Rapid City

[WinniWoman]

I have a trip planned for next month to South Dakota, God willing (as I am not fully recovered from my spine surgery. Another MRI is scheduled for this week due to some iussues I am having), and it will be with a - gulp- tour.

So being on a tour we will not have a rental car and will be staying in a Residence Inn, which from what I understand is in more of a commercial type area. Only a few dinners are covered by the tour company and lunches will be on our own while we are out with the group. Hotel has a continental type breakfast each morning included. Not really walkable to restaurants and shops from what I understand and my walking ability is limited, expecially if we will be out all day for it would be too much for me anyway.

Therefore I would like to be able to go to a supermarket and get some convenience or frozen dinners, microwavable, and snacks, fruit, juice, soda, etc to keep in the room and save some money on meals out.

Does anyone know anything about Rapid City? Do you know of a decent and fairly close supermarket there? Would I be best using an UBER or maybe a taxi? Don't laugh but I have never used an UBER so this is all new to me. We have always had a car on our vacations.

Any input much appreciated.

 

[sponger76]

I have a trip planned for next month to South Dakota, God willing (as I am not fully recovered from my spine surgery. Another MRI is scheduled for this week due to some iussues I am having), and it will be with a - gulp- tour.

So being on a tour we will not have a rental car and will be staying in a Residence Inn, which from what I understand is in more of a commercial type area. Only a few dinners are covered by the tour company and lunches will be on our own while we are out with the group. Hotel has a continental type breakfast each morning included. Not really walkable to restaurants and shops from what I understand and my walking ability is limited, expecially if we will be out all day for it would be too much for me anyway.

Therefore I would like to be able to go to a supermarket and get some convenience or frozen dinners, microwavable, and snacks, fruit, juice, soda, etc to keep in the room and save some money on meals out.

Does anyone know anything about Rapid City? Do you know of a decent and fairly close supermarket there? Would I be best using an UBER or maybe a taxi? Don't laugh but I have never used an UBER so this is all new to me. We have always had a car on our vacations.

Any input much appreciated.

Closest would probably be either the Target or WalMart, both a little over 2 miles away. I haven't used Uber in Rapid City specifically, but I've generally found them to be a lot cheaper than taxis, and easier to tell where they are when I'm waiting for them to show up.

 

[jwalk03]

We stayed at the Residence Inn Rapid City (and Fairld Inn too) last Summer for 5 nights to visit all of the National Park sites in the area. as part of a larger 2.5 week roadtrip. We had a great time, we actually spent so much time out and about that we never even got a chance to use indoor waterpark that is attached to the hotel there.

If you are just looking to buy groceries I would see about getting a delivery thru Instacart or Wal Mart+ or Amazon Prime, etc. That will be less hassle for you if there is a convenient delivery slot available. Or if not the area is certainly big enough to have Uber and there are a couple of grocery options in the area that an Uber would not be that expensive I'm sure.

 

[PigsDad]

Before your trip, install both the Uber app and the Lyft app and go through the steps to set up your account on each. Then when you need a ride, check both apps as sometimes the price difference can be huge due to driver availability, surge pricing, etc. And since you have never used those services before, my #1 safety tip is to ask the driver's name when they arrive. Don't say, "Are you David?", instead say "What is your name?", and then make sure their name and license plate number matches what it shows in the app.

Kurt

 

[WalnutBaron]

I heartily second both @jwalk03 and Kurt's advice. Instacart will ultimately save you some time and $$, especially if mobility is going to be an issue for you. I've used both Lyft and Uber (actually have had better luck on pricing with Lyft most of the time), but it will pay off to have both apps on your phone and compare pricing and availability. You will find that once you put in your origination and destination points, the app will give you an estimate for how long it will take for a driver to pick you up. If the wait for one service is too long, you may be able to get better timing from the other service.

As for the Residence Inn Rapid City, I think you'll be very pleased. It's clean, well-managed, and has responsive and helpful people manning the front desk (or at least that was the case last August when we were there).

Have a great time!

 

[rapmarks]

Good advice given here and you are going to love this trip. So many great sites in the area.

 

[WinniWoman]

Thank you everyone! The trip is a go as of now. I am still awaiting on the surgeon's input from the MRI I had done on May 3rd. Not sure why it should be taking this long. I called the office twice and left a message and have heard nothing other than he has the images and the report.

I do feel I have made a turn this past week- still have pain but less and also I have more energy finally! So feeling more optimistic that I can handle the trip.

