We are firm believers that the best vacations don’t have to cost an arm and a leg, and that the words fun and free aren’t a thing of the past. In our area, there’s plenty of amazing free places to experience that might just be the highlight of your vacation. So, in no particular order, here are 33…
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South Dakota is full of surprises. Those lucky enough to visit will discover a place filled with stunning landscapes, outstanding cuisine, and unique attractions that offer unforgettable experiences. Reptile Gardens is one of those unique attractions and is truly unexpected since its known as one of…
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One of the highlights of Rapid City's Real America Birthday Bash is watching the night sky come alive. On July 2, hundreds of drones will launch from Rapid City Central High School to create a patriotic light show above downtown. Then on July 4, fireworks will light up the sky from Executive Golf…
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There’s a certain kind of confidence that comes with loading up the car for a day in the Black Hills. Snacks packed. Water bottles filled. Kids buckled in. Playlist queued up. Everybody excited for bison sightings, scenic overlooks, and roadside ice cream. And then, somewhere between Rapid City and…
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Forever 605 is more than a message. It is a shared commitment to protecting the landscapes, wildlife, cultures, and communities that make South Dakota so remarkable. From the granite peaks of the Black Hills to the wide-open prairie stretching beyond the horizon, this place leaves a lasting…
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There is a moment many travelers experience when they arrive in Rapid City. At first, the icons pull you in. Towering monuments, surreal landscapes, and wildlife that feels almost impossibly close. It is the kind of place that fills your camera roll on day one. Then something else happens. You…
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One year and one month after sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski moved from Connecticut to the Black Hills at the invitation of Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear, the first blast was made on Thunderhead Mountain outside the town of Custer. Ziolkowski had gained national acclaim after his sculpture earned…
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July 2-4, 2026 There are few places in America where you can spend the morning exploring national parks and presidential monuments, then be back downtown in time for a patriotic parade, a drone show, a Brandon Jones concert, or a Chancey Williams headliner performance. During the Real America…
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Spend a little time in downtown Rapid City and you will inevitably end up at Main Street Square. Kids dart through the fountains on warm summer afternoons. Live music echoes across the plaza during evening concerts. Families gather for festivals, movies, and holiday celebrations. When winter…
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The Museum of Geology, located on the campus of South Dakota Mines, has been an active part of the Rapid City community for nearly a century. The Museum was founded in 1885 along with the university, but did not open to the public until 1923. In its first year of public access the Museum of Geology…
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