Things to do in Rapid City

Carved into the granite of South Dakota's Black Hills, Mount Rushmore features 60-foot faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, symbolizing America's founding, growth, development, and preservation. Created by Gutzon Borglum and his son from 1927-1941, this iconic monument blends artistry, history, and natural beauty, making it a must-see landmark.

Badlands National Park in South Dakota is a striking landscape of jagged peaks, layered rock, canyons, and vast prairies. Its colorful formations reveal millions of years of geological history shaped by wind and water. Home to bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and the rare black-footed ferret, the park offers rugged hikes, sweeping overlooks, and some of North America's clearest night skies—a place where nature tells its timeless story.

In South Dakota's Black Hills, the Crazy Horse Memorial honors the Lakota warrior known for his leadership and resistance against U.S. expansion. Begun in 1948 by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski at the request of Lakota elders, this privately funded project will be the world's largest mountain carving, depicting Crazy Horse on horseback pointing into the distance—a lasting symbol of Native American pride and resilience.

Downtown sits within the Rapid City Historic Commercial District—a 21-acre area peppered with 47 historic buildings dating from the late 19th to early 20th centuries. You'll find handsome examples of Italianate, Neoclassical, Romanesque Revival, Chicago-style, and Renaissance Revival structures, lending the streets timeless character and visual appeal.

 

Discover Custer State Park, a 71,000‑acre sanctuary in South Dakota's Black Hills that combines sweeping grasslands, jagged granite spires, pristine alpine lakes, and an incredible abundance of wildlife. Established in 1912 as the state's first and largest park, it's celebrated as one of the most stunning and wild places in the U.S.

Visit the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents, and learn about the courses and programs offered by the school. Find out about the life on campus and explore the area around.

The Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, the Future home of The Monument, is a 250,000 square foot exhibition center in Rapid City. It features two multi-purpose entertainment arenas, a Fine Arts Theatre, two large exhibit halls, and many meeting rooms. Visit this center and catch live performances and other events being hosted at this center.