20 Best & Fun Things to Do in Bismarck (North Dakota)

The things to do in Bismarck are a long list of fun, discoveries, exploration, and worship.

Right in the peace garden state of North Dakota, Bismarck records a population of about seventy-three thousand people.

As a capital city, it features a lot of entertainment with classy and educational twists.

However, as the second largest city in North Dakota, with Fargo being the first, it is a city of opportunities.

These opportunities range from trendy shopping to dining and nightlife.

This prairie city on the east bank of the Missouri river offers a scenic view of the famous river.

It is also important for its link to Lewis and Clark’s northwest expedition.

For this reason, it has a lot of history tied to both American and Native American history.

For example, Bismarck was founded in 1872 at a site known as the “Missouri crossing”.

With a location such as it has, Bismarck boasts of a lot of rural lands.

Enough to provide great opportunities for outdoor recreation and parks.

Below are a few places to visit while in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Things to Do in Bismarck

1. Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park

This is a lovely state park seven miles south of Mandan in North Dakota.

Comprising a lot of historic replicas, campgrounds, museums, and more, the park sits on the bank of the Missouri river.

If you are familiar with the Missouri flooding, you will love to see the monument of the Bismarck river found here.

In 1873, it was a calvary for surveyors and the work crew building the northern leg of the Canadian Pacific railroad.

Hence, up until decommissioned in 1891, it was a fortified military base in Bismarck, with its buildings and grounds for that purpose.

However, buildings of its military days present in the fort are mostly now replicas.

One such replica in Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park is the Slant Indian village.

This was once the site of over seventy-five huts for the agricultural Indian tribe between 1650 to 1750.

Now, the western fort has a replica of about five Mandan huts in the same land area the villagers evacuated.

Another popular replica here is the home of Lieutenant colonel George Armstrong Custer.

The lieutenant served as the first commander of the fort.

This “Custer house” is an ornate house that you can explore on your visit to Fort Abraham Lincoln state park.

Furthermore, the grounds of the fort now feature camping spots, bathhouses, and sites with electric and water supply.

It opens each day of the week from 9 am till 5 pm.

Address: 4480 Fort Lincoln Rd, Mandan, ND, United States

2. Former Governor’s Mansion State Historic Site

The residence of the governors of North Dakota from 1893 to 1960 is an 1884 Victorian home.

Besides depicting a chronological history of men in power, the building itself, to say the least, did befit its occupants.

However, the fame of this mansion only partly lies in its architecture.

An architectural glory belonging to the state of North Dakota in exchange for forty-five hundred dollars.

Are the rumors of strange happenings in the mansion real or folklore?

This is the interesting question a tour of the Former Governor’s Mansion State Historic Site will answer.

Factually, the only governor to die in the house was the fifth governor, Frank A. Briggs, who died in 1898.

Hence, there is little basis to assume the house is hunted by the ghosts of its governors from the past.

But does evidence assume paranormal activities?

Going through the house itself is a thought-provoking tour.

It showcases, among other things, pictures of the 21 governors that lived here within those 67 years.

Without a doubt, these pictures on the wall show a fascinating change in fashion through time.

Although the house did undergo renovations that were both minor and major while it was a governor’s house, more changes took place afterward.

At first, the building functioned as offices for the mental health department.

Later on, when the house was given to the state’s historical society, its recent and dated changes were noted.

This was in a bid to restore the mansion to its 1893 appearance in detail.

A tour of this old mansion opens every weekday from 10 am till 5 pm and on the weekends from 12 pm till 4 pm.

Address: 320 E Avenue B, Bismarck, ND, United States

3. Camp Hancock State Historic Site

This state camp was an 1872 garrison for troops that guarded railway construction in the area from 1872 to 1877.

About a century later, it joined the register of historical places.

Hence, this camp has a lot of stories to tell as well as exhibits to show.

One of such as seen in the book “fortress to farm” is the oldest building in Bismarck still standing.

It goes by the name “department of agriculture U.S. weather bureau”.

The house is famous for what it represents and how it came to be in camp Hancock.

