BLACK HILLS & BADLANDS REGION Main Street Square in Downtown Rapid City RAPID CITY ENHANCE YOUR EXPERIENCE In Rapid City, discover something bigger. Nestled on the eastern foothills of the Black Hills, this vibrant city shines as the headquarters of this legendary region’s vacation activities. Whether you’re seeing the sights for the fi st time or planning a return trip for more Black Hills experiences, Rapid City is a must see on your vacation. Here, you can meet American heroes, take in local arts and culture, explore the outdoors, indulge in a unique dining scene and still be within an hour’s drive of eight parks and monuments including two of the world's longest caves. Plan to spend a day or more exploring all the area has to offer. The lengthy roster of year-round special events offers ample opportunities to build lasting memories. ATTRACTIONS Whether you are looking to explore the world’s largest collection of reptiles, go on a scavenger hunt for the nation’s past presidents or discover seven prehistoric beasts that overlook the city skyline, Rapid City offers all of these opportunities and more. With Mount Rushmore located just 30 minutes southwest of the city, a number of entrepreneurs decided that the downtown location was a good bet for a large-scaled presidential sculpture installation. The City of Presidents allows visitors to experience all that downtown offers, while simultaneously posing for a picture next to their favorite president. America’s Founding Fathers Exhibit is another attraction that celebrates democracy. The exhibit, on U.S. Hwy 16 toward Mount Rushmore, houses a life-size sculpture installation of John Trumbull’s iconic “Declaration of Independence” painting. DOWNTOWN RAPID CITY Downtown Rapid City offers urban pleasures and the excitement of a cultural crossroads. The heart of downtown is located at Main Street Square , on the northeast corner of Sixth and Main streets. The Square’s interactive fountain delights kids of all ages. In the winter, the fountain transforms into an ice skating rink. Discover the massive public art project surrounding the Square. The Sculpture Project: Passage of Wind and Water transformed 21 large chunks of ancient granite into beautiful works of art. With weekly events such as Movies Under the Stars, concerts, roller derbies and more, the atmosphere is lively and intriguing. 90 // #DiscoverBlackHills Rapid City Continued on page 94
South Dakota Vacation Guide South Dakota Vacation Guide 2019: Page 90
