It might be safe to say this Rapid City, SD attraction is a
family favorite. We’ve been here a few times over the years. If asked to
describe in a nutshell, we would say Reptile Gardens is part zoo/botanical
garden. Our most recent visit was after Labor Day, when the outside
shows are shut down for the winter. Kristen brought her roommate’s 3 ½ yr. old
daughter, so a shorter visit was already planned anyway. (Have enjoyed some of
the shows during previous visits.) We saw the snakes, lizards and parrots in
the dome; then paid a visit to the bald eagle, an owl, giant tortoises, and alligators
in the outdoor exhibits.
The flower gardens were still really nice the day we were
there. Identification tags for the various plants can be found in the beds,
which is great for gardeners who see something they may want to try growing at
home. Orchids and bromeliads can be found in the dome. Kristal has several
orchids as houseplants. She enjoys looking for varieties she hasn’t seen before,
and photographing the collection at Reptile Gardens.
The best parts of a weekday, off-season visit? The
admission price was lower, and there were no crowds. Which is ideal if you’re
taking younger children or grumpy older folks, like us. After looking at the
animals and gardens, we stayed until the peewee decided Methuselah’s Playground
was no longer interesting. Since our visit was less than 2 hours, it didn’t
feel like we were ripped off.
Our outing was followed by lunch at Pizza Ranch, a restaurant
chain with which we happen to have a long history. It was founded in Hull, IA
and had several locations in NW IA, including our home town, Orange City. (Had
a couple of birthday parties there when the girls were small.) Since we moved
to Texas 18 years ago, Pizza Ranch has expanded beyond IA. The Stumer Rd.
location is easy to find. From Reptile Gardens, turn left on Hwy 16 toward
Rapid City. There are shopping centers west of the intersection with Hwy 79.
The larger center has the area’s newest Walmart. Pizza Ranch is in the shopping
center on the opposite side of 5th St. While you can still order
whole pizzas and broasted chicken for eat-in or take-out, the buffet is
probably their most popular option. It’s our first choice when we go there.
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