Rapid City: Recreation

Rapid City: Recreation

Sightseeing

The Black Hills Visitor Information Center has maps and brochures and is a good first stop on a trip to Rapid City. Visitors may wish to begin with a trip to Storybook Island, an 11-acre park with free attractions for youngsters. It is filled with dozens of larger-than-life sets that depict children's nursery rhymes and tales, including Yogi Bear's picnic basket and the Crooked Man's house. The unique Stavkirk Chapel, an exact replica of the famous 830-year-old Borgund Church in Norway, features intricate woodcarvings, strange dragon heads, and ingenious pegged construction. Fossil skeletons of giant, prehistoric marine reptiles command attention at the Museum of Geology at the South Dakota Schools of Mines and Technology. The museum also houses the world's finest exhibits of Badlands fossils and an extensive collection of rare and beautiful rocks, gems, and minerals from the Black Hills; more than 250,000 vertebrate fossils and 6,000 minerals are housed at the museum. Seven life-size concrete replicas of monstrous prehistoric reptiles are located in the outdoor parklike setting at Dinosaur Park.

With four different major collections, the Journey Museum tells the story of the Great Plains. Displays of rock formations, fossilized remains and documentation of significant scientific discoveries are found at The Museum of Geology. Collections from thousands of archeological sites can be examined at the Archeological Research Center. The Black Hills region's frontier past can be relived at the Minnilusa Pioneer Museum, which focuses on historic events and people. The Sioux Indian Museum celebrates Native Americans of the present and past through their artistry and achievements.

Discovered in 1900, Jewel Cave, a national monument, contains more than 132 miles of surveyed passageways in an underground labyrinth that offers rare and unusual calcite crystal formations. Wind Cave, the first cave designated as part of the National Parks system, provides more than 116 miles of mapped corridors and halls, making it the fifth-longest cave in the world. With its jagged cliffs, deep canyons, flat-topped buttes, and rich fossils, Badlands National Park is one of the most stunning geological displays on earth. Crazy Horse Memorial, a still-in-progress mountain carving of the great Indian hero, is open for visitors. Reptile Gardens, founded in 1937, gives spectators the opportunity to observe colorful birds and reptiles surrounded by thousands of orchids and other tropical and desert plants in its Skydome. The gardens also feature miniature horses and donkeys; the Bird Program featuring hawks, owls, eagles, parrots, and other birds; an alligator and crocodile show; Bewitched Village featuring trained animals; and the Snake Program. Bear Country U.S.A., a 250-acre drive-through wildlife park, features the world's largest collection of black bears plus a large and varied collection of North American wildlife including grizzly bears, timber wolves, mountain lions, buffalo, moose, elk, and more. Visitors are treated to the recently expanded visitor center, which allows visitors to step out of their vehicles and see young and smaller animals up close. The Air and Space Museum at the entrance of Ellsworth Air Force Base features 25 vintage aircraft. Several tour companies offer guided tours to some of the memorable sites featured in the award-winning film Dances With Wolves.

Arts and Culture

Dahl Fine Arts Center features exhibits of paintings and sculptures by local artists, especially local Native American artists. A 180-foot-long oil-on-canvas mural depicts 200 years of American History. The museum, which will move into a new facility in 2007, offers tours and family events. The Black Hills Community Theatre, Inc., the city's only community theater, is based in the Dahl Center's 170-seat auditorium. The nearby Black Hills Playhouse at Custer State Park is a professional theater and training center. Two puppet theaters entertain the community. Black Hills Dance Theatre, Inc. engages a variety of regionally and nationally recognized dance companies. The Black Hills Symphony Orchestra's 80 members offer educational outreach programs in the community as well as perform a variety of concerts. Other community arts attractions include the Blacks Hills Chamber Music Society, Rapid City Municipal band, the Dakota Voices, and other musical groups.

Festivals and Holidays

More than 25 years of music and family entertainment is the focus of The Black Hills Bluegrass Music Festival, which is held in June. July's Black Hills Heritage celebrates the cultural heritage of the Black Hills. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in nearby Sturgis attracts more than 500,000 visitors each August for concerts, food, vendors and demo and scenic motorcycle rides. The Central States Fair, a week-long extravaganza that entertains crowds from all over the region, also occurs in August. September brings fall color to the hills and a treat to the tastebuds at the nearby Taste of Spearfish celebration. October's Buffalo Roundup, where the visitor is invited to 'feel the thunder' of 1,500 herded buffalo, is held annually at nearby Custer State Park. Rodeo fun is the attraction at January's Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo. In addition, Indian pow wows are scheduled at various times throughout the state.

Sports for the Spectator

The Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Arena plays host to the Indoor Football League's Black Hills Red Dogs. Rapid City's Annual Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo in late January-early February, draws large crowds.

Sports for the Participant

Rapid City has 26 parks, playgrounds and special outdoor public facilities spanning 1,500 acres of park land inside the city limits. The largest, Sioux Park, offers 210 acres. A 13.5-mile bicycle path spans the town, which boasts 17 golf courses, 36 tennis courts, 16 horseshoe courts, 10 racquet-ball courts, 3 outdoor swimming pools, an indoor aquatic facility, 9 ball field complexes, 8 soccer facilities, an ice arena, 1 hockey rink, and 2 frisbee golf courses.

Outdoor lovers enjoy two ski areas, 400 miles of trails and nature walks, 14 mountain lakes and 300 miles of streams and reservoirs; blue ribbon trout fishing and many types of hunting are also available.

Shopping and Dining

Since its inception, Rapid City has been a commercial center for miners, ranchers, the military, and tourists. Downtown Rapid City, with more than 400 businesses, is a diverse mix of retail stores, financial institutions, service businesses, and lodging. Anchored by JCPenney, Sears, Herbergers and Target, the Rushmore Mall has a total of 120 retail stores. Other local shopping areas include Baken Park, the city's first shopping center; Eastside Family Thrift Shopping Center; Northgate Shopping Center; Haines Station; and the Sturgis Road shopping area. A number of Rapid City shops specialize in fine hand-crafted paintings, pottery, jewelry, and museum quality reproductions created by the Sioux who live in the region. Manufacturers and retailers of the areas famous Black Hills Gold abound; many offer tours as well as retail stores.

Many fine restaurants are located throughout the city, featuring sizzling steaks cut from prime South Dakota beef.

Visitor Information: Rapid City Convention and Visitors Bureau, PO Box 747, Rapid City, SD 57709; telephone (605)718-8484; toll-free (800)487-3223; fax (605)348-9217; email tourist@rapidcitycvb.com. South Dakota Department of Tourism, 711 Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501; toll-free (800)773-3301; email sdinfo@state.sd.us.