Chris’s guidebook
Food scene
This is a local favorite bagel place in Rapid City. Sometimes service is a little slow, so order ahead if you are in a rush. The bagels are delicious.
26 locals recommend
Black Hills Bagels
913 Mt Rushmore RdThis is a local favorite bagel place in Rapid City. Sometimes service is a little slow, so order ahead if you are in a rush. The bagels are delicious.
Great food and patio - super close to our place - you can even walk there!
7 locals recommend
Buffalo Wings & Rings
5622 Sheridan Lake RdGreat food and patio - super close to our place - you can even walk there!
Ichiban
1109 W Omaha StIf you like sushi - this is a great local place to go!
This restaurant is in Hill City. Wonderful lunches with a variety of options. Dinner is steak, they do have a kid and vegetarian option at night. It's very popular, so be prepared for a bit of a wait. There are great shops to look at while you wait or a lovely wine shop across the street.
135 locals recommend
Alpine Inn
133 Main StreetThis restaurant is in Hill City. Wonderful lunches with a variety of options. Dinner is steak, they do have a kid and vegetarian option at night. It's very popular, so be prepared for a bit of a wait. There are great shops to look at while you wait or a lovely wine shop across the street.
We have a lot of brewing companies in the Black Hills - this one is a favorite of the locals. If you are not a beer drinker, Prairie Berry winery is right next door. They have awesome food too!
31 locals recommend
Miner Brewing Company
23845 US-385We have a lot of brewing companies in the Black Hills - this one is a favorite of the locals. If you are not a beer drinker, Prairie Berry winery is right next door. They have awesome food too!
Golden Phoenix
2421 West Main StreetYummy Chinese food - we usually order food to go.
Everest Cuisine
2328 W Main StIndian and Nepalese food - so good!
This place yummy! Is very popular, so sometimes you have to wait. In Custer, SD so a bit of a drive. Closed on Sundays.
80 locals recommend
Black Hills Burger and Bun Co
441 Mt Rushmore RdThis place yummy! Is very popular, so sometimes you have to wait. In Custer, SD so a bit of a drive. Closed on Sundays.
Right down the street - good food and fast! We order and pick up but they also do delivery.
Domino's Pizza
5509 Bendt DrRight down the street - good food and fast! We order and pick up but they also do delivery.
This is a local favorite in Lead, SD. It's a little rough on the edges, but people love the food!
40 locals recommend
Lewie's Burgers & Brews
711 S Main StThis is a local favorite in Lead, SD. It's a little rough on the edges, but people love the food!
Locals love this place, no food, but sometimes there is a food truck parked outside the brewery.
64 locals recommend
Lost Cabin Beer Co.
1401 W Omaha StLocals love this place, no food, but sometimes there is a food truck parked outside the brewery.
If you are a chocolate lover and happen to be in Deadwood, check this place out. If you are there after hours, they have a vending machine you can shop.
24 locals recommend
Chubby Chipmunk Hand-Dipped Chocolates
420 Cliff StIf you are a chocolate lover and happen to be in Deadwood, check this place out. If you are there after hours, they have a vending machine you can shop.
Okay, this place is a little scary, but locals like to say they've gone there. You can order a drink or food. There is a cute little antique shop across from it. The Mickelson Trial is there too.
12 locals recommend
Moonshine Gulch Saloon
22635 N Rochford RdOkay, this place is a little scary, but locals like to say they've gone there. You can order a drink or food. There is a cute little antique shop across from it. The Mickelson Trial is there too.
Great burgers and outside patio - short drive from the house.
9 locals recommend
The Gaslight Restaurant & Saloon
13490 Main StGreat burgers and outside patio - short drive from the house.
Harriet & Oak
329 Main StGreat breakfast & lunch - good vibes too!
Shopping
Walmart Supercenter
100 Stumer RdGreat place to grab some groceries.
Cutting Edge Meat Market - Rapid City
5312 Sheridan Lake RdGreat place to pick something up for the grill.
Great little shopping area in downtown Rapid City. Fountains in the summer and ice skating in the winter. Favorite stores - Roaming Around, Mitzi's Books, Who's Toys, and Prairie Edge.
