Best overall
Mount Rushmore and Black Hills Tour with Two Meals and a Music Variety Show
Highest Outty Ranking in the city right now.
Outty Ranking 90 · from $164
The 15 best things to do in Rapid City (November 2026)
We rank 83 experiences in Rapid City, United States, on the same 0 to 100 Outty Ranking. The best right now is Mount Rushmore and Black Hills Tour with Two Meals and a Music Variety Show at 90/100, and 0 experiences here make the 90+ Club. Updated Nov 2026.
Quick picks
Best value
Cosmos Mystery Area Admission
Cheapest experience we rank 70 or above.
Outty Ranking 76 · from $20
Best for families
Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills
Top ranked option that welcomes kids.
Outty Ranking 88 · from $133
Best for a rainy day
Private Tour of Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park
Indoor-leaning culture pick that works in any weather.
Outty Ranking 85 · from $450
Best last minute
PREMIER PRIVATE Tour: Mt Rushmore, CrazyHorse & Custer State Park
Highest ranked option with same-day availability.
Outty Ranking 84 · from $475
Best evening out
Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour
Top ranked nightlife or evening experience.
Outty Ranking 70 · from $100
The ranked list
Join us on a journey through the breathtaking landscapes and historic landmarks of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills. This all-inclusive tour offers an immersive experience, combining expert-guided sightseeing with deli. Exceptional at 90/100, 4.8/5 from 1,075 traveler reviews, 9h from $164, free cancellation.
See prices and availability2. Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills
Outty Ranking88Join us on a journey through the breathtaking landscapes and historic landmarks of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills. Our Sightseeing Bus Tour Only package is designed for those who wish to explore the area’s stunning s. Exceptional at 88/100, 4.8/5 from 451 traveler reviews, 9h from $133, free cancellation.
See prices and availability3. Private Tour of Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park
Outty Ranking85Mount Rushmore is more than just the carvings. They have secrets that are not easily revealed. GeoFunTrek's guides are local experts with decades of experience. We have no seasonal guides, part-time guides or trainees. T. Exceptional at 85/100, 5.0/5 from 222 traveler reviews, 8h from $450, free cancellation.
See prices and availability4. PREMIER PRIVATE Tour: Mt Rushmore, CrazyHorse & Custer State Park
Outty Ranking84The best of the Black Hills in one day! Our most popular tour, and a wonderful way to make the most of your time in the beautiful Black Hills. Our experienced, local guides will take you to the highlights of the area. Pr. Exceptional at 84/100, 5.0/5 from 239 traveler reviews, 9h from $475, free cancellation.
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5. Pinnacle Zipline Tour in Keystone
Outty Ranking84Exhilarating 5-line Zipline Tour in America’s most iconic location. Dare to take flight on this 2-hour guided expedition, spanning panoramic vistas on over a mile of ziplines. Fly beyond granite spires through fragrant P. Exceptional at 84/100, 4.9/5 from 482 traveler reviews, 2h from $125, free cancellation.
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6. Mount Rushmore Extended Expedition Tour
Outty Ranking81Neal and Becky live in the Black Hills near the historic mining town of Hayward. Neal is a native South Dakotan having a close association with the Black Hills since his youth. As you tour the southern Black Hills, you. Exceptional at 81/100, 4.9/5 from 89 traveler reviews, 10h from $295, free cancellation.
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7. Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour
Outty Ranking81What makes this tour unique is the combination of three of Western South Dakota's most iconic destinations – Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop – into a single, comprehensive, and f. Exceptional at 81/100, 5.0/5 from 96 traveler reviews, 8h from $312, free cancellation.
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8. Private Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park Monument Tour
Outty Ranking76Discover the most iconic landmarks of South Dakota on this full-day guided tour through the stunning Black Hills. Explore the legacy of Mount Rushmore, the cultural significance of Crazy Horse Memorial, & the untamed bea. Strongly Recommended at 76/100, 5.0/5 from 160 traveler reviews, 8h from $366.
