A Four Day Award Winning Family Vacation in Rapid City
If you’re seeking an iconic destination to make lasting memories with your family, visit Rapid City. It’s here you’ll find affordable family fun, thrilling attractions filled with educational moments, and views that your family will be talking about for years to come.
Here’s a four day itinerary for an unforgettable trip:
Day One:
Breakfast at Tally's Silver Spoon
Tally's Silver Spoon is one of Rapid City's landmark diners and the perfect way to kick off your first day in Rapid City. Try the Crepes, Cinnamon Swirl French Toast, or Vegetable Breakfast, just to name a few local favorites on the menu.
Visit the Museum of Geology
Found on the campus of South Dakota Mines, this museum is overflowing with the history of the Black Hills and Badlands. Stand before the skeletons of dinosaurs, mammoths, and marine reptiles or browse the most impressive collection of minerals in Rapid City. The Museum of Geology also offers a Kids' Zone for younger visitors seeking hands-on fun. Bonus: Hang on to your receipt or take a selfie at their selfie station and get free admission for a year!
Lunch at Firehouse Brewing Company
Dine inside Rapid City's original firehouse turned restaurant and brewery! A theme that they fully embrace, Firehouse Brewing Company is decorated with firefighting memorabilia like hoses, ladders, and uniforms. Kids can even dine in plastic fireman hats.
Visit The Journey Museum
Travel through time at The Journey Museum. Covering over 2.5 billion years of Black Hills history, it's the most comprehensive display you'll find in the area. The exhibits in the museum cover astronomy, geology, paleontology, archeology, the Sioux Indian Museum, and pioneer history. Mixed throughout the museum are hands-on activities kids love like an archeology dig site, touch and feel fossil displays, and more.
Visit Reptile Gardens
Meet the world's deadliest snakes and friendliest tortoises with a visit to Reptile Gardens. Your visit will consist of peaceful strolls through the many botanical gardens and hair-raising entertainment at the snake and gator shows.
Dinner at Press Start
Located in Downtown Rapid City, Press Start is a restaurant, bar, and arcade (a bar-cade, if you will) making up two stories of non-stop family fun. Come for the pizza, stay for a friendly game of Guitar Hero or ski ball.
Day Two:
Breakfast at Black Hills Bagels
Black Hills Bagels, legendary for its handcrafted, tasty bagels, is a true Rapid City icon. Start your day with a bite of the best bagel in the Black Hills.
Visit Bear Country USA
Bear Country USA is a wildlife park near Rapid City, inviting visitors for an authentic drive-through experience. Here, you'll witness wildlife, from black bears to bison, within the comfort of your car. After you've finished the Drive Thru, get out and stretch your legs at the gift shop and tour the Walk Thru where you can see foxes, badgers, bobcats, and the always-popular bear cubs.
Visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Listen to Ranger Talks, tour fascinating visitor centers, walk down the memorable avenue of flags, and climb along the exciting Presidential Trail. There’s a lot to explore at Mount Rushmore, but the favorite part for most kids is the Thomas Jefferson ice cream – created from his original recipe.
Lunch at Laughing Water Restaurant®
Make the 16-mile, 25-minute drive from Mount Rushmore to Crazy Horse Memorial® and have lunch at Laughing Water Restaurant®, located on the memorial's campus. With a nod to the Ziolkowski's regularly inviting friends over for dinner at the memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial® invites you to join them for Native American Tacos or their iconic Tatanka Stew before exploring the rest of the grounds.
Visit Crazy Horse Memorial®
Discover the largest mountain carving in progress, Crazy Horse Memorial®. Created solely from private donations, the Crazy Horse campus houses the memorial, the Indian Museum of North America®, The Native American Educational and Cultural Center®, and so much more.
Drive Needles Highway in Custer State Park
Take the scenic route back to Rapid and coast the curves, tunnels, and spires that pierce the sky of Needles Highway. This is a 14-mile stretch of road that you and your family will never forget driving. Needles Highway is just one portion of the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway.
