Historic Rapid City Travel Guide
Tourist Guide
Visit Historic Rapid City
Popular places to visit
Art Alley
You can spend time studying the exhibits at Art Alley during your trip to Rapid City. Visit the shops and notable monuments in this family-friendly area.
Black Hills Caverns
Learn about the local history of Rapid City with a stop at Black Hills Caverns. While in this family-friendly area, you can savour the top-notch restaurants.
Bear Country USA
Visit the native and exotic animals who call Bear Country USA home during your travels in Rapid City. Visit the notable monuments and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.
Reptile Gardens
Visit the animals who live at Reptile Gardens during your travels in Colonial Pine Hills. Attend a sporting event or simply visit the area's notable monuments.
Main Street Square
Find out about the history of Rapid City when you take a trip to Main Street Square. Visit the notable monuments and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.
Museum of the American Bison
You can spend time browsing the exhibits at Museum of the American Bison during your trip to Rapid City. Visit the notable monuments and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.
Activities
Mount Rushmore Self-Guided Audio Tour Guide
Mount Rushmore Theodore Roosevelt and Badlands Self-Guided Tour
Black Hills To Mount Rushmore Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
A Spectacular Scavenger Hunt: City of Presidents
From Rapid City: Mt. Rushmore Memorial Tour
From Rapid City: Badlands and Wall Drug Store Tour
Our pick of the best Historic Rapid City Hotel Deals
The Rushmore Hotel & Suites, BW Premier Collection
Great location, helpful staff, delicious breakfast
Reviewed on 16 May 2026
Hotel Alex Johnson Rapid City, Curio Collection by Hilton
This is a cool old hotel that is central to the historic district of Rapid City and the Blackhills Region. The property is updated but doesn't lose it's original charm.
Reviewed on 17 May 2026
Hyatt Place Rapid City / Downtown
Hotel was easy to find, had easy access to parking, it was very clean, breakfast was great with many options. The hotel staff was excellent and they were very friendly and helpful at any hour of the day. The onsite bar was a great place to unwind after a day of touring the sites. I recommend this ...
Reviewed on 7 May 2026
Town House Motel
Got to the motel around 8:30 to 9 PM. Door was locked with a piece of paper taped to the door, instructing me to call a number for help. I did, multiple times. No answer whatsoever. I had to find alternate arrangements.
Reviewed on 4 May 2026
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Rapid City, SD
Room exceptionally clean & comfortable. Excellent breakfast & coffee. All staff we encountered were friendly & engaging. We were able to check in early. Plenty of parking. Excellent value for the price. Easy access to historic downtown area as well as the airport. We would book this hotel again.
Reviewed on 16 May 2026
La Quinta Inn and Suites by Wyndham at WaTiki Waterpark
Room and hotel was clean. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. My 3 big boys had a blast at the water park and arcade. Breakfast was good. My only complaint would be they couldn’t keep the breakfast stocked. But overall was a great weekend, we would stay there again!
Reviewed on 17 May 2026
Other neighbourhoods around Historic Rapid City
Downtown Historic District
If you're spending some time in Downtown Historic District, Main Street Square and Art Alley are top sights worth seeing.
West Boulevard Historic District
West Boulevard Historic District might not have many top sights, but Main Street Square and Central States Fairgrounds are two attractions nearby that you can check out.
Rimrock
While Rimrock may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Thunderhead Falls and Pactola Pines Marina.