I called the travel agent yesterday and she hadn't even ticketed the trip yet or gotten the seats, but when she did all our flights had changed. No surprise- but for the worse- of course! I am upset because we now have a 7 am flight out of Boston (we are 2 hours from there), had to get a car service to pick us up at 3 am and then pick us up at 9pm when we come home! $500 plus tip for that. (Original flight was mid morning and we were going to drive to a bus terminal an hour away, free parking and free service to the airport and back to the terminal after the trip. But with this new schedule with lousy departure and arrival times I wasn't going to fool around with bus schedules (minimal at those times) and driving because I know we will be tired. And we are not night people as it is. Add in my back issue and the fact that we are old and forgetabout it!)

Then the connection flight in Chicago only leaves us one hour to get to the Rapid City flight! This really bothers me the most.

I did decide to pay another $154 to get aisle seats near the front the plane (row 11) at least for the flights from and to Boston.
The planes to and from Rapid City are small American Eagles- just 2 seats together instead of 3 so should be ok to sit together and a bit further back.

I had the travel agent order me wheelchair service. We are only taking carryons as well.

I will tell you I hate the whole flying thing and I regret breaking my rule of never flying on connected flights again. I originally had a trip planned to Vermont and then something came over me and BAM- here is where I ended up! LOL!

The week we are going is Bike week here where we live (the famous Laconia Motorcycle week)- the 100th Anniversary- and we have to get out of dodge because we literally live in the middle of it all in Weirs Beach. A weekend we can tolerate, but not a whole 10 days! That week we are like captives- can't go anywhere. Plus engine noise and fireworks and drunks at the motorcycle and other camps yelling all hours of the day and night 24/7! Tourists. It gets a bit crazy to say the least. Lots of nice events also, don't get me wrong, just I think from now on it will be our vacation to somewhere/anywhere week.

I have definitely put the Lyft and Uber apps on my phone and I will also check into Insta Cart, but good to know Walmart is close buy so that sounds like a good possibility to get what we would need.

Thanks again! We will see how it all goes!

 

[jd2601]

Closest would probably be either the Target or WalMart, both a little over 2 miles away. I haven't used Uber in Rapid City specifically, but I've generally found them to be a lot cheaper than taxis, and easier to tell where they are when I'm waiting for them to show up.

Custer State Park

 

[rapmarks]

Thank you everyone! The trip is a go as of now. I am still awaiting on the surgeon's input from the MRI I had done on May 3rd. Not sure why it should be taking this long. I called the office twice and left a message and have heard nothing other than he has the images and the report.

I do feel I have made a turn this past week- still have pain but less and also I have more energy finally! So feeling more optimistic that I can handle the trip.

I called the travel agent yesterday and she hadn't even ticketed the trip yet or gotten the seats, but when she did all our flights had changed. No surprise- but for the worse- of course! I am upset because we now have a 7 am flight out of Boston (we are 2 hours from there), had to get a car service to pick us up at 3 am and then pick us up at 9pm when we come home! $500 plus tip for that. (Original flight was mid morning and we were going to drive to a bus terminal an hour away, free parking and free service to the airport and back to the terminal after the trip. But with this new schedule with lousy departure and arrival times I wasn't going to fool around with bus schedules (minimal at those times) and driving because I know we will be tired. And we are not night people as it is. Add in my back issue and the fact that we are old and forgetabout it!)

Then the connection flight in Chicago only leaves us one hour to get to the Rapid City flight! This really bothers me the most.

I did decide to pay another $154 to get aisle seats near the front the plane (row 11) at least for the flights from and to Boston.
The planes to and from Rapid City are small American Eagles- just 2 seats together instead of 3 so should be ok to sit together and a bit further back.

I had the travel agent order me wheelchair service. We are only taking carryons as well.

I will tell you I hate the whole flying thing and I regret breaking my rule of never flying on connected flights again. I originally had a trip planned to Vermont and then something came over me and BAM- here is where I ended up! LOL!

The week we are going is Bike week here where we live (the famous Laconia Motorcycle week)- the 100th Anniversary- and we have to get out of dodge because we literally live in the middle of it all in Weirs Beach. A weekend we can tolerate, but not a whole 10 days! That week we are like captives- can't go anywhere. Plus engine noise and fireworks and drunks at the motorcycle and other camps yelling all hours of the day and night 24/7! Tourists. It gets a bit crazy to say the least. Lots of nice events also, don't get me wrong, just I think from now on it will be our vacation to somewhere/anywhere week.

I have definitely put the Lyft and Uber apps on my phone and I will also check into Insta Cart, but good to know Walmart is close buy so that sounds like a good possibility to get what we would need.

Thanks again! We will see how it all goes!

