Rapid City is the second largest city in South Dakota, its home to the largest airport near Mount Rushmore, and is considered the “Gateway to the Black Hills”. Our city is surrounded by well known memorials and national parks like the four famous faces of Mount Rushmore, but there are a few surprising things within the city that you might already know about.
1. Bronze Statues of American Presidents
It’s impossible to miss the famous faces of Downtown Rapid City. Called the City of Presidents, which is also Rapid City’s nickname, is free walking tour that beats any history book when it comes to learning about the American Presidents. Each statue was created by a local South Dakota artist and features something iconic to the president, and all are life-sized except for William Howard Taft who was slimmed down since his weight was a little too pricey to fully recreate in bronze.
2. Seven Quirky Dinosaurs
Giant, and a little cartoonish, the residents of Dinosaur Park continue to straddle the city skyline like they have since 1936. It was one of Rapid City’s first tourist attractions and today still holds many special memories to locals and visitors through multiple generations. You can spot the Brontosaurus from different spots around town for a fun game of “I Spy”.
3. One of the World’s Largest Reptile Zoos
4. A Historic And Haunted Hotel
5. The Most Comprehensive Display Of Black Hills History
6. One Of The Largest Powwows In The Country
7. A Norwegian Chapel
8. Trek Worthy Trails In City Limits
9. Pristine Places To Go Fishing
Anglers’ paradise weaves its way throughout Rapid City in the form of Rapid Creek. With multiple access points right in the city it’s a pristine place to pursue brook, brown and rainbow trout. You can find local experts and tour guides, fishing equipment for purchase and waders for rent at Dakota Angler & Outfitter.
10. South Dakota’s First Brew Pub
11. An Outdoor Street Art Gallery
12. An Opera House Turned Movie Theatre
13. An Unwearable Banana Belt
14. A Young Kevin Costner Film Set
15. A Giant “M”
16. The Birthplace Of The Space Age
Right outside of Rapid City at a location called the Stratobowl is where two piloted ballooned flights launched into the stratosphere to a record 72,395 feet in 1935. Now, this historic event is celebrated every September with ten to twelve hot air balloons launching from this iconic spot, the event is called the Stratobowl Historic Hot Air Balloon Launch.