Although it's South Dakota's second-largest city, Rapid City is more familiar to travelers than its bigger sibling Sioux Falls. That's because Rapid City is the gateway to the Black Hills, the state's most popular tourist area, and it is also close to Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore. Originally developed by settlers searching for gold, the city's name comes from the limestone spring stream that runs through town.
The downtown area bustles with small shops and businesses, cafes and hotels. Main Street Square, with its fountains and outdoor space for hosting special events, is an important landmark for the city center. During the summer months, it hosts outdoor movies and concerts while colder months host festivals and ice skating.
The city also bills itself as the "most patriotic city in America." Its downtown features life-sized bronze statues of all the country's past presidents lining the streets. Near Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, Memorial Park Promenade is designed to connect the downtown area with the city's exhibition center and features a pedestrian pathway and outdoor gathering space.
Given the large rural areas that make up much of this part of the country, smaller cities such as Rapid City serve as important urban hubs for shopping and commerce. As a result, the city has more restaurants, businesses and hotels than a city of its size might otherwise have. Tourism also plays a major role in giving Rapid City ample economy growth resources, making it feel bigger than it actually is.
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