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Rapid City is the second-largest city in South Dakota, set on the eastern edge of the Black Hills where Rapid Creek flows out onto the plains. Founded in 1876 during the Black Hills Gold Rush, it grew as a supply town for miners and later as the gateway for visitors to the region's monuments and parks.
Rapid City is known as the City of Presidents for its life-size bronze statues of every US president, placed on downtown street corners. Main Street Square hosts concerts, a splash fountain and winter ice skating, and the historic Hotel Alex Johnson and Prairie Edge gallery add character. Dinosaur Park, with its concrete dinosaurs on a hill overlooking the city, has been a landmark since the 1930s.
Most visitors come for the Black Hills. Mount Rushmore National Memorial is about 30 minutes away, along with Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park's bison herds and the Needles Highway. Badlands National Park lies an hour east, and Wind Cave and Jewel Cave are within easy reach.
Series of life-size bronze statues of US presidents placed on street corners throughout downtown Rapid City, each with a small plaque. Finding them makes a fun walking tour. Pick up a map at the visitor center near Main Street Square and allow about an hour.
Wooden stave church built in 1969 as a replica of the medieval Borgund church in Norway, set in a quiet pine valley on the west side of the city. Visitors can see the chapel, a log cabin museum and gardens. It is open in summer; admission is free with donations welcome.
Downtown plaza with a large fountain and splash area in summer, an ice skating rink in winter, granite sculptures and a stage for concerts and events. Shops and restaurants surround it. It is the best starting point for exploring downtown on foot.
Downtown alley between Sixth and Seventh Streets covered in ever-changing graffiti and murals painted by local and visiting artists. It is free and open at all times. Walk the full length for photos; new pieces appear regularly, so each visit looks different.
Hilltop park built in 1936 by the Works Progress Administration with five life-size concrete dinosaurs painted bright green, plus wide views over the city. It is free and fun for kids. Stairs lead up from the parking area; the hill can be windy, so bring a jacket.
Free children's park beside Rapid Creek with play areas and scenes based on nursery rhymes and fairy tales, plus a small train and summer children's theater. It is run by volunteers and donations. Open in the warm season; check hours and holiday lights events.
Large reptile zoo just south of the city with snakes, crocodiles, giant tortoises and lizards in a glass sky dome, plus bird shows and alligator demonstrations. It is one of the area's oldest attractions. Allow three hours; opening days are reduced in the off-season.
Drive-through wildlife park south of Rapid City where you see black bears, wolves, elk, bison and mountain lions from your car, followed by a walk-through area with bear cubs and smaller animals. Keep windows up in the bear area; allow about two hours.
Museum covering the story of the Black Hills from geology and dinosaurs to Lakota culture and pioneer settlement, combining several collections under one roof. Hands-on exhibits suit kids. Allow about two hours; it is a good choice on rainy or very hot days.
Museum at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology with dinosaur and mammal fossils from the Badlands, plus gems, minerals and meteorites. Admission is free. It is small but packed with impressive specimens; allow about an hour and park in campus visitor spaces.
Historic downtown hotel opened in 1928, blending Tudor architecture with Lakota design motifs in its lobby. It is known for its rooftop bar views and ghost stories. Even if you are not staying, stop to see the lobby and enjoy a drink on the roof at sunset.
Long greenway along Rapid Creek through the city, with a paved bike path, parks, ponds, fishing spots and picnic areas. It is good for walking or biking across town without traffic. Start near Storybook Island or Memorial Park and follow the creek in either direction.
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South Dakota, United States
South Dakota, United States
South Dakota, United States
South Dakota, United States
North Carolina, United States
Arizona, United States
Louisiana, United States
Texas, United States
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