5 Things to Do in Rapid City, Gateway to Mount Rushmore and More

Rapid City is the gateway to the Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota -home to Mount Rushmore National Memorial and over five million of forest and mountain lands. The city is just minutes from five national parks and monuments. Located in SW South Dakota, Rapid City is a one-hour 57-minute flight from Chicago and a 47-minute flight from Denver.

Besides the easily recognizable Mount Rushmore, this region is also home to Cathedral Spires of Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Black Hills National Forest, and much more.

Here are Travelmath’s five things to do in Rapid City including Mount Rushmore.

1. Explore City of Presidents

Did you know there are 42 life-sized bronze sculptures of American presidents in downtown Rapid City?

The City of President's project began in 2000, according to VisitRapidCity, to honor the legacy of the American presidency. The sculptors gave each sculpture its personality, for example, President John F. Kennedy is shown handing a toy plane to his son. President Reagan has a Western attire as if he was working on his ranch.

For your convenience, download this interactive map and descriptions before exploring City of Presidents.

2. Visit Museum of Geology

Located at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Museum of Geology showcases South Dakota’s fossil specimens and mineral collection. It started in 1885 at Prep Building with over 5000 mineral and fossil specimens provided by Professor G.E. Bailey.

The museum preserves, collects, researches and houses the rich geological heritage of South Dakota and the Black Hills. Guests can visit for free, and exhibits include mounted skeletons of dinosaurs, mammals, White River Badlands fossils, marine, reptiles and fish, Hall of South Dakota Minerals, Meteorites, ores and a fluorescent mineral room.

Museum of Geology’s gift shop has an array of educational toys, geology reference books, and mineral samples for anyone who wants to learn more about geology and the rich geological heritage of South Dakota.

3. Ride on the 1880 Train

If you’re visiting between mid-May to early October, we recommend riding on the 1880 train to see the Black Hills of South Dakota. This two-hour vintage steam train experience takes you from Hill City to Keystone. During the 20-mile round trip ride, you’ll learn about the history of the steam train, gold mining, and development in the area.

The first steam engine was brought to the Black Hills in 1879. In 1880 more expansion started and one of those was between Hill City and Keystone.

If you’re driving between both towns (Hill City and Keystone), it takes about 17 minutes to drive. You can start your train ride from either of these stops.

More information: On train schedule, tickets and stories.

4. Scenic road trips

South Dakota Department of Tourism and VisitRapidCity.com recommend several scenic road trips in the Black Hills and Badlands region. One is a drive along Highway 87 (Needles Highway), a mountain road with a few one-lane low tunnels, sharp turns and views of granite spires to Crazy Horse Memorial, to Hill City and back to Rapid City.

Crazy Horse Memorial pays homage to the legendary Lakota leader and Native American heritage. It is still a work in progress. While you’re there, visit The Indian Museum of North America, and Native American Educational and Cultural Center.

Read Road trips and scenic drives and Top 10 Scenic Cruises.

5. Visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, four presidents of the United States. It is the most popular tourist destination in South Dakota, attracting three million visitors per year.

These granite carvings that sit on the Black Hills is open year round (except Christmas day). It is 21 miles from Rapid City, a 26-minute drive on Highway 16, 16A to SD244.

To learn more about Rapid City and Mount Rushmore, go to The Rapid City Convention & Visitors Bureau's website VisitRapidCity.com, the official source for travel information to Rapid City.