Washington Pavilion

Former high school transformed into an arts and science centre

A converted 1908 Romanesque Revival school building now serving as Sioux Falls' main cultural hub, the Washington Pavilion has three distinct attractions under one roof. The Visual Arts Center hosts rotating and permanent exhibitions of American art, with a particular emphasis on works connected to the Great Plains. The Kirby Science Discovery Center is hands-on and well-suited to children. The Wells Fargo CineDome shows large-format films throughout the day.

The building itself is worth seeing — arched stone entrances, original woodwork, and a grand central hall that speaks to the civic ambitions of early 20th-century South Dakota. Free parking and a reasonable combined admission make this the best single stop for a rainy day in Sioux Falls.

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A story
The building was Washington High School from 1908 until 1993. When the school moved to a new campus, community fundraising saved the Romanesque Revival building from demolition. Today it houses a visual arts centre, an interactive science museum called the Kirby Science Discovery Center, and a performing arts venue — all under one roof.