Although not geographically close to the United States capital, Rapid City has an interesting tie to the nation's leaders, with a statue of every former U.S. president displayed across several blocks of this South Dakota city. The town is a gateway to the Black Hills, where forests, national and state parks, monuments, and memorials offer inspirational outdoor experiences. Reserve a hotel in the neighborhoods surrounding the downtown area or stay in one of the smaller towns closer to the mountains or prairie. The region also has museums and many kid-friendly attractions, making it a great place for a family vacation.
Where to stay
in Rapid City
Great Neighborhoods for Museums
Downtown Rapid City offers interesting historical perspectives, with the Museum of Geology providing information on minerals and fossils, while the nearby Chapel in the Hills showcases the architecture of a Norwegian stave church. Book a hotel in Box Elder near Ellsworth AFB to spend time at the impressive South Dakota Air and Space Museum. Accommodations in Wall are perfect for visiting the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site. Stop at the town's longstanding roadside oasis of Wall Drug Store for history, culture, souvenirs, food, and free ice water. Stay in Keystone in the Black Hills to visit the National Presidential Wax Museum.
Box Elder
You'll enjoy the restaurants and shopping in Box Elder. You might want to make time for a stop at South Dakota Air and Space Museum or Bethlehem Cave Wild Adventure Park.
Ellsworth AFB
Travelers like the museums in Ellsworth AFB, and Ellsworth Air Force Base is a top attraction you might want to visit.
Where to Stay for Outdoor Activities
Rapid City offers outdoor activities downtown and in the neighboring Black Hills. Book accommodations in Historic Rapid City and view life-sized bronze statues of all the former U.S. presidents displayed across several city blocks. Downtown Rapid City hotels are close to Outdoor Campus-West, where the family can follow nature trails and learn about hunting, fishing, and other outdoor skills. Stay north of the city in Black Hawk, Summerset, or Piedmont for hiking in the northern parts of the Black Hills National Forest. Moving south, accommodations in Hill City and Keystone are perfect for visiting Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, and Wind Cave National Park. To the east, Wall is a great base for a road trip through Badlands National Park, where the unusual geologic formations are surprising and picturesque.
Historic Rapid City
Historic Rapid City is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Main Street Square or Art Alley.
Recommended hotels in Historic Rapid City
Blackhawk
Visitors to Blackhawk like its restaurants and parks, and Black Hills National Forest is a sight worth a stop.
Recommended hotels in Blackhawk
Summerset
Visitors to Summerset enjoy its restaurants, and if you want to do some exploring, Black Hills National Forest is worth a stop.
Recommended hotels in Summerset
Piedmont
You'll enjoy the restaurants and parks in Piedmont. You might want to make time for a stop at Black Hills National Forest or Petrified Forest of the Black Hills.
Best Areas to Stay for Family
Hotels in Downtown Rapid City are great for visiting child-friendly attractions such as Dinosaur Park, Storybook Island, and the Journey Museum and Learning Center, which focuses on native American and regional history. The Main Street Square splash fountain and Downtown Summer Nights concerts are also popular with families. Stay near Rockerville for Bear Country USA and Reptile Gardens, where prairie dogs and snakes will mesmerize the entire family. Reserve accommodations in Hill City or Keystone to ride the Black Hills Central Railroad. Hot Springs is a great place to stay to visit Wind Cave National Park and view fossils at the Mammoth Site.
Rockerville
Rockerville is well-liked for its parks. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in the greater Rapid City area, you might plan a trip to Reptile Gardens or Putz n Glo - Black Light Mini Golf.