See prices and availability9. Cosmos Mystery Area Admission
Outty Ranking76Located amongst the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, the Cosmos Mystery Area is a unique, family friendly attraction. Guests can enjoy a 30 minute tour that displays how mystery, comedy, and science collide as they. Strongly Recommended at 76/100, 4.6/5 from 236 traveler reviews, 0.7h from $20, free cancellation.
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10. Premier Private Badlands Day Tour
Outty Ranking75Experience another world in Badlands National Park. Wildlife and fossil spotting is a favorite as we weave our way through the spires and pinnacles of the park. We make many stops, and can incorporate a hike if you wish! Strongly Recommended at 75/100, 4.9/5 from 62 traveler reviews, 8h from $450, free cancellation.
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11. Private Tour of the Badlands with Local Experts
Outty Ranking73The Badlands have many secrets and requires a seasoned guide to explain and reveal them. GeoFunTrek Tours' guides are local experts with decades of experience. We have no seasonal-guides, part-time guides or trainee-guid. Strongly Recommended at 73/100, 5.0/5 from 30 traveler reviews, 8h from $425, free cancellation.
See prices and availability12. Mount Rushmore Memorial Shared Tour from Rapid City, South Dakota
Outty Ranking73Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a massive sculpture carved into Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills region of South Dakota. Completed in 1941 under the direction of Gutzon Borglum and his son Lincoln, the sculpture’s. Strongly Recommended at 73/100, 5.0/5 from 29 traveler reviews, 4h from $164, free cancellation.
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13. Shared Badlands and Wall Drug Store Experience
Outty Ranking72What makes this Badlands and Wall Drug Store tour unique is the depth of knowledge and storytelling it offers. It's not just a scenic drive, but a fully narrated experience that brings the Badlands and prairie areas to l. Strongly Recommended at 72/100, 5.0/5 from 29 traveler reviews, 7h from $312, free cancellation.
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14. Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Black Hills and Mt Rushmore
Outty Ranking70Download GuideAlong's Black Hills, Badlands, Mount Rushmore, & Custer State Park audio tour to explore a surprising mix of big-name icons and wild landscapes, crowned by one of America's largest and most famous monuments. Strongly Recommended at 70/100, 4.3/5 from 189 traveler reviews, 4h from $30, free cancellation.
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15. Private Half Day Mt Rushmore & Black Hills Tour
Outty Ranking70Take in the best of the Black Hills on this half-day tour. We visit the must-see's of Mt Rushmore, Needles Hwy, Sylvan Lake and Iron Mountain Road. Experience Mt Rushmore with a local expert and make the most of your t. Solid Choice at 70/100, 5.0/5 from 45 traveler reviews, 4h from $350, free cancellation.
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Traveler ratings are provided by Viator and Tripadvisor. The Outty Ranking is our own independent evaluation. How the ranking works.
When to go
May to September, with Sturgis crowding early August.
Frequently asked questions
What is the number one thing to do in Rapid City?
Mount Rushmore and Black Hills Tour with Two Meals and a Music Variety Show is the top ranked experience in Rapid City right now, with an Outty Ranking of 90 out of 100 from 1,075 traveler reviews, from $164 per person. It leads a field of 83 experiences we rank in the city.
What are the must-see attractions in Rapid City?
Rapid City is the base for Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse tours, Badlands National Park loops, Custer State Park wildlife drives and Black Hills cave visits.
How much do things to do in Rapid City cost?
The 15 best experiences average $271 per person. The cheapest of them is Cosmos Mystery Area Admission from $20, and 14 of the 15 offer free cancellation.
What are the best things to do in Rapid City with kids?
Mount Rushmore and Black Hills Tour with Two Meals and a Music Variety Show, Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills, Private Tour of Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park are the highest ranked family-friendly picks. Check the minimum age on each before booking.
When is the best time to visit Rapid City?
May to September, with Sturgis crowding early August.
How is this list ranked?
Every experience is scored 0 to 100 by the Outty Ranking, which blends traveler sentiment, review depth, booking momentum, value against comparable options in Rapid City, quality signals and cancellation flexibility. The list updates automatically as new reviews and bookings arrive.