Use this handy list of 15 reasons to love Rapid City, South Dakota to plan your visit and you’re sure to find even more for yourself. Take the pro tips and secrets from Real Food Traveler Hospitality Editor, Ron Stern, to create a list of must-see stops.
Save these 15 reasons to love Rapid City, South Dakota to Pinterest to help you plan your visit. Photos by Ron Stern. Graphic by RealFoodTraveler.com.
15 Reasons to Love Rapid City, South Dakota
Known as “The Gateway to the Black Hills” and the “City of Presidents,” Rapid City or “Rapid” as locals call it, embraces its past while still retaining its friendly, small community allure. From its early days as a promising gold rush town, Rapid has become one of the country’s top tourist destinations attracting almost 4 million visitors each year.
Its current treasures are found in an abundance of recreational activities, cuisine, and attractions. As I discovered, this area of western South Dakota is like a gigantic outdoor playground filled with parks, monuments, restaurants, shopping, and adventures for the entire family. Rapid, as it turns out, is more than the sum of its collective parts.
The city’s history is a fascinating glimpse into the past. In 1874, a U.S. Army task force was sent out from what was then the Dakota Territory to this mostly unexplored area. Known as “The Black Hills Expedition,” it was charged with finding a suitable location for a fort as well as gold mining opportunities. The assignment fell to a young, 35-year-old Lieutenant Colonel named George Armstrong Custer.
After some of this shiny metal was found in French Creek, a gold rush ensued along with a massive influx of prospectors and miners to the area. The Sioux Indians felt this violated a treaty with the US Government and a few years later, Custer and his 7th Cavalry met their unfortunate fate at the Battle of Little Bighorn.
With so many things to see and do, it might be hard to narrow down your list. Here are some of my personal favorite reasons, sprinkled with a few tips and secrets, to fall in love with Rapid.
- Mount Rushmore National Memorial (Black Hills, approx. 23 miles from Rapid City)
The massive 60-foot-high edifice is known worldwide and has been featured in films like Alfred Hitchcock’s classic “North by Northwest.” The entrance is bounded by 50 United States flags that lead you to the awe-inspiring sight. This marvel of sculptural engineering features the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln carved from the granite mountainside.
Once there, you can get closer views walking along the Presidential Trail, visit the sculptor’s studio and shop in their information center and bookstore. TIP: Here’s a little secret about Rushmore’s lesser-known treasures; Thomas Jefferson’s original vanilla ice cream is a must-try. You can find it inside of Carvers’ Café. The first recorded American recipe for ice cream will knock your socks off for its creamy and delicious texture and flavor!
When at Mount Rushmore, enjoy the famous vanilla ice cream whose recipe was made popular by Thomas Jefferson.
- City of Presidents (Rapid City)
Patriotism is alive and well here as the bronze statues of 43 past presidents can attest. You can find them on almost every corner seated or standing and posing with interesting moments or hobbies from their life. Harry Truman, for example, is holding up a newspaper with the famous headline, “Dewey Defeats Truman,” and George W. Bush is depicted carrying his dog under his arm. TIP: Here’s another little lesser-known secret; all the sculptures are true to size and weight except for Howard Taft who had to be scaled down a bit to make the statue affordable.
- Art Alley (Rapid City)
The alleyway between 6th and 7th Streets is unlike any you are likely to come across. Local artists have transformed this bland space into their colorful vision with murals, street art, and graffiti. From whimsical to abstract to realism, each wall is covered with an ever-changing scene that delights visitors and locals alike. This is an ideal spot for an Instagram-worthy shot or two.
Art Alley is a must-visit place to take in local art and artists.
- Balloon Rides (Black Hills Balloons, Custer)
One of the best ways to get a sense of the grandeur of the Black Hills is from above. At Black Hills Balloons, they have been offering this once-in-a-lifetime, thrilling experience for more than 40 years.
I arose early for my flight which was scheduled at dawn to catch the sunrise at liftoff. Each excursion is about an hour and, during that time you will be treated to spectacular views of The Black Hills. You’ll glide silently over lakes, valleys, prairies and a landscape laden with Ponderosa Pines and abundant wildlife. The flights take place from May 1- October 31 and are weather-dependent.
- Crazy Horse Memorial® (Crazy Horse)
This gigantic carved statue of Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse began in 1948 and has been an ongoing project ever since. Privately funded, it is “the world’s largest mountain carving in progress.” Carved out of granite, it depicts Crazy Horse on his mount with an outstretched arm pointing the way to his tribal lands.
The carving is an astounding 641 feet long and 563 feet high. The face alone is 87 feet 6 inches tall and all the faces of Mt. Rushmore would fit inside his head and hair.
