Rapid City’s prime location in western South Dakota and the Black Hills offers a quality of life unlike any other. Whether you crave adrenaline-pumping activities or the calming sounds of nature, the Black Hills are only minutes away. If you are looking for a vibrant downtown scene with food, local shops, arts and entertainment, Rapid City has that too.

Endless pages could be filled with reasons to love and appreciate Rapid City. This Valentine’s Day, the Elevate Rapid City team and members of Rapid City to Go Facebook group narrowed it down to 25.

Accessible Outdoor Adventures

1. The beauty of the Black Hills is unlike any other. Rapid City is roughly 20 minutes away from trails and scenic cruises. For the history and national park buffs, you may be surprised to know that there are ten national parks, monuments, state parks and historical sites within one-hour of the city. It’s the perfect way to spend a weekend or evening after work.

2. Looking to hit the trail even sooner? Skyline Wilderness and Hanson-Larsen Memorial Park offer more than 20 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails right in the heart of Rapid City.

3. The Leonard "Swanny" Swanson Memorial Pathway spans more than 10 miles along Rapid Creek, connecting riders and walkers to Canyon Lake, Sioux and Founders parks as well as the Farmers Market.

4. Rapid City’s Park system offers classic playgrounds, year-round events, and outdoor recreation for all. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but two of the most notable would be: Canyon Lake Park – 29 acres of green space, a pond for pedal boating, kayaking and fishing, bike paths and playgrounds. Sioux Park offers year-round sport activities with basketball courts, soccer fields, tennis courts and public pool. Don’t miss the Sioux Park Formal Gardens during the spring and summer! Here is Visit Rapid City's top 10 list.

5. Hit the links at one of Rapid City’s six golf courses! A mix of municipal, public, and private courses span the city limits. Want to work on your game year-round? Challenge your friends to a round at X-Golf Rapid City.

6. If seasons aren’t your thing, you will likely disagree, but the weather is certainly something to love about Rapid City. The location at the base of the Black Hills is not only great for outdoor adventure but also for the weather. The “banana belt” shelters Rapid City from the harshest winter weather – the average high is around 45°F – while also maintaining moderate summers. The snow brings new adventures like skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling without getting too cold.

7. Pet (dog) friendly. Rapid City was recently listed in the top 25 family-friendly cities in the United States. And we would be remiss not to call out that it is a great community for your four-legged family members, too. Bar K-9 is a unique indoor dog park to complement the off-leash dog parks in the area. Many restaurants and breweries will also welcome your dog to their outdoor patios. (Want a closer look at some of the dog-friendly businesses in Rapid City? Check out this issue of Elevate Magazine.)

8. Speaking of Accessible: Accessible Black Hills is doing incredible work to eliminate the stress and worry that those with disabilities often face when traveling. Working with local volunteers, the online directory helps to rate and highlight accessible businesses and locations in the Rapid City region. While it was designed with a visitor in mind, we are certain new and current residents will also find a lot of value in the work they have done. An app is coming soon!

Opportunities for People and Businesses

9. Incredible education opportunities. Rapid City sees thousands of graduates each year ready to enter the workforce. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology was ranked the #1 engineering university in the country for return on investment. Black Hills State University – Rapid City offers a variety of programs for students and professionals. Western Dakota Tech offers 26 associate degree programs for students looking for a technical degree. There is also the nearby Oglala Lakota College which integrates the Lakota culture into their curriculum.

10. Innovation and Entrepreneurship are thriving. At the groundbreaking ceremony for Property Meld, Governor Noem described a vision that many in Rapid City share: “Here, in Rapid City, the technology companies are really finding that this is a special place to be. This can be the silicon prairie. This can be a place that the rest of the country is talking about as a location to put their companies.” Rapid City has seen dozens of successful startup companies including: B9Creations, VRC Metal Systems, Strider Bikes, Phase Technologies, C-Lock, ColeTAC and more. With continued effort around developing an innovation district, we are excited for what is in store.

11. Rapid City is a military community. The people who bravely wear the uniform and answer the call of duty aren’t a distant thought in Rapid City. They are our friends, neighbors and co-workers. Rapid City is proud to be the home of Camp Rapid and nearby Ellsworth Air Force Base. The community works hard to ensure that military members and their families feel welcome and supported. The Defense Symposium connects businesses with defense opportunities. The Military Advisory Coalition is made up of community leaders and volunteers who aim to improve the quality of life for our service members and their families. In 2019, Rapid City was named one of the best cities to live in after military.

Thriving Downtown, Culture, and Entertainment

12. Main Street Square is the heart of downtown Rapid City. In the summer, people of all ages enjoy the splash pad, green space, dining and the granite stones carved by Masayuki Nagase. In the winter, the square transforms to an ice rink larger than Rockefeller Center. And in between, there is shopping, dining, events, and concerts. If, somehow, you are struggling to find something to do in Rapid City, head to the Square. A few favorite annual events:

Pumpkin Festival

FRÜHLINGSFEST

Cruiser Car Show

Winter Market – leads up to the Festival of Lights Parade

13. City of Presidents. When outsiders think of presidents and Rapid City, they often only think of Mount Rushmore. Locals know, Rapid City received this nickname for the 41 statues found on the corners throughout downtown Rapid City. But something to love even more, is how those presidents have transformed into a representation of the kindness and generosity of Rapid City. In the winter months, these statues will don hats, scarves, coats, and other winter-weather gear that those in need can have.

