TRAVELRAGS

Rapid City

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See. Badlands National Park↗ Cruise through other-worldly rock structures on a motorcycle adventure. Black Hills National Forest Explore rugged terrain and scenic roads, ideal for motorcycle trips. Mount Rushmore↗ Visit this historical icon, especially in early fall for cooler weather and fewer crowds. Custer State Park Drive the 18-mile Wildlife Loop to see bison, pronghorn, and wild burros.

Eat. Recent coverage hasn't surfaced specific picks yet.

Stay. Hotel Alex Johnson↗×2 pubs Book a stay at this historical downtown hotel, known for its spooky stories.

Atlas ObscuraSep 30, 2026

The Best Haunted Hotels to Book for a Spooky Getaway

Nothing beats staying in a hotel whose suites hold some stories — especially if they’re of the spooky variety. The same friends who roll their eyes at mentions of luxury amenities and amazing views will be wide-eyed when you tell them about the ghost you accidentally ate breakfast with, the wailings you heard on your way to the icebox, or your run-in with an uncanny Victorian woman wearing all…

13 hotels in this story
  • Hotel Alex JohnsonHotelbuilt in 1927 to attract high society to Mount Rushmore
  • Elsewhere
  • The Stanley HotelHotelEstes Park, United Statesinspired Stephen King's "The Shining"
  • The Marshall HouseHotelSavannah, United StatesSavannah's oldest hotel, established in 1851
  • 1886 Crescent Hotel and SpaHotelEureka Springs, United Statesstaff lead daily ghost tours
  • The Drovers InnHotelArgyll and Bute, United Kingdomrural Scottish inn on the edge of Loch Lomond
  • The Lodge at Hot Lake SpringsHotelLa Grande, United StatesA haunted hot springs hotel that went from healing retreat to asylum before it was restored.
  • Gran Hotel BolivarHotelLima, Peruswankiest place to stay in Lima in its heyday
  • St. James HotelHotelCimarron, United Statesoffered weary travelers a place to rest their heads
  • The Mermaid InnHotelRye, United Kingdomquaint inn with over 600 years of history
  • Hotel del CoronadoHotelSan Diego, United Statesself-proclaimed birthplace of the American beach vacation
  • Clown MotelMotelTonopah, United Statesfully embraces its role as nightmare fodder
  • The Mizpah HotelHotelTonopah, United Statesrestored to its former glory after sitting abandoned
  • The Aztec HotelHotelSan Diego, United States
Read the full piece at Atlas Obscura →

OutsideSep 15

I Traded My Mountain Bike for a Motorcycle to Ride Across South Dakota’s Badlands

Turning 50 inspired our national parks columnist to swap his mountain bike for a motorized one so he could vroom through South Dakota’s Badlands National Park and Black Hills National Forest—one of the world’s most iconic motorcycle routes.

14 things in this story
  • Royal Enfeld HimalayansPlaceclassic adventure bike designed for road and dirt
  • Motorcycle Safety FoundationPlaceorganizes bike education courses across the country
  • Hotel Alex JohnsonHotelcool hotel downtown with a good ghost story
  • Windsor Block BarRestaurantbest cocktail bar within walking distance
  • Vintage RidesPlacesmall operation renting Royal Enfeld Himalayans
  • Elsewhere
  • Black Hills National ForestSightBlack Hills, United Statesdirt roads, archeological sites, caves, ghost towns
  • Sage Creek RoadTrailBadlands, United Stateslong gravel road onto a plateau with views
  • Scenic Loop RoadTrailBadlands, United Statespaved road through the heart of tan cliffs and spires
  • Notch TrailTrailBadlands, United Stateswinds through a canyon to a ladder with a view
  • Iron Mountain RoadTrailBlack Hills, United States17-mile blacktop connecting Custer State Park with Mount Rushmore
  • Custer State ParkNature reserveCuster, United Statesrolling plains full of buffalo, towering cliffs, cold lakes
  • Wildlife LoopTrailCuster, United States18-mile loop around the park to see buffalo and antelope
  • Sylvan LakeSightCuster, United States17-acre reservoir where water meets tall, tan cliffs
  • Pactola LakeSightBlack Hills, United Statesarea for exploring dirt roads in Black Hills National Forest
Read the full piece at Outside →

Lonely PlanetJul 30

The USA's Top 10 Shoulder Season Destinations

Cool mornings, fewer crowds and lower prices make shoulder season an ideal time to explore these 10 fantastic locations in the United States.

25 things in this storyRead the full piece at Lonely Planet →
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