28 Best & Fun Things To Do In Rapid City, SD

6. Dahl Arts Center

The Dahl Arts Center is one of the biggest in South Dakota and is right in the middle of downtown Rapid City. It’s a sight that will please any true art lover.

To begin with, there are three galleries instead of just one.

You can switch between watercolor pictures and hand-woven tapestries that are so creative they will blow your mind.

You can also enjoy a wide range of ability from artists around the world. Some will be well-known around the world, while others will be “emerging artists” putting on their first show.

You can not only look at the exhibits, but also sign up for one of the many special events at the museum.

It has an event center with 250 seats where classes, workshops, and even shows are held.

We already told you that Fridays are free.

Check out the Dahl Arts Center this weekend if you’re looking for cheap things to do in Rapid City.

All of the boxes will be checked.

Address: 713 7th St, Rapid City, SD 57701, United States

7. Black Hills Powwow

A lot of Native American groups live in South Dakota. Their touch can still be felt today at events like the Black Hills Powwow.

Every year, thousands of people come to the Black Hills Powwow to celebrate the art, music, dress, folklore, and general heritage of the state’s Native people.

The Sioux, the Dakota, and the Lakota are some of these.

The powwow lasts for several days and starts with a big parade. There are then performances, competitions, and displays of cultural ability.

Archery, singers and drummers dressed in traditional clothes are some of the things you can watch.

Dozens of sellers sell jewelry, totem poles, and dreamcatchers that were all made by hand.

You can eat food from the area.

One of the most interesting things to do in Rapid City is to go to the Black Hills Powwow.

This is also a very spiritually important site for remembering and honoring the people who lived there before Europeans came to America.

You can honor the Native American history that built South Dakota by going to the powwow.

Address: 522 7th St, Rapid City, SD 57701, United States

8. Black Hills Outdoor Fun

There are many beautiful places to see in the Black Hills. If you don’t know where to begin, it may be best to hire a tour guide.

This is one choice: Black Hills Outdoor Fun.

You can stop whenever you want on your four-hour tour of fields, ravines, and prairies while riding an ATV.

If you want to get off the ATV for a while and go for a walk, you can even go on side trips along deerfield paths.

The price of the tour covers everything, so you won’t have to worry about being charged extra for things like gas.

Your guides will even give you snacks for free!

Book a tour with Black Hills Outdoor Fun to get a close look at the Black Hills’ beauty.

You don’t need to know how to drive off-road.

People who have been riding before are welcome to join in, so this can be both a first-time ride and a trip to South Dakota’s wildness that you’ve always wanted to take.

Address: 12780 Black Forest Rd, Rapid City, SD 57702, United States

9. Kountry Junkin’ Vintage Market

Do you enjoy going to flea markets and thrift stores?

Exciting things happen when you find hidden treasures under trash.

You should go to the Country Junkin’ Vintage Market.

The Kountry Junkin’ Vintage Market is a favorite place for people who like to buy used things. It happens three times a year in Rapid City.

You are welcome to come in the spring, fall, or winter.

The goods stay the same, but the sellers change often.

What does the market have to offer?

“Everything” is the short answer.

There’s always something new to look through, from homemade crafts to old, worn-out antiques. This means that new and interesting things can always be found.

To keep you going on your prize hunts, there are also food stands and coffee carts.

If you want to get lost in stacks and stacks of used things, go to the Kountry Junkin’ Vintage Market.

You might not come up for a while, but that’s half the fun!

Address: Rapid City, SD, United States

10. Black Hills Symphony Orchestra

Are you interested in music while you’re in Rapid City?

The Black Hills Symphony Orchestra might put on a show that you’d enjoy.

The city’s fine art scene is proud of them, and they put on great shows in a lot of different places.

They also play music that isn’t just classical.

They show off their creativity in a wide range of ways, from musical versions of “The Nutcracker” to sound and science shows like “The Legend of the Northern Lights.”

Don’t forget to do something completely different on your next date night!

Check out the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra’s website to see where they’ll be playing next.

The Performing Arts Center is where they play most of the time, but you can find them all over downtown.