14. Rich Native American Culture. The “Paha Sapa” (Black Hills) are the ancestral and sacred land to nearly two dozen Native American Tribes. The culture is rich and abundant throughout the region. The Black Hills Powwow and Lakota Nation Invitational are two can’t-miss events held annually in Rapid City. Learning the culture and history of local Native Americans gives a complete picture of the region.

15. Rapid City Summer Nights is a free weekly concert series. From Memorial Day to Labor Day head to downtown Rapid City for live music, food, and community.

16. We have an incredible art scene. It seems everywhere you look in Rapid City, art is proudly on display. There are the anchor sites like Art Alley or the Dahl Arts Center. But there are also intentional efforts to bring beauty through something as simple as local art on utility boxes. The Performing Arts Center puts the spotlight on local plays and dance recitals. And venues throughout the city host open mic nights and concerts. If you’re looking for something especially unique, you’ll want to check out the Suzie Cappa and Tusweca Galleries.

17. The Monument has been a staple for Rapid City events since 1977. The recent expansion with Summit Arena has expanded the opportunity to host concerts, rodeos, sports tournaments and more. In 2022 over 500 events were held at The Monument.

18. Community team. The Rapid City Rush is Rapid City’s ECHL professional ice hockey team. For more than 15 years they have called Rapid City home. More than entertainment on the ice, they also serve the community in big ways. In 2022 they were recognized as the 2022 ECHL Community Service Team of the Year. Rapid City is also home to the Rapid City Marshals indoor football team.

Photo courtesy Rapid City Rush. Credit: Brandon Campea

19. If you want to take a glimpse back in time, you’ll love Rapid City’s museums. The Journey Museum & Learning Center is one of the more unique museums to experience not only the history of the Black Hills, but Native American culture. The Museum of Geology features skeletons, rare fossils, and gemstones. And then there’s the world’s only Pawnseum – where business and history collide.

Fresh Food and Flavors

20. Access to local, fresh, organic items. What Rapid City may lack in the nationally known chains, it makes up for in the local options to shop for groceries and produce.

Breadroot is a locally owned natural foods co-op. They offer produce, meat, dairy and wellness products.

The Market has 6,500 square feet of store shelves filled with natural and organic food, vitamins and supplements, local meat and cheeses, special dietary foods, and more.

Staple and Spice offers natural groceries, weekly fresh produce baskets, and bulk foods in addition to herbs and spices, coffees and teas, natural vitamins and supplements, essential oils, and health & beauty products.

The Black Hills Farmers Market is open year-round, offering produce, canned goods, freshly baked treats, and more.

Bashful Bison opened in 2022 as not only a great place to grab lunch, but also a market where you can find local goods.

21. Rapid City has an exceptional coffee scene. And they are often coupled with a great breakfast/brunch menu, too. Some shops specialize in roasting in house. Others have unique atmospheres. Some are ideal to stay for a while working or talking with friends while others are perfect for a quick grab-and-go. Connections happen in coffee shops, and Rapid City has plenty.

22. Here’s a toast to the wineries and breweries! Much like Rapid City’s coffee scene, the craft breweries and wineries offer a wide variety of flavors and experiences. There are eight local breweries (and counting). Many host live music or trivia nights, giving you an even greater excuse to get together with friends and stay a while. Looking for something even more unique? Check out Black Hills Contraband Distillery or Tinder Box Cigar Lounge. Windsor Block is one of the newest additions to downtown; it offers an extensive whiskey selection, spirits, mocktails, and even a Japanese section on its menu. There’s a little bit of everything to everybody.

23. #RapidCityEats. The dining scene continues to grow in Rapid City. There are long-standing favorites like Firehouse Brewing Company, Black Hills Bagels, and Tally’s Silverspoon. New-to-the-scene ethnic options like A&D Jamaican, Bokujō Ramen, Gyro Hub, and Sumo. Don’t sleep on Independent Ale House pizza or the menu at Pour 54!

24. There are unique dining experiences to be found. The Blind Lion is a prohibition-style speakeasy with handcrafted cocktails and a cutting-edge culinary program. Search around or ask a friend for the number and get your reservation today! Looking for a more family-friendly unique dining option? Press Start is ready for you. You’ll find 2 levels of arcade games, a full bar and menu of burgers and brick-oven pizzas.

25. Food Truck frenzy. It seems with every trip past Founders Park, there is a new food truck on the scene offering mouth-water bites. While there are some that become quick favorites (staff mentions include The Good Stuffed, Green Chili Shack, and Mercy’s tacos) – there are also enough options that you’ll never get bored! Tuesday nights in the summer bring Family Food Truck Night. Grab your lawn chair and enjoy an evening outside with great food, fun, family and friends.

Several local food trucks have also invested in indoor locations including: The Good Stuffed, Ugly Graffiti, Green Chili Shack, and Maple Street Barbecue.