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Trip Planner :  USA  /  South Dakota  /  Rapid City

Rapid City

4.1
Nature & Parks · Zoos · Entertainment Centers
Gateway to the Black Hills
South Dakota's second-largest city, Rapid City has for many years served as a gateway to the West. Today, the city's museums and cultural attractions highlight the area's rich Native American and pioneer heritage, and cover topics including science, contemporary arts, and European history. The majority of attractions can be found in the walkable downtown area, home to a bustling main square, shopping destinations, and a host of restaurants. Outdoor enthusiasts come to the region to explore the Black Hills via hiking, biking, fishing, and more. The city of more than 70,000 serves as a jumping-off point for two popular national monuments in the area. Arrange all the small, but important details of your Rapid City trip itinerary using our United States road trip website.
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    Top tours near Rapid City

    FROM $84 BOOK WITH VIATOR Mount Rushmore and Black Hills Bus Tour with Live Commentary
    4.8
    Duration: 8 hours
    Tours from $84 »
    FROM $126 BOOK WITH VIATOR Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills
    4.9
    Duration: 9 hours
    Tours from $126 »
    FROM $325 BOOK WITH VIATOR Private Tour of Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park
    5.0
    Duration: 8 to 9 hours
    Tours from $325 »
    FROM $266 BOOK WITH VIATOR Private limousine tours of Mt Rushmore or Badlands or Devils Tower
    4.9
    Duration: 8 to 9 hours
    Tours from $266 »
    FROM $325 BOOK WITH VIATOR Hot Air Balloon Flight Over Black Hills
    5.0
    Duration: 2 to 3 hours
    Tours from $325 »
    FROM $999 BOOK WITH VIATOR Private Group - Badlands Tour
    4.2
    Duration: 7 hours
    Tours from $999 »
    FROM $400 BOOK WITH VIATOR VIP Day Trip to Mt. Rushmore, Custer State Park, and The Badlands
    5.0
    Duration: 6 to 8 hours
    Tours from $400 »
    FROM $325 BOOK WITH VIATOR Private Mickelson Trail Bicycling Tour
    5.0
    Duration: 8 hours
    Tours from $325 »
    FROM $192 BOOK WITH VIATOR Southern Black Hills Parks & Monuments Tour - Mt Rushmore & more! (Small Group)
    5.0
    Duration: 9 hours
    Tours from $192 »

    Popular things to do in Rapid City

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    Bear Country USA ©
    Nature / Park
    Bear Country USA
    4.4
    Duration: 2h 30 min
    Downtown Rapid City ©
    Neighborhood
    Downtown Rapid City
    4.5
    Duration: 2h 30 min
    Reptile Gardens ©
    Zoo
    Reptile Gardens
    4.6
    Duration: 2h 30 min
    South Dakota Air and Space Museum ©
    Military Museum
    South Dakota Air and Space Museum
    4.6
    Duration: 2h 30 min

    Side trips from Rapid City

    Custer State Park ©
    State Park
    Custer State Park
    Custer
    4.8
    Duration: 2h 30 min
    Mount Rushmore National Memorial ©
    National Park
    Mount Rushmore National Memorial
    Keystone
    4.7
    Duration: 1h 30 min
    Devils Tower National Monument ©
    Geologic Formation
    Devils Tower National Monument
    Devils Tower
    4.8
    Duration: 2h 30 min
    Crazy Horse Memorial ©
    Monument
    Crazy Horse Memorial
    Crazy Horse
    3.4
    Duration: 2h 30 min

    Hidden gems in Rapid City

    Storybook Island ©
    Theme Park
    Storybook Island
    4.7
    Duration: 2h 30 min
    Chapel in the Hills ©
    Church
    Chapel in the Hills
    4.7
    Duration: 2h 30 min
    ©
    Nature / Wildlife Tour
    Nature & Wildlife Tours
    5.0
    Duration: 8 hours
    ©
    Off-Road Tour
    Off-Road Tours
    4.9
    Duration: 4 hours

    Kid-friendly things to do in Rapid City

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    Dinosaur Park ©
    Landmark
    Dinosaur Park
    3.7
    Duration: 2h 30 min
    Museum of Geology ©
    Specialty Museum
    Museum of Geology
    4.7
    Duration: 2h 30 min
    Ranch Amusement Park ©
    Theme Park
    Ranch Amusement Park
    4.7
    Duration: 2h 30 min
    WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort ©
    Water Park
    WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort
    3.2
    Duration: 2h 30 min

    Museums in Rapid City

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    Prairie Edge Trading Co. & Galleries ©
    Art Gallery
    Prairie Edge Trading Co. & Galleries
    4.7
    Duration: 2h 30 min
    The Journey Museum and Learning Center ©
    Specialty Museum
    The Journey Museum and Learning Center
    4.4
    Duration: 2h 30 min
    America's Founding Fathers Exhibit ©
    History Museum
    America's Founding Fathers Exhibit
    4.4
    Duration: 2h 30 min
    Suzie Cappa Art Center ©
    Art Gallery
    Suzie Cappa Art Center
    4.9
    Duration: 2h 30 min

    Shopping in Rapid City

    Black Hills Vinyl ©
    Gift & Specialty Shop
    Black Hills Vinyl
    4.8
    Duration: 2h 30 min
    Christmas Village Store ©
    Gift & Specialty Shop
    Christmas Village Store
    4.5
    Duration: 2h 30 min
    Alex Johnson Mercantile ©
    Gift & Specialty Shop
    Alex Johnson Mercantile
    4.4
    Duration: 2h 30 min
    Zoom Soda and Candy
    Gift & Specialty Shop
    Zoom Soda and Candy
    4.3
    Duration: 2h 30 min

    Featured attractions

    Chapel in the Hills ©
    Church
    Chapel in the Hills
    4.7
    Duration: 2h 30 min
    Loop Road ©
    Scenic Drive
    Loop Road
    Badlands National Park
    4.9
    Duration: 2h 30 min
    Wildlife Loop Road ©
    Scenic Drive
    Wildlife Loop Road
    Custer
    4.6
    Duration: 2h 30 min
    Iron Mountain Road ©
    Scenic Drive
    Iron Mountain Road
    Custer
    4.9
    Duration: 2h 30 min

    Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

    Where to stay in Rapid City

    Bear Country USA ©
    In Rapid City you'll find a variety of hotels and motels, but you can expect their rates to vary considerably depending on the season. Those located downtown provide easy walking access to some of the area's most popular restaurants and bars. Visitors wanting to explore the iconic Mount Rushmore or Custer State Park attractions may prefer the convenience of a hotel along Interstate 90. If you want a scenic escape, look for a bed and breakfast, campsite, or cabin in the surrounding Black Hills National Forest.
    20 million rooms are at your fingertips!
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    Places to visit with Rapid City

    CusterTrip planner BEST FOR: State Park, Scenic Drive, Water Body Badlands National ParkTrip planner BEST FOR: Scenic Drive, Geologic Formation, Hiking Trail KeystoneTrip planner BEST FOR: National Park, Theme Park, Hiking Trail Sioux FallsTrip planner BEST FOR: Park, Hiking Trail, Aquarium DeadwoodTrip planner BEST FOR: Cemetery, History Museum, Casino

    Visit a single location or make it a multi-destination trip.

    Recently planned trips to Rapid City

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