The 10 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in Rapid City, South Dakota (SD)

June 6, 2021 Concepcion Newsome

Rapid City has long been considered one of the gateways to the West, and its rich cowboy and Native American heritage is the result. Visitors won't want to miss the area's mammoth outdoor sculptures. There's Mount Rushmore, of course, but work also continues on the nearby Crazy Horse Memorial, which will be the largest sculpture in the world when it is finally completed years down the line. Among the many local attractions are the scenic Black Hills, several nearby cavern systems that offer guided tours and the South Dakota Air and Space Museum.
Restaurants in Rapid City

1. GeoFunTrek Tours

Excellent
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5.0 based on 176 reviews

GeoFunTrek Tours

For those seeking a high-quality, day-long guided tour in the Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota with exceptional guides - GeoFunTrek Tours is the answer! Specializing in Custom Tours, Private Tours and Traditional Family Tours, we bring the region to life in ways that are fun and memorable. We will work with you to design and deliver your personalized "Dream Tour". We use a rich mixture of local knowledge, history, geology, paleontology, poetry & folklore to take you places that few experience. Our tours are unique, intimate, and emotionally satisfying. We have the knowledge and experience to craft truly exceptional tours that you will enjoy and remember for years to come. Join us in the comfort and safety of a Sprinter van or Honda Pilot SUV for a day to remember.

2. Tinder Box

518 7th St, Rapid City, SD 57701-2730 +1 605-341-8466 [email protected] http://www.rapidcitytinderbox.com
Excellent
95%
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5.0 based on 55 reviews

Tinder Box

Welcome to the Tinder Box Cigar Bar, Rapid City’s only Cigar bar. The Rapid City Tinder Box is located at 518 7th Street in the historic Buell Building (circa 1888), situated in the heart of downtown Rapid City. For visitors to Mt. Rushmore, the Black Hills, the Sturgis Bike Rally, or business visitors, we are the premium tobacconist in the area. Customer service is our number one goal, and our staff is eager and knowledgeable in helping you select cigars to fit your taste. Our premium cigar lines include Padron, Cohiba, Nat Sherman, Acid, Upmann, Romeo and Juliet, My Father’s, Brickhouse, Ashton, Flor de Selva, CAO and many more. In addition to carrying an extensive selection of high-quality hand-rolled cigars, we offer a full line of spirits such as bourbon, whiskey, cognac, and mixed drinks plus a great selection of fine wine, and beer. You will find Pipes and a large selection of Tinder Box Custom Blended Pipe Tobacco. Our retail area offers quality accessories and gifts.

Reviewed By jakeb320

This is the place to be. Great environment great staff top notch service. Being located in historical downtown Rapid makes it the place to be

3. Black Hills Outdoor Fun

Excellent
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5.0 based on 240 reviews

Black Hills Outdoor Fun

Welcome to Black Hills Outdoor Fun where ATV tours are our specialty! Most people like to ride atv's throughout the Black Hills National Forest but tend to not know the trails very well and spend most of the time looking at a map and missing out on the beauty of the surroundings. We offer a guided tour that is a 4 hour round trip which includes a short hike. You will have your own ATV or UTV to drive. Experience is needed when riding the ATV and none is needed to drive the UTV. Children under 4 are not able to ride due to the length of the tour and safety of the small children. Stay at one of our homes on Edelweiss Mountain and you will receive 20% off the tour. The tour is dusty at times, wet at times, and bumpy most of the time. Call for more details. We would love to have you enjoy the National Forest.

4. Chapel in the Hills

3788 Chapel Ln, Rapid City, SD 57702-4942 +1 605-342-8281 [email protected] http://www.chapel-in-the-hills.org/
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4.5 based on 625 reviews

Chapel in the Hills

Celebrating 50 years in 2019! Replica of the 850-year-old Borgund Church in Norway and has unique architecture and woodcarvings.

Reviewed By CharlesP1904

This place is really beautiful with wonderful wooden chapel structure inspired by the exact replica of Borgund Stavkirke of Laerdal, Norway. It has a prayer walkway. It has a gift shop for souvenirs and products from Norway. I really like the chocolate.

