major factor in reenergizing Rapid City’s downtown. The annual dedication of four new presidential statues began to draw interest and more foot traffic from locals and visitors alike. A good number of entrepreneurs de-cided the downtown location was a good bet, allowing visitors to browse fine shops and galleries, enjoy some of the area’s best cuisine, and pose for pictures next to their favorite president. In 2014, an attraction celebrating democracy opened on U.S. Highway 16 toward Mount Rushmore. America’s Founding Fathers Exhibit houses a unique tribute to democracy with a complete replica of Independence Hall, the birthplace of democracy in Philadelphia. Rapid City offers a wide range of places to stay, with over 4,300 sleeping rooms at a variety of accommoda-Best Western Ramkota off I-90 at Exit 59, the WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort and adjoining hotel complex— LaQuinta Inn & Suites , Residence Inn , and Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott —all located at Exit 61. You can start your visit by delving into the area’s his-tory, geology and cultural background at a number of museums that are open year-round – The Museum of Geology on the campus of South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, The Journey Museum & Learning Center , the South Dakota Air & Space Museum at Ellsworth Air Force Base, and The Outdoor Campus -West . Interested in fine Native American products? For ex-clusive Native American made goods, visit downtown’s Prairie Edge Trading Co. & Galleries , an enormous mercantile showcasing the culture of the Great Plains Indians through crafts, books, music and cultural arti-fact reproductions. Or take a free factory tour at Sioux Pottery , where they make and sell fine Native American RAPID CITY CONTINUED ON PAGE 100 » A REGIONAL HUB Rapid City itself serves as the medical, transportation, education and entertainment hub for the Black Hills. If you fly here, you’ll arrive at RAP via Delta Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines or Allegiant. Driving in, you may arrive via US Interstate 90, the main route used for driving to Rapid City from east-west; arriving from the north or south you may travel via highways US 85, US 385, SD 79 and SD 89. BLACK HILLS & BADLANDS REGION 97 tions. Among these, you will find an indoor waterpark at
South Dakota Vacation Guide SD Vacation Guide 2017: Page 97