Address: Rapid City, SD, United States

11. Reptile Gardens

The Reptile Gardens are one of the most well-known places to visit in Rapid City. The Guinness Book of World Records says they are the biggest in the world.

A lot of different kinds of reptiles live there, from Komodo dragons and snakes to big tortoises and alligators.

They now have birds, bugs, prairie dogs, and other animals.

The Reptile Gardens have a humble beginning, despite their present fame.

In 1937, a 21-year-old snake lover started them because he wanted to show other people not to be afraid of his favorite animals.

With its sky domes and safari rooms, the Reptile Gardens has definitely done its job of bringing more attention to the lives of animals that are often overlooked.

Their zoo-like enclosures are open for visitors, and they also put on shows, feedings, meet-and-greets, and other educational events for the public.

The Reptile Gardens is a place you can feel good about going to at the end of the day.

The cost of access will go to a good cause, and your kids will have fun.

Samuel People will also pet the big tortoise.

Everyone wins!

Address: 8955 US-16, Rapid City, SD 57702, United States

12. Mount Rushmore National Memorial

One of the most interesting places in the area is Mount Rushmore National Memorial, which is in Keystone, just south of Rapid City.

Every year, millions of people come to see the marble faces and be amazed by an important part of American history.

Fewer people know that there is a whole memorial park around Mount Rushmore, even though the rocks are well-known.

One can go to a museum, eat, shop for gifts, and more.

Everything is family-friendly and easy for everyone to get to.

You can walk around the park and look at flags and marble busts. There is a walking trail where you can get close to the presidents. At night, there is a lighting event that makes the whole mountain glow.

One of the most famous sights in the Midwest is Mount Rushmore National Memorial. You should put it on your list of things to do before you die.

Take a trip to Rapid City and the areas around it to cross it off your list!

Address: 13000 SD-244, Keystone, SD 57751, United States

13. Dinosaur Museum

We mean it when we say that the Dinosaur Museum is one of the most interesting places in Rapid City.

It stands 40 feet tall and looks out over Highway 16, which leads to Mount Rushmore.

It’s impossible to miss.

There is even more dinosaur-themed fun inside the building.

There are huge models that are like real things, as well as very small bones and fossils.

In some exhibitions, you can connect with the artifacts, which means you can touch fossils of dinosaurs that lived millions of years ago.

That kind of fun is great for everyone, no matter what age.

The museum also has displays, models, and mini-golf with dinosaurs as the theme.

Along with having a great time, your child will learn a lot of interesting facts!

If you like dinosaurs, the Dinosaur Museum is one of the best places to visit in Rapid City.

In order to see the T-Rex, you should either stay in town or take a detour on the highway on your way to see the presidents.

Address: 8973 US-16, Rapid City, SD 57702, United States

14. Millstone Family Restaurant

One of the best things to do in Rapid City is eat.

There are a lot of places in town that serve all sorts of food, from Indian to Japanese.

You should go to the Millstone Family Restaurant when you want home-style Midwestern food.

The Millstone is owned by locals and serves hearty, fresh meals that will fill you up.

The specials range from standard meatloaf dinners to barbecue pork ribs.

You can also eat food all day, every day. That way, if you ever want country fried steak and eggs, you can get them any time.

The diner has a small, cozy feel to it.

The staff will likely remember your name if you come back.

In the end, the Millstone Family Restaurant is the best place to go in Rapid City when you’re hungry.

Address: 1520 N Lacrosse St, Rapid City, SD 57701, United States

15. Belle Joli Winery

The Belle Joli Winery was South Dakota’s first champagne house and is still one of the best. It’s often called the “Sparkling House.”

It not only takes care of a large farm, but it also runs its own factory in Rapid City to make hand-crafted wines.

People can take tours of the winery, try one or two bottles in the tasting room, and eat brunch on the patio in the sun.

You can also look at the list of special events to see what’s coming up.

You might be able to make it to a wine and bingo night or a pick-up party for the wine club.

If the Belle Joli Winery is on your list of places to visit, make sure you plan your trip during wine season, which runs from October to April.

