City Editor Rilee here. These days I’m all about Swan City (aka, Lakeland, FL ), but growing up I was more concerned with bison than swans.
My family spent time visiting relatives in Rapid City, SD, taking drives through Badlands National Park , hiking in the Black Hills, and drinking Shirley Temples around the Saloon No. 10 table where Wild Bill Hickok met his end . Add this spot to your bucket list to experience a bit of the Old West, the outdoors, and everything in between.
Why go?
- Visit Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and other parks and monuments .
- Find fall foliage starting annually in September. Pro tip: Use this online map to plan your drive through scenic highways and canyons.
- The area boasts unique events year-round, but autumn events like the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup , the Black Hills Powwow , and the Stratobowl Historic Balloon Launch are known for their cultural and educational impact.
- City Editor Rilee suggests a secret hike: Poet’s Table. The trail is unmarked, but you can find a helpful guide (with pictures) online .
Act like a local:
- Outdoors: Take Needles Highway in Custer State Park to the Sylvan Lake Shore Trailhead. From there, embark on the 6.4-mile out-and-back Black Elk Peak trail.
- Experience: Ride the 1880 Train through the Black Hills Forest for views of Black Elk Peak, old mining encampments, and more — the two-hour, 20-mile ride is narrated by local historians.
- Food: Head to Tally’s Silver Spoon for upscale dining and a South Dakota classic dish, chislic .
- Drink: You’ll need to book a table ahead of time, but the effort is worth the specialty cocktails at Vertex Sky Bar .
- Coffee: Fuel your vacay with a stop in Harriet & Oak , Essence of Coffee , or one of these spots.
- Explore: View wildlife from the safety of your car at Bear Country .
- Shop: Use this list of local shops, Native American-owned stores, and outdoor gear suppliers to plan your shopping trip.
Where to stay:
- Vrbo: Rustic Black Hills Retreat , panoramic views and on-site wildlife viewing. (~$209 a night)*
- AirBnb: Luxury Ranch Stay on 40 private acres, (~$132 a night)
- Splurge hotel: Hotel Alex Johnson (~$150 a night)