Chapel in the Hills, built in 1969 is the exact replica of the 1150 AD Borgund Stavkirke of Laerdal, Norway. Located on the foot of Black Hills, the stave church was built for the Radio Ministry of Lutheran Vespers and is one of the major tourist attractions in the city. Apart from the church, the site consists of a log cabin museum built in 1876 and a grass roofed house which is currently being used as a store and visitors center. They also have records and various pieces of literature about the church available for the benefit of the tourists and the venue is also available for private events.
This astounding park boasts the largest collection of live reptiles in the world, featuring everything from toads to salamanders. It also houses an impressive collection of tortoises, alligators and snakes. Visitors also enjoy a walk-through jungle, animal shows and 40 acres of landscaped grounds. USA Today named this family-attraction one of the “Top 10 Places To Stop the Car and Take A Look.” It is open seasonally, usually inactive during the winter.
Storybook Island Theme Park is a children's theme park that was established in 1959. The park is themed around famous characters from many children's stories and nursery rhymes. Admission to the park is free. However, there is minimal charge individual rides.
Stunning exhibits of prehistoric dinosaurs, mammals, fossils and minerals native to the Black Hills are the draw at this museum. It is located on the campus of the South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City. Displays here, make you think you have just stepped into a "big city" natural history museum. Check out the complete, puzzled together skeletal remains of dinosaurs, sea lizards, and marine and land Jurassic and Cretaceous reptiles and mammals. Collections of rocks, ores, minerals and gold are also on display. Educational programs and excavation outings are planned throughout the year. Admission is free.
Established in May 1936, Dinosaur Park is set on a hill and houses seven life size dinosaur structures. Designed by architect Emmet Sullivan, the park attracts several tourists throughout the year. The bright green statues are hard to miss. It is believed that dinosaur footprints were found near the park. The park proffers spectacular vistas of the surroundings.
Located between the Main Street and St. Joseph Street, Art Alley is an outdoor art gallery. It is covered with the works of art by street artists, both amateur and professionals. Every surface, be it walls, telephone pools, pipes, dumpsters, anything that happens to be a part of the alley has been decorated and redecorated. The alley has an ever-changing landscape with artists constantly adding to and covering up each others works from time to time. Every time one visits the alley they will have something different to see. The outdoor gallery has been operating since 2005 without any interference, the alley is city property, but the walls which are covered with artwork are privately owned. Due to its growing popularity it has become a sacred place for many artists, locals and tourists.
Dahl's Chainsaw Art is the brainchild of artist Jarrett Dahl, a talented sculptor. Splendid products of chainsaw art, these whimsical pieces draw hundreds of visitors to the museum every year. When in town, head over to this unique attraction to witness the marvelous art pieces and carvings that include animal figures, a large eagle motorcycle, and even a behemoth Bigfoot. Click stunning photos and learn more about the art of wood carving at the site.
While exploring Rapid City’s historic downtown area, be greeted by the likes of Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, George Washington and Bill Clinton. Along the sidewalks is a series of life-sized statues of every President of the United States. This bronze collection commemorates the presidential legacy of the nation while simultaneously making for an interesting public art display among an array of boutiques and restaurants.
Founded in 1992, the Museum @ Black Hills Institute features a notable collection of fossils, rock specimens and minerals. Although modest in size, the museum’s exhaustive collection comprises everything from full-size fossils to minute specimens of rocks. The well-informed staff here is passionate and aids the discerning visitors with a wealth of knowledge. At the museum’s gift shop, visitors can buy select fossils too. If dinosaurs fascinate you, the Museum @ Black Hills Institute is just the right place for you to learn more about them.