Essentials
Safeway
2120 Mount Rushmore Road10
Einheimische empfehlenDry-cleaning on site, always done right (a miracle -- in Minneapolis we struggled to find a single dry cleaner who could get our dry cleaning right!)
Southside Drycleaners
338 Saint Patrick StreetDry-cleaning on site, always done right (a miracle -- in Minneapolis we struggled to find a single dry cleaner who could get our dry cleaning right!)
Great care -- comfortable waiting room, efficient walk-ins and appointments, nurses and doctors who take you seriously and express genuine compassion, and it's a department of Regional Hospital, so if your condition sends you to the hospital, you don't have to fill out paperwork all over again. (PS, for rattlesnake bites, proceed directly to the hospital, not urgent care.)
Monument Health Rapid City Urgent Care, Jackson Boulevard
2116 Jackson BlvdGreat care -- comfortable waiting room, efficient walk-ins and appointments, nurses and doctors who take you seriously and express genuine compassion, and it's a department of Regional Hospital, so if your condition sends you to the hospital, you don't have to fill out paperwork all over again. (PS, for rattlesnake bites, proceed directly to the hospital, not urgent care.)
YMCA of Rapid City
815 Kansas City StDay memberships available for tourists
Mystique Edge Day Spa & Salon
318 Mt Rushmore RdLovely salon and spa! The spa side has a soothing lounge.
Entertainment & Activities
Not always the box-office hits, but it's a classic "small town theater" experience, and we love their popcorn
10
Einheimische empfehlenElks Theatre
512 6th St10
Einheimische empfehlenNot always the box-office hits, but it's a classic "small town theater" experience, and we love their popcorn
Parks & Nature
Hiking and biking -- access these trails literally out our back door. Just walk up the hilly slope toward the "don't cut the trail" sign! A lot of rain will make the trails too muddy to enjoy, but otherwise it's an awesome trail system.
Skyline Wilderness Area Park
515 West BlvdHiking and biking -- access these trails literally out our back door. Just walk up the hilly slope toward the "don't cut the trail" sign! A lot of rain will make the trails too muddy to enjoy, but otherwise it's an awesome trail system.
One of our favorite trails. The trailhead is easy to spot (just past Old Macdonald's Farm) and there's plenty of parking. This is an easy in-and-out trail, with a spectacular view at the top. It's about 2 miles -- we've hiked it as quickly as 35 minutes round trip or (at a kids' pace) just over an hour.
Stratobowl Rim Trailhead
One of our favorite trails. The trailhead is easy to spot (just past Old Macdonald's Farm) and there's plenty of parking. This is an easy in-and-out trail, with a spectacular view at the top. It's about 2 miles -- we've hiked it as quickly as 35 minutes round trip or (at a kids' pace) just over an hour.
Food Scene
This is our local spin on Perkin's/IHOP (we also have Perkins and IHOP, but Colonial House is the best!) Great for small groups (if you need a table for 2, ask for the Worst Table In The House for a discounted breakfast), large groups (even big groups get seated pretty quickly!), adults (lots of healthy, hearty, and unique items on the menu), and kids (the kids menu is just right.) They also have surprisingly good coffee!
12
Einheimische empfehlenColonial House Restaurant and Bar
2315 Mount Rushmore Road12
Einheimische empfehlenThis is our local spin on Perkin's/IHOP (we also have Perkins and IHOP, but Colonial House is the best!) Great for small groups (if you need a table for 2, ask for the Worst Table In The House for a discounted breakfast), large groups (even big groups get seated pretty quickly!), adults (lots of healthy, hearty, and unique items on the menu), and kids (the kids menu is just right.) They also have surprisingly good coffee!
My friends from Philly confirm Philly Ted's cheesesteaks are authentic and delicious (most likely the homemade bread is what seals the deal!) Lots of combos, all delicious! The new Main St location has more seating, but service is faster at the original Lacrosse St location.
Philly Ted's
502 Main StMy friends from Philly confirm Philly Ted's cheesesteaks are authentic and delicious (most likely the homemade bread is what seals the deal!) Lots of combos, all delicious! The new Main St location has more seating, but service is faster at the original Lacrosse St location.
Having lived in San Francisco, we love good pho and pad thai, and Pacific Rim doesn't disappoint. The "kids plate" is a nice surprise too -- it's a divided plate filled with various separate ingredients, all healthy and kid-friendly.
