Photo: Mr. Satterly, WTFPL, via Wikimedia Commons
Rapid City is a great city found in South Dakota. Rapid City, South Dakota is home to various tourist destinations that you can visit while in the region. You can stop by any of the farmer’s markets located in Rapid City to interact with the natives, enjoy local food, and buy the local produce. Have you ever seen any of the deadliest snakes in the world? Well, if you have not, then a visit to the Reptile gardens will give you the chance to see reptiles such as lizards, Komodo dragons, and many more. You can stop by at the beautiful botanical garden at the Reptile gardens to see various species of plants and flowers.
Additionally, if you love vintage antiques and classical car collection you can visit the Motion unlimited Museum while in Rapid city where you will have a glimpse of more than 100 classical automobiles. If you want to know more about vertebrates and fossils while at Rapid City you can visit the museum of geology. Further, have you ever seen bears and other wild animals closely? Well, a drive through the Bear Country USA will give you the chance to see various wild animals. If you want to know more about wines you can visit the Firehouse Wine Cellars while in the city to taste and know more about winemaking.
Rapid City has an elevation of 976 m. The city covers 141.9 square kilometers of land. According to the 2019 census, the population of Rapid City is estimated to be 75,258. The area code of Raid City is 605. Rapid City has various unique and breathtaking places that you can visit to have some quality time alone or with family and friends.
Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Rapid City South Dakota.
# 10 – WaTiki Indoor Waterpark
If you are visiting Rapid City South Dakota with kids and wondering which place to visit to have some fun with them then your destination is 1314 N Elk Vale Road. The waterpark features more than 30,000 square feet of swimming pools and waterslides. WaTiki Indoor Waterpark is suitable for birthday parties, family reunions, and other activities plus events. Additionally, you can partake in water pool activities such as pool basketball, wild slides such as the Maui’s Body slide and Funky Frog Side. You can also visit the Oasis Hot Tub within the WaTiki Indoor Waterpark to relax and warm up.
# 9 – Motion Unlimited Museum
Are you into classic antique and vintage vehicles? Well, if you do, there is something for you to smile about while in Rapid City, South Dakota. While in the city, you can visit 6180 South Highway 79 where Motion Unlimited Museum is located. The museum covers a space of 13,000 square feet. During your visit, you will be able to view over 100 antique cars, sedans, motorcycles, pedal cars, picks up trucks, and many more. Additionally, you will be able to view classic vehicles and memorabilia of past decades. Some of the memorabilia that you will be able to see include engine testing equipment and oil can collectibles. On the display, you will find life-size replicas of James Dean and other artists plus original toys. Finally, the museum also features the extremely rare 1934 Studebaker Dictator 3 and 1938 Lincoln Zephyr V-12 that are exhibited on the display.
# 8 – Dinosaur Park
Dinosaur Park is a perfect place to visit if you are an outdoor enthusiast while in Rapid City, South Dakota. This park is also a perfect [place to visit with the young ones if you want to have some quality time outdoors. Some of the highlights in Dinosaur Park are the seven-dinosaur replica i.e., an apatosaurus, a Tyrannosaurus rex, triceratops, stegosaurus, and a dimetrodon, and many more. Each of the seven dinosaurs represents a memorial with information about the dinosaurs such as what they ate and their weight. Dinosaur Park is located at 940 Skyline Drive in Rapid City, South Dakota.
