PICK OUT YOUR TREE
Start the day by picking out a Christmas tree at a local store or even going into the wilderness to chop down your own! Jolly Lane Greenhouse in Rapid City, Black Hills National Forest, and the Christmas tree lot are all full of festive trees perfect for the holiday season. To make your home a winter wonderland, pick up a poinsettia and wreath, as well!
Purchase a Christmas Tree Permit at most Forest Service offices to cut down your own ponderosa pine, spruce, or juniper tree in the Black Hills National Forest. The permits cost $10 and are available from mid-November through the week before Christmas.
Support a local charity and get a wonderful Christmas tree at the Rapid City Club for Boys Christmas tree lot. Family Fare in Rapid City will selling their trees at their two locations. For more information, call 605-343-3500 (Club for Boys lot) or 605-341-8878 (Thrift Store lot).
GRAB A BITE TO EAT
Marco’s Pizza is clean, quick, and delicious—making it the perfect lunch stop! They have a huge selection of pizzas, subs, wings, salads, desserts, and sides.
TOUR THE HILLS
Take a ride on the 1880 Train’s Holiday Express. Passengers can see the Black Hills on a vintage steam train! On the Holiday Express, the route goes from Hill City to the North Pole, where each child gets to visit with Santa and receive a small gift. The ride will include hot chocolate (spiked for the adults), sugar cookies, and plenty of candy canes! Make sure to reserve your tickets in advance.
Dates for the Holiday Express are November 24 (11AM, 12:45PM, 2:30PM, 4:15PM), November 25 (12:45PM, 2:30PM, 4:15PM), December 2 (12:45PM, 2:30PM, 4:15PM), December 9 (12:45PM, 2:30PM, 4:15PM), December 16 (12:45PM, 2:30PM, 4:15PM), December 17 (12:45PM, 2:30PM, 4:15PM), December 22 (12:45PM, 2:30PM, 4:15PM, 6PM), and December 23 (12:45PM, 2:30PM, 4:15PM, 6PM).
For more information, click here.
FIND A MOMENTO
Stepping through the door of the Christmas Village in Rapid City transports you to a magically world with nostalgia-inducing ornaments, decorations, and gifts. This fantastically festive shop has over 140 music boxes, angel collections, christmas decorations, over 17,000 ornaments, licensed NFL and MLB ornaments and collectibles, and dozens of decorated trees. It is open seven days a week from the end of April through Christmas.
TASTES YOU’LL LOVE
Ruby Tuesday has an endless garden bar, seafood, chicken, steaks, pastas, ribs, burgers, sandwiches, and a kids menu—all at a reasonable price.
SEE THE MAGIC
Finish off the day by going to the Christmas Night of Light at Storybook Island, held from December 8 through 23 from 5:30PM to 8:30PM. Storybook Island becomes a Christmas wonderland as all the characters are covered in festive lights. It is $3 per person.