On this walk on the wild side, come add a little danger into the mix.
Welcome to Rapid City, South Dakota, home of the Black Hills Reptile Gardens. First founded in 1937 by Earl Brock as a sort of "freak show" involving snakes, this place has since grown to one of the largest menageries of reptiles in the world. Reptile Gardens is a walking zoo, ranging from indoor displays found in the central Sky Dome, to outdoor arenas and walkthroughs that are intriguing for all ages that are daring enough to visit.
On June 25th, 1961, a young gentleman named Tom Kinsella appeared on the television show "What's My Line?", stumping the panel with his seasonal occupation of an "Alligator Wrestler". Today, Reptile Gardens continues this tradition with several daily shows throughout the season where a young entertainer feeds and "wrestles" at least a dozen alligators in front of a captivated audience. The snake show still exists to this day, as well. If you want to get up close and personal, perhaps head over to the Giant Tortoises where these lovable creatures await you. There may also be a bald eagle hampered by a debilitating injury on display.
At the end of the day, Reptile Gardens is certainly a fun place to stop by if you're looking for a fun few hours. If you're going to spend a good chunk of time in the Black Hills, take a selfie near one of the "free admission" displays so you only pay once for the entire season. Although you can get through the entirety of the zoo in a day, be sure to visit during or near the height of the season to be able to see all the exhibits, as they stop wrestling alligators towards the end of the season.
So as you Follow your Internal Compass, take a stop on your way through the Black Hills for a few reptiles.
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