Sioux City's Little Known Bright Spots (Lewis, Floyd: house, bars, art)

[Briand]

Many people on this forum have labeled Sioux City a "dump" because of the stockyards and general industrial feel of the city. I'm not denying that a drive down Floyd or Lewis Boulevards is an ugly and sometimes smelly drive, but I lived in Sioux City for two years and found some charm beneath the grime.

Historic Fourth Street: Not as grand an urban renewal as Minneapolis's warehouse district or Omaha's Old Town, but an attractive street with a few good bars and restaurants nonetheless.

Orpheum Theatre: The Sioux City Symphony boasts the very talented Xian Zhang as their conductor, and the yearly silent movie festival with real Wurlitzer organ accompaniment is very enjoyable.

The Sioux City Art Center, Chris Larsen Park, Trinity Heights, and the grand old homes north of downtown are also good things about Sioux City that few people know about.

I do agree with those who say that Sioux City is too conservative. I lived there during an election year, and the hostility against the Democratic party was unbelievable. Furthermore, this is NOT a gay-friendly city. However, if you happen to have some time to take a closer look at Sioux City, do so. You may be pleasantly surprised.