Rapid City has two historic districts for your enjoyment.
The first is the historic downtown district. Included in the notable buildings is the 1914 First National Bank building at 7th and Main. Across the street you will find the 1911 Lions Head Fountain, which was once a watering station for horses.

Rapid City's West Boulevard Historic District is just west of downtown. Residential in character, portions of 18 blocks contain examples of the city's finest late 19th century and early 20th century structures.

City Tour Highlights:

Visitor Information Center	Memorial Park, Berlin Wall	Storybook Island

Black Hills Visitor Information Center

The Black Hills Visitor Information Center at Rapid City welcomes you with an array of free services designed to smooth your way and maximize your vacation fun in the Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota.

Rapid City Visitor Information Center

Stop by The Rapid City Visitor Information Center and talk to our Visitor Information Specialists, who know how to assist you with planning your trip. From answering simple questions to helping you arrange the perfect activity for your interests and itinerary, the our Visitor Information Specialists at the Rapid City VIC are ready to help you make the most of your vacation.

Memorial Park, Berlin Wall

Memorial Park is a beautiful greenway with a rose garden, fountain pool and a meandering Rapid Creek. A band shell, a section of the Berlin Wall, and monuments honoring our veterans, as well as the victims of the 1972 flood, are also located here.

Storybook Island

Storybook Island is a fairyland park with nursery-rhyme displays, live animals and a special playground that delights children of all ages. Spread over beautiful park-like acres, this is one of Rapid City's most popular free attractions.

Fish Hatchery	Stavkirke Chapel	Canyon Lake Park

Fish Hatchery

Cleghorn Springs Fish Hatchery produces and releases close to one-million trout annually. The entire fish rearing and stocking process is explained in detail at the Visitors Center. Family nature programs are also offered daily during the summer months. 

Stavkirke Chapel

Built in Rapid City in 1969, the unique "Stavkirke" is an exact copy of the famous 830 year-old Borgund Church in Norway. The intricate wood carvings, strange dragon heads and ingenious pegged construction make it a place of unusual interest and great beauty.

Canyon Lake Park

Canyon Lake Park is a jewel in Rapid City. This gorgeous park is surrounded by forest and offers picnic areas, walking paths and plenty of ducks and geese that you can feed.

Formal Gardens	Dinosaur Park	Dahl Art Center

Formal Gardens

Rapid City has three formal garden settings for those who love flora. One of the principal gardens is located at Halley Park, just off the business district. The second is at Sioux Park near Baken Park Shopping Center and the third is across from Sioux San Hospital on Canyon Lake Drive.  All exhibits are labeled for those interested in horticulture.

Dinosaur Park

Built in the early 1930's, Dinosaur Park is a childhood favorite. Seven life-size concrete replicas of prehistoric reptiles divide Rapid City into east and west. The larger figure is visible from most points in town. The exhibits are lighted until 10:00pm.  

Dahl Arts Center

The Dahl Arts Center houses two galleries which feature paintings, crafts, sculpture and original prints selected from the works of regional artists.  It is also home to a 200-foot oil-on-canvas mural depicting two centuries of American history.

Museum of Geology	APEX Gallery	City of Presidents

Museum of Geology

As part of the research facility of the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, the Museum of Geology specializes in local fossil specimens and minerals from the Black Hills and around the world.

APEX Gallery

The APEX Gallery, in the classroom building on the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology campus, offers challenging educational art and science exhibits. Exhibits are rotated every 4-6 weeks and trained personnel are always present to answer questions.

The City of Presidents

Bronze statues of many of our nation’s Presidents line the street corners of downtown Rapid City. The Presidents are life-size, providing a perfect photo opportunity for visitors.

The Journey Museum	Historic Downtown	City View Trolley

The Journey Museum

The Journey Museum takes you on an incredible trek through time as it tells the story of the Black Hills through interactive displays. When your journey is complete, you will fully understand the legacy of the land and its people.

City View Trolley

The City View Trolley offers visitors a narrated tour of Rapid City attractions, beginning at the Milo Barber Transportation Center, winding through downtown and continuing west to Stavkirke Chapel. 15 stops along the route allow guests to get off and enjoy the attractions. Narration through GPS technology provides trolley passengers information about historic and present-day Rapid City.

City View Trolley Brochure City View Trolley Brochure pdf (2495k)

Rapid City Tour and Historic District Map