Our tour bus guide told the fascinating history of the monument which honors the cultures and traditions of the Native American Indians. The welcome center includes displays, exhibits, restaurants, as well as daily cultural performances.
The massive Crazy Horse Memorial is an in-process monument.
- Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour (Custer State Park Resort)
“Oh! give me a home where the buffalo roam,” were the first words of the iconic 1872 song, Home on the Range. That sentiment fits perfectly at Custer State Park where you can take a 1.5 – 2-hour open-air jeep ride through the Black Hills for an up-close view of pronghorns, elk and buffalo.
These vehicles are built to go just about anywhere, including up steep inclines to see herds of buffalo (or bison, if you prefer) in their native habitat. Our driver related interesting facts and history of the area including everything I didn’t know about these animals. TIP: The sunrise Jeep tour may be the best time to book. The animals are usually out more in the morning and there is also less traffic in the park at that time of day.
The Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour is a fun, family-friendly activity.
- City View Trolley Tour (Rapid City)
If you are visiting for the first time, this is the ideal way to get acquainted with Rapid. The City View Trolley Tour guides you on a relaxing, 90-minute narrated visit of all the highlights. Starting at the Journey Museum (the site of one of Elvis Presley’s last concerts in 1977), the trolley also goes to Main Street, Storybook Island and Dinosaur Park with some huge green, concrete dinosaurs overlooking the city.
The City View Trolley Tour is a great way to get to know the area while learning about key sites and history.
More Reasons to Love Rapid City, South Dakota
The highlight is a stop at Chapel in the Hills featuring an exact replica of the intricately constructed Borgund Stavkirke Church from Norway. TIP: Memorial Park contains another little secret–two 12-foot sections of the original Berlin Wall.
See an exact replica of Norway’s Chapel in the Hills.
- Kayaking on Sheridan Lake, (Black Hills National Forest, 15 miles west of Rapid City)
The 375-acre lake is operated by the U.S. Forest Service and offers both fishing, boating, and paddle sport opportunities. Kayaks can be rented and delivered on-site by operators such as Black Hills Paddlesports.
The lake is surrounded by Ponderosa pine trees and spring and summer afford the perfect way to enjoy the sunshine and picturesque surroundings. TIP: Pack a picnic lunch before or after your blue-water excursion.
Get out in nature kayaking on Sheridan Lake.
- Jolly Lane Chili Pepper Roast (Rapid City)
The Jolly Lane Greenhouse is host to an annual chili festival held in September each year. This huge event is a sort of a local secret (until now) and the grounds are transformed into a cornucopia of fresh produce, canned goods, craft brews, food trucks and music.
I sampled some amazing chili beer, savory dips and chips, and had a delicious slider from one of their on-site food trucks. This is a festive, family-friendly event that is fun for the whole family.
10. Wall Drug Store (Wall)
The little town of Wall might have been swept up in dusty history if it hadn’t been for Ted and Dorothy Hustead. Located on the edge of the South Dakota Badlands, Ted was a pharmacist and was looking for a way to lure weary and thirsty travelers from the interstate.
He conceived the genius idea of placing signs on the highway offering free ice water and 5-cent coffee. He came up with some snappy slogans like “Get a soda . . . Get a root beer . . . Turn next corner . . . Free Ice Water. . . Wall Drug.”
The idea worked and today, Wall Drug attracts more than 2 million tourists a year. They come for the eclectic shopping including a Jackalope, Buckin’ Bronc, and a mini-sized Mount Rushmore. But there’s more! Their 500-seat Western Art Gallery Restaurant serves delicious homemade donuts and their signature hot beef sandwiches which are hearty and quite tasty. TIP:And another secret, the coffee here is still just 5 cents!
Wall Drug was and a popular stop for visitors. Be sure to grab a picture of the Jackalope statue.
Located just six miles from Wall, the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is as surreal as it is historic. Secreted underneath large swaths of desolate prairie, 150 missiles were silently standing guard in their silos. Together with their crews, they were awaiting commands to turn their keys and launch these intercontinental ballistic missiles in the event of an attack.
Between 1963 and the early 1990s, this was meant to be a Cold War deterrent but thankfully, they were never utilized. This historic site operated by the US Park Service preserves this uneasy piece of US History.
The Delta 01 Launch Control Facility Tour starts with a topside visit to an ordinary-looking ranch-style home. A hidden elevator then takes you down 34 feet past a blast door and into a small launch control compartment. Rotating crews known as “missileers” from Ellsworth Air Force Base would spend 24 hours a day monitoring their panels in case orders came through to launch their Minuteman II missiles. TIP: This is a highly popular tour so book at least 90 days in advance to ensure your spot.
