Say Hello To Michelle Thomson, The Voice Behind @VisitRapidCity

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Every Thursday, Say Hello To America will be showcasing the voices behind official Twitter accounts of destinations all across the United States and the city they represent. This week, say hello to Michelle Thomson from @VisitRapidCity. Michelle grew up in Rapid City and has lived in the area all of her life. She has a great love of Rapid City and feels fortunate to have been in the position to promote it for 14 years as tourism director at the Rapid City Convention & Visitors Bureau.

1. What time of the year is best to travel to Rapid City?

Visitors can travel to Rapid City and the Black Hills and enjoy year-round adventures. Most of our family vacationers choose to come May through October to enjoy the one-of-a-kind family attractions available throughout the area. Outdoor enthusiasts visit throughout the year for exceptional hiking, biking, snowmobiling, cross country skiing and a variety of other recreation opportunities.

2. How would you describe the people of Rapid City?

Rapid City is in the heart of the country and the people are outgoing and friendly. Midwestern hospitality abounds here and is one of the reasons visitors come back time and again.

3. What is your favorite and least favorite thing about Rapid City?

Custer State Park | Photo by Rapid City CVB

Favorite: Rapid City is an amazing small city with all of the conveniences and amenities people want and a central location with access to the adventures and unique attractions found throughout the Black Hills, including our parks, monuments and memorials. We can eat dinner at a great restaurant at 9pm, do some shopping at midnight and within minutes be surrounded by Ponderosa Pines in the Black Hills National Forest.

Least Favorite: Rapid City and the Black Hills are a great place to live or to visit. My least favorite thing would be the perceptions that people who have not been here may have. Whether they think we are a frozen-tundra in the winter, we still have outhouses and stagecoaches, or the streets roll up at 5pm, the perceptions are over-exaggerated. Rapid City is a beautiful area and we do have running water.

4. What is Rapid City’s most famous landmark or attraction?

Rapid City is surrounded by the Black Hills, which are sacred to the Native Americans, and we are minutes from Mt. Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial, both one-of-a-kind attractions, known throughout the world.

Mount Rushmore | Photo by Rapid City CVB

5. Name one “secret” location that a traveler must visit.

City of Presidents | Photo by Rapid City CVB

With the wealth of opportunities throughout the Black Hills, visitors may miss the experiences available right in Rapid City. Downtown Rapid City offers the City of Presidents, life- sized bronze sculptures of our nation’s presidents; The Journey Museum, a Black Hills history and culture center; Main Street Square, with dancing fountains and a variety of events throughout the year; as well as unique shops like Prairie Edge Trading Co. & Galleries and one of our new attractions, the Museum of the American Bison; and so much more. Visitors could easily spend a few days exploring the hidden treasures found throughout Rapid City.

6. What is the best/easiest mode of transportation to get around the city?

Driving is the best way to get around Rapid City and the Black Hills. Many visitors drive to the area or fly in and rent a car. Other options include sightseeing tour operators who offer a variety of day tours and tours customized to a visitor’s needs. Rapid City also offers the City View Trolley, which provides a narrated tour to many of the attractions throughout the City.

7. Is there any festival or event in Rapid City that a traveler should specifically plan a trip around?

There are world-class events throughout Rapid City and the Black Hills. An annual event that has gained international attention is the Annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup, which takes place the last Friday of September. Visitors can watch cowboys and cowgirls as they roundup and drive the herd of approximately 1,300 buffalo, at this year’s event, which will be held September 27 th. An arts festival and autumn Crazy Horse Memorial Volksmarch take place the same weekend.

8. What are the best family-friendly attractions that Rapid City has to offer?

Bear Country USA | Photo by Rapid City CVB

There are so many family-friendly attractions in Rapid City and throughout the Black Hills that a family could easily spend a week exploring the area. In addition to the National Parks and State Parks located here, attractions like Reptile Gardens, Bear Country USA, The Outdoor Campus, Storybook Island, Dinosaur Park, Mammoth Site and so many more are dotted throughout the area to excite and entertain families.

9. What is Rapid City’s signature food that every visitor has to try?

Many of our local restaurants offer buffalo dishes, such as buffalo burgers, spare-ribs and steaks. Regional favorites like elk, pheasant, walleye and trout are also popular.

10. If I only had one day to explore Rapid City, what MUST I see or do?

Main Street Square | Photo by Jeff Spann

No one should come to the Black Hills and not see Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse, but with just one day to explore Rapid City, visitors should: Hop on the City View Trolley and make a stop at the Journey Museum where they can learn about the history and culture of the area; Let the kids play in the fountains at Main Street Square; Find their favorite president along the City of Presidents; Walk through Art Alley; Check out the cyclorama at the Dahl Arts Center; Catch a fish at the Outdoor Campus; Take a mountain bike ride or hike in the Hanson Larsen Memorial Park; Relax in the serine atmosphere and marvel at the architecture of the Stavkirke Chapel; Experience pre-historic fossils at the Museum of Geology; and make sure to enjoy a great local restaurant like the Firehouse Brewing Co.