Top Local Tips for Rapid City

Mount Rushmore -- get in, get out If it's summertime, go early in the morning when it's cool and not as crowded. Skip the giftshop, where lines are long and the merchandise is a lot like everything else in the Hills.

Colonial House Cafe and the Corn Exchange Just a short drive from the Ramkota Best Western is a great place for breakfast, the Colonial House Retaurant. (I'm sure lunch and dinner are excellent as well.) Breakfast is served by very friendly and experienced wait staff and is delicious. Everyting that we tried on the large menu was excellent but you shouldn't miss the caramel rolls and the apple crostada (Yum!!). This restaurant has been owned by one family for twenty-five years and it shows. Everyone seems to take pride in what they do. This is far superior by the way to the Perkins Restaurant and Bakery that seems to draw a large crowd. Would also recommend very highly the Corn Exchange for fine dining. The emphasis is on locally grown produce and meats and the chef/owner knows what to do with them. Although the prices are probably a bit high for Rapid City, visitors from larger cities will find them a bargain considering the quality of the dining experience.

The Drive-through wild animal park is a MUST! If you have kids, be sure to make a pit stop at the Bear place you'll see several buildboards for. The amount of animals you'll see makes the time and cost more than worth it. The kids will love the experience. Bring film!!!