This is because, before that time, it was standing in the middle of what is now the main avenue.

Its movement is a pointer to two key facts.

First, Camp Hancock did not start out at the historical site where it now is.

Two, it did not start with log buildings like what is obtainable in this building.

A tour of Camp HancockState’s Historic Site gets even more interesting and historically rich with its other exhibits.

Some of these include the Northern Pacific Steam Engine, other interpretive exhibits, and the bread of life church.

This church is also a distinctive exhibit at the camp.

Partly because its renovation does justice to the functioning church but mostly because it was not here before 1951.

Yes! The church was completed in 1881 and moved here in 1951.

Visiting the site for some self-guided tour or touring with some help?

There is more to see here while it is open from 1 pm every Friday till Sunday to 5 pm.

Address: 101 E Main Ave, Bismarck, ND, United States

4. Keelboat Park, Bismarck

This park is part of the Missouri valley millennium legacy trail.

Among other interesting features like this is the replica of a keelboat.

The original keelboat to take off from here left in April 1805 carrying species new to science, people, map, and a report of the observations of Lewis and Clark during their stay.

Since the park is right along the Missouri river, it shares its keelboat fame with its scenic views.

It is worth visiting for its subject matter, trail and views.

It further gets more interesting with other unique features.

One of such paraphernalia is the thunderbird sculpture.

More to see at Keelboat Park in Bismarck are art structures that just might test your attention in history class.

Essentially, exploring the keelboat park is in parts.

The first part is the North Dakota history you can appreciate here.

Hence, you cannot actually complete the tour of the keelboat park without getting on the paved hiking trail or the riverboat.

Apart from being a long, wide trail lined with trees along the river, which makes it a rewarding journey, its final destination is the real price for its target audience.

Next and probably the best way to sum up a tour of the keelboat park is going on the riverboat cruise.

It opens every weekday from 8 am to 10 pm.

Address: 1605 River Rd, Bismarck, ND, United States

5. North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum

This is the state’s official history museum situated on the grounds of the North Dakota capitol in Bismarck.

Established in 1981, it operates under the state historical society of North Dakota, featuring categories of temporary and permanent exhibits.

Some of these exhibits apparently explain why the museum is famous as the Smithsonian on the plains.

Coinciding with the 125th anniversary of statehood it launched a freshly expanded North Dakota heritage center and state museum in 2004.

The expansion was 127,000 square feet of essential buildings to double the previous total size of the museum.

Architecturally, the building’s structure reflects some of the earliest architecture in the state.

In fact, everything at this museum in Bismarck represents a unique story about the northern great plains.

Exemplifying over thirteen thousand years of human stories in North Dakota it exhibits some rare and indigenous pieces.

Explore the innovative gallery and the cyclorama of a double Dutch Indian village for such.

More to explore are places like the tree house and high-tech like touch table.

However, there still is a place for the wonderful personal experience of touching and feeling in the adaptation gallery.

A real-life Dinosaur bone or indigenous sea life fossils are not things you want to overlook.

Hence, these exhibits connect the museum visitors with the first 600 million of life in North Dakota.

Start your tour of the city of Bismarck here.

Thereafter, tour the city itself to see where history really happened.

It opens every weekday from 8 am till 5 pm and on the weekends from 10 am.

Address: 612 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck, ND, United States

6. Dakota Zoo, Bismarck

This is a dream turned reality not only for its founder but also for the people of Bismarck.

It is a place of entertainment, education, and wildlife preservation on a large scale.

What began on a small family farm in north Bismarck has since grown to become a sensational statewide attraction.

Specifically, with a starting capacity of 75 mammals and 23 birds on fifteen acres, the zoo has employed new exhibits, programs, and improvements over the years.

It now covers a ninety-acre land mass with over six hundred animals.

Hence, despite being the third zoo in North Dakota, it has grown to become many things to many people.

Little wonder the Dakota Zoo takes pride in welcoming over a hundred and fifty thousand guests annually.

