r/RapidCity • • May 08 '26

Rapid City and Black Hills Tourist Questions & Recommendations - May 2026

13 Upvotes

Let’s keep travel and tourism questions in this thread! I’ll post a fresh one each month so visitors can get the most current recommendations and locals don’t have to answer the same “What should I do around Rapid City?” question 47 times a week. 😅

Whether you’re visiting the Black Hills, road-tripping through, moving here, or planning a vacation, drop your questions below:

  • Things to do
  • Restaurants/breweries/coffee shops
  • Hiking & outdoors
  • Family activities
  • Weather/road conditions
  • Where to stay
  • Hidden gems
  • “Is this enough time for…” questions
  • Etc.

Locals: feel free to share recommendations, favorite spots, seasonal updates, and advice.

As always:

  • Search the subreddit first if you can
  • Be nice

Enjoy the Hills 🌲


r/RapidCity • • 19h ago

The mural

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74 Upvotes

I hope ypu have an excellent day. Also today is the last day to register to vote. Please do


r/RapidCity • • 13h ago

Cheapest place to get pedicure

2 Upvotes

r/RapidCity • • 1d ago

I guess because they reuse their water, they feel they can use AI to make crappy coloring books for the Storybook Island fall festival

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1 Upvotes

Won’t be taking my car there, thanks!


r/RapidCity • • 2d ago

Mural in art alley

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56 Upvotes

Have you ever wanted to be part of making a mural in Art Alley? Tomorrow, Sunday the 18th between 6th and 7th, we are painting this wall to honor the Democrats of West River. Please join us! It's going to be a great time.


r/RapidCity • • 2d ago

Tabletop games

6 Upvotes

My wife's close friend is trying to convince us to move to Rapid City from So Cal. I love the idea of a more quiet nature centric life but I am curious if there is any tabletop players? Games like Warhammer, star wars legion, conquest or star craft.


r/RapidCity • • 3d ago

Gluten free

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25 Upvotes

Nanna’s, at the Uptown Mall is fantastic. I’ve never been disappointed and the owners are great. I have celiac’s so I have to eat GF. It’s pricey, but not out of bounds. Chocolate PB cheesecake, about $11, definitely 3 servings.


r/RapidCity • • 3d ago

Help us find Ron

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48 Upvotes

Offering a $100 reward. Last seen near South Park elementary school. Ron is a sweet boy who has a slight case of wobbly cat syndrome, which makes them a little clumsy. He’s very friendly and somebody may have taken him in. He usually doesn’t stray far from home. Please comment if you have any leads! Thank you!!


r/RapidCity • • 4d ago

Follow up on Data Center public meeting

65 Upvotes

To all of those who went to the meeting on Wednesday for the Data Center ordinance, Thank you! What a great turn out! There was an estimated 250 residents that showed up. If you were unable to attend thsts OK, you can still take the survey and submit it to the planning commission (1st link below). It only takes a few minutes to complete. Also some other links that cover what went on at the meeting.

https://www.rcgov.org/rapid-city-news-room/city-holds-data-centers-open-house-provides-survey-for-public-input-15893.html

https://www.sdpb.org/politics/2026-10-14/rapid-city-seeks-input-on-local-data-center-policy

https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/rapid-city-considers-limits-on-large-data-centers/amp/


r/RapidCity • • 3d ago

21 bday locations?

3 Upvotes

I turn 21 this sunday and 2 of my friends in denver are coming up for it and the plans to go to press start on saturday and to try to finesse the bouncers by just explaining that i turn 21 in like 5 min but because of how strict ive heard press is im worried they wont let me in is there somewhere else i could go to for my 21st that i could keep tucked away as a backup plan just because i have friends driving 16 hours for me


r/RapidCity • • 4d ago

Circumstances forcing me to re-home my cats. Looking for help.

