Memorial Weekend typically marks the kick off of tourist season in Rapid City and the Black Hills. As a local I love to get out and enjoy all there is to offer. Having lived here for six years now, I’m still amazed at the new things to discover.
I decided to make a Black Hills Summer bucket list this year. We have plenty of things we love to do annually; there will always be hiking and a cruise through Spearfish Canyon to see the fall colors. Living in such a growing, innovative region, however, means plenty of new things being offered in the Black Hills. Living in Rapid City puts me right in the center of it.
Here are the first items on my Black Hills Summer bucket list. I’m sure I’ll end up doing more and adding more to the list. Be sure to follow me on Instagram to check them out behind the scenes!
Brand New Tubing Hill at Rushmore Tramway Adventures (Keystone, South Dakota)
Rushmore Tramway Adventures offers some amazing experiences right down the hill from Mount Rushmore. I’ve been able to do the chair lift (which gives you awesome views of Mount Rushmore!) and then ridden the Alpine Slide down. A few years ago I also got to try the Aerial Adventure Park (think obstacle course in the trees). Brand new this year, they have built South Dakota’s only summer tubing hill! I’m hoping to snag my husband and maybe even a few of our friends and head to Keystone to give this a try. (Note: Keystone is about a 20 minute drive from Rapid City)
Cream – Ice Cream and Coffee Shop (Hill City, South Dakota)
Two of my favorite things in one shop? Yes please! Cream just opened this spring in Hill City. They make ice cream fresh on site and also serve specialty coffee using the beans from a local roaster. From stalking their Facebook page, they also have some delicious looking baked goods including scones. Some of their flavors include a maple walnut, raspberry cheesecake, cookie monsta, key lime pie and so.much.more! I think I’m most excited to order a flight of ice cream so I can try several flavors. If I’m being honest, this is probably one of the bucket list items I’m most excited for and will probably repeat once or twice. (Fortunately for me, Hill City is about a 20 minute drive from Rapid City so it will be harder to go there daily.)
Brunch at Skogen Kitchen (Custer, South Dakota)
Skogen Kitchen in Custer says they offer “a fun, innovative and creative menu.” All I know is I’ve seen a ton of drool worthy photos on Instagram. Currently, our brunch group is planning to do a trip down to Custer in the fall. We’ll do brunch at Skogen Kitchen and then drive through Custer State Park to see the animals and fall colors. (Custer is about 45 minutes from Rapid City)
Family Food Truck Night (Rapid City, South Dakota)
The final item on my current Black Hills summer bucket list is right in Rapid City: Family Food Truck Night. I don’t know about you, but I love the occasional food truck fix. I feel like cooking food in a truck forces people to think outside the box in how they serve something for people to consume in a very “on-the-go” setting (much like Maskcara Beauty has done to revolutionize the makeup world, don’t ya think?). The food truck scene in Rapid City continues to grow. To the point I don’t even know all the food trucks that exist! Enter in: Family Food Truck Night. Many of the local food trucks have joined together to create a weekly night when the trucks are parked and you can have your pick. My plan is to grab a friend or two and hit up food tuck night several times throughout the summer. What better way to end the work day than friends, sunshine in a park and trying new foods.
I’ll keep you posted as I check these items off my summer bucket list and add a few more. Instagram will be the best way to see them as they happen. If you’re planning a trip to Rapid City and the Black Hills Area, let me know! I used to work in the visitor industry and I absolutely love sharing ideas of things to do and places to eat. If there’s anything I’m missing, let me know! I’m always down to explore new things in the Black Hills (and beyond).
