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Rapid City

Trip Planner : USA / South Dakota / Rapid City

Wildlife Museums Zoos & Aquariums

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. Rapid City is in South Dakota (SD). To arrange what you want to do in Rapid City, use our United States visit planner.

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Best things to do in Rapid City

Popular

Reptile Gardens

Visit for: 2h 30min

Bear Country USA

Visit for: 2h 30min

Downtown Rapid City

Side Trips

Badlands National Park

Visit for: 2h 30min

Iron Mountain Road

Visit for: 2h 30min

Wildlife Loop Road

Visit for: 2h 30min

Kid Friendly Attractions

Visit for: 1h 30min

Storybook Island

Visit for: 2h 30min

Cosmos Mystery Area

Visit for: 1h 30min

Museums

South Dakota Air and Space Museum

Visit for: 1h 30min

Prairie Edge Trading Co. & Galleries

Visit for: 1h 30min

America's Founding Fathers Exhibit

Visit for: 1h 30min

Hidden Gems

Museum of Geology

Visit for: 1h 30min

The Journey Museum & Learning Center

Visit for: 2h 30min

Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf

Theme Parks

WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort

Featured attractions

Chapel in the Hills

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Visit for: 1h 30min

Badlands National Park

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Where to stay in Rapid City

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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.

Sorry, www.visittheusa.com does not currently offer accommodation in Rapid City

Places to visit with Rapid City

Custer Best for: Nature, Scenic Drive, Trails Keystone Best for: Nature, Theme Parks, Trails Sioux Falls Best for: Parks, Trails, Museums Deadwood Best for: Historic Sites, Museums, Nightlife Mitchell Best for: Historic Sites, Museums, Wildlife

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Recently planned trips to Rapid City

20 days in United States BY A USER FROM SWITZERLAND May, culture, romantic, historic sites, museums, wildlife, popular sights PREFERENCES: May, culture, romantic, historic sites, museums, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 14 days in South Dakota BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES August, teens, outdoors, popular sights PREFERENCES: August, teens, outdoors ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 14 days in Midwest BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES March, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: March, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 58 days in United States BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA July, culture, outdoors, historic sites, museums, wildlife, popular sights PREFERENCES: July, culture, outdoors, historic sites, museums, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 60 days in United States BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA April, popular sights PREFERENCES: April ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 11 days in United States BY A USER FROM INDIA February, popular sights PREFERENCES: February ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 11 days in South Dakota BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES May, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, museums, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: May, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, museums, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 7 days in Rapid City BY A USER FROM BRAZIL March, popular sights PREFERENCES: March ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 7 days in South Dakota BY A USER FROM BRAZIL March, culture, historic sites, popular sights PREFERENCES: March, culture, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 18 days in Midwest BY A USER FROM CZECH REPUBLIC August, outdoors, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: August, outdoors, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 23 days in United States BY A USER FROM GERMANY October, culture, outdoors, historic sites, shopping, wildlife, fast-paced, popular sights PREFERENCES: October, culture, outdoors, historic sites, shopping, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Fast-paced 11 days in United States BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES June, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, historic sites, museums, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: June, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, historic sites, museums, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium

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Best things to do in Rapid City