Rapid City is a place to discover and, thanks to its strategic location near the main attractions of South Dakota, is an ideal base for those who want to embark on a road trip itinerary along the so-called Great American West region. Let’s find out the best things to do in Rapid City and how to best organize your visit.
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How to get to Rapid City SD
As mentioned, Rapid City is located in South Dakota. The most important cities in the vicinity are Denver in Colorado, about 6 hours and 15 minutes drive away and Minneapolis in Minnesota, which is almost 9 hours away.
The main road that connects the city is the US-90 which travels from east to west (and vice versa), those coming from the south can use the US-385, which will then merge into the SD-79, while those approaching from the north use the US-85 which will connect to the US-90 near the town of Spearfish.
Rapid City also has an airport (like almost all medium-sized American cities) that is well connected through internal flights with the rest of the nation. In high season there are also direct flights from the cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Newark. Rapid City Regional Airport is also a convenient starting point for renting a car at the many agencies there, to continue your road trip.
Best things to do in Rapid City
Here is the map with all the places to visit in Rapid City
Downtown Rapid City
The most interesting thing in this city’s Downtown is most definitely the attraction called City of Presidents, which we could define as a sort of Walk of Fame of U.S. politics. These are life-size bronze statues of all the presidents of the United States, each of which is characterized by a particular pose that recalls a salient moment of their political action or private life.
The statues are located on both Main Street and the parallel St. Joseph Street, more precisely at the corners formed where the two main streets intersect with the six connecting streets, which run from 4th Street to 9th Street. This easy location makes exploration even more convenient since, if you so wish, it will allow you to make a “loop” (starting from and returning to the same spot) while also visiting other interesting Downtown attractions. One recently-built square is the central Main Street Square that we could define as the beating heart of Downtown.
During the summer season, in addition to hosting numerous concerts and events, the city’s main attraction is a large “interactive” fountain that will allow you to cool off from the heat, while in winter there is an ice rink.
Do you like graffiti? You might consider visiting the so-called Art Alley which is located in an alleyway that connects 6th Street and 7th Street between Main Street and St. Joseph Street. Here you can find both sides of the alley completely covered in colorful and imaginative murals.
The city’s parks
If you’re traveling with children, you may enjoy a visit to Dinosaur Park (940 Skyline Dr.), a theme park dedicated to the great reptiles that once ruled planet Earth. Today it may seem a bit old-fashioned (since it dates back to 1936 during the Great Depression), but if you don’t have too many expectations it can be a fun stop. Another positive aspect is its location on a hill that will provide you with beautiful views of the city and the surrounding area.
What can to all intents and purposes be defined as a typical oddity of the United States is the Chapel In The Hills (3788 Chapel Ln), a Lutheran church dating back to 1969 and built entirely from wood. The appearance is reminiscent of the Scandinavian religious constructions that so impressed Reverend Conrad Thompson that he wanted to recreate one in his land from where he could broadcast his radio program.
If the weather is good and you feel like having an outdoor picnic, Canyon Lake Park (4181 Jackson Blvd) may be the right choice thanks to its picnic areas surrounded by greenery. The large city park called Memorial Park (600-684 Omaha St.) is on the edge of Downtown, and contains an unexpected attraction that deserves a mention: the Berlin Wall Exhibit a real memorial dedicated to the Berlin Wall and its history.
Museums
Although the city is not huge, there are many museums that can be useful for those wanting to learn more about some particular aspect of the area’s history. Many museums are located just outside the city, easily accessible by car. The two main museums, given the characteristic of Rapid City, are dedicated to the history of the United States.
The first is the National Presidential Wax Museum (609 Hwy 16A, Keystone): in other words, a real wax museum where some of the most important moments in the history of the United States are reproduced, such as the Yalta Conference or the speech that George W. Bush gave in the ruins of the World Trade Center. It is not located within the city limits but about 20 minutes by car, near the town of Keystone.
The second museum is dedicated to perhaps the most important moment in U.S. history: the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. Inside the America’s Founding Fathers Exhibit (9815 S Hwy 16), in fact, the famous painting by John Trumbull is recreated that immortalizes the moment when 56 men signed the famous document. The more adventurous can also try their hand at shooting using the rifle used by the Continental Army.
Aviation enthusiasts should not miss a visit to the South Dakota Air & Space Museum (2890 Davis Dr, Ellsworth AFB) where they can admire numerous examples of aircraft that have made American aviation history, including the B-52 bomber and even a Minuteman II intercontinental missile from the Cold War era.
The Prairie Edge Trading Company And Galleries (606 Main Street) is an exhibition space midway between a craft store and a museum entirely dedicated to native art and traditions. A visit is recommended for those who want to take home a more refined souvenir.
