| Rapid City Star Tour |
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Signs are conveniently located along the way to guide visitors from one point to the next for an up close, personal glimpse into what makes Rapid City such a great place to spend time.
#1-VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER
Just off I-90 Exit 61
Visitor information and services.
Open 9 a.m. daily.
#2-MEMORIAL PARK/BERLIN WALL
444 Mt. Rushmore Rd.
Located on Rapid Creek, near the Civic Center, Memorial Park is in the center of Rapid City. Located within the park are: One of America’s largest Berlin Wall exhibits with tank traps, and interpretive material; the Legacy Bronze, by local artist Dale Lamphere, dedicated to the pioneers and founders of this area; a Memorial to America’s Veterans; an outdoor entertainment facility; a Rose Garden; a Memorial honoring the victims of the 1972 flood; Memorial Lake; and picnic and fishing areas.
#3-STORYBOOK ISLAND
Sheridan Lake Road between Canyon Lake Drive and Jackson Blvd.
One of Rapid City’s most popular attractions, a childhood fantasy of design, color, animation, and music that includes cuddly animals, castles, trains, and rainbows. Events and performances are scheduled nearly every day in the Children’s Theater. Open 9am-7pm through Labor Day Weekend. Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Labor Day weekend.
#4-CLEGHORN SPRINGS FISH HATCHERY
Highway 44 West of City Limits.
The Cleghorn Springs Hatchery raises and releases nearly one million trout and salmon annually. Visitor Center and instructive video program, and access to ponds. Open 9am-5pm Memorial Day through Labor Day. Grounds open 7am-4pm year-round.
#5-STAVKIRKE (Chapel in the Hills)
Chapel Lane Dr. off Hwy 44 West
Situated in a parklike setting surrounded by forest, the chapel was built in 1969, a replica of the famous 850 year-old Stavkirke in Laerdal, Norway. Intricate woodcarvings, dragon’s heads, and ingenious pegged construction are of particular interest. A stabbur with grass roof was imported from Norway to serve as a reception center and gift shop. Taped narrative Open 7am until sunset, May 1 through September 30.
#6-CANYON LAKE PARK
Canyon Lake Dr. & Jackson Blvd.; Sheridan Lake Road between Canyon Lake Drive & Jackson Blvd.
Feed the ducks and geese, take a stroll over the bridge to the gazebo on the island, or try your luck fishing. Numerous picnic and playground areas. Open year-round.
#7-FORMAL GARDENS
Halley Park near the historic cabin; in Sioux Park on the banks of Rapid Creek; and across from Sioux San Hospital on Canyon Lake Drive
Great places for picnics, Rapid City has three formal garden settings, a cooperative effort of the Rapid City Parks Department and the Rapid City Garden Club.
#8-DINOSAUR PARK
Skyline Drive West off Quincy St.
even life-sized concrete replicas of prehistoric reptiles inhabit the park that divides Rapid City into east and west. Built in the early 1930s by the WPA and then given to the city. The drive up is interesting, offering a marvelous overview of the city and surrounding area. A plaque on the site explains the Hangman’s Tree also located here. Concession service available through September.
#9-DAHL ARTS CENTER
713 7th Street
A gift to the city by local philanthropists, Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Dahl, the center houses two galleries and a small theatre. Included are paintings, crafts, sculpture, and original prints from regional artists. The featured work is a 200-foot oil-on-canvas mural by Bernard P. Thomas, a cyclorama depicting 200 years of American history with an informative narrative. Closed Mon; Tues-Wed-Fri, 10am-6pm; Thurs, 10am-8pm; Sat & Sun, 1-5pm.
#10-MUSEUM OF GEOLOGY
500 E. St. Joseph
Western South Dakota is famous for its Badlands fossils and Black Hills minerals. This museum showcases local fossil specimens, including skeletons of giant reptiles and fish from the ancient Cretaceous seas of South Dakota. There is also a systematic collection of minerals from throughout the world. Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm; Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun, Noon-5pm.
#11-APEX GALLERY
500 E. St. Joseph, Classroom Building of SD School of Mines & Technology campus
This unique gallery features a challenging educational art and science exhibit that is rotated every four to six weeks. Knowledgeable personnel are available to answer questions and explain exhibits. Guided tours may be arranged in advance Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun, 1pm-5pm.
#12-THE CITY OF PRESIDENTS LIFE SIZE BRONZES
631 Main Street
A ten-year civic project combining the history of the Presidency in the Visitor's Center with impressive life-size bronzes of America's presidents located at Rapid City's prominent downtown street corners.
#13-THE JOURNEY MUSEUM
222 New York Street
Four unique prehistoric and historic collections allow you and your children to actually see, hear, and touch history. Free admission for children under ten. 9am-6pm, Mon-Sat Memorial Day through Labor Day.
#14-HISTORIC DOWNTOWN DISTRICT & HISTORIC WEST BOULEVARD
15 block downtown area. Notable buildings include the 1886 Clower (Prairie Edge), the 1889 Buell, & 1927 Alex Johnson Hotel. 18 block West Boulevard Historic District has city's finest late 19th-early 20th century residences.
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