Historic Rapid City Travel Guide
Rapid City
Visit Historic Rapid City
Popular places to visit
Art Alley
You can spend time studying the exhibits at Art Alley during your trip to Rapid City. Visit the shops and notable monuments in this family-friendly area.
Black Hills Caverns
Learn about the local history of Rapid City with a stop at Black Hills Caverns. While in this family-friendly area, you can savour the top-notch restaurants.
Bear Country USA
Visit the native and exotic animals who call Bear Country USA home during your travels in Rapid City. Visit the notable monuments and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.
Reptile Gardens
Visit the animals who live at Reptile Gardens during your travels in Colonial Pine Hills. Attend a sporting event or simply visit the area's notable monuments.
Main Street Square
Find out about the history of Rapid City when you take a trip to Main Street Square. Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.
Museum of the American Bison
You can spend time browsing the exhibits at Museum of the American Bison during your trip to Rapid City. Visit the notable monuments and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.
Things to do
Mount Rushmore Theodore Roosevelt and Badlands Self-Guided Tour
Mount Rushmore Self-Guided Audio Tour Guide
Black Hills To Mount Rushmore Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
From Rapid City: Badlands and Wall Drug Store Tour
From Rapid City: Mt. Rushmore Memorial Tour
Exclusive: Rushmore, Custer State Park & Crazy Horse
Top hotels in Historic Rapid City
The Rushmore Hotel & Suites, BW Premier Collection
"Clean rooms!"
Reviewed on 10 Jun 2026
Hotel Alex Johnson Rapid City, Curio Collection by Hilton
"Cynthia was so helpful in check in. Answered many questions"
Reviewed on 8 Jun 2026
Hyatt Place Rapid City / Downtown
"Hi there was a lady bartender she was limping and the lady African American who check us in (sorry I am not good with names ) they both exceeded the expectation the other they were ok! the breakfast was good but if some items went out they took long time to refill, so over all our stay was good"
Reviewed on 8 Jun 2026
Town House Motel
"Comfortable bed, helpful, friendly staff."
Reviewed on 8 Jun 2026
Foothills Inn
"Property is old and grungy. The duvet had stains on it, the continental breakfast is a joke. Cereal and bagels that’s it. Staff are grungy and not professional at all. Sketchy at best. Not somewhere I’d stay at again"
Reviewed on 11 Jun 2026
Rushmore Express Keystone
"The room was great! Way bigger and nicer than we ever expected! The staff was very friendly. The parking was good for regular sized vehicles, but large Sprinter Van was a little difficult. Very good location!"
Reviewed on 10 Jun 2026
Check Historic Rapid City hotel availability
Where to stay in Historic Rapid City
West Boulevard Historic District
West Boulevard Historic District might not have many top sights, but Main Street Square and Central States Fairgrounds are two attractions nearby that you can check out.
Downtown Historic District
If you're spending some time in Downtown Historic District, Main Street Square and Art Alley are top sights worth seeing.
Rimrock
While Rimrock may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Thunderhead Falls and Pactola Pines Marina.
