Rapid City South Dakota Travel Guide

Rapid City, South Dakota might be a destination you have not heard of before. Take a closer look at this Great Plains state and you might be surprised at what you will find. Modern Rapid City, SD hotels and historic attractions blend together seamlessly.

Originally, settlers rushed here in 1874 for gold and were impressed enough with the area to stay. Nowadays, many visitors arrive via I-90, which meanders through South Dakota and the Black Hills; however, Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is also available offering several non-stop destinations and affordable Rapid City, SD hotels nearby.  Everything here is wide-open and spread out, giving you room to breathe. Take advantage of the incredible outdoor opportunities while visiting. There are a few sites which simply can not be missed. First, the Black Hills National Forest and the Badlands offer fantastic camping, hiking and cycling without crowds for the most part. You will be in awe when you see Mt. Rushmore, completed in 1941, with its patriotic carvings of past presidents. Many people enjoy Bear Country USA where you can drive through a wildlife park with grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, mountain lions and timber wolves.

Next you should visit the Crazy Horse Memorial, an in-progress sculpture of the Dakota warrior who met up with General Custer at Little Bighorn and defeated him. You can tour the Indian Museum of North America here as well.

The South Dakota Air and Space Museum can be toured to see 30 bombers, fighter planes and missiles. Perhaps visiting Deadwood, a 19th century mining town turned gambling destination is just what you need to change your luck! Join hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists attending nearby Sturgis for its annual Rally for an unforgettable experience.

Back to the city, Rushmore Plaza Civic Center hosts concerts, events and Rapid City Rush hockey games. During each summer you can attend Summer Nights each Thursday evening for live music, an artwalk, beer and food plus entertainment for kids. The downtown Dahl Arts Center features contemporary visual arts and home for the city’s performing arts. The Black Hills Community Theatre has been presenting live performances for over 40 years.

You will find a number of hotel chains represented in Rapid City. Our blue Hotels tab at the top of this City Guide may be clicked for a selection at reasonable rates. Remember, the attractions are well-spaced out, so the exact area of the city might not be quite as important as in other larger burgs. Reading the information on this site should be helpful as you map out your vacation.

There is more to do in Rapid City than you ever imagined. Why not plan a vacation filled with western history and beautiful scenery in the heart of America?