What to do in Rapid City, SD

Activities, attractions and tours

A rugged landscape with prominent buttes and a clear sky.
Mount Rushmore with four large granite faces of U.S. presidents.
A field of colorful flowers, a brick structure, and a hill with trees in the background.
A cityscape with a prominent First National Bank building, surrounded by residential houses and greenery.
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Things to do

Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore Self-Guided Audio Tour Guide

฿500
per traveller
Mount Rushmore Self-Guided Audio Tour Guide
Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Black Hills and Mt Rushmore

Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Black Hills and Mt Rushmore

฿1,001
per traveller
88% of travellers recommend
Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Black Hills and Mt Rushmore
Mount Rushmore Theodore Roosevelt and Badlands Self-Guided Tour

Mount Rushmore Theodore Roosevelt and Badlands Self-Guided Tour

฿1,101
per traveller
Mount Rushmore Theodore Roosevelt and Badlands Self-Guided Tour
Mount Rushmore Self-guided Walking Audio Tour

Mount Rushmore: Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour

฿500
per traveller
Mount Rushmore: Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour
From Rapid City: Badlands and Wall Drug Store Tour

From Rapid City: Badlands and Wall Drug Store Tour

฿10,411
per adult
From Rapid City: Badlands and Wall Drug Store Tour
Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour

Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour

฿10,411
per adult
Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour
From Rapid City: Black Hills, Deadwood, and Lead Day Tour

From Rapid City: Black Hills, Deadwood, and Lead Day Tour

฿10,058
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
From Rapid City: Black Hills, Deadwood, and Lead Day Tour
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What to do in Rapid City

Stay near popular Rapid City attractions

A person interacting with a large reptile at Reptile Gardens.
Photo by Dan Vang
Open Photo by Dan Vang

Reptile Gardens

9.0/10 (995 reviews)
Guinness-certified as the world's largest reptile collection, Reptile Gardens displays exotic creatures amid stunning botanical settings. Enjoy live snake shows or meet gentle giant tortoises in this educational sanctuary.
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Where to stay in Rapid City

Find the best Rapid City areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Rapid City
Learn more about Rapid City
A mountain with a large rock face featuring a prominent carving of a face.

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 Museum of the American Bison.

Mount Rushmore with the faces of four U.S. presidents carved into the rock.

West Boulevard Historic District

West Boulevard Historic District might not have many top sights, but Main Street Square and Museum of the American Bison are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

A vast landscape with layered rock formations and green vegetation.
Photo by Thomas Steventon
Open Photo by Thomas Steventon

Downtown Historic District

If you're spending some time in Downtown Historic District, Main Street Square and Museum of the American Bison are top sights worth seeing.

A rugged mountain landscape with tall, narrow rock formations and dense green forests.

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 Pactola Pines Marina and Black Hills Caverns.

Day trip destinations from Rapid City

A large rock formation with a tunnel entrance.

Keystone

A rugged mountain range with prominent rock formations and dense forests.

Piedmont

A winding road through a forested valley with a rocky cliff and a waterfall.

Blackhawk

A historic stone building with a 'Bullock Hotel' sign, a street with cars, and a clear sky.

Deadwood

Frequently asked questions

Is Rapid City worth visiting?
Rapid City offers an interesting mix of culture, attractions and local charm. Whether you're into history, nature or regional cuisine, there are many things to enjoy here.
How do I spend a day in Rapid City?
Watiki Water Park and Bear Country USA are two great places to begin your holiday adventures. Remember to explore the retail and dining options in Rapid City while you're in town too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Rapid City?
Don't leave without visiting Watiki Water Park, rated the top tourist attraction in Rapid City.
Is three days enough to stay in Rapid City?
You can easily visit leading attractions like Watiki Water Park, Fort Hays Old West Town & Dinner Show and Storybook Island with a three-day stay in Rapid City. On average, most travellers plan two days here. There's plenty to do and see nearby too, so linger longer and head to Keystone.
Is Rapid City a walkable city?
With awesome attractions like Storybook Island in the area, Rapid City is every bit a place to enjoy on foot. Up for visiting some vibrant neighbourhoods within walking distance of downtown? Historic Rapid City is just 0.32 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Rapid City with kids?
Whether you're holidaying with tiny adventurers or hard-to-please teens, a fun-filled itinerary makes a big difference. Take a look at our ideas for what to do in Rapid City with kids.

What to do in Rapid City for adults?
There are loads of things to do in Rapid City, with experiences for adults of all ages. Cap off your day with a visit to Museum of the American Bison or Journey Museum & Learning Centre.
Are there free things to do in Rapid City?
One of the best ways to discover free things to do in Rapid City is to ask a local tour guide. You'll get insider advice on cool neighbourhoods, parks and other major attractions you can enjoy without taking your wallet out. Fort Hays Old West Town & Dinner Show is one sight that doesn't charge an admission fee.