Latest news with #RapidCity
Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Black Hills Corp. Announces Quarterly Dividend
RAPID CITY, S.D., July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) today announced that its board of directors declared a quarterly dividend on the common stock at a meeting held July 22, 2025. Common shareholders of record at the close of business on Aug. 18, 2025, will receive $0.676 per share, payable Sept. 2, 2025. The company also confirms that it will release its 2025 second-quarter earnings after the market closes Wednesday, July 30, 2025, and will host a live conference call and webcast at 11 a.m. EDT on Thursday, July 31, 2025, to discuss the company's financial results. To participate by phone and ask a question during the live broadcast, participants can access the event directly at Black Hills Corp. Conference Q&A. Please allow at least five minutes to register. Upon registration, dial-in information will be provided, including a personal identification number. To access a listen-only webcast and view presentation slides, please register at Black Hills Corp. Webcast. At the conclusion of the call, a replay of the broadcast will be available at this link and at Black Hills' investor relations website for up to one year. Black Hills Corporation Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) is a customer-focused, growth-oriented utility company with a tradition of improving life with energy and a vision to be the energy partner of choice. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, the company serves 1.35 million natural gas and electric utility customers in eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. More information is available at
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Calgary Flames Extend Affiliation Agreement With Rapid City
Photo Courtesy of the Rapid City Rush The Rapid City Rush, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Calgary Flames, announced Friday the two clubs have agreed to terms on a multi-year affiliation extension. The agreement will keep the Rush partnered with the Flames and the Calgary Wranglers of the American Hockey League. 'The Rush and Flames have had an excellent relationship, and we are excited to continue that,' Dave Smith, Rush Head Coach and General Manager, said in a statement. 'The communication has been great. It is all about the progression of each player's skills in a championship-type environment where they are working on their game, while also helping to provide Rapid City with the tools we need to win.' In 2024-25, seven members of the Rush also saw time in Calgary with the Wranglers, totaling 72 games played. Five of them made their American Hockey League debuts this past season. Former Rush forward Rory Kerins made his National Hockey League debut in January, making him the first player to graduate through all three levels of the Rapid City/Calgary system. He is the eighth Rush alumnus to reach the NHL. In total, 14 members of the Rush have suited up for the Wranglers and/or Flames since the affiliation began in 2022. 'The Calgary Flames are pleased to extend our affiliation agreement with Rapid City,' Brad Pascall, Assistant General Manager of the Flames, noted. 'Rapid City is a great place to play and they are an organization with great ownership, and that share our principles and objectives regarding player development.' Since their move from Stockton, Calif. to Calgary, the Wranglers have posted winning seasons and playoff berths in all three years, including a 51-win season in 2022-23, the first year of the Rush-Calgary partnership. Meanwhile, the up-and-coming Flames are coming off their winningest season in three years. 'This is an important day for the Rush organization,' Jared Reid, President of the Rush, stated. 'Our relationship with Calgary has never been stronger. Their commitment to player development, vision and dedication to winning make this a true partnership and I am excited to continue that.' The Flames are the Rush's third affiliate in franchise history. Rapid City was partnered with the Arizona Coyotes from 2015-17, and again from 2019-22. The Rush were also affiliated with the Minnesota Wild for the 2017-18 season.