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48 Upvotes

Context: I am having to move to a cheaper apartment as a single/solo/non-child support recipient mother of two human kids. I can’t have my cats. My cats mean so much to us, the white one has been with me for 7 years. That’s how old she is. The black one is about a year old, not yet fixed. Both girls. Both loving/cuddly as hell. The black one is literally a full-time biscuit factory. The white one gives prolonged, meaningful head-butts. They’re the best kitties ever. They are not bonded but they get along well.

before you make suggestions

I have contacted the shelter. I have contacted the non-profits and the foster groups. I have tried with family and friends and the Facebook re-homing group. Shelters are full. The economy is insane. I get it. But I can’t keep them.

I have had to face some major financial issues recently and we must move into a cheaper apartment where I can’t have pets.

I am heartbroken and desperate for a good home for my girls.

It’s Reddit. I expect the vitriol. Go ahead if you must, but I am ugly sobbing as I write this.

If you or anyone you know might be a good home please message me or comment here and I can message you.


r/RapidCity • • 4d ago

Where is this view of RC?

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15 Upvotes

Can anyone tell me where this camera is and which side of Rapid City it’s pointing towards?


r/RapidCity • • 4d ago

Punk show Oct.30th

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24 Upvotes

ALL HALLOWS EVE

ANEMOIA FIRST SHOW

THE SOVEREIGN FORT THOMPSON PUNK

MARISH RAPID CITY HARDCORE

@THE VFW POST 1273

(420 MAIN STREET)

7PM // ALL AGES // $10 (NOTAFLOF) // COSTUMES REQUIRED*

NO DRUGS // NO UNDERAGE DRINKING NO // GRAFFITI // NO DRAMA OR WE TELL YA MAMA!

Not really but it's a Halloween show COME DRESSED UP!


r/RapidCity • • 4d ago

Timmons

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37 Upvotes

r/RapidCity • • 4d ago

Anyone else deal with this?

10 Upvotes

EDIT 2:

Guys. I am referencing the AQI. Over months. Specific to pm 2.5. This isn't a conversation about wildfire or pollen. There ARE elevated levels of pm 2.5 SOMETIMES and in SOME PLACES in Rapid based on local readers. So I am asking for people's ACTUAL experiences instead of solely relying on the few readers in Rapid. This has NOTHING to do with the quality of the city compared to other cities. Every city has hot spots. Thanks.

EDIT:

You goofs, I am not hating on Rapid. I am asking for YOUR experiences to compare to my own. You don't have to defend how beautiful and awesome Rapid is. Every city has pros and cons. If you don't care to openly discuss your experiences, good and bad, then this isn't the post for you. The air quality is going to be great today because of fast winds coming from the prairie. If they were slow winds and you live just SE of the cement plant, maybe it would be worse for you. But maybe it isnt enough to bug you. I don't know folks! What I do know is it is up to the people to monitor stuff like this because no one is going to do it for us.

I just started working on another side of town that I rarely travel to, and I never knew the air quality could be so bad throughout the day. I know morning pollution is normal because of the lower atmospheric pressure and traffic, but I didn't expect this:​

It got up to 110 AQI yesterday and felt like pure sulfur or gas for a couple hours. I looked at the way the wind was blowing, and it was coming directly from two plants. As soon as the wind switched, the AQI dropped down to 50. Looking in the same area, in August it peaked at 160, probably from a fire, but for it to get up in the 100s without a fire kind of surprised me.

Looking at a map, I can only see three manufacturers with stacks in town - the cement plant in the NW and a couple smaller guys in the NE. But, am I missing one?

I think industry is great and we need it, but depending on which way the wind blows, does all of Rapid get hit/does anyone else experience this during the work day?

Trying to get real with my expectations.


r/RapidCity • • 5d ago

Surplus Stores

4 Upvotes

Are there any Military Surplus stores in the Black Hills?
I looked but I can’t seem to find any…


r/RapidCity • • 5d ago

Spots for Mens Perms

1 Upvotes

Hey, looking for a loose mens perm in Rapid City area. Looking for recommendations I’ve had one before. Called around and had a hard time finding a stylist that was interested.


r/RapidCity • • 6d ago

What's up with the Dinosaur Museum?

