Guidebook for Rapid City
For the Foodies
Botticelli
523 Main StThey feature half price wine on Tuesday nights!
Happy Hour is wonderful - the dine in option is great as well. Part of the Ramkota Hotel.
Minervas Restaurant & Bar
2111 N Lacrosse StHappy Hour is wonderful - the dine in option is great as well. Part of the Ramkota Hotel.
Believe it or not, but Rapid City has the best Jamaican and Caribbean food outside of the West Indies- no joke. The main chef left New York City after 20+ years cooking her recipes for Native Jamaicans and moved to Rapid two years ago to be closer to family. This is a MUST. Prices are great and the food is healthy and delicious. Best fried chicken in town and the dumplings taste like coconut. It's more of a fast casual feel, but absolutely worth it.
710 N Lacrosse St
710 North Lacrosse StreetBelieve it or not, but Rapid City has the best Jamaican and Caribbean food outside of the West Indies- no joke. The main chef left New York City after 20+ years cooking her recipes for Native Jamaicans and moved to Rapid two years ago to be closer to family. This is a MUST. Prices are great and the food is healthy and delicious. Best fried chicken in town and the dumplings taste like coconut. It's more of a fast casual feel, but absolutely worth it.
One of our favorites. Absolutely delicious Indian/Nepalese food. Very rare find and some of the best Nepalese food outside of Nepal. Restaurant is owned and operated by native Nepalese who came to Rapid to work in the healthcare industry, but started this restaurant. It's truly amazing.
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Kathmandu Bistro
727 Main StOne of our favorites. Absolutely delicious Indian/Nepalese food. Very rare find and some of the best Nepalese food outside of Nepal. Restaurant is owned and operated by native Nepalese who came to Rapid to work in the healthcare industry, but started this restaurant. It's truly amazing.
Local favorite for the best steak around. Well-priced because they don't accept credit cards! You'll have to keep this business a cash-accounting hangout, but well worth the quick drive to beautiful Hill City.
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Alpine Inn
133 Main StreetLocal favorite for the best steak around. Well-priced because they don't accept credit cards! You'll have to keep this business a cash-accounting hangout, but well worth the quick drive to beautiful Hill City.
Ranked Top Burger Joint in America by Trip Advisor. This place serves an incredible burger from only locally raised beef and bison. A true culinary experience, you'll be happy you made the trek to Custer!
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Black Hills Burger and Bun Co
441 Mt Rushmore RdRanked Top Burger Joint in America by Trip Advisor. This place serves an incredible burger from only locally raised beef and bison. A true culinary experience, you'll be happy you made the trek to Custer!
The best breakfast in town! Just get there early to beat the crowd as seating is limited. Head Chef, Ben Klinkel, has really poured his heart into this place and you can tell. The food is exquisite.
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Tally's Silver Spoon
530 6th StThe best breakfast in town! Just get there early to beat the crowd as seating is limited. Head Chef, Ben Klinkel, has really poured his heart into this place and you can tell. The food is exquisite.
Find yourselves in pizza heaven here! Probably the best pizza in the Hills and there's a lot of good pizza options!
Check 'em out in Spearfish!
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Dough Trader Pizza
543 W Jackson BlvdFind yourselves in pizza heaven here! Probably the best pizza in the Hills and there's a lot of good pizza options!
Check 'em out in Spearfish!
Parks & Nature
The Black Hills National Forest and Custer State Park offer wonderful hiking trails....don't forget Black Elk Peak! Stunning views from this mountain which is the highest between the Rockies and the East Coast!
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Mount Rushmore National Memorial
13000 South Dakota 244The Black Hills National Forest and Custer State Park offer wonderful hiking trails....don't forget Black Elk Peak! Stunning views from this mountain which is the highest between the Rockies and the East Coast!
This is the United State's first National Landmark designated by Theodore Roosevelt and is considered sacred by the local tribal nations for eons. It is absolutely gorgeous and an easy 1 hr 45 minute drive from our house.
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Devils Tower
This is the United State's first National Landmark designated by Theodore Roosevelt and is considered sacred by the local tribal nations for eons. It is absolutely gorgeous and an easy 1 hr 45 minute drive from our house.