Established in 1961, the Dakota zoo still develops entertaining and friendly ways to take care of the animals that call it home.

Some notable milestones leading here can be traced back to the years 1987,1996, 2005, and 2020.

Moreover, the history of these different animals as well as what they represent in their various localities is nothing short of fascinating.

Animals like the royal python, Penguins, bears, and the African spurred tortoise are some welcoming sights you will love encountering upon a visit.

Furthermore, the Dakota zoo is very much community oriented which makes it a wonderful avenue to meet the hospitable people of Bismarck.

The zoo opens every day from 10 am to 6 pm.

Address: 602 Riverside Park Rd, Bismarck, ND, United States

7. North Dakota’s Gateway to Science

In the words of Beth Demke “science is everywhere, science is a discovery so if you are interested in the world around, you are interested in science, it just goes hand in hand”.

Conceived as the brainchild of a Bismarck college chemistry professor, frank Koch, North Dakota’s Gateway to Science was birthed in November 1994.

Starting off as an annual chemistry day for families, it featured a lot of hands-on science demonstrations.

This event quickly became a success and popular in the city till it officially became the gateway to science in November 1994.

At this point it had about thirteen exhibits and volunteer staff, however, it did not stay this way for long.

In the year 2005, it moved to its current location in the old masonic temple to provide more new science educational programs while maintaining its core technique.

After cutting its ribbons at a local mall as the first science center in Bismarck, it continued with a small group of science professionals to entertain and teach science in an interactive way.

Now it broadens its wings through events, summer camps, inventive conventions, detective academies, earth exploring, Legos, robotics, and more.

Notwithstanding, it is still dedicated to its weekly programming and discovery for preschoolers.

Hence, North Dakota’s gateway to science has a way for everyone to learn to discover the world around them.

It opens from Monday through Thursday from 12 pm until 6 pm, Friday from 12 pm to 5 pm, and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.

Address: 1810 Schafer St, Bismarck, ND, United States

8. SuperSlide Amusement Park

This beloved park in Bismarck has been a beacon of entertainment since the late 60s.

Little wonder summer at Super Slide Amusement Park is slowly becoming a family tradition in Bismarck.

With these many years behind its proverbial belt, it reckons that it has been a privilege to have made pleasant memories for generations.

In fact, this advantage is vividly appreciable in the organization and precautionary measures obtainable at the park.

Therefore, not only do kids get to have the time of their lives, but guardians also get to have a relaxing time.

With an ever-growing zeal to do more, it records between two hundred to two hundred and twenty-five thousand visitors each summer.

Nowadays it makes new memories at the bouncy house, bumper cars, water wars, critter track, swings, carousel, tea cups, rock wall, roller coaster, and the Ferris wheel.

If the plan while preparing for a vacation in Bismarck is to have the most fun for the whole family, you will want to label this park important.

Having said this, what better way to spend a memorable time and learn some interesting history than from the hospitable locals of Bismarck?

It opens every day between the hours of 12 pm and 10 pm.

Address: 500 Riverside Park Rd, Bismarck, ND, United States

9. North Dakota State Railroad Museum

For a fact, you cannot give a detailed history of North Dakota without talking about its railroad.

Given that it is this important, a visit to the city of Bismarck is not complete without a trip to the North Dakota State Railroad Museum.

Occupying five acres of the Bismarck land, there is a total of at least 3,000 square feet of appreciable railroad displays.

While it is a unique display of railroad artifacts, old rolling stock, and memorabilia generally, the museum also shares a special collection of HO model “hopper cars”.

This is in addition to its broad collection of photographs which are as enlightening as they are entertaining.

These photographs feature different classes of northern pacific steam power, the Milwaukee road, North Dakota scenes, and more.

Furthermore, its special collection of “timetables” reflecting many of the country’s railroads during the train era puts a picture to the tales.

The best part of the visit if you intend to stick to a budget is that the tour comes at no cost.

It further sweetens this deal by being in close proximity to other interesting attractions in the city.