See Delta 01 Launch Control at the former Minute Man Missile National Historic Site.
- South Dakota Air and Space Museum (Box Elder- Ellsworth AFB)
Anyone interested in military aircraft and history should make this a must-do attraction. Located just outside of the Ellsworth AFB main gate, find a splendidly cared-for collection of Cold War aircraft. These relics include a B-29 Superfortress, B-36 Peacemaker, B-52 Stratofortress, and B-1 Lancer. The outside park also includes WWII, Korean, and Vietnam-era planes. Tip: They have several inside galleries, but they are subject to closure based on the seasons and other factors.
See actual military planes at the South Dakota Air and Space Museum in South Dakota.
- Shopping (Rapid City and Environs)
With 47 shops and eight shopping districts, they probably have just what you are looking for in Rapid. You won’t find a lot of big box stores here and that’s just the way they like it, with the majority being independently run businesses.
Handmade pottery, bison jerky, locally roasted coffee beans and Native American Art are all within easy walking or driving distance of downtown. And don’t leave before visiting one of their iconic jewelry shops called Black Hills Gold. With roots dating back to the gold rush, you can shop for rings, necklaces, earrings, and more. They also offer a free factory tour to see how the master artisans create their lovely pieces.
TIP: Here’s a local secret – their hand-crafted “good luck” tri-colored jewelry is designed with a grapevine and leaf motif. The story goes that a miner got lost while prospecting in the Black Hills. After stumbling upon some native grapevines growing in a creek, the thirsty miner’s life was saved and the “lucky” jewelry was born.
- Food and Culinary (Rapid City and Environs)
I certainly didn’t go hungry during my visit and was quite surprised at the quality and diverse types of food. For breakfast, I would recommend Tally’s Silver Spoon. Also serving lunch and dinner, their gourmet and flavorful meals are the talk of the town and super delicious.
I enjoyed a delicious lunch of Chicken Tika Masala (with mango lassi) at Kathmandu Momo House.
For dinner, Delmonico Grill is the place locals go for fine dining. I had their house cut filet which was tender and flavorful. TIP: After dinner take a short walk to the nearby Hotel Alex Johnson. On their rooftop, Juniper at Vertex Sky Bar affords Instagram worthy views of the city, especially at night.
Rapid also has an impressive beverage scene including Firehouse Brewing Company, the oldest brewery in South Dakota (1991). Housed in the city’s 1915 Firehall, enjoy a craft brew surrounded by all sorts of fire memorabilia. TIP: For another secret, lurking in the shadows is the original fire pole, although no one slides down it anymore.After the sun goes down, residents head to any number of cocktail bars. Windsor Block Bar, for instance, is a relaxing spot in downtown offering hundreds of whiskey choices and any number of traditional and craft cocktails. One reviewer summarized it perfectly saying, “This is the best bar in Rapid City! The ambiance is relaxed, its dim light and the bartenders and servers are extremely knowledgeable about the drinks!”
Get a hearty breakfast at Tally’s Silver Spoon.
- Local Hospitality
Perhaps the final reason to fall in love with Rapid is the people itself. I couldn’t help but notice how friendly and hospitable everyone was. Here, the smiles and greetings are genuine, and locals go out of their way to make you feel welcome. This is one of the reasons that individuals, families, and tour groups keep returning to Rapid as a few days or even a week aren’t sufficient to explore its many diversions.
Where to Stay in Rapid City, South Dakota
The Rushmore Hotel and Suites, BW Premiere Collection
This property is centrally located in downtown and within easy walking distance of restaurants, shops, and The City of Presidents Walk. The rooms are clean and I found the staff to be well-trained and eager to assist guests. Their “eco-friendly” beds were particularly comfy and allowed for a great night’s sleep.
TIP: For my final secret, the lobby at this property is quite impressive for its artwork. As you enter, you are greeted by a large, flat replica of Mt. Rushmore on the floor. Created by artist Harri Aalto, he used a pioneering inlay water jet technology to cut each individual piece of granite for this artistic wonder. Their website calls it “The world’s most advanced marble floor of Mt. Rushmore.”
You can’t, and shouldn’t, miss the inlay floor at The Rushmore Hotel and Suites in Rapid City, South Dakota.
To learn more about Rapid City, South Dakota, check out their visitors’ website, here.
-Story and photos by Ron Stern, Real Food Traveler Hospitality Editor
Please note, as is common practice in this industry, this was a hosted visit, however, all opinions are honest and based on the author’s opinion for the purpose of informing our readers. Also, this article contains a link to Amazon.com. RealFoodTraveler.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn a small amount of advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com while providing convenience for the reader. This in no way affects the prices of any products you may purchase in conjunction with this link.
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