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10 Things to Do In Rapid City, SD This Weekend
Located on the eastern edge of the world-renowned Black Hills National Forest, Rapid City sits on the edge of adventure. The seamless access to famous landmarks such as Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Cathedral Spires make Rapid City an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. On top of this, the city provides locals with an abundance of cherished restaurants and exciting activities. There's a reason why Rapid City is considered one of the Midwest's best kept secrets.
Top 10 Things To Do in Rapid City
Delmonico Grill
Located in the heart of downtown Rapid City, Delmonico Grill has been one of the city's premier steakhouses since 2007. Owned and operated by chef Benjamin Klinkel, the restaurant offers a sophisticated environment perfect for enjoying a perfectly cooked steak. The culinary team earns its reputation by serving house dry-aged and wood fire grilled meats that are locally sourced as often as possible. Favorites include the wet-aged ribeye, the grilled pork chop, and the prime rib French onion dip. Make sure to leave room for the chocolate silk mousse cake or house made ice cream. This is fine dining at its best.
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Bashful Bison
The Bashful Bison Deli and Market a locally sourced deli that opened in 2022 with the stated intention of telling the story of South Dakota through food. The menu makes good use of ingredients from regional farms and ranchers, producing creative hot and cold sandwiches named after Black Hills towns like the Paha Sapa, the Spearfish, the New Underwood, and more. On top of this, Bashful Bison serves organic crust pizzas, hearty breakfast items, homemade baked goods, and a top-tier bison chili. Be sure to order a side of the horseradish; it’s a local favorite.
Everest Cuisine
Everest Cuisine is Rapid City's oldest Indian and Nepalese restaurant and has been serving up authentic Himalayan since 2012. Named after the world's highest peak, the restaurant offers a wide-ranging menu of freshly prepared Indian, Nepalese, and Pakistani dishes. This includes a Tandoori chicken, Lamb Seekh Kabob, Biryani, Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken, and a very popular lunch buffet. The Chicken Mughlai, rich with cashew cream, is also one of the most requested dishes. Everest Cuisine deliver a medley of South Asian flavors to Rapid City.
Bokujo Ramen
Bokujo, meaning "pasture" or "ranch" in Japanese, is a downtown ramen shop with a unique local identity. Owners Brooke and Justin met working in a Japanese restaurant and have carried their deep love of the cuisine into this community-centered restaurant. Their bowls celebrate the flavors of the Black Hills by incorporating locally sourced ingredients wherever possible, including bison and chislic alongside classic ramen elements. The menu itself is short and sweet with popular items like the bison brisket ramen, the beef bone, and the classic tonkotsu. Bokujo is a must-try for anyone exploring the local food scene.
Top 5 Places To Go in Rapid City
Sixty feet of granite, four presidents, and one of the most recognizable images in America; Mount Rushmore delivers in person in a way photos can never quite capture. Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln gaze stoically from the Black Hills just 30 minutes from Rapid City, drawing over two million visitors annually. Beyond the iconic Avenue of Flags viewpoint, walk the Presidential Trail for up-close perspectives of the sculpture and peek into the sculptor's studio to learn about the 14-year carving project led by Gutzon Borglum. The evening lighting ceremony, held nightly in summer, transforms the monument into something otherworldly.
At 7,242 feet, Black Elk Peak is the highest point in South Dakota and arguably the most rewarding hike in the Black Hills. Starting from the Sylvan Lake or Cathedral Spires trailhead, the full round trip to the summit covers about 8 miles with 2,500 feet of elevation gain. It’s challenging but absolutely worth it. The trail winds through granite spires, past Little Devils Tower, and into an alpine landscape that feels far more rugged than you'd expect in the Midwest. A historic stone fire tower crowns the summit, offering 360-degree views stretching into four states on a clear day. Start early to snag parking and beat the crowds and make sure to bring layers.
Few roads in America prepare you for what Needles Highway delivers. This 14-mile stretch of South Dakota Highway 87 through Custer State Park winds through a dramatic landscape of towering granite spires, pine forests, and hairpin switchbacks that seem impossible for any road to navigate. The highlight is the famous Needle's Eye Tunnel, a narrow, one-lane passage blasted through solid rock just barely wide enough for a car. Check your vehicle's clearance before you go, as RVs and tall trucks simply won't fit. Mountain goats scramble across the spires above, and distant glimpses of Mount Rushmore occasionally appear through the trees. Drive slowly and pull over often. There is no need to rush on Needles Highway.
In 1974, a bulldozer leveling land for a Hot Springs housing development struck something strange: a seven-foot mammoth tusk. What followed was one of the most remarkable paleontological discoveries in North American history. The Mammoth Site is an active, ongoing excavation built around a prehistoric sinkhole where warm spring waters lured mammoths and other Ice Age animals to a watery death over thousands of years. Today, more than 61 mammoths have been unearthed, including both Columbian and woolly species, along with over 85 other Ice Age creatures. The excavation continues under the roof of the museum in real time, and guided tours bring the Pleistocene period vividly to life. The Mammoth Site is a short one hour drive south from Canyon Lake Apartments.
After a long day of outdoor adventure in Black Hills National Forest, Press Start is exactly the kind of place you didn't know you needed. This local Rapid City arcade bar serves up craft drinks alongside classic arcade games like Pac-Man, Frogger, Skee-Ball, and pinball machines straight out of the '80s. Unlike Dave & Buster's style chains, Press Start has the soul of a neighborhood hangout, with a genuinely fun, unpretentious vibe that appeals to every age. Grab a beer, feed the machines, and let the excitement take over. It's a perfect wind-down spot that has the potential to turn into a very fun evening.