As a mother of three, family travel is what I know best. For the past three years, I’ve had the opportunity to take each of my children on a “mom and me” escapade that has given us an abundance of memories and deepened our relationships.
My six-year-old son finally got a “mom and me” trip of his own last summer. All of my children have been travelers since they were young, but this trip was the first time I was able to experience a new place and new things with only him. I had always wanted to visit the Black Hills, and when the opportunity to visit Rapid City, South Dakota arose, I knew that taking my son with me would be a bonding experience for us both.
A New Place to Make New Memories
Rapid City may not be on everyone’s must-visit list, and I believe that is a mistake. It is truly a family-friendly city with a walkable downtown filled with locally owned restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and public art. It is easy to spend an afternoon wandering without a rigid itinerary, which is important when traveling with kids (or adults) who may need a break during the day.
One of downtown Rapid City’s unique attractions is the City of Presidents Trail, a collection of life-sized bronze statues honoring every U.S. President. More than just a photo opportunity, the statues encourage families to slow down, compare historical figures, and engage in conversations that continue long after the vacation ends.
My son enjoyed peppering me with questions about the Presidents, and I appreciate the craftsmanship and history woven into each sculpture.
Connecting with Nature in South Dakota
Not only are the urban areas of Rapid City worth exploring, but the outdoor destinations nearby are as well. Less than an hour away, Custer State Park provides one of the country’s most outstanding scenic drives, winding through nearly 72,000 acres of rolling hills and open prairie. This was my son’s favorite part of our trip.
We participated in one of the park’s guided buffalo safari jeep tours. It was an open-air ride, which meant we had to hold onto our hats. I never thought I’d be bundling up in July, but the wind whipping through the open cabin felt extremely cool. My son and I used the provided blanket to bundle up.
Our guide was an excellent wildlife spotter, and we saw free-roaming bison, pronghorn, burros, prairie dogs, elk, and bighorn sheep. The park’s famous Wildlife Loop is accessible by personal vehicles, but only the safari tours can access exclusive areas of the park that the general public can’t see.
Keeping Kids Entertained in All Types of Weather
Weather can be unpredictable, and having an indoor entertainment option is a lifesaver when traveling with kids. What about an indoor, climate-controlled place to go? My son and I found just that at WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort. The waterpark offers more than 30,000 square feet of year-round aquatic fun, including waterslides, a lazy river, and activity pools. We had a great time floating in the lazy river, riding double on the waterslides, and attempting to cross the lily pad ropes course.
Several hotels connect directly to the waterpark, and I can see how families could easily spend a relaxing afternoon without leaving the property.
Easy Access to Bucket-List Attractions
One of Rapid City’s greatest strengths is its location. Some of America’s most recognizable attractions are less than an hour’s drive away. This allows families to explore without constantly changing hotels.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial remains the region’s most popular and recognizable attraction. I was fascinated by the landmark’s history, but my son was more excited about the food.
We learned that there was an ice cream shop on the property. It served a vanilla ice cream recipe created by Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson fell in love with ice cream during his time in France. He is credited with introducing it in the United States. His handwritten recipe is said to be the first to be recorded by an American, so I knew we had to try it.
The creamy, thick, custard-like treat lived up to the hype. My son enjoyed the sweet treat, but I enjoyed sharing the historically significant moment with him even more. I think I appreciated it enough for both of us.
Close Encounters with Wildlife
Just down the road are Bear Country USA and Reptile Gardens. Bear Country USA is another drive-through wildlife encounter. Black bears, wolves, elk, bison, mountain lions, and other North American animals roam freely. It was not nearly as large as Custer State Park, but it did allow us a closer look at some different native animals. After the drive, we strolled through the wildlife park to observe smaller animals and playful bear cubs up close.
At Reptile Gardens, the huge Aldabra tortoises were a hit. We were able to interact with these gentle giants by petting them and taking photos. It’s not often you get to interact with wild animals, and my son and I really enjoyed it.
In addition to the many other species represented, it would be a disservice not to mention the zoo’s Gator Show. Expert keepers fed dozens of crocodiles, alligators, and caimans in a thrilling show that had my son and me on the edge of our seats. The keepers seemed to know what actions were safe while inciting the crocodilians into motion, but my heart lurched when they fed so many at once that they had to jump out of the way of the snapping jaws and swinging tails.
More Than a Place to Sleep
Too often, gateway cities serve merely as overnight stops before travelers head elsewhere, and I think Rapid City deserves more attention than that.
Rapid City’s manageable size reduces much of the stress that often accompanies family travel. Parking is easy, traffic is minimal, and many attractions are within a short drive of one another. That allows families to focus less on logistics and more on making memories together.
We’ve traveled to entertaining places like theme parks. My son still talks about the time he got to visit South Dakota with Mom. It was an opportunity I won’t forget, and it feels good to know that he won’t forget it either.
If You Go
Unless you live within driving distance, you’ll probably fly into Rapid City Regional Airport. It is served by major airlines like Delta, United, and American Airlines.
There are many lodging choices in Rapid City, but I would highly suggest the ClubHouse Hotel & Suites. The rooms are very spacious. The daily breakfast inclusion is a big perk for families. Location is also a bonus for this property. It is about a 20-30-minute drive from most major attractions and the airport.
For more information, go to Visit Rapid City: visitrapidcity.com. Thank you to Visit Rapid City for hosting me.
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