CNN
27-06-2025
- CNN
CNN reveals America's Best Towns to Visit in 2025
See More Videos America's most interesting towns bring together the best of a beautiful country. Surrounded by stunning landscapes, packed with entrepreneurial talent and evolving with the tastes of the people who settle and explore them, these destinations show off what makes the United States so distinctive. For our second annual list of America's Best Towns to Visit, CNN Travel editors tapped our readers and contributors for nominations. We considered hundreds of candidates and winnowed the list to 10 by evaluating the finalists' attractions, food and beverage offerings, cultural and nightlife scenes, diversity, sense of identity, proximity to other interesting spots and 'wow factor.' We also looked at travel essentials, including lodging options and the ease of getting there. Our choices this year skew smaller than last year's top 10, ranging in size from about 15,000 residents to about 115,000. They're spread across the country and capture the incredible variety that defines the United States — from history and natural beauty to culture and food. And they serve as reminders of what Americans do best: build towns and communities that add up to more than the sum of their parts. Here are our 2025 picks: High scores: Presidential attractions, big-name parks, Native art, easy day trips Taking a page from Mount Rushmore nearby, Rapid City leans into its 'City of Presidents' nickname with sculptures of nearly every US head of state on display downtown. This Black Hills hub is close to myriad natural wonders — from the Badlands to the bison herd in Custer State Park – and it's a place to sample locally sourced walleye or bison and view Native American art. In this friendly Midwestern town, you can gather at Main Street Square for year-round events and then fan out onto its greenway and into the hills to see more of South Dakota's wonders. High scores: Musical heritage, festival calendar and live shows, Southern flavors It's no surprise that this Mississippi Delta town — considered the cradle of the blues — is a year-round festival destination. Clarksdale's musical identity has solidified in recent years, and now this small Deep South city entertains locals and visitors with more than a dozen music festivals, in addition to its core lineup of juke joints hosting live performances every day of the week. Locals embrace the city's 'gritty' character and its unvarnished charm. But new lodging and dining options are keeping things fresh, and local eats go beyond typical Southern soul-food fare to fold in Cajun and Creole flavors as well. High scores: Lively downtown, diversity, countercultural vibe, cycling A coffee-drinking, bike-riding oasis, Northampton combines the charm of a village with big-city culture. Long a welcoming haven for gays and lesbians, this western Massachusetts town is a regional destination for dining, shopping and concerts. It's also home to Smith College, a cornerstone of this town's reputation for new ideas and strong women. Regional rail trails make it a hub for biking, too. Founded by Puritans in 1654, Northampton is today a place to enjoy sinfully good pastries and bread. High scores: Blend of cultures, jaw-dropping scenery, outdoor access, day trips A sunny, moderate climate and stunning landscapes in every direction make Las Cruces ideal for outdoor activities nearly all year long. If you're looking to hike, opportunities abound to the east in the Organ Mountains and northwest of town in the Robledo Mountains, where Prehistoric Trackways National Monument preserves tracks left by reptiles 280 million years ago. The second-largest city in New Mexico, Las Cruces still has the laid-back pace of a much smaller town, with a rich blend of Mexican, Native American and Western culture. High scores: Farm-to-table scene, historic architecture, easy day trips, riverfront setting Known for top-notch farm-to-table dining and historic architecture, Petaluma still shines from its Gold Rush boom. This quirky Northern California town is perfectly situated for day trips to the coast, wine country and San Francisco. In town, you can run or walk along a trail by the Petaluma River past outdoor artwork or get out on the water for kayaking and paddleboarding. Once known as 'The World's Egg Basket,' owing to the region's poultry farms, Petaluma offers boundless variety for foodies and beverages to complement any craving. High scores: Maritime and colonial history, waterfront setting, boating, seafood Annapolis has long lured day-trippers from nearby Baltimore and DC for an outing on the Chesapeake Bay and a hearty meal of seafood. But this picturesque waterfront city also offers a charming downtown whose narrow streets, brick sidewalks and Georgian buildings reflect its rich history as a colonial capital frequented by George Washington and other founding fathers. Throw in sailing cruises, a historic state house, the handsome US Naval Academy campus and bustling restaurants serving Maryland's trademark blue crabs, and you have all the ingredients for a memorable visit. High scores: Outdoor wow factor, play-hard vibe, live music, beverage and food scene A remote getaway at the edge of the Cascade Mountains, Bend was named after that feature in the river that flows through town. You can keep busy fishing and boating along the Deschutes and on dozens of lakes in the area, in addition to kayaking, biking, rock climbing and more. This big outdoor playground — with its 'go-play-all-day energy' — tops things off with food trucks and fancier fare, live music and plenty of expertly crafted local beer. High scores: Scenic setting, dining and drinks, outdoor access, arts and crafts For well over a century, Asheville has been drawing visitors looking for a restorative escape in the Blue Ridge Mountains. America's largest home, the Biltmore House, was constructed here at the end of the 19th century as a country retreat. Then last year, Hurricane Helene's destruction knocked Asheville off its stride. But the storm has unified this resilient community more than ever. And Asheville's mountain views, scenic trails, vibrant neighborhoods, lively arts scene and delicious food and drinks are all still here for you to enjoy. High scores: World-class wilderness, fly fishing, live music and arts Missoula sits at the confluence of four top rivers for fishing, and you may have already caught a glimpse of this area years ago in 'A River Runs Through It.' More than ever, fly fishing is ingrained into the local way of life, and the water and surrounding wilderness offer boundless opportunities for adventure. This university town has become a hub for live music and world-class ceramics. A place to experience the American West, Missoula galleries also showcase a distinctive medium of Indigenous art. High scores: Natural wow-factor, outdoor activities, wine and cider, college-town culture You don't have to go far to find a spectacular waterfall in this upstate New York college town. The area around Ithaca is jam-packed with gorges and cascading falls, slicing through fertile land dotted with wineries and cider houses in the state's Finger Lakes region. In town, there's a lively farmers market and more cultural offerings than Ithaca's size would suggest. That's thanks in part to a large student population that adds layers of diversity to the town's homegrown offerings. Fans of geology, birding, music and more will find plenty to do here. Text by Jeanne Bonner, Marnie Hunter and Brandon Griggs.