Would you like to trace the history of the Black Hills and the surrounding Rapid City area? In this case, there are two museums that can satisfy your curiosity: The Journey Museum (222 New York St), where you can see everything from prehistoric times to the exploits of the pioneers, and the Museum of Geology (501 E St Joseph St), where you can see the enormous skeletons of the dinosaurs that inhabited this area.
After all these museums that retrace history, those who love contemporary art can find revel in visiting the Dahl Arts Center (713 7th St) which has offers thematic exhibitions. You can check the program on the official website.
Things to do Around Rapid City SD
Here are some of the top attractions near Rapid City.
- Mount Rushmore National Monument (about 30 minutes by car): one of the most famous monuments in the United States, and perhaps the main reason millions of tourists travel to the area each year.
- Crazy Horse Memorial (about 50 minutes): the Native American response to the sculptures of Mount Rushmore. Even though it is a work in progress, it is still fascinating to visit, especially if when choosing between Cowboys and Indians you have always rooted for the latter.
- Badlands National Park (about an hour’s drive): within the boundaries of this national park you can admire some very special rock formations that over the years erosion has allowed to take on shapes and colors that are most certainly original and fascinating.
- Jewel Cave National Monument (about an hour’s drive): if you are a skilled speleologist, this is the third-longest cave in the world, so a visit is almost mandatory.
- Devils Tower National Park (about one hour and forty minutes by car): Do you remember the mysterious monolith that haunts the protagonists of the Steven Spielberg film Close Encounters of the Third Kind? This is Devils Tower and you can see it by following the information in our dedicated article.
- Custer State Park (about 50 minutes by car): it is very convenient to visit this park by car, driving along the many scenic roads such as the Needles Highway, the Iron Mountain Road and the Wildlife Loop Scenic Byway, which is well known as it allows you to see many buffaloes in the wild.
- 1880 Train – Black Hills Central Railroad: This historic train dates back to 1880 and connects the towns of Hill City and Keystone (about a 40-minute drive from Rapid City). If you want to try this attraction, the trip takes about an hour each way.
- Historic Deadwood (about 50 minutes by car): a town in pure western style dating back to the period of the gold rush, today more alive than ever thanks to the special atmosphere that you can breathe and the many commemorative events that are organized.
Tours departing from Rapid City
For those who have decided to stay overnight in Rapid City (read our tips at the end of the article) and want to leave their car parked up for a day, here are some organized tours that you could enjoy and make the most of what the area has to offer. All of these tours offer pick up and return services from hotels in the city.
- Mount Rushmore and Surrounding Area Tour: A full day excursion to Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, and the Iron Mountain Parkway. The whole tour lasts about 9 hours.
- Badlands National Park Day Tour: Small group excursion to the northern part of the famous national park, which also includes a stop at the curious Minuteman Missile Visitors Center. If you want to visit both sections of the Badlands, you can take the Premium Tour.
Where to Eat in Rapid City
One of the best places to get a good burger is the Sickies Garage (3313 E Mall Dr.), which is in a location that will delight all fans of American motorcycles. If you’re in the mood for some grilled meat, head to Murphy’s Pub & Grill (510 9th St.), one of the most popular in the city.
If you want to enjoy a beer or a snack in a very special location, you can opt for the Firehouse Brewing Co. (610 Main St.). It is located Downtown and is a real historic firehouse, dating back to the early 20th century, completely converted into a brewery, and one of the oldest in the state.
Where to Stay in Rapid City
Alex Johnson Hotel (523 6th Street) is not just a simple hotel but a historic building in the city that can also be considered a real attraction of Rapid City. It is located right in the center of the city and, during its long history (it is one of the oldest hotels in the United States), it has hosted American presidents and Hollywood stars of the caliber of Alfred Hitchcock and Cary Grant (when they were in the area to film some scenes of the movie International Intrigue).
In the charming lobby of the hotel, there are numerous examples of Indian art and, like all self-respecting historical places, it is said that restless spirits still roam the rooms and corridors of the structure. The bravest ones can in fact book a special tour called “Ghost Adventures” that will allow you to sleep in a “haunted” room with a special detector of paranormal presences.
- Summer Creek Inn (23204 Summer Creek Drive) is a beautiful bed and breakfast immersed in nature, dedicated to those who want a bit of tranquility, without sacrificing the convenience of being practically halfway between Rapid City and Mount Rushmore and being able to take advantage of a structure that is very well cared for in every detail.
- GrandStay Residential Suites (660 Disk Drive) is recommended for those who prefer to rely on a large hotel chain. It is located in the center of the city and provides its guests with spacious rooms and an indoor pool ideal for relaxing after a day exploring the area.
