Not only is Rapid City home to Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial and Badlands National Park, it also features some exciting seasonal escapes for groups.
“We just hosted people from Brand USA to do some video related to international marketing initiatives and they were shocked by how beautiful it is here and everything there is to see and do,” says Julie Jensen, executive director and vice president of Visit Rapid City.
Here are the top three area attractions, as ranked by the Rapid City CVB.
Bear Country U.S.A.
This drive-through wildlife park, featuring the largest collection of privately owned black bears, was ranked by Visit Rapid City as the top attraction in the area based on total mentions on social media. Take one look at an adorable baby bear cub and there’s no doubting the photo appeal.
While planners won’t be able to hold an actual meeting in Bear Country U.S.A.—imagine the cost of insurance on that one!—they can arrange for a two-hour private motorcoach tour, with a minimum of 15 people per group. Guides are also available.
Bear Country U.S.A. is located eight miles outside of Rapid City and also features scenic views of the Black Hills, and the possibility of sighting buffalo, wolves or elk.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
What better way to celebrate your group’s patriotism than by making a stop at Mount Rushmore? The historic monument features granite carvings of four notable American presidents—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln—overlooking the Black Hills.
While the memorial is only a 30-minute drive from Rapid City, The Lodge at Mount Rushmore provides 1,200 square feet of meeting space for smaller groups of up to 100 that wish to stay in Keystone.
Planners looking to hold a memorable on-site reception should check out the Carvers Cafe at Mount Rushmore, with dining room seating for 300 and an additional 150 seats on an outdoor patio.
Reptile Gardens
Rapid City is a popular option for drive-to and family-friendly meetings, and Reptile Gardens is a top-ranked attraction interesting enough for children and adults.
While the large collection of amphibians and reptiles is the primary draw, including snake and alligator shows, the on-site Botanical Gardens are full of flowers and foliage from all over the world.