It opens every day from 1 pm till 4 pm

Address: 3102 37th St NW, Mandan, ND, United States

10. Sertoma Park, Bismarck

Since it is not news Lewis and Clark were at the Missouri river over 200 years ago, this is where their boat docks.

Located on a three-mile stretch of the plane along the Missouri river, Sertoma Park is a scenic waterfront with something special for everyone.

This aesthetic land mass primarily features picnic areas, river tours, play areas, trails, and courts.

Moreover, since two other Bismarck attraction specials are on its premises this is nothing short of a fun family day out.

In essence, it adds to its already long list of things to do activities like slides, rides, and a zoo experience.

Primarily, it is a plethora of fun and recreation, especially for a young audience.

However, adults are not left out of making beautiful memories here at Sertoma park.

With an ambiance like this, it comes as no shock that this park totals a lot of satisfied visitors annually.

It opens every weekday from 7:30 am to 5 pm.

Address: Riverside Park Rd, Bismarck, ND, United States

11. Chief Looking’s Village, Bismarck

This is a Mandan village archeological site on the east side of pioneer park.

The site was traced to have historically had this Mandan population between 1675 to 1780.

Since it joined the national register of historic places in 1978, it tells the Mandan history of North Dakota.

The site remains valuable for the archeological information it can give about this earlier population.

Chief Looking’s Village also known as ward earth lodge village gets all its names from historical or present events.

All of these are obtainable from this Mandan Indian summer village site.

The site features earth lodge depressions, a fortified ditch, and the grounds of the Native American village that once had a chief by the name “chief looking”.

Hence, the self-guided tour of the Bismark city park where it has been located since 1930 is not to be missed during a North Dakota visit.

As should be expected, it is a combination of spectacular views, garden trails, playgrounds, bridges, and a river view in the capital city of North Dakota.

Whether you intend to relax, explore or take some pictures with views that are second to none in the area, you have found a jackpot.

Little wonder the park is an all-year favorite in Bismarck when it is lush and green in the summer or colorful in the fall.

It opens from 6 am every day till 10 pm.

Address: 2023 Burnt Boat Rd, Bismarck, ND, United States

12. Bismarck Art & Galleries Association

Many art exhibits have been on display within the walls of this popular gallery otherwise known as BAGA in Bismarck.

Although a nonprofit association, the Bismarck art, and Galleries Association feature a rich display of exhibits.

Items like photography, sculptures, paintings, and more; ranging from local to national artists.

This variety of exhibits achieves the aim of constantly stimulating the appreciation of visual art in the city of Bismarck.

If you never thought you can have a fresh interpretation of art as many times as you look at it, be ready for a pleasant surprise at this gallery.

The Bismarck art and galleries association is dear to the city without a doubt.

Not only because it celebrates the value of art and craft, but also because it constantly finds new methods to give back to the community.

This is done through its art classes, events, and monthly exhibitions.

If you are ever in need of a classy way to appeal to your love for art in North Dakota, check out BAGA.

Address: 422 E Front Ave, Bismarck, ND, United States

13. McDowell Dam Recreation Area

After your first visit, this might very well turn out to be your favorite place to go with your dog or family as it has for many others.

For decades and counting, the McDowell Dam Recreation Area has provided a recreation haven to visitors and locals alike.

This is because its expansive land of over 270 acres appeals to a wide range of hobbies.

With picnic areas, horseshoe pits, playgrounds, and concession stands, the locals couldn’t ask for more.

The addition of trails going through a wooded area and along the banks of the Dam is McDowell’s vacation special.

Your interest can also lead you to rent a kayak, canoe, tandem kayak, paddleboard, or rowboat for a 360-degree experience.

That is unless your intention is to have a relaxing time surrounded by green beauty and the waves.

Recreation at the McDowell dam area goes further to the public beach and fishing dock.

It opens during the week between the hours of 1 pm and 9 pm and on weekends it opens from 11 am to 9 pm.

Address: 1951 93rd St NE, Bismarck, ND, United States

14. Belle Mehus Auditorium

Being around for over a hundred years usually gives the advantage of hindsight in making futuristic decisions but staying relevant is a gift.