There’s also the fact that it’s in Deadwood, South Dakota, even though Rapid City is only a short drive away.

Address: 594 Main St, Deadwood, SD 57732, United States

16. Bar K-9 Indoor Dog Park and Bar

Are you going on holiday with your dog?

That’s great! You should go to the Bar K-9 Indoor Dog Park and Bar.

People and pets are welcome. It’s one of the coolest and best things to do in Rapid City.

To begin, there is a big indoor play place where dogs can run and jump around.

You can let them run free for a while while you drink your coffee at the bar.

You can even get beer for your dog!

It’s called Good Boy Dog Beer and doesn’t have any alcohol in it. Your dog will enjoy it when they need to cool off after playing.

You can come even if you don’t have a dog.

You don’t have to be a dog lover to enjoy the fun and fuzzy weather.

All dogs with tails are welcome at the Bar K-9 Indoor Dog Park and Bar.

Address: Uptown Rapid, 2200 N Maple Ave #508, Rapid City, SD 57701, United States

17. Badlands National Park

That being said, South Dakota is one of the most beautiful places in the US, but many people don’t know about its huge, breathtaking views.

The good news is that you’ll benefit from their loss!

Some places, like Badlands National Park, are truly wild and unspoiled.

Badlands National Park is about an hour from Rapid City. Its rich soil, jagged sandstone hills, and natural geological deposits give it a rough beauty.

It will feel like you’re in a harsh and remote desert, even though you’ll be surrounded by a beautiful variety of plants and animals, from rare prairie plants to endangered species.

Hiking, climbing, and camping are common things to do outside.

Also, don’t be afraid to go to the park at night.

Under the stars, tours like the Badlands Sunset and Night Sky Adventure will take you on a beautiful trip.

Taking everything into account, it would be a waste to go to Rapid City and not explore Badlands National Park.

It’s a great Midwest sight, so make the trip!

Address: South Dakota, United States

18. Uptown Rapid

Uptown Rapid, which used to be called the Rushmore Mall, is a place where people from Wyoming and South Dakota can “shop ’til they drop.”

The mall is very big and pretty. It has both well-known names and unique and interesting goods from local sellers.

Some well-known fashion and jewelry stores are good places to go if you want to buy expensive clothes.

On the other hand, you can look for cheap deals at a trader’s market on the weekends.

The mall also hosts many events, such as cornhole tournaments, book signings, and small-scale musical acts. If you’re interested in what’s coming up, just check the schedule.

For people who love to shop, going to Uptown Rapid is one of the best things to do in Rapid City.

There are some nice things to buy there, even if you’re just going through.

Address: 2200 N Maple Ave, Rapid City, SD 57701, United States

19. Museum of Geology

The Museum of Geology in Rapid City is a great place for people who are interested in natural history. It has fossils, minerals, skulls, and other cool things from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.

Anyone of any age can have a fun and educational time at this attraction, which is on the site of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Murals, dioramas, fossils, and skeletal remains of mammals, sea animals, and other things can all be found in exhibitions.

The specimens are very big to very small.

Some groups are about rocks, minerals, and gems that can be found in South Dakota and other places around the world.

Of course, there’s no charge to enter the museum, which is great news.

Top 10 places to visit, and one of the free things to do in Rapid City.

If you want to save money on your trip, the Museum of Geology is the best place to go.

Address: O’Harra Building, 561 E St Joseph St, Rapid City, SD 57701, United States

20. WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort

The WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort is one of those places you can always count on to be open this time of year.

Whether you go in the middle of summer or the middle of winter, it will always be there to make you jump.

The park is more than 30,000 square feet big, and slides, rides, pools, and hot tubs take up most of that space.

“Parrot’s Plunge” and “Seahorse Slide” are two of the most famous water slides.

Once your nails are perfectly smooth, get out of the water and enjoy the rest of the park’s attractions.

There is a playground inside, an old-school arcade, and a number of hotels and restaurants that are connected to the complex.

In one place, you can eat, drink, rest, shop, and do other things.

