Posted in South Dakota Small Towns April 27, 2023 by

It’s Official: South Dakota’s Very Own Rapid City Is One Of The Country’s Coolest Small Towns To Visit This Year

The rest of the country has officially been told what we already know: our very own Rapid City is one of the coolest small towns in South Dakota – if not the entire nation! Have you been living under a rock and are not sure what we mean? Well, come on and see for yourself; Rapid City is not just one of the cutest towns in South Dakota. It’s so much more than that – it’s a place where community means everything (and there’s plenty to do). Check it out:

Rapid City has been named the best small town in Soth Dakota over and over again across the internet and print. And we're not surprised: this town is a delight.
Beatmastermatt/Wikimedia Commons
If you've ever passed through Rapid City, it's a place full of magic, both man-made and natural. You'll have surely passed through if you've ever visited, say, Mount Rushmore, or some of our other well-known landmarks.
Flickr/Joe Wolf
In addition to places like Art Alley and the iconic Hotel Alex Johnson, there are lots of other enjoyable (and sometimes surprising) attractions around town, including local restaurants and breweries, presidential statues at every corner, and the can't-miss views from atop Dinosaur Park (pictured)!
Mr. Satterly/Wikimedia Commons
Founded in 1876, Rapid City - like many other towns - was settled during the Gold Rush by miners looking to find other ways to make money when their luck (and the nearby mine's veins) ran dry.
W.J. Collins/Wikimedia Commons
Nicknamed the "Gateway to the Black Hills," Rapid City would soon find its niche via tourism, thanks to nearby landmarks like Mount Rushmore, easy access to outdoor recreation, and other unique Midwest attractions.
Flickr/Rick Schwartz
Not sure what to do when you visit Rapid City? Aside from the obvious (Mount Rushmore!), we recommend visiting Reptile Gardens, Chapel in the Hills, and Storybook Island (pictured).
Flickr/pelennor
To discover even more to see and do around Rapid City, check out Visit Rapid City's official website.
Flickr/Jim Bauer

This positively delightful short video highlights all the best of Rapid City in one short summary:

Do you have a favorite place that you would like to see featured on Only in South Dakota? Nominate it on our nominations page! For even more to see and do around RC, click on There’s A Dinosaur-Themed Park In South Dakota Called Dinosaur Park.

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Address: Rapid City, SD, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

Small Towns in South Dakota

May 02, 2023
Tori Jane
  1. What are some cute small towns in South Dakota?

South Dakota is known for some of its adorable small towns; after all, it’s not every day someone decides to just up and move to South Dakota, but maybe they should. It’s home to numerous awesome small towns. Some of the cutest small towns in SD are towns like:  

  • Deadwood – This town is famous for its history as a wild western town right on the frontier of the 1876 Gold Rush. They even do re-enactments of historic standoffs downtown sometimes. 
  • Hill City – While Deadwood is perfect for history fans, Hill City is one for lovers of the great outdoors. A saloon, galleries, and so much more await.  
  • Custer – This gorgeous little town is home to great eateries, delightfully unique shops, and so much more. It’s got an adorable main street, too.  

Learn more about each of these cute small towns in South Dakota.

  1. What are some of the coolest small towns in South Dakota? 

Since there are so many awesome small towns in North Dakota, we figure we want to mention some of the “cooler” ones, for whatever reasons they may be “cool”. Some of our picks for the coolest small towns in North Dakota are:  

  • Dell Rapids – If you’re into old-school theatres, you need to check out the legendary art deco theatre here, which still runs.  
  • Hot Springs – This awesome small town is perfect for the outdoorsy folks, as it’s home to places like a wild horse sanctuary and the Mammoth Site. Neat!  
  • Platte – This adorable little town has, quite possibly, the cutest downtown area in South Dakota.  

Learn more about all these delightfully cool small towns in SD. 

  1. What are some of the safest small towns in South Dakota? 

South Dakota is one of the safer states in the US, and go figure – it's also one of the least populated! That being said, like anywhere else, it has its safe towns and its less-safe towns; some of the safest small towns in South Dakota as of the time of this writing include:  

  • Brandon – With a population of 10,297 and a violent crime rate of just 0.7 per 1000 residents, Brandon is the safest town in the state for now.  
  • Brookings – With a population of 25,088 and a violent crime rate of 1.1 per 1000 residents, Brookings is as safe (if not safer than) as Brandon.  

Learn more about the five safest towns in South Dakota.