CNN
27-06-2025
- CNN
‘Far more than just Mount Rushmore': Take a closer look at South Dakota's second largest city
See More Videos Nestled in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Rapid City is a scenic urban getaway that hasn't lost its small-town vibe. While it's the state's second largest city, visitors can explore its greenway, museums, art and history, or indulge in craft beer and increasingly diverse dishes — all within a few minutes' drive, walk or bicycle ride. And the surrounding landscape is home to enough natural and manmade wonders — from the Badlands to the Crazy Horse Memorial — to keep you busy for a week or more. Rapid City promotes itself as the City of Presidents, a nod to its location 24 miles from South Dakota's most iconic attraction, Mount Rushmore National Memorial. MORE AMERICA'S BEST TOWNS TO VISIT 2025 1. Ithaca, NY 2. Missoula, MT 3. Asheville, NC 4. Bend, OR 5. Annapolis, MD See all 10 towns How we picked the Best Towns to Visit Share your picks for our top towns in 2026 In town, locals know summer's in full swing when tourists are snapping selfies with bronze statues of Harry S. Truman and Richard Nixon. Street corners throughout Rapid City's historic downtown are home to life-sized sculptures of nearly all US presidents. (President Donald Trump's statue has been unveiled and will be installed in fall 2025, and President Joe Biden's statue is in progress). The trail of presidents, which launched in 2000, is a self-guided experience. The visitor center downtown has a City of Presidents Guide, or you can download a digital version to take a walking tour or scavenger hunt. 'People love touring and looking at all the statues,' said Ally Formanek, CEO at Visit Rapid City, the city's tourism office. 'It's a fun and unexpected way to learn about history.' Founded in 1876 by disheartened gold prospectors, today downtown Rapid City is a mix of historic landmarks such as the 1928 Hotel Alex Johnson and the 1912 Elks Theatre, along with restaurants, coffee shops, specialty stores, boutiques and art galleries that reflect the busy modern city. An indoor aquaponics farm, sourdough and gluten-free bakeries, a meat market and deli specializing in locally raised beef, and a comedy club are some of the new additions to downtown, just in the past year. Main Street Square, downtown's anchor, hosts about 150 events year-round in and outdoor public space that offers interactive fountains in the summer and ice skating in the winter. Jess and Cody Skinner own The Silver Lining Creamery, an ice cream shop at Main Street Square. Jess Skinner compares Rapid City to 'a mini Denver' with fewer crowds but plenty to do and see. 'We have such a unique downtown with all these local businesses,' Jess said. 'I've been to a lot of different cities and downtowns, and I think ours is one of the best.' 'We always get compliments about how friendly everyone is here … that everyone is so nice,' Jess said. 'Tourists can stop and (ask for directions) and people here are so kind and so helpful.' For an easy way to see Rapid City, the narrated City View Trolley Tour highlights local landmarks and history. The tour's only stop is at Chapel in the Hills, a 56-year-old Norwegian stavkirke, a traditional time-framed stave church found in Scandinavia, with a meditation trail on its grounds. 'It's a place to slow down and catch your breath. People tend to linger here,' said Brian Kringen, managing director at Chapel in the Hills, a striking wooden structure with an elaborate tiered roof. While many visitors come to the area for the otherworldly landscapes of Badlands National Park, roughly 60 miles east of the city, or the wildlife viewing at Custer State Park to the south, the city offers its own unique scenery. Rapid City borders the Black Hills to the west and prairie grasslands to the east. Rapid Creek meanders through town and an adjacent greenway connects much of the city's 1,650 acres of park land. Two beloved decades-old parks — Dinosaur Park and Storybook Island — have recently been upgraded to be disability accessible. Wheelchair-friendly Dinosaur Park includes seven life-size dinosaur statues and panoramic city views. At Storybook Island, six pieces of playground equipment are wheelchair accessible and have Braille panels and sensory panels for children with autism. The park is renowned for fairy tale character playsets, an antique carousel and a miniature train. Admission to both parks is free. Prev Next Mountain bikers and hikers favor the panoramic views from trails within the 150-acre Skyline Wilderness Area, or from spots along the more than 20 miles of trails in Hanson-Larsen Memorial Park, where M Hill pays tribute to science and engineering university South Dakota Mines. All of these trails are located within city limits. Jason Kingsbury is a tourist-turned-resident who relocated largely because of the city's outdoor recreation. Kingsbury is an avid camper, mountain biker and fly fisherman. 