You can do more at the WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort than just go to a theme park.

It’s like getting a whole holiday in one.

Also, it’s open every day of the year, so you can be sure that you’ll have fun whenever you go to Rapid City.

Address: 1314 N Elk Vale Rd, Rapid City, SD 57703, United States

21. Old MacDonald’s Farm

Big Mac had a farm…

If you take your kids to Old MacDonald’s Farm in Rapid City, you will hear this song over and over again.

It has more than 100 animals from a farm so you can get close to them.

Give a goat milk in a bottle.

Hold a chick in your hands.

Ride a pony.

These are some of the things you can do in a “farm life” game.

If you go to a pumpkin patch, a wagon ride, or a corn bin in the fall, you can also enjoy seasonal activities.

Never say that people in South Dakota don’t enjoy the fall season.

In Rapid City, Old MacDonald’s Farm is one of the best places for families to go.

Your little farmer will enjoy things like buffalo stomping across a sky bridge, no matter what age they are.

Address: 23691 Busted Five Ct, Rapid City, SD 57702, United States

22. Cosmos Mystery Area

The Cosmos Mystery Area in Rapid City has a lot of strange things to see.

In fact, it’s all about being strange.

It was built around a wooden cabin from 1952 and has many optical illusions to thrill and puzzle the mind.

For example, the “Mystery House” was the first draw, and it lets you do magic tricks like standing on walls and watching water roll uphill.

Every part of the tour will make no sense to you.

Geode digging is another popular thing to do in the area.

You can sift and sluice to find gems, crystals, fossils, arrowheads, and other valuable things.

Are you looking for strange and interesting things to do in Rapid City?

Go to the Cosmos Mystery Area and play.

You’ll know you’re in for a real treat once you’re fighting gravity.

Address: 24040 Cosmos Rd, Rapid City, SD 57702, United States

23. South Dakota Air and Space Museum

The South Dakota Air and Space Museum is another free site in Rapid City that will teach you something and give you fun without breaking the bank.

Everyone can learn something new there.

The planes are the best thing about the show.

They have shows inside and outside with more than 30 planes. Well-known planes on display include Republic F-84F Thunderjets, Douglas A-26K Invaders, and Convair F-102A Delta Daggers.

The museum also has a flight simulator and a real cabin where kids can sit and pretend to be pilots.

A lot of photos, videos, and artifacts from the past of aviation are also there.

If you want to do something fun and cheap in Rapid City, check out the South Dakota Air and Space Museum.

If you had to pay to go there, it would still be worth it, but the fact that it’s free makes it even better.

Address: 2890 Davis Dr, Ellsworth AFB, SD 57706, United States

24. Black Hills Caverns

The Black Hills Caverns are made of limestone rocks that were formed about 60 million years ago. They are deep underground.

There is a natural wishing well and rock patterns on the walls of the caves that you can go down straight into.

You can choose between two tours: the short Crystal Tour, which is shallow, and the longer Adventure Tour, which is deeper.

You can have a great time in the caves with either tour, but the Adventure Tour is the better choice if you want the full experience.

It will give you more to see and give your kids fun things to do, like digging for gems and fossils.

Their favorite things can go home with them!

Who would have thought that Deep Creek is one of the best places to go on vacation in Rapid City?

But at the Black Hills Caverns, you’ll love every step of the way down.

This spot makes caving easy, approachable, and family-friendly. It’s one of the coolest things to do in South Dakota.

Address: 2600 Cavern Rd, Rapid City, SD 57702, United States

25. Chapel in the Hills

Are you the kind of tourist who prefers to forgo a map and embark on independent exploration?

This is how you’ll find many interesting, unusual places in Rapid City, such the Chapel in the Hills.

The Chapel in the Hills, which dates to the 1800s, is a perfect copy of a Norwegian timber stave church.

From the multi-tiered chapel to the grass-roofed stabbur, or store house, its striking architecture is evident.

Yes, you read correctly—straw has actually sprouted to form the roof!

There is also a lovely prayer route that serves as a nature trail, as well as a museum in a lob cabin.

