Going on your first road trip with littles is challenging for any parent. I applaud you. You’re excited and a bit scared! I remember filling empty water bottles with little odds and ends for an “eye spy” activity and filling the negative space with rice. I made about seven bottles, with 20 objects each. My son plowed through those bottles within the first hour of the eight-hour drive. Whew! That was before cell phones existed. Plus, I didn’t want them on devices. I wanted them to see Americana! Times sure have changed since then!
Visiting Mount Rushmore and Rapid City, South Dakota, is a rite of passage for families in the Midwest. It's a convenient and affordable road trip destination. While staying in Keystone, South Dakota, near Mount Rushmore, can be pricey, most vacationers opt to camp or find a hotel in Rapid City, just 25 minutes away. Rapid City, South Dakota, offers a plethora of attractions and activities for families to enjoy. Here are some of my favorites!
Free Activities
Storybook Island was founded in 1959 by Merle Gunderson and the Rapid City Rotary Club. It is 8.5 acres of park fun and all sorts of storybook character fun! No pets allowed, though. It is free of admission.
Main Street Square, Downtown. There are shops all around, and there is a splash pad in the middle for cooling off in the heat of the summer. In the middle of the winter, it turns into an ice rink. They play music all year round. There is a great ice cream shop nearby!
Presidential Statues, Downtown. Each President is honored on a corner of downtown Rapid City, South Dakota. Six different artists gild each presidential statue likeness in bronze. In the winter, people leave scarves, hats, and mittens on the statues for people in need to take. It’s a great activity to see how many Presidents they know!
Dinosaur Park is a fun place for kids. It opened in May and was remodeled this past year. It does have a little gift shop at the top. The park features seven different dinosaurs that children can climb on. The park closes at 10 pm each night.
5. Skyline Wilderness Area is on top of the city. Take Skyline Drive to Dinosaur Park, which has trails just past the park. You will have amazing views of the city and the Black Hills. Sunrise or sunset are both
great times to venture out to this locale.
Activities That Cost Money
Bear Country USA $ is a super popular destination. This is a drive-through wildlife park of 200 acres, with a walkable portion with smaller animals. They are open seasonally, every day of the week, Monday-Sunday, 9 am-5 pm. They mainly have bears, elk, bison, wolves, and animals in the North American region. Before you go, you can download an activity sheet from their website for in the vehicle to keep your children focused on searching for different critters they see! It is charged per person/vehicle up to $80.
Old MacDonald’s Farm $ is a fun, interactive farm experience with over 100 farm animals. For entertainment, there are pony rides, bottle feedings, and a billy goat bridge. It's a friendly, hands-on experience open from May to October.
Reptile Gardens $$ is a reptile-focused zoo. It is a little more expensive, depending on the age of your children, and if you are going in the peak season (May/September), the rates do increase. If you love reptiles, this place will knock your socks off! It has giant tortoises, beautiful botanical gardens, and all different species of snakes, both venomous and non-venomous. I still remember this from when I was five!
Rushmore Candy Company $ When I walked in the first time, I thought Willy Wonka, only that it was real! They have clothing, every kind of candy from my childhood, taffy, jelly belly flavors lining one wall, liquor-flavored chocolate for adults that need a little respite from their children, and then gourmet chocolates and cakes in beautiful trays lit up at the counter. It was amazing! You can’t end your vacation without making a stop here. At least your kids will be quiet with a little treat on the ride home!
Watiki Indoor Water Park $$$ If you stay at one of the five hotels connected to the water park, you can bundle the costs, but it is still pricey to use the waterpark. If you or your kids LOVE water and water parks, it is worth it, especially after the heat of the arid Black Hills. It is a nice, refreshing way to cool off and let your children run around to let off some of that energy. A bar is also connected to the water park for those needing it!
More Activities
Golf! When my middle son decided to go to college in the Black Hills, I found myself out there more often. My husband and I decided to frequent other activities besides the main tourist places. Nine courses (eight public courses) are within a fifteen-mile radius of Rapid City, South Dakota. We tried Hart Ranch Golf Club, which was abutted against the Black Hills. It was so beautiful and fun! Some other great courses to check out in Rapid City, South Dakota.
The Golf Club at Red Rock
Arrowhead
Elks Lodge
Meadowbrook Golf Course
Wineries! There are seven, yes, SEVEN wineries, all within a short driving distance of Rapid City.
Prairie Berry Winery in Hill City
Naughti Winery in Hill City
Firehouse Wine Cellars in Hill City
Twisted Pine in Hill City
Grapes & Grinds in Keystone
Belle Jolí in Deadwood
Naughti Winery in DeadWood
Stay at the Alex Johnson and get a fright! The new Curio Collection Hotel by Hilton. It is said to be haunted, and I believe it. I will share my stay with all of you this October! If you are into the Supernatural, you would love to stay at this hotel on the 8th floor.
Restaurants
Firehouse Brewing Company is bright red on Main Street of Rapid City, South Dakota. The food is great, and the atmosphere is laid-back, family-friendly, and fun enough for a drink or two. Located in an old firehouse, it brings a fun, historic charm to dining!
Tally’s Silver Spoon presents its meals upscale while maintaining a relaxed, home-like feel. They offer vegetarian options, along with gluten-free options. Reservations are recommended during busier seasons as space can be limited.
Juniper Restaurant is located at the top of the Alex Johnson Hotel. Connected with it is the Sky Bar. Off of that is a rooftop terrace with a fire pit overlooking the city view. We were there in February, and the moon was full. So breathtaking! The food is very expensive, but the atmosphere at Juniper is super high-end. The drinks are amazing. The food is decent, but not what I considered worth the price. I’m pretty sure we were paying for the view.
Sabatino’s Italian Ristorante is known for having great authentic pasta in the area. While they do not have a gluten-free menu, they have some gluten-free options.
Paddy O’Neil’s Irish Pub & Grill had some of the best fish and chips ever. Located on the ground floor of the Alex Johnson, it is a bustling, fun place to hang out with a rowdy, loud vibe! However, I wouldn’t say it’s a place for kids, but it is lively!
If you’re planning a trip to the Black Hills for the first time this summer, I hope this gives you some insight. Check out my other blog "What to do in the Black Hills of South Dakota.", to discover about Mount Rushmore and the whole area around the Black Hills!
Until our next adventure!
Lizzie ❤️