculpture of Lewis and Clark and Seaman. Go inside to see Seaman and hear him bark.

This is a great museum. I know my kids would have really enjoyed the hands on, interactive experience had they been with me. The only complaint I would have is the disappointing gift shop.

I have young kids and teenagers and all of them enjoy coming here. It's educational and fun. Best part of free! Never gets old.

Wow. The moving, talking, wax-museum exhibit was impressive. The kids loved getting stamps at various spots. The ladies at each check-in counter (there were 2) were very welcoming and informative. Don't miss stopping here while in Sioux City (especially if you love good architecture).

We visited with our soon-to-be 8 year old grandson, who had minimal knowledge of Lewis and Clark. The center was well thought out, interactive and engaging. The Junior Ranger program was a plus. The total experience was A+!

Love the Sgt Floyd River Museum - This cute little information center/museum packs so much into it's small space it's really worth going out of your way and spending quality time. The museum exhibits are high quality, informative and entertaining. The space is packed full of local informaiton booklets and the staff were very friendly and helpful. There's even a good selection of souvenirs. And its all put into a real retired working tug boat that has restored quaters and engineer's deck!

The interpretive center is also well done. We went on a rainy day so we didn't get to see all the outside amenities.

The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center is easy to get to, has ample parking, and is a free exhibit. There is really no risk to trying out - you're not shelling any money to check it out. The upside is pretty big - the presentation is well done, with a strong emphasis on kid-friendly exhibits. With a 12 year old we thought we might fill the hour we had. In fact, we did, and still didn't get to everything. All for no cost, with easy parking.

My husband was working in the area so my daughter and I were looking for things to do. We visited the museum and it was a pleasant surprise! Very interesting and informative museum relating to Lewis and Clark. There is a pretty nice park & walking areas right around the museum as well.

Sioux city should be proud of the Lewis and Clark Center and the Betty Strong Center. This beautiful Center sitting on the Missouri River was built and is run without the use of taxpayer money. It will take you back to the time that Lewis and Clark explore the area around Sioux City. Additionally the Betty Strong Center has great educational, and interesting programs almost every Sunday. The are well worth attending. Kids will enjoy the interpretive center and the photos change frequently.

It's a good stop for a little bit of history and to stretch your legs. Well done outdoor exhibit of native plants among statues of some plains animals as well as a larger than life statues of the explorers themselves.

This was a very interesting place. It is very interactive. It is clean and welcoming. The historical nature of the interactive displays is alot of fun.

Worth the time to visit. Very informative and the staff is very helpful. Learned much about Lewis & Clark that I hadn't know.
You can drive right by it and never know it's there. Be sure you get there!

this is always a great place to take the kids when theres nothing to do. they always have something new going on and its great to see the kids get interested in all the history they have to offer.

We have been to Lewis and Clark Interpretative Centers in St. Louis, Great Falls and most recently, Sioux City. It is the smallest of the three and the least impressive of the three; yet, it is definitely worth a visit. I learned so much, and we particularly loved the animated Lewis & Clark, Sgt. Floyd and Thomas Jefferson. The people who work here are so nice, and the admission is free. There is an additional building with wonderful wildlife photos.

I had the pleasure of visiting the center last week and was pleasantly surprised at the extent of the material and displays. This center tells the story of Lewis And Clark in this area of the country. There are extensive displays which are very interesting and informative. Anyone interested in the L & C expedition should not miss this display. You will not be disappointed. There is food and lodging nearby, and is easily accessible just off Interstate 29 along the Missouri river.

This was the first Lewis and Clark Center we have been to and a good introduction to Sioux City and the Missouri River. We enjoyed the exhibits, the statues outside and the great riverpark location.

Great place to go with children! They will love the interaction with the exibits. Staff is great and very caring. Great location also.

Interested in learning about the Lewis and Clark Expedition? Well this is the place. This museum has lots of hands on exhibits for the kids and a very good film that outlines the expedition. There is a life sized animatronic dog which is like the Newfoundland one which accompanied them on the expedition. There is a large sculpture of Lewis, Clark and the dog as well. This place is FREE!!!

The museum is worth every penny you donate and is so well done especially the movie which sets up the exhibition.

Lewis and Clark is an integral part of local history. We have the honor of being the burial place of the only member to die on the expedition, Sgt Floyd.
The center is interactive and all ages will find something of interest. Kids can go on a scavenger hunt finding items throughout the building.
There is no charge and it's located near the Missouri River.
We'll worth your time!

This is a great place to visit. Not only does it tell about the Lewis & Clark expedition, but it has hands on activities as well as moving and talking displays. The dog, Seaman, is especially fun to have bark and wag it’s tail.

Awesome riverfront trail with access to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. Great for biking or long walk walk on paved trail.

My nephews were mesmerized by Seaman the Dog barking and spent a lot of time there! Great place to take two boys (4 and 7). They even watched the movie. They loved all the activities and it's free! If you don't have little ones with you, you can spend hours going through the history.

Great place to learn about the historic expedition of Lewis and Clark. Very nice building containing many nice exhibits. Interesting robots telling the story.