Bronze statue of President Theodore Roosevelt in Rapid City, SD

RAPID CITY ATTRACTIONS

REPTILE GARDENS

8955 S Highway 16 Rapid City, SD 57702
Reptile Gardens is home of the World’s Largest Reptile Collection! But that’s not all! In addition there are three thrilling live animal shows, acres of beautiful botanic gardens, and four friendly giant tortoises. A day spent at Reptile Gardens is an experience you will never forget.
Reptilegardens.com – 800-335-0275

DINOSAUR PARK

940 Skyline Dr. Rapid City, SD 57701
Towering life-size dinosaurs and spectacular views. This free attraction is especially popular with young kids. After spending the day with giants, you are sure to have a monster appetite. Venture down the hill at the visitor center. Here you will not only find snacks, but also gifts and souvenirs. Open daily in May – October.
www.dinosaurparkblackhills.com – 605-343-8687

FORT HAYS

2255 Fort Hayes Drive Rapid City, SD 57702
Stroll the boardwalk of the Fort Hays old west town square. Take a free self guided tour of the “Dances with Wolves” movie set. Here you will also find the South Dakota movie museum. Watch craftsmen making handmade tools, ropes, bricks, tin plates, and knives. Browse through the shops for unique gifts and souvenirs. After all that, make sure you stop by the chuckwagon. In the morning they offer All-you-can-eat 99 cent pancakes! In the evening take in dinner and a show. Fort Hays even offers Black Hills tour packages.
www.mountrushmoretours.com –  605-343-3113

STORYBOOK ISLAND

1301 Sheridan Lake Rd. Rapid City, SD 57702
Out of the pages and into real life. Kids of all ages can play with characters from their favorite fables at Storybook Island. This stellar park includes a snack bar, train ride, bounce house, and also a new carousel. Additionally, parents can rent the birthday house to make their little ones day extra magical. Come enjoy a free, safe, educational environment for those young in years, or young at heart! Experience the power of imagination. The park relies on donations, so anything you can give is appreciated. *Rides, snacks, and bounces require payment.
www.storybookisland.org – 605-342-6357

FLAGS AND WHEELS

405 12th St. Rapid City, SD 57701
Are you ready for family fun for all ages? Come check out Flags and Wheels! As the only indoor racing facility in Rapid City, Flags and Wheels has something to offer every member of the family, no matter the age! Extreme Racing Karts and Go Carts to Lazer Tag, Bumper Cars and Paintball/(Reball)!
www.flagsandwheels.com – 605-341-2186

OLD MACDONALD’S PETTING FARM

23691 Busted Five Ct, Rapid City, SD 57702
Your family can enjoy over 100 popular farm animals in a clean, relaxed hands-on environment. This beautiful farm on the road to Mount Rushmore is a great place to play with many friendly animals.
www.oldmacdonaldsfarmrc.com – 605-737-4815

RUSHMORE CANDY CO.

9815 S. Hwy 16 Rapid City, SD 57702
Experience the largest candy store in South Dakota. Featuring hundreds of the most diveres types of candy from around the world. From old school jaw breakers to chocolate covered pickles, there is something to satisfy every sweet tooth at Rushmore Candy Company.
www.rushmirecandycompany.com – 605-342-1489

BLACK HILLS CAVERNS

2600 Cavern Rd, Rapid City, SD 57702
Black Hills Caverns has been amazing its visitors in the Black Hills of South Dakota since 1939. Visitors will be amazed by the variety of formations. The Caverns continue to be explored and new passages are still being found. Black Hills Caverns offers anAdventure Tour and a Crystal Tours daily from May thru September. 
www.blackhillscaverns.com – 605-343-0542

PIRATE’S COVE ADVENTURE GOLF

1500 N Lacrosse St, Rapid City, SD 57701
“The Original Adventure Golf” Pirate’s Cove offers an unequaled miniature golf experience! The adventures and legends of infamous pirates come to life in our award-winning theme park settings. Putt your way through caves, over footbridges, and under cascading waterfalls! Not to mention the fun-filled atmosphere of flowing water, extraordinary landscaping, and enchanting pirate lore.
www.piratescove.net – 605-343-8540

DINOSAUR MUSEUM

8973 US-16, Rapid City, SD 57702
While most museums only display fossils and skeleton replicas, the dinosaurs at the Black Hills Dinosaur Museum are life-like. They show you what dinosaurs looked like when they were alive.
www.blackhillsdinosaurmuseum.com – 605-342-8140

PUTZ ‘N GLO

23694 Strato Rim Dr. Rapid City, SD 57702
Three great attractions in one – Black Light Mini Golf, Miner’s Maze, and Finder’s Keepers Gemstone Panning. But that’s not all! Putz ‘n Glo also has an arcade, food and beverage services, & outdoor patio. There is something for every member of the family at Putz ‘n Glo.
www.putznglo.com – 605-716-1230