56 Upvotes

Anyone know what's up with the Dinosaur Museum next to Reptile Gardens? They've been a lot more active on Facebook lately and claiming they are closing because of harassment of the owners but also announced a GoFundMe that hasn't been set up yet, and were asking people to pre-purchase tickets for next season at a discount. Whoever manages their social media has been posting increasingly unstable videos claiming harassment and thanking the Sheriff's Office.

I'm hoping everyone is ok, but also here for the gossip lol


r/RapidCity • • 6d ago

What to expect during winter?

9 Upvotes

Heyo, new resident here, moved in July and things have been great so far but as we're now into Fall and approaching winter I just wanted to get an idea on what I should be expecting when it snows.

I lived in Indianapolis for 15 some odd years so I'm used to cold, snow, driving in the snow etc. I have a decent car with AWD and good tires so I should be fine in that area.

I'm more curious about things like the power grid, do ya'll get regular outages during snow/ice storms? Are stores slower to get supplies up here when conditions are bad so stock up early for an extra week maybe? How well are roads maintained?

Basically just how should I best prep for one.


r/RapidCity • • 7d ago

Looking for a music studio if one

3 Upvotes

Im a music artist looking for a studio where I can start recording professionally if there is one in rapid, I did some research but couldn't really find anything, does anyone where one is or where one could be?


r/RapidCity • • 7d ago

Power outage

6 Upvotes

Did anyone briefly lose power last night for just a second and then have it come back on right away?


r/RapidCity • • 8d ago

Public input for proposed Data Center on 10/14/26

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52 Upvotes

Wednesday, October 14th from 5-7:30pm at City Hall. Could be our only chance to give public feedback about the rules around building data centers in Rapid City. Last chance before it returns to the planning comission and we have no say at all. If you can, please attend and if possible voice your opinions!


r/RapidCity • • 7d ago

Moving to Rapid City - Secondary post

5 Upvotes

Hello! I have posted before, however I wanted to go ahead and make a second one since I still have a few questions and concerns!

I am moving to Rapid City with my brother during Christmas break. I'm moving to attend college, and he's just looking for a fresh start! We do already have an apartment but I think right now that's one of our only solid things.

I think a job is the most important thing to look at right now, since I'll be in school I can only do part time, but I was wondering if there are any good work at home part time jobs that pay decently? My cat is struggling with the recent loss of his sister, plus moving will be another stressor for him. I think possibly getting a work from home job could be helpful since I wouldn't have to then be gone all day/night away from him. However I know that's probably wishful thinking 😅.

Another thing I am curious about is what driving is like. Where I currently live cops seem to be pretty laid back, often speeding themselves so most people here do as well. Would you consider things to be more strict? Also is traffic bad, and how are drivers there in general? This also ties in but what is the crime rate like?

I think those are my main two questions, but any advice or tips would be super helpful!! Sorry this was a bit long, but thank you! ☺️


r/RapidCity • • 8d ago

Mural artist

9 Upvotes

Hello everyone! My name is Nadia, and I live in Rapid City. I’ve always loved art and am looking for places to work on murals. I plan to make this my career, and I’m looking for anyone willing to let me do a mural to get practice and build my portfolio. I will charge little since I’m just starting, and I'm willing to commute and work with you to make sure you love it. For pricing, I charge a small hourly fee. Let me know if you know anyone, or if you're looking for one yourself! I’m specifically looking for small businesses, as I feel that will help me move forward. Thank you!


r/RapidCity • • 9d ago

Local providers knowledgeable about EDS, POTS, MCAS, and SFN?

2 Upvotes

Like the title states I am looking for anyone who knows of any doctors that are particularly knowledgeable about these conditions? I’m okay if they are alternative doctors as well. Ideally in the Hills would be great but if you travel relatively close to see someone for one of these conditions I’d also love recommendations. I have been formally diagnosed with these in the past, just am needing someone to manage treatment as I have since moved.