Spearfish/Spearfish Canyon: This place is absolutely breathtaking. It is a winding road, but certainly worth the multiple stops and waterfalls along its road. You must get there through Spearfish.
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Spearfish
Spearfish/Spearfish Canyon: This place is absolutely breathtaking. It is a winding road, but certainly worth the multiple stops and waterfalls along its road. You must get there through Spearfish.
The Mickelson Trail used to be part of a North to South rail system smack dab thru the middle of the Hills. Today, it's repurposed as a premiere biking, hiking, running, cross-country skiing trail that runs 108 miles from Deadwood to Edgemont. No matter what section you visit, you won't be surprised. The stretch between Hill City and Dumont is particularly awesome and you must travel thru 4 tunnels. For bike enthusiasts, you will be blown away. There are fresh water cisterns all along the way and the beauty is unbelievable. Definitely one of the highlights of living in the Hills.
Mickelson Trail
Mickelson TrailThe Mickelson Trail used to be part of a North to South rail system smack dab thru the middle of the Hills. Today, it's repurposed as a premiere biking, hiking, running, cross-country skiing trail that runs 108 miles from Deadwood to Edgemont. No matter what section you visit, you won't be surprised. The stretch between Hill City and Dumont is particularly awesome and you must travel thru 4 tunnels. For bike enthusiasts, you will be blown away. There are fresh water cisterns all along the way and the beauty is unbelievable. Definitely one of the highlights of living in the Hills.
Phenomenally gorgeous park. Don't pet the buffalo, please. It's truly an amazing place.
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Custer State Park Spur
Custer State Park SpurPhenomenally gorgeous park. Don't pet the buffalo, please. It's truly an amazing place.
Jewel Cave National Monument
11149 US-16The U.S. 2nd largest cave.
This is the U.S.'s 3rd longest cave behind Mammoth Cave (KY) and Jewel Cave (SD).
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Wind Cave
This is the U.S.'s 3rd longest cave behind Mammoth Cave (KY) and Jewel Cave (SD).
Arts, Culture & Live Music
The Journey Museum and Learning Center
222 New York StArt Alley
599 7th StPlease see link below for events, galleries, and featured exhibits!
https://www.thedahl.org/
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Dahl Arts Center
713 7th StPlease see link below for events, galleries, and featured exhibits!
https://www.thedahl.org/
Catch a local live band every Friday and Saturday! Located at 445 Mt Rushmore Rd in the Rushmore Hotel, this venue is smack dab in the center of town and serves incredible homemade concoctions and cocktails.
Link to music lineups: https://www.facebook.com/445MartiniLounge/
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445 Martini Lounge
445 Mt Rushmore RdCatch a local live band every Friday and Saturday! Located at 445 Mt Rushmore Rd in the Rushmore Hotel, this venue is smack dab in the center of town and serves incredible homemade concoctions and cocktails.
Link to music lineups: https://www.facebook.com/445MartiniLounge/
This is known as the premiere Music Venue in the Hills right now! Haven't been yet since it's so new, but figured I put it up here!
The website for events is here: https://custerbeacon.com/home
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The Custer Beacon
351 Washington StThis is known as the premiere Music Venue in the Hills right now! Haven't been yet since it's so new, but figured I put it up here!
The website for events is here: https://custerbeacon.com/home
Shopping
Reflections of South Dakota
605 Main StPrarie Edge is wonderful for local Native art as well as The Drum Store.
Parking in the parking garage is your best bet if you can't find free (2hr) street parking. Now they have meters established in downtown that are only $0.50 an hour, too. Favorite store there is a "mini REI" called Roaming Around. Also, buy a guide book or novel at Mitze's Books. This is just a good place to start a downtown scramble.
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Main Street Square
512 Main StParking in the parking garage is your best bet if you can't find free (2hr) street parking. Now they have meters established in downtown that are only $0.50 an hour, too. Favorite store there is a "mini REI" called Roaming Around. Also, buy a guide book or novel at Mitze's Books. This is just a good place to start a downtown scramble.