Dinner at Thirsty's Burger & Beer
Retreat to the patio of Thirsty’s for a relaxing dinner of delicious burgers. They also offer sandwiches, wraps, salads, and more.
Dessert at Armadillo's Ice Cream Shoppe
If you skipped the ice cream at Mount Rushmore, or want to double up on dessert because vacation calories don't count, head to Armadillos. Known for their "Flavor of the Day" soft serve, they also create sundaes, milkshakes, and malts. Don't be shocked to discover a long line - it's a local favorite and it's absolutely worth the wait.
Day Three:
Breakfast at the Colonial House
Comfortable and family-friendly, the Colonial House perfectly captures the spirit of home-style cooking and hospitality. They have a large and delicious breakfast menu, but the insider tip is to always order at least one caramel roll for the table.
Visit Dinosaur Park
The newly renovated Dinosaur Park now features fully accessible paths, new signage, refurbished dino friends, and the same breathtaking views. The park was built in 1936 and has created vacation memories for families spanning back multiple generations. Fun fact: The iconic Brontosaurus has a name — Deano.
Take a Tour on the Trolley
Take the best tour available in Rapid City - the City View Trolley. This 2-hour narrated tour takes passengers around town and highlights the history of the area along with some of our top attractions. The tour includes a 30-minute stop at Chapel in the Hills, a peaceful Norwegian Stave Church, where passengers can tour the chapel, walk the grounds, and visit the gift shop.
Lunch at Jambonz Deux
This affordable hidden gem brings the taste of Louisiana to Rapid City. Find them tucked away on the west side of town.
Visit Watiki® Waterpark
Take hotel pool time to a whole new level with a visit to Watiki® Waterpark. With over 30,000 square feet of swimming pools and water slides, it offers hours of indoor entertainment for the whole family.
Eat a Chuckwagon Supper at Fort Hays
Catch dinner with a show at Fort Hays, on the southern edge of town. Their Chuckwagon Supper and Music Variety Show by the Rockin Wranglers will have the whole family laughing through your meal. Get to Fort Hays before the doors open to the show so you can also tour the Old West Town Square and catch a ride on the Buffalo Hunt Coaster.
Day Four:
Breakfast at Jerry’s Cakes & Donuts
If you love donuts, and let's be honest who doesn’t, then your last day in Rapid City should be treating your family to the delicious creations of Jerry’s Cakes and Donuts, a Rapid City staple spanning five decades.
Tour the City of Presidents
Lining the streets of Downtown Rapid City, it’s hard to miss the life-sized statues of past American Presidents. Called the City of Presidents, this free walking tour, now with a free audio tour, will teach your family some fascinating facts about our country’s leaders.
Lunch at Que Pasa
This two-story Mexican Cantina located in Downtown Rapid City has a large menu of mouthwatering Classic Mexican options. It’s the perfect spot to fill up for an afternoon of more adventuring.
Visit Storybook Island
Storybook Island is paradise for young kids. This eight and half acre park is free and filled with different playsets themed from their favorite stories. Climb Winnie the Pooh’s tree house, visit the homes of the Three Little Pigs, and so much more.
Visit Canyon Lake Park
One of the oldest city parks in Rapid City is a peaceful way to relaxing on a summer afternoon in Rapid City. Paddle boats are available for rent for those families that want to tootle around on the water.
Dinner at Piesano's Pacchia
Pizza, pasta, and subs all served in cozy atmosphere, that’s what you’ll find at Piesano’s. Their large portion sizes and friendly service are what make this spot a favorite for many.
Keep an eye on our Events Calendar as you plan your vacation. From Family Food Truck Nights to free events like Movies on Main at Main Street Square, our area is continuously offering family-friendly events you’ll want to attend during your vacation. You can also stay informed on more things to do and events happening in the area with our monthly Travel Tips Newsletter.