# 7 – Museum of Geology
Do you want to know more about vertebrate fossils and minerals while in Rapid City South Dakota? Well, if you do then you should never fail to visit the Museum of Geology that is located at 501 East Saint Joseph Street. The Museum of Geology features both paleontology and mineralogy that will help you have more information about geology. Some of the exhibits displayed in the Museum of Geology include skeletons of mammals, fish, marine reptiles, and dinosaurs plus rare fossils from White River Badlands. The Museum of Geology is also a perfect place to visit with kids. Additionally, you will be able to view Hall of South Dakota Minerals, meteorites, and Black Hills pegmatite many more. Admission to the Museum of Geology is free. Spring and fall annual events are some of the other activities that take place in this museum. Museum of Geology
Official site: http://museum.sdsmt.edu/
# 6 – Bear Country USA
A visit to Bear Country USA will offer you the best opportunity to see wildlife while in Rapid City, South Dakota. Bear Country USA is located at 13820 US-16 in rapid City, South Dakota. Bear Country USA covers around 200 acres of land. The wildlife park features gigantic pines and rolling meadows. Some of the animals that you will get a chance to see when taking the exceptional 3-mile-long drive through Bear Country USA include wolves, reindeer, black bears, cougars, bobcats, elk, buffalo, mountain lions, bighorn and Dall sheep, rocky mountain goats, and many more. The admission fee depends on the number of passengers on each vehicle while children under the age of four have free admission. Bear Country USA is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Official site: http://www.bearcountryusa.com
# 5 – Prairie Edge Trading Co. & Galleries
If you love arts and you would like to view some fine pieces of art while in Rapid City, South Dakota then you should visit Prairie Edge Trading Co. & Galleries/ Prairie Edge Trading Co. & Galleries Is located at 606 Main Street in Rapid City, South Dakota. Prairie Edge Trading Co. & Galleries features breathtaking and amazing fine art pieces exhibited on the displays. Some of the breathtaking and sophisticated fine art pieces that you will be able to see during your visit include the ledger drawing of Donald Montileaux and contemporary and modern art. Additionally, Prairie Edge Trading Co. & Galleries features Insect art of Christopher Marley and paper sculptures of Patty and Allen Eckman on its displays.
# 4 – Farmers Market in Rapid City
Farmers’ markets are the perfect places to visit while in Rapid City, South Dakota if you want to meet and interact with the locals, understand their culture buy local produce, and enjoy the local delicacies. Some of the farmers markets in Rapid City, South Dakota include Black Hills farmers market, Local Motion, Cox’s Farm Stand, and Prairie Berry farmers’ market. There are multiple vendors in the various farmer’s markets in Rapid City selling local products such as fresh produce, fruits, eggs, cheese, baked goods, and meat. You can visit the restaurants located in the farmer’s markets to catch a bite of the local dishes when hungry. The farmers’ markets in Rapid city are open during various times of the week, month and year.
# 3 – South Dakota Air and Space Museum
Rapid City, South Dakota boasts several museums that you can visit while in the region. South Dakota Air and Space Museum is the best place to visit when in Rapid City if you want to know the history of aviation. The museum features more than 30 exhibits. Some of the exhibits at South Dakota Air and Space Museum include military aircraft from World War II, cargo aircraft, utility aircraft, B-1B Lancer, and the H-13 Sioux helicopter. During your visit to South Dakota Air and Space Museum, you will be able to have information about the pioneers of aviation and their impacts on United States history.
# 2 – Downtown Rapid City
Downtown Rapid City is located at 512 Main Street, Suite 980 in Rapid City. This place features a variety of art galleries, museums, and other educational facilities. There are fine arts from various local artists in the galleries found in Downtown Rapid City. Additionally, you will find unique gift items such as jewelry, pottery, and candles during your visit to Downtown Rapid City. The museums in Downtown Rapid City focus on everything including geology and Native American crafts.
# 1 – Reptile Gardens
Reptile Gardens was established in 1937 and it is one of the places that you can visit in Rapid City, South Dakota if you want to learn more and see reptiles. Reptile Gardens is located at 8955-US in Rapid City, South Dakota. The reptile gardens is the largest reptile zoo globally since it features more species and subspecies of reptiles than any other zoo worldwide. Some of the animal species that call Reptile Gardens home include lizards, snakes, crocodiles, parrots, Komodo dragons, insects, and amphibians. Additionally, this Reptile Gardens in South Dakota is the home to some of the deadliest snakes in the world that you may get to see during your visit.
Further, Reptile Gardens features beautiful botanical gardens that you can visit if you love nature. The beautiful botanical gardens is located at Reptile Gardens features lush vegetation, pristine lawns, colorful flowers, tropical plants, and ornamental trees. Some of the plant and flower species that you will be able to see during your visit to the beautiful botanical gardens include the Dutchman’s Pipe, Torch Ginger, and Passion Flower. Furthermore, there are 15 exhibits and displays such as a venomous snake collection, a bald eagle exhibit, a prairie dog exhibit, and a giant tortoise. You can also visit the Jungle Outpost Gallery located in Reptile Gardens to view the tribal crafts from all over the globe. The Reptile Gardens is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Official site: http://www.reptilegardens.com/