Rushmore Crossing
1225 Eglin StThese are your modern, corporate stores.
Entertainment & Activities
AMC CLASSIC Rapid City 10
230 Knollwood DrEvans Plunge Mineral Springs
1145 N River StThis theater is under construction (summer 2019) and renovating to become area's first "luxury" cinema. Check online to be sure it's open before heading out.
350 E Disk Dr
350 East Disk DriveThis theater is under construction (summer 2019) and renovating to become area's first "luxury" cinema. Check online to be sure it's open before heading out.
Elks Theatre
512 6th StHistorical, amazing and cost-friendly cinema experience.
Gambling, music, outdoors- this town has it all. HBO even made a show about it. It's that cool. Our own "mini Vegas" in the Hills with historical roots dating back to the early gold rush.
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Deadwood
Gambling, music, outdoors- this town has it all. HBO even made a show about it. It's that cool. Our own "mini Vegas" in the Hills with historical roots dating back to the early gold rush.
For the snowboard and ski enthusiasts, this is a very legitimate mountain and far better than you would imagine on a good year. A little less than an hour from Rapid, this place is incredible!
http://www.terrypeak.com/
Terry Peak
For the snowboard and ski enthusiasts, this is a very legitimate mountain and far better than you would imagine on a good year. A little less than an hour from Rapid, this place is incredible!
http://www.terrypeak.com/
A very excellent view. Not positive if you have to have a "membership" or not, but I think you should be able to ask the front desk in the Hilton hotel (Hotel Alex Johnson) and get a card for the elevator ride up. More info found here: https://www.alexjohnson.com/dining/vertex-sky-bar/
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Vertex Sky Bar
523 6th StA very excellent view. Not positive if you have to have a "membership" or not, but I think you should be able to ask the front desk in the Hilton hotel (Hotel Alex Johnson) and get a card for the elevator ride up. More info found here: https://www.alexjohnson.com/dining/vertex-sky-bar/
For the most beautiful views of the Hills, you can book a tour with Black Hills Helicopters. Our close family friend, Andy Busse, is the pilot and proprietor of this businesses alongside his partner and co-pilot Anna. At the very least, you can check these guys out and grab a beer in their beautiful remodeled cabin atop a hill outside Keystone.
See more here: https://www.blackhillshelicopters.com/
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Black Hills Helicopters, Inc
24035 US-16AFor the most beautiful views of the Hills, you can book a tour with Black Hills Helicopters. Our close family friend, Andy Busse, is the pilot and proprietor of this businesses alongside his partner and co-pilot Anna. At the very least, you can check these guys out and grab a beer in their beautiful remodeled cabin atop a hill outside Keystone.
See more here: https://www.blackhillshelicopters.com/
Black Hills Tour Company:
http://www.blackhillstourcompany.com/
Kevin and Mel are family to us and we HIGHLY recommend booking them for a journey thru the Hills or Badlands. They will not do you wrong and you will love it!
Please check their site for availability and hopefully you will get a chance to book with them although they do fill up fast so reserve now!
Give them a call at:
(605) 515-3237 or (605) 389-2092
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Black Hills
Black Hills Tour Company:
http://www.blackhillstourcompany.com/
Kevin and Mel are family to us and we HIGHLY recommend booking them for a journey thru the Hills or Badlands. They will not do you wrong and you will love it!
Please check their site for availability and hopefully you will get a chance to book with them although they do fill up fast so reserve now!
Give them a call at:
(605) 515-3237 or (605) 389-2092
Breweries
One of our favorite breweries. Great owners and in an awesome place. Might see live music or stop by after strolling up M Hill across the street in Founder's Park.
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Lost Cabin Beer Co.
1401 W Omaha StOne of our favorite breweries. Great owners and in an awesome place. Might see live music or stop by after strolling up M Hill across the street in Founder's Park.
This place is just awesome and I highly recommend the brewery next door, which is part of Prairie Berry Winery, called Meiners Brewery. Amazing place.
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Prairie Berry Winery
23837 US-385This place is just awesome and I highly recommend the brewery next door, which is part of Prairie Berry Winery, called Meiners Brewery. Amazing place.