I went about a month after very major surgery. I was not well yet, but I still enjoyed the trip. I couldn't do all the things I would normally do, and I most definitely couldn't go in any pool or hot tub. I actually was packing an incision from hip to hip that had become infected, but it was wonderful seeing all the sites in the area.

 

[WinniWoman]

I went about a month after very major surgery. I was not well yet, but I still enjoyed the trip. I couldn't do all the things I would normally do, and I most definitely couldn't go in any pool or hot tub. I actually was packing an incision from hip to hip that had become infected, but it was wonderful seeing all the sites in the area.

Wow. Good for you! Thanks!

I was thinking if we didn’t go on this trip we probably never will. And probably nowhere else either. So I really don’t want to cancel it. Our last trip was to Utah in Sept. 2019, then we moved and then the pandemic hit. So we are wanting to see and do something else while we still can.

I’m definitely not bringing a bathing suit for this trip. Just doesn’t seem like that kind of vacation. It’s a tour so will be busy enough and any down time I’m resting.

When we get back home it will be just in time for our HOA pool and lake life! I just bought a new floaty, a StrongBack camp/beach chair and a beach cart so I’ll be ready!

 

[Krteczech]

Enjoy your trip! Black Hills area in beautiful and very important spiritually for native inhabitants. Devil’s Tower and Badlands NP, Custer State Park, and Hot Sprints with prehistoric digs not to be missed.

 

[Cornell]

Hey! I did this trip in May 2020. Flew from Chicago to Rapid City. Western S Dakota is one of the most memorable places I've been to. Just beautiful land , great people, nature!

Pro Tip: the locals call it "Rapid". And just know that Rapid isn't a notable city. Don't let your impressions of it color what you will experience elsewhere.

And you'll love the Rapid City airport. Tiny, easy, painless.

 

[WinniWoman]

Enjoy your trip! Black Hills area in beautiful and very important spiritually for native inhabitants. Devil’s Tower and Badlands NP, Custer State Park, and Hot Sprints with prehistoric digs not to be missed.

Yes. Thanks. The tour hits all those except the Hot Sprints one. In Custer doing a jeep and safari.

 

[WinniWoman]

Hey! I did this trip in May 2020. Flew from Chicago to Rapid City. Western S Dakota is one of the most memorable places I've been to. Just beautiful land , great people, nature!

Pro Tip: the locals call it "Rapid". And just know that Rapid isn't a notable city. Don't let your impressions of it color what you will experience elsewhere.

And you'll love the Rapid City airport. Tiny, easy, painless.

I actually remember you did this trip! I don’t have high expectations for Rapid. Just sleeping there for the most part anyway.

As for the airport- not worried about the Rapid one. It’s the Chicago airport with only a one hour connection time to get to Rapid I have anxiety over!

Thanks!

 

[rapmarks]

I actually remember you did this trip! I don’t have high expectations for Rapid. Just sleeping there for the most part anyway.

As for the airport- not worried about the Rapid one. It’s the Chicago airport with only a one hour connection time to get to Rapid I have anxiety over!

Thanks!

I change planes at ohare twice a year with an hour in between , even change terminals. Last year my plane was an hour late snd they held the plane for me. When I got on the plane they immediately closed the door. They were taxiing before I sat down, I never stowed my things. Yes, I had lots of anxiety

 

[rapmarks]

Yes. Thanks. The tour hits all those except the Hot Sprints one. In Custer doing a jeep and safaI don’t know what hot sprints is! We did go to tombstone

went to a deadwood.

, got a small guided tour, saw a reenactment, went to a rodeo parade, toured a historic house, went to the cemetery, had a meal.
Also went to devils tower and spearfish canyon and wind cave besides badlands, Custer state park snd Mount Rushmore

 

[DaveNV]

I've visited Rapid City a number of times, and it never fails to impress me. If you can arrange to visit The Needles in Custer State Park, it is a not to be missed place. https://www.custerresorts.com/activities/scenic-drives/needles-highway

Dave

 

[sponger76]

We did go to tombstone, got a small guided tour, saw a reenactment, went to a rodeo parade, toured a historic house, went to the cemetery, had a meal.

I think you might mean Deadwood...

 

[rapmarks]

I think you might mean Deadwood...

Correct

 

[HikerBiker]

Thinking of doing this trip next year so will be looking forward to reading about your trip and experience.

 

[AnnaS]

Sounds like it will be an amazing trip. Hope you give us your thoughts and experience when you get back. I don't like connecting flights either. You get me up there once and I only want to go back up coming home. But, we are also taking a connecting flight in Italy. No choice.

Good luck, have a great time and I hope you will be feeling 100% like yourself in no time. Take it easy and listen to your body.

