Day 4 in Rapid City Vlog – Reptile Gardens, Bear Country USA, WaTiki Water Park
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We had an amazing time today in Rapid City, South Dakota. Thanks again to Visit Rapid City for sponsoring our trip so we can feature many of the great things that this area has to offer.
Today we started the day off by going to the amazing Reptile Gardens. This place holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest Reptile Collection. It was really an impressive….and I don’t even like snakes!
Next, we were off to Bear Country USA. This was a drive through park where the bears and other animals could walk right up to your car. This was so fun….the bears have such unique personalities. There is also another section where you can get out and see the bear cubs….we really didn’t want to leave.
Next stop was the Outdoor Campus West. This is a free park/museum/educational facility that Rapid City offers its residents and visitors. It was very impressive in many ways and we just wish we were able to spend the whole day there.
We also went to the WaTiki Indoor Water Park resort for some giant waster slides and fun in the pools. This was an indoor water park that was attached to a couple of different resorts. Again, we would have loved to spend the full day here, but we had to move on so we could get the rest of our activities in.
We ended the day by heading to downtown Rapid City. They had a full blown street fair along with a Beatles Tribute Band. We love the Beatles (and street fairs) so this was an amazing combination for us. We even had a chance to stop in the Prairie Edge Trading Company, which is a very unique store selling items specific to this area. So fascinating!
Not to be forgotten is our last stop where we had a great Mexican dinner just a block from the town square.
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Rapid City sounds like such a cool place to visit with the fam! I would love to go there one of these days.
I would have died if a bear walked up to my car. Were you afraid? Where were the mama bears when you went to see the cubs? This sounds like a,fun trip.
They stayed away from the cars and if I remember correctly there were staff members posted along the way to make sure everyone was safe- bears included. We of course, still kept our windows rolled up!
So awesome! Our family would love an opportunity to get up close and personal with bears. Of course, the kids would enjoy an indoor water park as well, especially in the winter.
Rapid City sounds and looks awesome. Seems like a great trip and a great time!
What a fun adventure for you and your family (and so great that you have it all documented)! Rapid City looks like a cool place to visit.
What a wonderful day you and your family must have had. I would have loved the the street fair in Rapid City and the Beatles impersonators the most. My grandchildren and I would have been thrilled with Bear Country USA!
I just commented but something happened. Anyways You and your family must have had a great time! I would have loved the street fair in Rapid City (and the Beatles impersonators) also I would have loved to take my grandchildren to Bear Country USA!
Really great ….
This looks like such a fun family thing to do! Bear country USA sounds like so much fun!
Great video! The WaTiki Water Park looked like a lot of fun and the food at the restaurant looked delicious too! I would love to visit the street fair!
What a great way to spend the day! I would love to check this place out!
I have been all over the US and have not had the chance to visit Rapid City! Looks like I need to plan a trip!
I’ve always wanted to visit Bear Country, USA. I’m now headed over to see all about days one, two and three.
Rapid City sounds like a cool place to visit for the entire family. What a great place to spend the day.
What an awesome place to visit! I would love to see some bears up close and personal! Not a fan of reptiles though 🙂
What a really cool experience. I would have loved to see those bears so close, what a neat time. I bet this will stick in your family memories for years to come. Such a fun place to experience!
This is an awesome place to visit! My kids would have a ball I’m sure especially since you can drive through the park and the bears and animals come up to your car…how cool!
Wow, so many things I didn’t know about are there. What a great family destination!
I loved Rapid City when I went there! I am hoping to take the kids soon.
Oh wow what an amazing time it seems you are having! I would absolutely love to see the reptiles, that would be so fascinating.
Wow, who knew there were so many amazing things to do in Rapid City! I would love to visit Bear Country USA and you would have to tear me away from those bear cubs!
Glad you enjoyed yourself today. Have fun on the rest of your trip.
I’ve never been to Rapid City but this looks like so much fun. Now I would love to go! Who knew there was so much fun stuff to do!
What a great adventure you all are having. Cool experience with the bear, happy you all were safe.
Rapid City sounds like a great place to visit. When planning my next trip I sure will keep it in mind. You had such a great time!!
Prairie dog town! You had my jaw dropping! I didn’t even know that prairie dogs were real! And the baby bears were so cute!!! Glad you all had a good time!
I’m originally from Wall, SD which is only about 50 miles east of Rapid City. It’s a very beautiful part of the state!! Took my husband back to South Dakota for Spring Break last year. If you guys ever go back out that way, like for the Badlands, you need to stop by the Wall Drug Store!!
Oh, that sounds fun! We hope to go back and I will add that to our list!
Hello Reese Family!
I’m actually from Rapid City, SD. It is a very unique place to live and the surrounding area is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! I was actually raised in Keystone, SD which isn’t far from Rapid City. Keystone is a very cute and small town snuggled up right at the base of Mount Rushmore. If you ever make it out here during the summer you will find a amazing list of MULTIPLE things to do that are perfect for kids! The main reason I was posting was to tell y’all thank you for inspiring me to start my own blog and I have signed up for your 5 day course.
KristyRae
Hi Kristy! Thank you so much for the comment. We loved our visit out your way and I’m so glad to hear you are starting your own blog. It was the best thing I ever did!