This beautiful brick and stone edifice cut its ribbons in January 1914 to become a cultural showpiece in town.

At the time, the Belle Mehus Auditorium was a beacon of two things.

A massive progressive era, and the architectural glory of one of North Dakota’s leading architects.

That cool evening of opening in January had in attendance theater goers that were entertained enough to term the experience a huge success.

With acoustics befitting the first artistic beauty to grace its stage, the auditorium quickly gained fame for hosting legendary figures.

Some of these were violinists, sopranos, contraltos, tenors, baritones, bass, pianists, storytellers, and ballerinas.

Although its need for a steady supply of funding was met by visiting productions, it still found time to encourage and celebrate local productions on its stage.

So while it sold out tickets to shows like “blindness of virtue” and” follow me”, it did the same for “Dover road” and “Bohemian girl”.

In these times when the Belle Mehus auditorium was like the best thing since sliced bread, politicians nationwide also found the space within its four walls a useful venue.

With a rise in movies and televised forms of entertainment following WW II, the auditorium lost its seat among the elite till it was faced with demolition.

Thankfully, with local intervention and joining the national register of historic places, the auditorium was preserved and rebranded to fit into a 21st-century arts showcase venue.

Address: 201 N 6th St, Bismarck, North Dakota, United States

15. Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck

This is the parish church and seat of the diocese of Bismarck.

Since the Bismarck cathedral area historic district joined the national register of historical places in 1980, the cathedral has been one of its contributing properties.

The building of the cathedral of the holy spirit started in 1941 and was dedicated in 1945.

Since then, it has been a functioning parish to indulge in reverent worship and prayerful contemplation.

The four years it took Fargo’s architect William F. Kurke to create the only art deco-style cathedral in the country was well worth the outcome.

This is because this 1940s imposing architecture exudes much grandeur and beauty in detail to its onlookers.

As the years went by, the interior design of the cathedral continued to take a shape befitting its exterior.

With so many years dedicated to this, the large interior of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bismarck is now nothing short of breathtaking right from its doorpost.

Blessed with a physical and spiritual capacity to tend to a large flock, the parish welcomes parishioners in their numbers.

Address: 508 Raymond St, Bismarck, ND, United States

16. Missouri River Natural Area and Trailhead

There is no better adjective or phrase to describe this place than what it obviously is.

The Missouri River Natural Area and the Trailhead are a stretch of untamed American west along the longest river in North America.

This is nature’s masterpiece in the city of Bismarck to the Missouri tribe of wooden canoes.

Its convenient location between Bismarck and Mandan covers over 150 acres of preserved land.

While nature provides a wilderness setting near urban development, the trail satisfies a need for hiking and floodplain exploration.

Little wonder these trails get frequent visits from mountain bikers needing different modes of challenge and hikers craving a long nature walk.

Since the trails open all year round, winter comes with its special at the Missouri river natural area and trailhead.

The area is also known for a variety of bird sightings and occasional wildlife viewings.

Moreover, after undergoing years of succession, its forests fill up with vegetation of all sorts.

It opens each day of the week from 6 am till 11 pm.

Address: 1472 River Dr NE, Mandan, ND, United States

17. Sakakawea Statue, Bismarck

This statue currently finds its footing in Bismarck on the grounds of the state capitol.

It weighs 875 pounds minus its granite pedestal weighing over two tons.

Its dedication on the thirteenth day of October in the year 1910 saw an attendance of over 5,000 people.

The Sakakawea Statue is based on a twelve-year-old Shoshone girl that was captured in the area now known as North Dakota in 1800.

Since her real name is not on record, the name Sakakawea meaning bird woman represents the English version of her captivity name.

This captive girl is important in the history of the state as she was instrumental to the northwest expedition of Lewis and Clark.

The selection of Sakakawea as a subject of a statue honors the courage of a woman who died while living the history of the north Dakota people

As a travel guide, translator, diplomat, wife, and mother, she was an important factor in the success of the expedition.

