Hello!
My brother and I are heading to Rapid City 3/16-3/19. We are staying at the Radisson (It was cheaper to book hotel + airfare than to book just airfare).
We are planning on going to Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse, but would like suggestions re: local hangouts/restaurants, interesting lesser known sights, etc.

We loved Custer State Park, especially the wildlife loop -- lots of buffalo, prairie dog villages, and the begging burros.

Jewel Cave was a fascinating tour, I think the elevator goes down the equivalent of 22 stories into the earth!

Badlands worth a half day drive, so eerie yet majestic. Wall Drug is a hoot, be sure to stop and ogle all the kitsch.

Do a search of this site for 'Rapid City' and 'Black Hills' if you haven't already. I know there are some pretty recent posts with good tips on restaurants, hotels and sightseeing.

You will have a great time in Rapid.

A day for the Badlands : drive to Wall,
it's a "turist trap" but so "nostalgic",
and in Wall, visit the "Wounded Knee museum" about indian wars in the region.
Then, drive to the Homestead museum.
When arriving in the Badlands, if you are good hikers, the Castle hike runs east/west or inverse : it's a 12 miles "round-trip" and there are possibilities to have some different parts via Medecine roots and/or Saddle pass.
In the east part, Notch, Window and Doors are less than 2 miles hikes, but very nice.
Driving back to Rapid City, take the south road and so you can stop at Scenic
a "railway" ghosttown, with a trading post really like in a moovie on the main street.

In Rapid City, the Journey museum wort the visit...
You have to eat at the Corn Exchange, one of the best US restaurant we know.

Anoher day, effectively Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse memorial coul be a combo.
At Crazy Horse, the indian museum is really a gem.
Perhaps, you could, if you drive early,
combine with Custer Park.
The wildlife loop is nice, but certainly not so" inhabited" in this period...==>Better would be to drive to Sylvan lake if it's open...
A dinner at the Pheasant room is a possibility.
In Custer, the town, the small museum is not bad.

Another possibility is to drive to Spearfish canyon...It's so nice. The restaurant of the resort, the Laughlin restaurant is a must(not as good as Corn Exchange, but not so far...).
You are not so far from Deadwood : the town is nice, but if you are not interested in gambling 1 h is enough...
In Spearfish the town the Western heritage is really an interesting museum.
Erik.

You will be in the Black Hills during off season. Some of the attractions will be closed. The scenery of this beautiful place can still be enjoyed though. I agree that a drive through Spearfish Canyon is a must. Hill City is a cute town with a nice restaurant Alpine Inn. They have a filet mignon for $7.95 & $9.95. Quaint little place right on main street. A drive through Custer Park is also great. Good chance to see anminals. Enjoy, and have a great trip!

i know this thread is old, but it shocked me that no one mentioned anything about cosmos..a must see if going to rapid city/rushmore area.

http://www.cosmosmysteryarea.com/

bookmarking for upcoming trip. thanks.

The Cosmos is good trashy, touristy fun. Yeah, give it a whirl!

All downtown (very close to your hotel), here are three restaurant suggestions:
--The Corn Exchange--I haven't eaten there but know people who have. It sounds like quite a treat. Check out the restaurant reviews at tripadvisor.com and you'll hear from people who know.
--Botticelli--One of my favorite restaurants anywhere, Italian or otherwise. It reminds me a small bistro set in New York. Really a great place.
--Firehouse Brewery--totally different from the other two restaurants mentioned. It's a burger and fries joint but the beer is brewed onsite. Fun atmosphere and casual dining.