A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Hilton Head Island vs. Rapid City for Families, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Hilton Head Island or Rapid City?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Hilton Head Island and Rapid City can help you decide which place is right for you.

Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is a peaceful, beautiful, and resort-filled coastal town. Hilton Head Island is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and food. See Hilton Head Island travel costs.

Rapid City

Rapid City is a friendly, fascinating, and activity-filled city. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Rapid City travel costs.

Hilton Head Island and Rapid City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hilton Head Island or Rapid City?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rapid City. Although Hilton Head Island and Rapid City are both popular with visitors, Rapid City has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Rapid City is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and hiking, while Hilton Head Island is known for its food, resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty. Hilton Head Island is popular for its long sandy beaches, many golf courses, popular tennis camps, and accessible bike trails. Rapid City is popular for its proximity to Mount Rushmore and many other iconic parks. It is also home to Mount Rushmore.

How is Hilton Head Island different from Rapid City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rapid City and Hilton Head Island. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hilton Head Island or Rapid City?

Rapid City is terrific for its museums and history. However, Hilton Head Island does not have museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Rapid City has many famous sights for visitors. You'll find a wide variety of museums and landmarks nearby. Popular places to visit that aren't far from town include the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, the South Dakota Air & Space Museum, and the Journey Museum & Learning Center. There's also the Museum of Geology and the National Presidential Wax Museum. And of course, there's the iconic Mount Rushmore.

Hilton Head Island does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Hilton Head Island or Rapid City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hilton Head Island is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Rapid City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Hilton Head Island has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The island has many famous restaurants but reservations during the summer are a must. Restaurants can get very crowded during peak times. For some of the best restaurants head to Shelter Cove or Harbour Town. Popular local dishes include fried seafood and oysters.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Rapid City area. You'll find local restaurants in town that serve local specialties such as chislic (grilled meat), fry bread, and walleye (a local fish.

Is Hilton Head Island or Rapid City Better for Nightlife?

Rapid City is a decent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Rapid City. You'll find some places with live music and good drinks, but the city isn't really known for its nightlife scene.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Hilton Head Island. There are a few sports bars and comedy clubs, but nightlife isn't really a thing in Hilton Head. This is very much a family destination that shuts down with the sunset.

Is Hilton Head Island or Rapid City Better for Resorts?

Hilton Head Island is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Rapid City is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Hilton Head Island. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of weekly condo rentals, which usually include a pool and outdoor space. Tennis and golf are also popular on the island so many resorts have facilities for each.

Rapid City is not a resort destination.

Is Hilton Head Island or Rapid City Better for Beaches?

Hilton Head Island is a very popular place for the beach. However, Rapid City is not a beach destination.

Hilton Head Island is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The island has nice beaches that are popular with families. They are great for swimming during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. While some beaches may get a bit crowded during peak holidays, they're usually pretty relaxed and less crowded than many nearby beaches.

Rapid City is not a beach destination.

Is Hilton Head Island or Rapid City Better for Hiking?

Rapid City is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Hilton Head Island is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Rapid City. The region is filled with national parks, state parks, and natural areas with wonderful hiking trails. You don't have to travel far to get into nature and experience some of South Dakota's best natural beauty.

Hilton Head Island is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hilton Head Island or Rapid City?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Hilton Head Island and Rapid City.

Hilton Head Island has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The area has upscale shopping with designer names and local venues. Popular shopping areas include Shelter Cove Town Center and Harbor Town.

Rapid City is a great destination for shopping. Rapid City has some interesting local shops as well as larger malls and shopping centers.

Is Hilton Head Island or Rapid City More Beautiful?

Hilton Head Island is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Rapid City is not a destination known for its beauty.

Hilton Head Island is a beautiful place to visit, too. The island has many beautiful waterways that are best explored by boat or kayak. The beaches are also beautiful and striking.

Rapid City is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Hilton Head Island or Rapid City Better for Families?

You'll find fantastic kid-friendly activities in either Hilton Head Island or Rapid City.

Hilton Head Island is one of the most popular family destinations. This area is a popular family-friendly beach destination with a number of summer events for the whole family, peaceful beaches, and family-friendly restaurants throughout. Older kids will enjoy cycling around the island's many bike trails or attending a popular tennis camp.

Rapid City is an amazing family-friendly coastal town to visit. Nearby national parks and outdoor activities, this is the perfect base for exploring the area with kids. Nearby you'll find the Big Thunder Gold Mine, which has tours and lets you pan for gold, and Custer State Park, which is filled with wildlife. Wall Drug is worth a stopoff, as is Dinosaur Park.

Is Hilton Head Island or Rapid City Better for Couples?

Rapid City is a very popular place for couples. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Rapid City makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy the amazing national parks in the area and the easy access to iconic landmarks like Mount Rushmore. There are many opportunities for wildlife spotting as well as great hiking trails and unique landscapes.

Hilton Head Island is a nice destination for couples. While the area is most popular with families, it is a fun place to explore as a couple because of the many high end restaurants and the beautiful setting. Couples can rent bikes to explore or play a friendly game of tennis.

Is Hilton Head Island or Rapid City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rapid City is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Rapid City. Backpackers will appreciate the surrounding natural beauty and the nearby national parks.

Hilton Head Island is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. This is a family-focused beach destination with almost no backpackers around.

Is Hilton Head Island or Rapid City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rapid City is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Rapid City. While there are a few buses, this isn't a realistic option for traveling through the region.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Hilton Head Island. You must have a car to get most places on the island, unless you bike. Rush hour during summer months can have intense traffic.

Is Hilton Head Island or Rapid City a more walkable city?

Hilton Head Island and Rapid City are decent when it comes to walkability.

Hilton Head Island is generally not a very walkable coastal town. You really need a car to get around, but for those who are motivated, there is a great network of bike trails. It's mostly used for recreational purposes though.

Rapid City is generally not very walkable. While the downtown is walkable, most visitors use the city as a base for exploring the surrounding areas, and this requires a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Hilton Head Island Worth Visiting? and Is Rapid City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rapid City or Hilton Head Island?

How long in Hilton Head Island or Rapid City?

It's fun to spend time in either Hilton Head Island or Rapid City. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Hilton Head Island due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Hilton Head Island, and 2-4 days is enough time in Rapid City.

Families should spend more time in Hilton Head Island than Rapid City. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Hilton Head Island, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Rapid City than Hilton Head Island. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Rapid City that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rapid City than Hilton Head Island if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Rapid City.

One day in Hilton Head Island or Rapid City?

With shopping and food around the relaxing coastal town of Hilton Head Island, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the activity-filled destination of Rapid City. This city offers something for everyone. Most people visit for the museums. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Hilton Head Island or Rapid City?

With food and shopping around the destination of Hilton Head Island, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Rapid City is a popular place to visit. Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the friendly city of Rapid City. Most people visit for the museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rapid City has to offer.

Five days in Hilton Head Island or Rapid City?

Hilton Head Island, a popular coastal town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this coastal town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Rapid City. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the museums. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Hilton Head Island or Rapid City?

Hilton Head Island is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Rapid City is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. It offers something for everyone. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hilton Head Island and Rapid City, we can see that Hilton Head Island is more expensive. And not only is Rapid City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rapid City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rapid City and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Hilton Head Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hilton Head Island than you might in Rapid City.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hilton Head Island Expensive? and Is Rapid City Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hilton Head Island or Rapid City?

Rapid City has a larger population, and is about 80% larger than the population of Hilton Head Island. When comparing the sizes of Hilton Head Island and Rapid City, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.