Rapid City Meetings FAQ
Visit Rapid City is here to make your next meeting a monumental experience. For those who are not as familiar with our area, eavesdrop on the fun conversation to learn more about our vibrant city.
I’ve always wanted to visit Mount Rushmore, which I see on your logo, but is the monument actually close to Rapid City?
Ahh yes, great question. From downtown Rapid City, it’s only a 20-minute drive to Mt. Rushmore.
Speaking of Mt. Rushmore, is there anything else to do in Rapid City beyond this National Memorial?
Tourism is Rapid City’s leading economic resource due to our plethora of attractions, scenic beauty and downhome hospitality. We are within an hour’s drive of nine National and State parks and monuments. We also have many attractions within the city such as Main Street Square and Chapel in the Hills
Do you have an airport? When my attendees get there what public transportation is available? You all don’t still use horse and buggy to get around, do you?
HAHA! You can rent a horse and buggy while here but as a major tourism destination we’re fortunate to be served by four major airlines at the Rapid City Regional Airport. Once here, we have a number of rental car agencies, Uber, Lyft and taxi services along with some transportation assistance provided by Rapid City hotels. If you are traveling by car, just hop on Interstate 90.
Well, you certainly got me interested, but what good is all of these things to do if my conference has nowhere to host us. What venues does Rapid City have to host my group?
Big or small, we got you covered. For large and in charge groups, check out The Monument, formerly known as Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. It currently has 250,000 square feet of multi-functional space with plans to expand an additional 50,000 square feet. Rapid City has a sleeping room inventory of approximately 4,500 total rooms with a number of full-service conference hotels. Reference this link for a complete list.
What opening night reception options does Rapid City have that will make my attendees feel one with the locals?
I love this! One of the best places to start your time in Rapid City is at The Journey Museum & Learning Center which will give your attendees a complete comprehension of Rapid City and the Black Hills area. Depending on time of year and size of group we have a number of great options such as the Dahl Art Center and Hay Camp Brewing Company.
It’s one thing to see a new location, but to taste the food is what my attendees look forward to the most. You could say we think with our stomachs. HAHA. Where can we go as a group to dine locally together?”
With big city amenities and small-town charm, we have dining options to please all taste buds. There are so many fantastic group dining opportunities right in our downtown district; Murphy’s Pub & Grill, Firehouse Brewing Co., and Que Pasa Cantina just to name a few! Find a complete list of all our great Rapid City restaurants here.
After a great meal, there’s nothing like going for a stroll downtown. Is Rapid City a walkable city for conference attendees?
100 %. Historic downtown Rapid City is the perfect place to meander. Just make sure you bring your camera or have plenty of storage on your phone. You’re going to want to take selfies in the City of Presidents, capture the creativity within Art Alley and bask in the beauty of Main Street Square.
This is all sounding almost too good to be true. What’s the catch? Will my group have to break the bank to enjoy all Rapid City has to offer?
We know it sounds crazy but Rapid City is a very affordable destination for all budgets.
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Time is also money, and any bit of extra help I can get as a meeting planner is worth it. What does Visit Rapid City do to help meeting planners?
We want your meeting to be a monumental success. Our devoted Manager of Destination Services, Shelby Solano, is here to help you plan and service your group. Here’s a complete list of our complimentary services and should you need something beyond, just let us know.
Alright, I’m all in on coming to Rapid City, but when should I come, doesn’t South Dakota have winter 11 months out of the year?
….Sorry for the delay in responding, I just woke up from hibernation. HAHA. Actually, Rapid City has less snow than Denver, more sun than Miami and Honolulu and is warmer than Minneapolis. Our average temperatures are 73° from May to October and 42° from November to April.
To learn even more about Rapid City, please reach out to us and let us help you make your next meeting a big success!