- Updated with new information since originally published.
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- Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.
1. Mount Rushmore Tours
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Tours in the Area
© Mount Rushmore Tours
2. Dahl Arts Center
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Category:
Affordable Local Attractions
© guruXOX/stock.adobe.com
3. South Dakota Air and Space Museum
Category:
Museums & Culture for Couples
© South Dakota Air and Space Museum
4. Museum of Geology
Category:
Museums & Culture for Couples
© Museum of Geology
5. Crazy Horse Memorial
Category:
Affordable Local Attractions
© Courtesy of Rex Wholster - Fotolia.com
6. Reptile Gardens
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Reptile Gardens
7. The Golf Club at Red Rock
© Courtesy of Mirek Kijewski - Fotolia.com
8. Black Hills Symphony Orchestra
Category:
Entertainment Near Me
© Black Hills Symphony Orchestra
9. Storybook Island
Romantic Islands
© Storybook Island
10. Prairie Edge Trading Co. & Galleries
Category:
Museums & Culture for Couples
© Courtesy of Prairie Edge Trading Co. & Galleries - Fotolia.com
11. Downtown Rapid City
© Downtown Rapid City
12. Dinosaur Park
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Dieter Hawlan - Fotolia.com
13. The Journey Museum & Learning Center
Category:
Affordable Local Attractions
© The Journey Museum & Learning Center
14. Cosmos Mystery Area
© Cosmos Mystery Area
15. WaTiki Indoor Waterpark
Category:
Kids & Family Fun
© Courtesy of Pavel Losevsky - Fotolia.com
16. Old MacDonald's Farm
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Old MacDonald's Farm
17. Fort Hays Chuckwagon Supper & Show
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Fort Hays Chuckwagon Supper & Show
18. Black Hills Caverns
Category:
Affordable Local Attractions
© Courtesy of tempus_fugit1980 - Fotolia.com
19. Mt. Rushmore Black Hills Gold Factory Tour
Tours in the Area
© Courtesy of cat027 - Fotolia.com
20. Motion Unlimited Museum
Category:
Museums & Culture for Couples
© Motion Unlimited Museum
21. Main Street Square
© Courtesy of Wollwerth Imagery - Fotolia.com
Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:
Rapid City, which sits on the eastern slope of the Black Hills mountain range in western South Dakota, has been dubbed “The Gateway to the Black Hills.” From here, visitors can explore the Black Hills and Badlands, Mount Rushmore , the Crazy Horse Memorial, Bear Country USA, and the Black Hills Caverns, among other nearby attractions.
Where to stay in Rapid City, SD:
- Summer Creek Inn
- Sweetgrass Inn
- Canyon Lake Resort
Rapid City, SD Events:
- Mount Rushmore Evening Lighting Ceremony May to September
- Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup & Arts Festival September
- The Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival September
- Black Hills Powwow
- Bierborse Festival
- Cruiser Car Show
- Mountain West Whiskey Festival in Rapid City - March 2025
- Badlands Astronomy Festival
More events and things to do
Map:
Plan Your Trip