Dakota Point Brewing
405 Canal StHay Camp Brewing Company
601 Kansas City StGreat event space if there is live music.
Firehouse Brewing Company
610 Main StMango Cream Ale here is heavenly. This brewery is in close contention for the best brewery in South Dakota.
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Miner Brewing Company
23845 US-385Mango Cream Ale here is heavenly. This brewery is in close contention for the best brewery in South Dakota.
Real nice, flavorful beers and located in Spearfish, SD in the "Northern Hills."
See what's on tap here: https://www.spearfishbrewing.com/
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Spearfish Brewing Company
741 N Main StReal nice, flavorful beers and located in Spearfish, SD in the "Northern Hills."
See what's on tap here: https://www.spearfishbrewing.com/
Hiking
This is a local secret and you'll have to ask a local to help get you there. Not for the faint of heart or for children. This is a Class V hike to get to and you MUST be in great athletic shape to climb the rope out of this hidden swimming pool that is fed by a waterfall. It's ridiculously gorgeous and a true gem. Some punks have descrated the place over the years, but most of all people are quite respectful. Once you head east out of Rockerville, you follow the winding pavement until you hit the second cattle guard on top of the hill and veer left. Then, you must follow a poorly maintained dirt road for a few miles and then you split right and go down hill. Parking is in a circle and you will likely see some signs pointing towards the hiking trail. Watch for poison ivy, wear comfortable hiking/water shoes and get there in the morning when the sun is high. You won't regret it, but be careful!
Hippie Hole Trail
Hippie Hole TrailThis is a local secret and you'll have to ask a local to help get you there. Not for the faint of heart or for children. This is a Class V hike to get to and you MUST be in great athletic shape to climb the rope out of this hidden swimming pool that is fed by a waterfall. It's ridiculously gorgeous and a true gem. Some punks have descrated the place over the years, but most of all people are quite respectful. Once you head east out of Rockerville, you follow the winding pavement until you hit the second cattle guard on top of the hill and veer left. Then, you must follow a poorly maintained dirt road for a few miles and then you split right and go down hill. Parking is in a circle and you will likely see some signs pointing towards the hiking trail. Watch for poison ivy, wear comfortable hiking/water shoes and get there in the morning when the sun is high. You won't regret it, but be careful!
Black Elk Wilderness is a special, sacred place. The Horse Thief Trailhead is near the lake and a unique, gorgeous hike. You can do an out and back or else you can do a much longer loop.
Horse Thief Lake
Black Elk Wilderness is a special, sacred place. The Horse Thief Trailhead is near the lake and a unique, gorgeous hike. You can do an out and back or else you can do a much longer loop.
Bear Butte State Park
20250 SD-79To get here, you'll have to head west out of Custer and might want to do a little bit of reconnoitering online. Here is a link: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/south-dakota/hell-canyon
Hell Canyon
To get here, you'll have to head west out of Custer and might want to do a little bit of reconnoitering online. Here is a link: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/south-dakota/hell-canyon
Amazing hike with breathtaking views. Once you get up there, you'll absolutely thank yourself that you did! It's incredible, really. Here is a better link to reconnoiter: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/south-dakota/crow-peak-trail?ref=search
Crow Peak Lane
Crow Peak LaneAmazing hike with breathtaking views. Once you get up there, you'll absolutely thank yourself that you did! It's incredible, really. Here is a better link to reconnoiter: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/south-dakota/crow-peak-trail?ref=search
Just outside of Historic Deadwood, this place is a beautiful, quick and easy hike. It's probably less than a mile to the monument and was a gift from Seth Bullock to Teddy Roosevelt back in the day. Please read more about it on the link below and enjoy the views!!
https://www.deadwood.com/business/attractions/mt-roosevelt-memorial-friendship-tower/
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Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower
Just outside of Historic Deadwood, this place is a beautiful, quick and easy hike. It's probably less than a mile to the monument and was a gift from Seth Bullock to Teddy Roosevelt back in the day. Please read more about it on the link below and enjoy the views!!
https://www.deadwood.com/business/attractions/mt-roosevelt-memorial-friendship-tower/