Rapid City, SD Summary

photo by gusto

Rapid City is the home base for all excursions to the Badlands and the Black Hills. In summer its population is 60 times more than usual, (67,652). It averages 3 million tourists a year. Downtown has a commercial historic district, including 38 buildings built between 1881 and 1930. The Buell Building, the Firehouse Brewing Company, and the Prairie Edge have been restored to their original grandeur. The West Boulevard Historic District is 18 blocks of Queen Anne and early twentieth-century Colonial homes.

The Journey is a $12.5 million museum, which opened in 1997. It has 48,000 square feet dedicated to artifacts, memorabilia, and artwork of the history of the Black Hills.

The Museum of Geology narrates the history of the Badlands and houses the most comprehensive collection of prehistoric mammal fossils in the state.

The Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo is in late January and early February. In August there is the Central States Fair. The Rushmore Plaza Civic Auditorium holds concerts and Broadway shows.

For excursions to the Black Hills or the Badlands, the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Information provides information and services. Visitors intending to drive into the hills need to check the road conditions beforehand.

There are buses which service the sites. West of town, on the scenic Hwy 44, there are many lodging and restaurant options. Major airlines and bus routes are available from Rapid City.