Written on February 20th, 2020
Whether you're a local or visiting from one of the surrounding Black Hills communities, Rapid City is a great place to spend a day—especially when you bring along your Black Hills Coupon Book. There is plenty to whet your appetite while you're enjoying your time in the City of Presidents.
photos courtesy of Alternative Fuel and Harriet & Oak
You'll want to fuel up for your adventure with a stop for coffee and a bite to eat first. Alternative Fuel Coffee House, conveniently located in Main Street Square, has an excellent selection of coffees, smoothies, and breakfast treats such as biscuits and gravy, oatmeal, breakfast burritos, quiché, and breakfast sandwiches. When the weather is nice, grab a seat on the patio and soak in the sunshine. If you'd prefer a more spacious setting that includes a refurbished VW Bus parked right inside, check out Harriet & Oak. Their lattes are a work of art, and if you aren't a coffee fan, they have a wide variety of loose-leaf teas to choose from. Try a breakfast bowl, sweet potato breakfast burrito, or waffle made from scratch while you're there.
all images found via company Facebook pages
Now that you're ready to tackle the day, it's time to do some exploring. No visit to Rapid City is complete without a trip to Dinosaur Park. Your kids will be in awe of the life-size concrete dinosaurs, while you'll enjoy spectacular views of the Black Hills to the west and endless prairie to the east. Be sure to stop by the visitor's center to grab a souvenir and an ice cream cone. If your kids have some energy to burn, Outside In is an indoor playground with opportunities for children from six months to 10 years of age to engage in fun activities in a safe, clean environment designed to stimulate their imagination and encourage exploration.
Older kids might prefer a game of lazer tag or a go-cart ride at Flags & Wheels Indoor Racing. They can also practice their baseball skills in the batting cage or play their favorite video games in the arcade. Miniature golf is a great family-friendly activity, and depending on the weather, you can play a few rounds outside at Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf, or indoors at Putz N Glo Black Light Miniature Golf. If you've brought along swimsuits, Watiki Indoor Water Park is a popular draw year-round and features multiple waterslides, a spa, activity pool, and lazy river for floating. If you'd prefer to kick back and catch a movie instead, the Elks Theatre is a historic cinema in the heart of downtown that dates back to the early 20th century. Tickets are very reasonably priced and the popcorn is legendary.
photos courtesy of Firehouse Brewing, Que Pasa, and Minerva's
By now you've probably worked up quite an appetite. Whether you're hungry for lunch or dinner, there are lots of great choices. Firehouse Brewing Company has everything from burgers and fish tacos to barbecue, and they brew their own beers in-house. In the mood for Mexican food instead? Que Pasa Cantina offers authentic fare, delicious margaritas, and a fun and lively patio with rooftop dining available. For the undecided, Minerva's Restaurant & Bar has a wide selection of menu items for kids and adults alike, ranging from burgers and salads to steak and pasta.
photos courtesy of Gold Diggers and Sioux Pottery
If you still have time for a little shopping before heading home, Rapid City has some great specialty stores. Looking for authentic souvenirs from around the region? Stop by Gold Diggers for a full selection of Black Hills Gold and Gold on Silver jewelry, and be sure to visit Sioux Pottery for handcrafted collectibles created by Native Americans.
Don't have enough time to take advantage of all your coupons? Don't worry; most of them are good through the end of the year. That just gives you another excuse to come back to Rapid City!
written by Mark Petruska
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