'I was absolutely blown away with how much there is to do in Rapid City,' Kingsbury said. Accessing outstanding outdoor recreation in just minutes is unique, he said. 'A lot of people do not have that experience. They can go to Memorial Park and ride world-class (trails). They can ride there from their hotel — that really impresses people,' Kingsbury said. ESSENTIAL RAPID CITY EAT: A buffalo burger at Tally's Silver Spoon or beef at Dakotah Steakhouse DRINK: Locally crafted wine and beer at Firehouse Wine Cellars or cocktails at Juniper at Vertex Sky Bar STAY: Hyatt Place Rapid City Downtown SEE: Tinker, the juvenile T-Rex at The Journey Museum 'What a lot of people always say is 'I can't believe how cool this is. I never thought South Dakota had things like this,'' he said. 'They realize real quickly we're far more than just Mount Rushmore.' South Dakota is cattle country, and while steak and burgers will always be on local menus, Rapid City's food culture is evolving — in part thanks to tourists and new residents. Kingsbury, for example, opened Cohort Craft Brewery here in 2021. This year, he's adding a second location in nearby Hill City. Cohort is part of the craft brewing scene that's emerged in the past 15 years. The Black Hills region has 13 craft breweries; seven are in Rapid City. 'We are such an underrated beer destination,' Kingsbury said. 'I don't think people really know what we have in the Black Hills and Rapid City. If they're into beer tourism, we are definitely a place you have to go. If you want excellent beer but love the intimacy of small breweries, we cannot be beat.' The city's food scene is growing, too. Especially in the past five years 'people migrated here from around the United States and with that, they upped the ante a little bit,' said Jarred Bren, chef and owner at Tandoor Bocado, which opened in 2024. 'They started to raise the level of food knowledge.' Tandoor Bocado's New American menu and cooking methods incorporate flavors and techniques from France, Asia, Peru and beyond. Another recent addition to the dining scene, Bokujō Ramen opened in 2021 and bison stars in some of its savory dishes. Locals appreciate the growing diversity, with restaurants throughout the city now serving Indian, Bangladeshi, Thai, Vietnamese, Mexican, Italian and Japanese cuisines. 'People appreciate that something is happening with the food around town,' Bren said. 'One of the biggest compliments (I hear) is, 'Thank you for bringing something new to Rapid City.'' Rapid City is home to three community theater groups, a symphony orchestra, a chamber music society, plus a wealth of local bands and singers. The Black Hills Jazz Festival debuted in 2025. Visual arts thrive too. In Art Alley, local artists continually add to a community gallery of murals painted on the brick walls of an alley downtown. Dahl Arts Center houses a permanent collection of more than 300 artworks, plus rotating exhibits. There's a wealth of Lakota art, music and talent here. The Black Hills are sacred to the Lakota, who celebrate their culture at the Black Hills Powwow, art markets, festivals and local galleries such as Prairie Edge and Dakota Drum. The Journey Museum houses the Sioux Indian Collection, one of the finest collections of Lakota art in the nation. 'It's very special. We are in a part of the country where our history with the United States is still relatively new,' said Marty Two Bulls Jr., an artist, educator, enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and interim executive director of Rapid City Arts Council. 'We still have a lot of cultural practices and languages. The Native arts here are strong,' Two Bulls Jr. said. Two Bulls Jr. created a photo collage for a local art collection displayed inside the new Oyate Health Center. Original paintings, drawings, beadwork and four permanent murals, one of which is Two Bulls Jr.'s collage, are displayed in the clinic's public spaces. 