58 locals recommend
Main Street Square
512 Main StGreat little shopping area in downtown Rapid City. Fountains in the summer and ice skating in the winter. Favorite stores - Roaming Around, Mitzi's Books, Who's Toys, and Prairie Edge.
Black Hills Bicycles
1401 W Omaha StOur favorite bike shop - good crew to help you with all your bicycle needs.
Sightseeing
1880 Train - Hill City Depot
222 Railroad AveFun place for kids!
So much to do in this park! Don't miss it! If you want to do some hiking there, use the Trail Forks ap.
184 locals recommend
Custer State Park
13438 US Highway 16ASo much to do in this park! Don't miss it! If you want to do some hiking there, use the Trail Forks ap.
Great cave tours - call ahead to make reservations - they fill fast!
58 locals recommend
Jewel Cave National Monument
11149 US-16Great cave tours - call ahead to make reservations - they fill fast!
Lots of people love this - I have not ventured on a tour yet - if it's something you want to try, there is also a place in Custer if Rushmore is booked.
Rushmore Helicopters Inc
313 Speck Center RdLots of people love this - I have not ventured on a tour yet - if it's something you want to try, there is also a place in Custer if Rushmore is booked.
Worked here as a teenager - great place to visit with kids or reptile lovers.
110 locals recommend
Reptile Gardens
8955 US-16Worked here as a teenager - great place to visit with kids or reptile lovers.
Crazy Horse Memorial
There is a nightly light show - check schedule.
Love this place - they do a light show at night - check website for schedule. Don't miss Iron Mountain Road and the tunnels!
288 locals recommend
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
13000 South Dakota 244Love this place - they do a light show at night - check website for schedule. Don't miss Iron Mountain Road and the tunnels!
Beautiful area for a drive. There are some great hikes as well - Roughlock Falls, Devils Bathtub, and some caves. Check out routes and Trail Forks.
17 locals recommend
Spearfish Canyon Lodge
10619 Roughlock Falls RdBeautiful area for a drive. There are some great hikes as well - Roughlock Falls, Devils Bathtub, and some caves. Check out routes and Trail Forks.
The Mammoth Site
1800 US-18 BYPMy kids loved this place when they were young.
This is a popular spot - if you head to the Badlands, stop here too! The donuts are a must!
28 locals recommend
Wall Drug Store
510 Main StThis is a popular spot - if you head to the Badlands, stop here too! The donuts are a must!
Badlands National Park
Beautiful!
It's a little goofy, but fun. Hiking and biking trails all over the hill.
79 locals recommend
Dinosaur Park
940 Skyline DrIt's a little goofy, but fun. Hiking and biking trails all over the hill.
AWESOME trail system in downtown Rapid city. Great mountain biking or hiking!
12 locals recommend
Hanson-Larsen Memorial Park
Cowboy Hill RoadAWESOME trail system in downtown Rapid city. Great mountain biking or hiking!
Storybook Island
1301 Sheridan Lake RdGreat place for the little ones to run around. Free admission.
This is one of our favorite lakes. They rent pontoons and tubes. You can also cliff jump at Jenny Gulch.
11 locals recommend
Pactola Pines Marina
23060 Custer Gulch RdThis is one of our favorite lakes. They rent pontoons and tubes. You can also cliff jump at Jenny Gulch.
Great trail for biking, hiking, or running. It's 108 miles if you want a challenge.
23 locals recommend
Mickelson Trail
Mickelson TrailGreat trail for biking, hiking, or running. It's 108 miles if you want a challenge.
Fish Hatchery Gulch
Kids love this place.
Visitors love this place - go early, there is usually a line to get in.
94 locals recommend
Bear Country USA
13820 US-16Visitors love this place - go early, there is usually a line to get in.