“People don’t know where we are. When I tell them I’m the governor of South Dakota some respond, I love Charleston and the sea shore.” If Governor Dennis Daugaard can laugh about some American’s misplaced sense of geography it’s because South Dakota is one of the world’s best kept tourism secrets. Smack in the middle of its amazing landscape is a 120-mile long chunk of forested mountains called the Black Hills. It is a land Native Americans hold sacred to this day. A place of stunning peaks and natural rock formations, of ancient dinosaur relics and relics of old decency otherwise called cowboys.
Rapid City is the gateway to the Black Hills. The regional airport is one of the most convenient in the nation with regular flights by every major airline from connecting cities like Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver, Las Vegas and Salt Lake. Only a hop, skip and a couple of jumps depending where a vacationer originates. The airport is user friendly and convenient, on the short list of the best in the world.
Fine hotels abound as do motel and hotel chains along Interstate 90 near the airport. It is a lot of fun to stay right in Rapid City. There is the classic Alex Johnson Hotel, built in 1928 by the Chicago and Northern Railroad. The lobby resembles a scene from a movie, something one would expect to see in a National Park lodge. The stone hearth and Indian décor is welcoming. Rooms have been modernized so that no convenience is overlooked.
If you prefer modern, and eco-friendly the Adoba Eco Hotel Mt. Rushmore is nearby. Adoba’s grand entrance is enhanced by a marble mosaic of Mt. Rushmore. Early morning sun and afternoon sunsets offer panoramas from room windows flooded with daylight. Even when snow is blowing outside, the hotel’s Enigma Restaurant offers warm hospitality and delicious cuisine. There are plenty of places to eat in Rapid City, choices run the gamut from fast food chains to local pubs with good home cooking. While everything in South Dakota is informal, Enigma boasts good food, reasonably priced, and tasteful decoration. Adoba is committed to saving the environment with unique rooms, original artwork, U.S.A. made furnishing and eco-friendly amenities.
Mt. Rushmore with it carved presidents is just a short drive from Rapid. Car rental is easy. There are plenty of organized bus tours that take in the mountain of presidents as well as Crazy Horse.