'They have one of the best contemporary Native art collections in the region,' Two Bulls Jr. said. Nearby, a new 25-acre memorial, Remembering the Children, was dedicated in 2025 to honor Native American children who died at the Indian Boarding School in Rapid City between 1898 and 1933. At its center is a sculpture titled 'Tiwahe,' which means 'immediate family' in Lakota. Rapid City is surrounded by parks, attractions and historic towns, all of which are within an hour's drive or less. In the hour-away range lies the rugged beauty of Badlands National Park, where rich fossil beds, mixed-grass prairie and wildlife await within the park's 244,000 acres. Nearby, Wall Drug, which dates back to 1931, is an iconic stop for refreshments (homemade doughnuts and free ice water, for starters) and souvenirs. Mount Rushmore National Memorial, about a half-hour southwest of town, draws about two million people a year to see George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln preside over Black Hills landscapes. This year is the 100th anniversary of the beginning of construction. About 30 minutes from Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial is a mountain carving in progress of Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse. The memorial includes The Indian Museum of North America, cultural events and activities. Custer State Park, roughly 30 miles south of Rapid City, maintains a free-roaming herd of about 1,400 bison (often referred to as buffalo) and hosts an annual Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival. Visitors can dine at the park's State Game Lodge, which was President Calvin Coolidge's 'Summer White House,' or take in a live show during the summer at the Black Hills Playhouse. The list of day-trip options doesn't stop there. The Wild West town of Deadwood is nearby. So is Sturgis, of motorcycle rally fame. There are Reptile Gardens and a recently renovated air and space museum. Visitors often regret not staying a little longer, Formanek said. 'They'll say 'We should have stayed a couple of extra days' or 'There's so much to do. We'll have to come back.'' Tanya Manus is an award-winning journalist and freelance writer who lives in South Dakota. A showstopper when it comes to scenery
CNN
26-06-2025
- CNN
‘Far more than just Mount Rushmore': Take a closer look at South Dakota's second largest city
See More Videos Nestled in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Rapid City is a scenic urban getaway that hasn't lost its small-town vibe. While it's the state's second largest city, visitors can explore its greenway, museums, art and history, or indulge in craft beer and increasingly diverse dishes — all within a few minutes' drive, walk or bicycle ride. And the surrounding landscape is home to enough natural and manmade wonders — from the Badlands to the Crazy Horse Memorial — to keep you busy for a week or more. Rapid City promotes itself as the City of Presidents, a nod to its location 24 miles from South Dakota's most iconic attraction, Mount Rushmore National Memorial. MORE AMERICA'S BEST TOWNS TO VISIT 2025 1. Ithaca, NY 2. Missoula, MT 3. Asheville, NC 4. Bend, OR 5. Annapolis, MD See all 10 towns How we picked the Best Towns to Visit Share your picks for our top towns in 2026 In town, locals know summer's in full swing when tourists are snapping selfies with bronze statues of Harry S. Truman and Richard Nixon. Street corners throughout Rapid City's historic downtown are home to life-sized sculptures of nearly all US presidents. (President Donald Trump's statue has been unveiled and will be installed in fall 2025, and President Joe Biden's statue is in progress). The trail of presidents, which launched in 2000, is a self-guided, interactive adventure. The visitor center downtown has a City of Presidents Guide, or you can download a digital version , to take a walking tour or scavenger hunt. 'People love touring and looking at all the statues,' said Ally Formanek, CEO at Visit Rapid City, the city's tourism office. 'It's a fun and unexpected way to learn about history.' Founded in 1876 by disheartened gold prospectors, today downtown Rapid City is a mix of historic landmarks such as the 1928 Hotel Alex Johnson and the 1912 Elks Theatre, along with restaurants, coffee shops, specialty stores, boutiques and art galleries that reflect the busy modern city. An indoor aquaponics farm, sourdough and gluten-free bakeries, a meat market and deli specializing in locally raised beef, and a comedy club are some of the new additions to downtown, just in the past year. Main Street Square, downtown's anchor, hosts about 150 events year-round in and outdoor public space that offers interactive fountains in the summer and ice skating in the winter. Jess and Cody Skinner own The Silver Lining Creamery, an ice cream shop at Main Street Square. Jess Skinner compares Rapid City to 'a mini Denver' with fewer crowds but plenty to do and see. 