ROY’S BLACK HILLS TWIN DRIVE-IN

810 Tenaya St, Hermosa, SD 57744
Welcome to Roy’s Black Hills Twin, the first ALL-DIGITAL drive-in movie theater in America — with the largest screens in the U.S., 80 feet wide! Family night, date night, or group outing. By and large, Roy’s offers the best movie going experience in the Black Hills.
www.roysdrivein.com – 605-255-5333

HART RANCH GOLF COURSE

23645 Clubhouse Dr, Rapid City, SD 57702
Nestled against foothills of ponderosa pine, Hart Ranch’s 18-hole Championship Golf Course is a treat for golfers of all ages and all ability levels. Listed in Golf Digest’s “Places to Play” not only because of challenging golf, but also friendly service and smiling faces. Our award-winning course design provides both the novice and the scratch handicapper a memorable golfing experience.
www.hartranch.com – 605-341-5703

PRAIRIE EDGE

606 Main Street Rapid City, SD 57701
Dedicated to Preserving the Past. Since our beginning in 1957, we have built a formidable reputation for excellence, both in providing craft supplies and collecting Native American art. We have lived among and worked with our many friends in Indian Country. We’ve listened to their stories and learned their cultural traditions. We understand the importance of procuring only the highest quality craft supplies for them and their artwork.
www.prairieedge.com – 800-541-2388

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE

13548 S Hwy 16 Rapid City, SD 57702
Capture the joy of the Christmas season. We carry the most extensive collection of ornaments, decorations and gifts in the area.  In addition, you will find trinkets for any other holiday you can think of. From nostalgic to contemporary, you can find something for everyone on your list. And don’t forget to get something for yourself too!
www.blackhillschristmasvillage.com – 605-343-3440

GOLD DIGGERS

2017 Mount Rushmore Rd. Rapid City, SD 57701
Black Hills Gold is a treasure with a long and colorful history which began many years ago during the famous gold rush in the 1800’s. Cast in 10 Karat gold, in the beautiful colors of yellow, rose, and green, Black Hills Gold jewelry is uniquely and beautifully designed. Here at Gold Diggers you can buy necklaces and bracelets online, gemstone silver rings, Black Hills Gold wedding rings, and much, much more.
www.bhgolddigger.com – 605-341-9655

PAWNSEUM

629 St. Joseph St. Rapid City, SD 57701
The World’s Only Pawnseum. Incase you are wondering what a pawnseum is, it is part pawn shop, part museum. Chocolate so rare is was thought to be extinct for over 100 years.A gorgeous Colt .44 Rimfire in pristine condition. Michael Jackson’s early concert glove. Authentic Native American antiques and jewelry. This free museum is sure to peak your interests no matter what they may be.
www.presidentialpawnshop.com – 605-342-7296

MUSEUM OF GEOLOGY

501 E. Saint Joseph St. Rapid City, SD 57701
The Museum has been collecting and displaying new specimens since 1885. Come and see our fascinating mounted skeletons of dinosaurs, mammals, marine reptiles, and fish! Dozens of rare fossils from the White River Badlands are arranged in time-specific dioramas. Our mineral displays include the Hall of South Dakota Minerals, meteorites, and a fluorescent mineral room that’s sure to fascinate. Free Attraction!
www.sdsmt.com – 605-394-2467

PETRIFIED FOREST

8228 Elk Creek Rd. Piedmont, SD 57769
Opened publicly in 1929 the Petrified Forest of the Black Hills is one of the largest out-cropping of fossilized petrified wood in the area. Elk Creek Resort’s Petrified Forest of the Black Hills offers a one hour tour starting with a 15 minute video which takes you through some of the history of the Black Hills, as well as an explanation of the petrification process. The tour continues through our Museum which houses Petrified Wood, Rocks & Fossils. You will then hike through the Petrified Forest and experience the knowledge gained from the video and museum. You will finish at the Gallery of Stone Rock shop and have access to many types of petrified wood and other beautiful creations.
www.thepetrifiedforest.net – 605-787-4560


HISTORY

Rapid City, named for Rapid Creek, was founded in February of 1876. Since then Rapid City has always laid importance on its downtown area, measuring off a six block segment in the middle, and designating it as a business section.  Later in 1949 that six blocks would be part of a vision for the city, to include a civic center, new schools, and paved streets. The history of downtown can be seen on every corner and in many of the buildings. 

Renovating Rapid City

Main Street Square, Rapid City

Downtown Rapid City has gone through some changes over the years but a few things have remained the same. It’s always been a great place to meet with friends and family. It’s a center of commerce for our little part of the world, as well as a cultural beacon for the state of South Dakota.

The addition of Main Street Square created a hangout for locals and tourists alike. Not only a place for business, but for art and music, shopping, and dining. A family friendly environment, as well as a place you can go with that special someone. What was once a vacant parking lot has been transformed into a must see attraction in Rapid City.

TODAY

Enjoy a stroll through downtown and experience local art on every block. Take in a movie at the historic Elks Theatre or unwind with dinner and some locally crafted beer at the Firehouse. Wherever you decide to visit –  you’ll be with friends in beautiful downtown Rapid City!


EVENTS

To discover more events in Rapid City, go to: www.visitrapidcity.com

Create a website or blog at WordPress.com