Did you go through a travel agent on-line? Curious if everyone offers this trip/tour. Is there a "best time" of the year to take this trip. Sounds very interesting .

 

[WinniWoman]

Sounds like it will be an amazing trip. Hope you give us your thoughts and experience when you get back. I don't like connecting flights either. You get me up there once and I only want to go back up coming home. But, we are also taking a connecting flight in Italy. No choice.

Good luck, have a great time and I hope you will be feeling 100% like yourself in no time. Take it easy and listen to your body.

Did you go through a travel agent on-line? Curious if everyone offers this trip/tour. Is there a "best time" of the year to take this trip. Sounds very interesting .

Thanks!

I researched online and chose Collette. But went to a local travel agent to book it.

It’s called “Spotlight on South Dakota”. I liked the fact that we stay in one hotel the whole time also.

From what I have read best times to go to South Dakota are late spring through early fall. For us our favorite months to travel are June and September. Off season so less crowds- kind of - but usually good weather.

Summers where we live now are ideal so we stay put.

Anyway from what I recall in my research, Trafalgar also has a South Dakota tour and they are a good company from what I know- but to me their South Dakota tour seemed too focused on the Native American plight, the reservations, etc. Though I have great respect for Native Americans in that regard I didn’t want spend our whole vacation focusing almost only on that. That tour does take you into Bismarck, North Dakota for a day to Teddy Roosevelt National Park. And it’s a few days longer than the Collette one.

Enjoy your trip to Italy!

 

[Snazzylass]

I have a trip planned for next month to South Dakota, God willing (as I am not fully recovered from my spine surgery. Another MRI is scheduled for this week due to some iussues I am having), and it will be with a - gulp- tour.

So being on a tour we will not have a rental car and will be staying in a Residence Inn, which from what I understand is in more of a commercial type area. Only a few dinners are covered by the tour company and lunches will be on our own while we are out with the group. Hotel has a continental type breakfast each morning included. Not really walkable to restaurants and shops from what I understand and my walking ability is limited, expecially if we will be out all day for it would be too much for me anyway.

Therefore I would like to be able to go to a supermarket and get some convenience or frozen dinners, microwavable, and snacks, fruit, juice, soda, etc to keep in the room and save some money on meals out.

Does anyone know anything about Rapid City? Do you know of a decent and fairly close supermarket there? Would I be best using an UBER or maybe a taxi? Don't laugh but I have never used an UBER so this is all new to me. We have always had a car on our vacations.

Any input much appreciated.

Good to see you back! You'll be glad you did this! Looking forward to your updates!

 

[stmartinfan]

Hope your trip is fun. Remember to pack a jacket or sweatshirt…we did a driving trip from Minneapolis for Memorial Day one year, and didn't realize how much cooler it could be in the Black Hills.

Of course we also went one year in August—during the Sturgis rally. We didn't even go to Sturgis but I've never seen so many motorcycles at one time. Most of the hotels in the tourist towns were booked with lots of cyclists. The riders we encountered were always courteous and not partying, but it was an experience. We also noticed that most were towing their cycles on trailers or campers on the interstate to SD and then just riding through the beautiful scenery in the Black Hills and other areas. It appeared to be lots of older riders, who didn't want to do the long road trips on cycles any more!

 

[WinniWoman]

Hope your trip is fun. Remember to pack a jacket or sweatshirt…we did a driving trip from Minneapolis for Memorial Day one year, and didn't realize how much cooler it could be in the Black Hills.

Of course we also went one year in August—during the Sturgis rally. We didn't even go to Sturgis but I've never seen so many motorcycles at one time. Most of the hotels in the tourist towns were booked with lots of cyclists. The riders we encountered were always courteous and not partying, but it was an experience. We also noticed that most were towing their cycles on trailers or campers on the interstate to SD and then just riding through the beautiful scenery in the Black Hills and other areas. It appeared to be lots of older riders, who didn't want to do the long road trips on cycles any more!

Thanks. Yes. Will definitely take a jacket.

Yes - many of the motorcyclists are older folks, but here on the east coast Laconia, NH is easily reached from neighboring states. Some do take campers, but most just drive here and stay in camps or cottages and motels. Everything totally booked up. People come from all over the country including many from the Sturgis and Daytona crowds.

Yes- most are courteous as well. But when nighttime rolls around the partying begins!
Our local roads are destroyed every year from the skid marks purposely made by them. Lots of accidents and fatalities. Police hang out on the corner of our road and across the street at the Cumbies to nail the trouble makers. Lots of security at the boardwalk and elsewhere. The motorcycles literally take over the entire state! NH ain’t that big!

As it is, this month the motorcycle groups have already started coming up on weekends. This will go on all summer and fall.