'We have such a unique downtown with all these local businesses,' Jess said. 'I've been to a lot of different cities and downtowns, and I think ours is one of the best.' 'We always get compliments about how friendly everyone is here … that everyone is so nice,' Jess said. 'Tourists can stop and (ask for directions) and people here are so kind and so helpful.' Be prepared for plenty of walking while you're shopping and exploring the area and note that downtown parking can be a challenge. For a stress-free way to see Rapid City, the narrated City View Trolley Tour highlights local landmarks and history. The tour's only stop is at Chapel in the Hills, a 56-year-old Norwegian stavkirke, a traditional time-framed stave church found in Scandinavia, with a meditation trail on its grounds. 'It's a place to slow down and catch your breath. People tend to linger here,' said Brian Kringen, managing director at Chapel in the Hills, a striking wooden structure with an elaborate tiered roof. Ask locals what they like most about Rapid City, and the answer often is the natural beauty. While many visitors come to the area for the otherworldly landscapes of Badlands National Park, roughly 60 miles east of the city, or the wildlife viewing at Custer State Park to the south, the city offers its own unique scenery. Rapid City borders the Black Hills to the west and prairie grasslands to the east. Rapid Creek meanders through town and an adjacent greenway connects much of the city's 1,650 acres of park land. Two beloved decades-old parks — Dinosaur Park and Storybook Island — have recently been upgraded to be disability accessible. Wheelchair-friendly Dinosaur Park includes seven life-size dinosaur statues and panoramic city views. At Storybook Island, six pieces of playground equipment are wheelchair accessible and have Braille panels and sensory panels for children with autism. The park is renowned for fairy tale character playsets, an antique carousel and a miniature train. Admission to both parks is free. Prev Next Mountain bikers and hikers favor the panoramic views from trails within the 150-acre Skyline Wilderness Area, or from spots along the more than 20 miles of trails in Hanson-Larsen Memorial Park, where M Hill pays tribute to science and engineering university South Dakota Mines. All of these trails are located within city limits. Jason Kingsbury is a tourist-turned-resident who relocated largely because of the city's outdoor recreation. Kingsbury is an avid camper, mountain biker and fly fisherman. 'I was absolutely blown away with how much there is to do in Rapid City,' Kingsbury said. Accessing outstanding outdoor recreation in just minutes is unique, he said. 'A lot of people do not have that experience. They can go to Memorial Park and ride world-class (trails). They can ride there from their hotel — that really impresses people,' Kingsbury said. 'What a lot of people always say is 'I can't believe how cool this is. I never thought South Dakota had things like this,'' he said. 'They realize real quickly we're far more than just Mount Rushmore.' South Dakota is cattle country, and while steak and burgers will always be on local menus, Rapid City's food culture is evolving — in part thanks to tourists and new residents. Kingsbury, for example, opened Cohort Craft Brewery here in 2021. This year, he's adding a second location in nearby Hill City. Cohort is part of the craft brewing scene that's emerged in the past 15 years. The Black Hills region has 13 craft breweries; seven are in Rapid City. 'We are such an underrated beer destination,' Kingsbury said. 'I don't think people really know what we have in the Black Hills and Rapid City. If they're into beer tourism, we are definitely a place you have to go. If you want excellent beer but love the intimacy of small breweries, we cannot be beat.' The city's food scene is growing, too. Especially in the past five years 'people migrated here from around the United States and with that, they upped the ante a little bit,' said Jarred Bren, chef and owner at Tandoor Bocado, which opened in 2024. 