This beautiful state park in the Black Hills offers stunning landscapes such as the iconic Sylvan Lake and Black Elk Peak (highest point in US east of the Rockies). You can take a quick swim, hike one of the many forest trails, and drive down the famous Needles Highway.

The entire town of Deadwood is a National Historic Landmark; a gold mining town stuck in time. Downtown Deadwood offers countless tours including the Adams or Days of '76 museum, ghost tours or gold mining tours. It also has an electric night life and is home to many casinos & bars.

Spearfish Canyon holds a special place in both the bride and groom's hearts. Sierra went to undergad in Spearfish (located roughly 40 mins from Rapid City), so many of their dates were spent driving up the canyon or hiking some of the trails. You'll be guaranteed to see a few mountain goats in addition to the gorgeous landscape.

Some of the best trails to take note of are:

1. Devils Bathtub (less incline, but winds along a river and features a "bathtub" with a natural waterslide at the top)

2. Spearfish Falls (short, easy hike that winds down to a gorgeous waterfall)

3. The 76 trail (pretty steep, but not dangerous- a short hike that features a gorgeous panoramic view of the canyon)

Famous for its iconic sculpted faces of four U.S. presidents, Mount Rushmore is a must-see located just a short drive from Rapid City.

The Stables at Palmer Gulch offers horseback trail rides just outside of Rapid City in the Black Hills. A great activity to do with the family and try your hand at being a cowboy! They also have a chuckwagon dinner and show on select days.

Known for its dramatic landscapes of layered rock formations and deep canyons, Badlands National Park is perfect for hiking, photography, or simply taking in breathtaking views. Stop in on your way into Rapid City!

Take a tour of one of the many caves nestled in the Black Hills just outside of Rapid City. These include Jewel Cave, Wind Cave, Rushmore Caves, and more!

Keystone is another historic town and although smaller than Deadwood, it still has a lot to offer. You can hit up the Rushmore Tramway Adventures to try your hand at a rope course, check out the local shops, tour the nearby gold mines, or visit the famous Cosmos Mystery Area.

Stroll the campus where Mitchell went to undergraduate school located in Rapid City. You can also take a hike up to the Big M where his name was engraved after graduation (separate location than the campus).