Rapid City: More than just Mount Rushmore

Rapid City: More than just Mount Rushmore

Rapid City, South Dakota– Nestled in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Rapid City is a quaint urban retreat that retains its small-town charm. Although it is the state's second largest city, visitors can walk or bike in just a few minutes to explore the leafy waterfront, museums, art and history, or enjoy craft beer and increasingly diverse cuisine. The surrounding nature offers enough wonders – both natural and man-made – from the Badlands to the Crazy Horse Memorial to keep you busy for a week or more.

The historic city of presidents

Rapid City presents itself as the City of Presidents, a reference to the iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial attraction just 24 miles away. Locals know summer is in full swing when tourists take selfies with the bronze statues of Harry S. Truman and Richard Nixon. In downtown Rapid City, there are life-size sculptures of almost all US presidents on many street corners. (President Donald Trump's statue has already been unveiled and will be installed in fall 2025; President Joe Biden's statue is in the works.)

The Way of the Presidents, launched in 2000, offers a self-guided experience. The downtown visitor center has a City of Presidents Guide, or you can download a digital version for a walking tour or scavenger hunt.

“People love seeing the statues,” said Ally Formanek, CEO of Visit Rapid City, the city’s tourism bureau. “It’s a fun and unexpected way to learn history.” Rapid City was founded in 1876 by disappointed gold prospectors and today the downtown area is a mix of historic landmarks like the one that opened in 1928 Hotel Alex Johnson and the one built in 1912 Elks Theater, but also of restaurants, cafes, specialty shops, boutiques and art galleries that reflect busy modern city life. New additions to downtown in the past year include an aquaponics farm, sourdough and gluten-free bakeries, a meat market and a comedy club.

Main Street Square and local shops

Main Street Square, the focal point of downtown, hosts approximately 150 events year-round in a public space that features interactive fountains in the summer and an ice skating rink in the winter. Jess and Cody Skinner are the owners of The Silver Lining Creamery, an ice cream shop in Main Street Square. Jess Skinner compares Rapid City to “a mini Denver” – fewer crowds, but plenty to see and do.

“Our downtown is so unique with all these local businesses,” Jess says. “I’ve been to a lot of different cities and inner cities, and I think ours is one of the best.” “We always get compliments about how friendly the people are here… that everyone is so nice,” Jess adds. “Tourists can stop and (ask for directions), and the people here are so friendly and helpful.”

An easy way to explore Rapid City is the commented City View Trolley Tour, which highlights local landmarks and stories. The tour's only stop is at the Chapel in the Hills, a 56-year-old Norwegian Stavkirche equipped with a meditation path.

Green oases in the city

While many visitors come to the region to enjoy the surreal landscapes of Badlands National Park, about 60 miles east of the city, or wildlife viewing at Custer State Park to the south, the city offers its own unique scenery. Rapid City is bordered by the Black Hills to the west and the prairie to the east. Rapid Creek winds through town, and an adjacent green promenade connects much of the 1,650 acres of parkland.

Two popular parks, Dinosaur Park and Storybook Island, have recently been made barrier-free. The wheelchair-accessible Dinosaur Park features seven life-size dinosaur statues and panoramic views of the city. On Storybook Island, six playground equipment is wheelchair accessible and features Braille panels and sensory panels for children with autism. The park is known for playsets of fairytale characters, an antique carousel and a miniature train. Entrance to both parks is free.