You can plan a wedding amidst the gorgeous pines, stroll about the property, and attend religious services.

A excursion into the woods to see the Chapel in the Hills might be of interest to you if you’re searching for off-the-beaten-path activities in Rapid City.

It’s one of the area’s most unique attractions, but that’s precisely what makes it appealing.

Address: 3788 Chapel Ln, Rapid City, SD 57702, United States

26. Storybook Island

Make your kids’ bedtime stories come to life by taking them to Storybook Island in Rapid City.

It is colorful, magical, and imaginative, and it is designed to resemble an estate from a fairy tale, which will enchant your children.

You might even feel a little nostalgic after reading it!

A train, a carousel, and a castle are among the attractions.

There are famous literary figures everywhere you look, like the Wicked Witch of the West looming over a guarded archway or Humpty Dumpty perched on a wall.

Winnie the Pooh, Tinkerbell, Rapunzel, and Dr. Seuss’s regulars are among the other well-known characters.

The fact that Storybook Island is free to enter is another remarkable feature.

Rides and snacks are fee-based, but there are plenty of free activities to do, like snapping photographs with all of the accessible sculptures and caricatures.

Storybook Island is one of the best spots to visit in Rapid City if you are traveling with children.

It’s memorable, enjoyable, and cost-free.

Bring the whole family to witness the magnificence of your beloved characters!

Address: 1301 Sheridan Lake Rd, Rapid City, SD 57702, United States

27. Fort Hays

Fort Hays may be familiar to you from the critically acclaimed movie Dancing With Wolves.

It’s a terrific opportunity to experience history while in Rapid City, and it’s a true Wild West town down to the dusty saloon doors that flutter open in the wind.

Fort Hays offers chuckwagon suppers, cowboy music performances, and workshops where guests may create their own tin plates and string lassos.

You can fully lose oneself in the place where time has stopped.

If you prefer to travel in the same way as the pioneers, there are even trips on historic wagons!

The South Dakota Film Museum and several sightseeing tours to neighboring sites like Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park are among the more contemporary attractions.

Additionally, the village is close to the well-known Buffalo Hunt Roller Coaster, which allows you to play-hunt at very fast speeds.

Among the attractions in Rapid City, Fort Hays is a must-see.

It will not only transport you to the turn of the century but will also show you what life was like in South Dakota in the past.

While on vacation, it will be a great chance to truly acquire a feel for the area.

Address: 2255 Fort Hayes Dr, Rapid City, SD 57702, United States

28. Downtown Rapid City

If you want to find fun things to do in Rapid City, why not go somewhere where you can do everything at once?

Downtown Rapid City has so many fun things to do that you could spend your whole vacation there.

The main hub of activity is Main Street Square, which has splash pads in the summer and an ice rink in the winter.

Restaurants, museums, art galleries, convention centers, and sports arenas are some other places that draw tourists.

There are even fun and interesting things to see, like the life-sized “City of Presidents” figures that line the streets.

Go on a treasure hunt with each Commander in Chief and find them all!

You won’t want to miss the city area of Rapid City whether you’re there for a day, a week, or a month.

It will show you a fun time in town.

Address: 512 Main St Suite 980, Rapid City, SD 57701, United States

29. Bear Country USA

Brought to you by Rapid City, Bear Country USA is a “drive-through wildlife park” that will take you on a safari-like adventure through the woods.

It’s spread out over more than 200 acres and is full of flower-filled meadows, rolling hills, and tall pine trees.

As you might have guessed from the name, Bear Country is all about bears.

From the safety of your car, you can watch them stomp through trees and steal fish from ponds.

Elk, reindeer, buffalo, bobcats, wolves, mountain lions, and river otters are some of the other animals that live in the preserve.

When you look out the window, you never know what you’ll see next!

When you travel through Bear Country USA, you can see a lot of different kinds of animals.

Seeing a baby bear toddling through the woods just a few feet away is the kind of vacation memory that’ll stick with you for a long, long time.

Address: 13820 US-16, Rapid City, SD 57702, United States