'They started to raise the level of food knowledge.' Tandoor Bocado's New American menu and cooking methods incorporate flavors and techniques from France, Asia, Peru and beyond. Another recent addition to the dining scene, Bokujō Ramen opened in 2021 and bison stars in some of its savory dishes. Locals appreciate the growing diversity, with restaurants throughout the city now serving Indian, Bangladeshi, Thai, Vietnamese, Mexican, Italian and Japanese cuisines. 'People appreciate that something is happening with the food around town,' Bren said. 'One of the biggest compliments (I hear) is, 'Thank you for bringing something new to Rapid City.'' Performing arts abound in Rapid City, which is home to three community theater groups, a symphony orchestra, a chamber music society, plus a wealth of local bands and singers. The Black Hills Jazz Festival debuted in 2025. Visual arts thrive too. In Art Alley, local artists continually add to a community gallery of murals painted on the brick walls of an alley downtown. Dahl Arts Center houses a permanent collection of more than 300 artworks, plus rotating exhibits. A wealth of Lakota art, music and talent wows visitors. The Black Hills are sacred to the Lakota, who celebrate their culture at the Black Hills Powwow, art markets, festivals and local galleries such as Prairie Edge and Dakota Drum. The Journey Museum houses the Sioux Indian Collection, one of the finest collections of Lakota art in the nation. 'It's very special. We are in a part of the country where our history with the United States is still relatively new,' said Marty Two Bulls Jr., an artist, educator, enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and interim executive director of Rapid City Arts Council. 'We still have a lot of cultural practices and languages. The Native arts here are strong,' Two Bulls Jr. said. Two Bulls Jr. created a photo collage for a local art collection displayed inside the new Oyate Health Center. Original paintings, drawings, beadwork and four permanent murals, one of which is Two Bulls Jr.'s collage, are displayed in the clinic's public spaces. 'They have one of the best contemporary Native art collections in the region,' Two Bulls Jr. said. Nearby, a new 25-acre memorial, Remembering the Children, was dedicated in 2025 to honor Native American children who died at the Indian Boarding School in Rapid City between 1898 and 1933. At its center is a sculpture titled 'Tiwahe,' which means 'immediate family' in Lakota. Rapid City is surrounded by parks, attractions and historic towns, all of which are within an hour's drive or less. In the hour-away range lies the rugged beauty of Badlands National Park, where rich fossil beds, mixed-grass prairie and wildlife await within the park's 244,000 acres. Nearby, Wall Drug, which dates back to 1931, is an iconic pit stop for refreshments (homemade doughnuts and free ice water, for starters) and souvenirs. Mount Rushmore National Memorial, about a half-hour southwest of town, draws about two million people a year to see George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln preside over Black Hills landscapes. This year is the 100th anniversary of the beginning of construction. About 30 minutes from Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial is a mountain carving in progress of Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse. The memorial includes The Indian Museum of North America, cultural events and activities. Custer State Park, roughly 30 miles south of Rapid City, maintains a free-roaming herd of about 1,400 bison (often referred to as buffalo) and hosts an annual Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival. Visitors can dine at the park's State Game Lodge, which was President Calvin Coolidge's 'Summer White House,' or take in a live show during the summer at the Black Hills Playhouse . The list of day-trip options doesn't stop there. The Wild West town of Deadwood is nearby. So is Sturgis, of motorcycle rally fame. There are Reptile Gardens, a recently renovated air and space museum and more. An often-heard comment from visitors, Formanek said, is that Rapid City is a place where they want to spend more time. 'They'll say 'We should have stayed a couple of extra days' or 'There's so much to do. We'll have to come back,'' she said. Tanya Manus is an award-winning journalist and freelance writer who lives in South Dakota. A showstopper when it comes to scenery