Pacific Rim Cafe
1375 N Lacrosse StHaving lived in San Francisco, we love good pho and pad thai, and Pacific Rim doesn't disappoint. The "kids plate" is a nice surprise too -- it's a divided plate filled with various separate ingredients, all healthy and kid-friendly.
Our favorite spot for a really good steak. Great for small groups (2 to 8 adults) who want to linger over a great meal.
18
Einheimische empfehlenDelmonico Grill
609 West Main Street18
Einheimische empfehlenOur favorite spot for a really good steak. Great for small groups (2 to 8 adults) who want to linger over a great meal.
This locally owned bagel shop has comfy seating and local Dark Canyon coffee. (I personally prefer the bagels/coffee at Einstein/Caribou across the street, but Black Hills Bagels has more ambiance and local flavor.)
7
Einheimische empfehlenBlack Hills Bagels
913 Mount Rushmore Road7
Einheimische empfehlenThis locally owned bagel shop has comfy seating and local Dark Canyon coffee. (I personally prefer the bagels/coffee at Einstein/Caribou across the street, but Black Hills Bagels has more ambiance and local flavor.)
Cafeteria-style Indian food -- go to this West Main St location, not the St Joseph location.
Curry Masala
2050 W Main StCafeteria-style Indian food -- go to this West Main St location, not the St Joseph location.
Great Wall Restaurant
315 E North StWe've never actually been to Great Wall, but like their delivery menu.
Locally roasted coffee, great vibe for hanging out with friends or lingering alone over a cup of coffee
7
Einheimische empfehlenPure Bean Coffeehouse
201 Main St7
Einheimische empfehlenLocally roasted coffee, great vibe for hanging out with friends or lingering alone over a cup of coffee
Best flat-white in town (probably because the owners are Australian). Casual vibe.
11
Einheimische empfehlenEssence Of Coffee
908 Main St11
Einheimische empfehlenBest flat-white in town (probably because the owners are Australian). Casual vibe.
This is our closest Starbucks. Zero local flavor obviously, but sometimes you just want your familiar stand-by.
Starbucks
1819 Mount Rushmore RoadThis is our closest Starbucks. Zero local flavor obviously, but sometimes you just want your familiar stand-by.
This is the hippest café in town, with trendy breakfast treats.
15
Einheimische empfehlenHarriet & Oak
329 Main St15
Einheimische empfehlenThis is the hippest café in town, with trendy breakfast treats.
Arts & Culture
Free admission, local artists, frequent events. They also have an "Art Start" studio, which is a GREAT play area for young children. We love to play here when we need a break from the weather and crowded tourist attractions.
8
Einheimische empfehlenDahl Arts Center
713 7th Street8
Einheimische empfehlenFree admission, local artists, frequent events. They also have an "Art Start" studio, which is a GREAT play area for young children. We love to play here when we need a break from the weather and crowded tourist attractions.
Drinks & Nightlife
Pub vibe -- great for a wide selection of beer and Wednesday night trivia (check their Facebook page for event details, and arrive early to snag a booth), but the food menu variety and quality are sub-par
Wobbly Bobby
510 Main StPub vibe -- great for a wide selection of beer and Wednesday night trivia (check their Facebook page for event details, and arrive early to snag a booth), but the food menu variety and quality are sub-par
Not our favorite Mexican food in town, but definitely the best margaritas!
14
Einheimische empfehlenQue Pasa Cantina
502 Main Street14
Einheimische empfehlenNot our favorite Mexican food in town, but definitely the best margaritas!
Good food menu, and GREAT drinks menu that will satisfy both beer and cocktail cravings.
27
Einheimische empfehlenMurphy's Pub and Grill
510 9th Street27
Einheimische empfehlenGood food menu, and GREAT drinks menu that will satisfy both beer and cocktail cravings.
Getting Around
Bus stop in front of Safeway grocery store serves both the Lincoln and Roosevelt routes (landmarks along these bus routes: City View Trolley, downtown Rapid City, Parkview Pool, Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, Rushmore 7 Movie Theater, Restaurants, Journey Museum, Roosevelt Indoor Swimming / Ice Skating, Dahl Art Center)
2118 Mt Rushmore Rd
2118 Mt Rushmore RdBus stop in front of Safeway grocery store serves both the Lincoln and Roosevelt routes (landmarks along these bus routes: City View Trolley, downtown Rapid City, Parkview Pool, Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, Rushmore 7 Movie Theater, Restaurants, Journey Museum, Roosevelt Indoor Swimming / Ice Skating, Dahl Art Center)