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.

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.

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)!

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.

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.

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).

To discover even more to see and do around Rapid City, check out Visit Rapid City's official website.

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.