We’ve lived off and on in the Black Hills for the last 3 years. These are wonderful places to go! Especially with kids!
Sections
4
Outdoorsy
Restaurants
Playgrounds
Touristy
Outdoorsy
My personal favorite part of the Black Hills! 5 different lakes, miles of scenic driving, buffalo, and begging burros!
Custer State Park
Free to the public. Fun exhibits inside, plenty to explore outside! Connects to a playground.
The Outdoor Campus - Rapid City
Beautiful outdoor park! Creek stomping, 3 playgrounds, multiple restroom facilities, walking paths, fishing, etc. Stroller friendly
Canyon Lake Park
Take the scenic drive to Spearfish Canyon and see 3 beautiful waterfalls. These are walkable and not a true hike, but can be a pretty steep climb back up.
Spearfish Canyon in Spearfish, SD
A must do in the black hills. Stunning scenery and an excellent visitor center. Get gas before you leave Wall or Rapid. Pack water and sun protection if it’s a hot day. The weather is extra spicey in the badlands!
Badlands National Park
Great hike!
Grace Coolidge Trail
Restaurants
Best sushi in town. Excellent service, family owned and run.
Fuji Sushi & Sake Bar Japanese Restaurant, Rapid City, SD 57701 ...
Best ice cream in Rapid!
The Silver Lining Creamery - Rapid City
A bit touristy, but always a good meal! Plenty of seating and a good atmosphere for kids.
Firehouse Brewing Company
The cutest coffee and wine shop in the hills. Outdoor chess, foosball, and a playground. They also have gelato!
Grapes & Grinds
My personal favorite ice cream shop in the Black Hills. Get huckleberry if they have it! Or better yet a flight. 🎉
Cream | Hill City SD
Our current favorite bbq in the Black Hills! We love the brisket and smoke turkey. The pickles are spicy and the sauce is delish.
J.R.'s Rhodehouse BBQ Pit
Cash only, but excellent German food. They can have a long wait during rush hours.
Alpine Inn: Experience Black Hills Fine Dining
Our favorite bbq place! They can have weird hours and weren’t open one whole summer, so may the odds forever be in your favor 😂
SoDak Smoke Shack
We went here for breakfast and it was so yummy!! It’s pretty pricey, so keep that in mind!
Tally's Silver Spoon - Rapid City
I had the most amazing soup. I want to go back and try a curry!
Thai Thai Restaurant
We haven’t been here yet, but everyone raves about it!
Kathmandu Bistro - Rapid City
Playgrounds
My personal favorite outdoor playground! Free, and well maintained. Single stall bathrooms, water fountains and a covered seating area. Wood chip flooring.
Vickie Powers Park
Brand new playground equipment, creekside walking trails, sundial, maintained gardens, basketball courts, and more! Multi-stall bathrooms and plenty of seating.
Sioux Park
Perfect place to play in good or bad weather! They now have an outdoor space which is super fun. It runs about $12/kid for unlimited play.
Run Wild Indoor and Outdoor Playland
Touristy
This place has beautiful gardens and so many animals to interact with! They have alligator and snake shows in the summer. Bird shows happen in the fall and spring. Great place for locals because one visit gets you a season pass!
Reptile Gardens
Pricey, but a fun experience to go down the alpine slide! They also have inner tubing down a slide and a ropes course. The views at the top of the lift are always a treat too!
Rushmore Tramway Adventures
Of course you have to go here!!!
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
This is now completely handicap accessible, so it’s perfect for strollers! The gift shop is fun and has cheap eats.