This monumental-sized bronze sculpture crafted by Leonard Crunelle is called Sakakawea.

Sticking to the Shoshone roots, the model of the statue develops a Hidatsa woman and Sakakawea’s granddaughter painting.

Now welcoming visitors to the state heritage center is a 12-foot-high statue of the mother and her son.

It opens every weekday between the hours of 7:15 am and 5:30 pm.

Address: 608 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck, ND, United States

18. Mandan Rodeo Days/Dacotah Centennial Park

Bismarck offers fun at this park ranging from campsites and speedway to Mandan rodeo days, soccer, horse, and saddle club.

The Mandan Rodeo Days date back to before North Dakota became a state, and it still takes place.

Since its inception in 1879, it’s been a beacon of heart-pumping events of bucking broncs and big bulls.

With a temporary suspension during the depression, passion, organization, and high-class production were the basis of its restoration in the 1940s.

By the middle of the 1980s, the Mandan rodeo had become so successful that its ground was beginning to show its age.

Hence the 1989 performance to cap North Dakota’s centennial festival was the last on the old rodeo grounds.

Moving to its new venue; the Dacotah centennial park or just “the strip” was the next line of action.

The transition was not initially smooth but a model that brought restoration after the depression was not about to fail now.

Since 2001, the Mandan rodeo days continue to preserve a rich western heritage in Bismarck.

This it does basically with an annual standard of three action-packed professional rodeo performances.

In addition, it features art, concert, dancing, baseball, and a fourth of July parade like no other in the northern plains.

Address: 2500 Longspur Trail, Mandan, ND, United States

19. Menoken Village State Historic Site

Without a doubt, North Dakota has been home to different populations at different points in time.

The Menoken Village State Historic Site goes by a lot of other shorter names but it is essentially an archeological site.

Joining the list of national historic landmarks in 1964, clues of its connection to a fortified city predating the Hidatsa, Mandan, and Arikara surfaced.

As these cultures are known to have ties to what is now known as North Dakota, more work is yet to be done.

Obviously, housing a small community, the site is about three acres from the Southside of apple creek.

In fact, the four-bastion-palisade inside a fortification ditch seems to surround only about thirty earth lodges.

Interestingly, your guide on this tour is primarily the interpretive signs throughout the area.

Over the years, archeologists have been uncovering on-site clues as to how revolutions had an effect on this village over 800 years ago.

Now the site is an appreciation of history and a gold mine of untapped knowledge.

This publicly accessible site is also a free tour of prehistoric beauty.

Address: 1769-2999 171st St NE, Menoken, ND, United States

20. Eagles (Universal) Park, Bismark

Vibrant is the universal vacation style in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Although Mandan outdoes itself in quite a list of things, Eagles Park sure tops that list.

This high-tech playground includes a variety of experiences with due consideration for kids of different abilities.

Hence, its unique equipment play on the strength of different people’s tactile, visual, sensory, auditory, communication, and cognitive abilities.

Simply put, zip lines, seesaws, roller tables, sensory walls, electronic pulse games, swings, and merry-go-rounds are not your regular package here.

This way, it presents a safe environment for every kid in its community to have fun.

This is so that, activities at the park during periods of energy bursts are action-packed.

So also, necessary quiet and cozy break areas from the action are available.

Even from the playground’s floor surface to its seamless means of transition between activities, it is comparable to none other in the area.

Address: 100 15th St NE, Mandan, ND, United States

 

Final Remark

On a brief survey, the city of Bismark might not look like much

However, it is shocking how much fun it has to share when you come a little closer.

Mirroring the true preservative and imaginative quality of its people are places depicting its rich cultural heritage, prehistoric past, and delightful cuisines.

In fact, it has a few first-of-a-kind here and there for your viewing pleasure.

One appreciable reason for a visit here is the spirit of community and hospitality that seems to envelop the whole city.

Depending on your budget, you can visit the capital city of North Dakota for a splurge or a moderate indulgence.

Either way, a trip to Bismarck is good value for your money.

Do you still think you should delay a trip here?

Safe travels!