5. Museum of Geology

501 East Saint Joseph Street 3rd Floor of O'Hara Builidng on SDSMT campus, Rapid City, SD 57701-3901 +1 605-394-2467 [email protected] http://museum.sdsmt.edu
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4.5 based on 351 reviews

Museum of Geology

We are a natural history museum featuring an excellent displays of South Dakota fossils, minerals from around the world and South Dakota Minerals.

Reviewed By jimmydoe

free to public, parking is difficult... has excellent display of minerals, gems and gold, also fossils from western south dakota....is very disproportionately large for a small museum in a small state. a replica of Sue, the T.rex fossil that was found in the area is on display, as are other dinosaur bones... a place for both kids and adults

6. Pactola Pines Marina

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4.5 based on 40 reviews

Pactola Pines Marina

Pactola Pines Marina provides pontoons, kayaks, paddleboards, canoe and fishing boats for as little as 2 hours all the way up to full day rentals. The store also offers a compete food menu and beverages including beer and wine. Located on 23060 Custer Gulch Road just past the visitor center on highway 385.

7. Black Hills Open-Top-Tours

Excellent
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4.5 based on 269 reviews

Black Hills Open-Top-Tours

Black Hills OPEN-TOP-TOURS . . . Currently offering tours using our sunny fresh-air Jeeps and Convertible-Top Vans. We offer: JEEP Bison Safari - Mt Rushmore+Safari - Northern Hills/Deadwood - Badlands National Park - RV Can't Go There Tours. Just added . . . Lincoln Limo Private Badlands Tour. Open-Year-Round . . . Join us for fall/winter tours (closed top vans and Jeeps). There are many enclosed attractions: Crazy Horse, Mammoth Site, Wind Cave, Mt Rushmore, the Journey and Deadwood. Snowshoeing/Hiking at Custer Park, Badlands National Park, Northern Black Hills plus Bear Butte and Devils Tower Trails. COVID-19: Every precaution is being taken to ensure the safety of our guests as well as our guides. Vehicles have all surfaces wiped down with disinfectants. Our guides will maintain the proper social distance. Guests are separated from drivers with see-through wall

8. Lost Cabin Beer Co.

1401 W Omaha St Suite 3, Rapid City, SD 57701-2689 +1 605-718-5678 [email protected] http://lostcabin.beer/
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4.5 based on 78 reviews

Lost Cabin Beer Co.

Brewery and taproom located in Rapid City, SD - specializing in small batch ales & lagers, barrel aging and seasonal beers. Energetic tap room with a rustic outdoor theme and active Food Truck scene - located across the street from Hiking, Mountain Biking, Fishing, and Golf.

Reviewed By Dynamicjohn - Tampa, United States

We got a recommendation from some locals to check out this brewery while in town. I really enjoyed the Grizzly scotch ale, Hefeweizen and a few others. I highly recommend checking out this brewery. Great to support a local business!

9. Cosmos Mystery Area

24040 Cosmos Rd, Rapid City, SD 57702-7414 +1 605-343-9802 [email protected] http://www.cosmosmysteryarea.com/
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4.0 based on 1,002 reviews

Cosmos Mystery Area

You'll wonder how it all works at this mysterious attraction where you can stand on the walls and balls roll uphill. The 40-minute tour will amaze and delight adults and children of all ages. Opening April 12th for the 2019 season

Reviewed By 965dedram - Chandler, United States

I came 20yrs ago as a kid but my husband had never been. We had a blast and loved our tour guide Kayla she was so fun!

10. Art Alley

599 7th St, Rapid City, SD 57701-2729 http://artalley.awardspace.com/
Excellent
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4.0 based on 265 reviews

Art Alley

Reviewed By toniah264 - Sioux Falls, United States

We enjoyed our walk down the Art Alley. What a unique area for graffiti artists to be able to spread their art. I love the idea behind the permits so there is an actually place for this. The talent on the walls are great

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