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Four Fun Things to do in Bismarck North Dakota

October 15, 2019 by Jill Leave a Comment

I’ve recently become a little obsessed with visiting all 50 states. I’m currently sitting at 29 so I have a ways to go. I’ve never been to Hawaii or Alaska and I’ve yet to visit New England. There are a few other states dotted here and there. I did knock out North Dakota this fall, though. While I was visiting, I learned a lot of people leave North Dakota for last and that it’s very common for North Dakota to be the 50th state visited. Not so with me! I had a great opportunity to explore a lot of the state with the folks from North Dakota Be Legendary and we spent about a day and a half in Bismarck, which is the state capital. If you’re looking for info on North Dakota travel, here are four fun things to do in Bismarck North Dakota.

If visiting Bismarck North Dakota is on your radar, check out these fun things to do. I was only in town for a couple of days so I’m sure there’s so much more to explore but this will get you started. 

Table of Contents

  • Four Fun Things to do in Bismarck North Dakota
    • How to get to Bismarck
    • Free things to do in Bismarck North Dakota – North Dakota Heritage Center
    • Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park
    • Double Ditch Indian Village Historic Site
    • Lewis and Clark Riverboat Cruises
    • Things to do in Bismarck – Eating! Fun Eats in Bismarck
      • Terra Nomad
      • Humpback Sally’s
    • If you have more time…
    • Where to stay in Bismarck
  • Want to see more of North Dakota?

Four Fun Things to do in Bismarck North Dakota

North Dakota Be Legendary funded a portion of my travel. All opinions are mine. This post my contain affiliate links. 

How to get to Bismarck

If you’re flying, Bismarck has a small airport with several flights in and out daily…weather permitting, of course. It is North Dakota. Delta, American, United, and Frontier all offer flights in to and out of Bismarck. I took a connecting flight through Minneapolis/St. Paul and it was pretty seamless. 

Free things to do in Bismarck North Dakota – North Dakota Heritage Center

The North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum has a little bit of everything: natural history, culture, innovation, stories about the people who have inhabited North Dakota over the years. It’s very well done and even if you (or your kids) aren’t “museum people” you’ll enjoy exploring here. There’s a combination of static and rotating exhibits. If you’re looking for an indoor activity that has something for everyone in Bismarck, this is it.

Things to do in Bismarck North Dakota

We visited on a rainy day (and what a PERFECT inclement weather activity this is) so we didn’t get to explore the grounds. There is a lot of green space to explore on a fair weather day.

And best of all? It’s FREE. Check out their website for more info. 

Natural history, cultural history…the North Dakota Heritage Center has a little bit of everything.

Related post: What to do in Medora North Dakota

Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park

Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park is the oldest state park in North Dakota. There’s something for everyone there and the only thing negative I can say about my visit is that it wasn’t long enough.

If not for my exposed ankles, you’d swear you were in a time long past here at the Custer home.

Like most state parks, Fort Abraham Lincoln offers hiking and horseback riding trails and some different options for camping. There’s also a really cute little commissary/gift shop with lots of local flavor gifts…and when I say local flavor, I really mean flavor. There’s a vast section of edibles – jellies, syrups, etc.

I visited on the front end of a long trip and I didn’t have much room to spare in my bag so I resisted buying things. If you’re a shopper with room in your bag, I’m not sure how you’ll resist the goodies in this store. 

Things to do in Bismarck North Dakota

Although guided tours through the Custer House are an add on (worth it) you can explore the barracks on your own. I have to admit, I got some decorating inspo in here.

What we spent most of our time on in Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park was the history. The park houses the last residence of General George A. Custer before he died at the Battle of Little Bighorn. I’ll admit I snoozed during the part of high school history that detailed the life and career of Custer. If you can at all relate to that, do yourself a favor, do a quick Google search to bring yourself up to date. The experience of visiting the Custer’s home will mean a lot more if you do.

No matter what you think of Custer and his military actions, he and his wife Elizabeth were interesting people and their house is flawlessly restored. I had to keep looking down at my modern shoes to remind myself I was still in the present day. 

Things to do in Bismarck North Dakota - Abraham Lincoln State Park

Open spaces, beautiful scenery, and history. Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park near Bismarck North Dakota has a little bit of everything.

The guided tour of the Custer home carries an additional charge. You’ll need to sign up for the tour at the commissary. DON’T MISS THIS. It doesn’t cost a lot and it’s seriously a very educational and entertaining experience. The gentleman who portrayed the Sergeant was amazing and I do believe he was really convinced it was 1875. 

If this particular sergeant is your your guide at the Custer House, you are in for a real treat.

More about Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park here.

Double Ditch Indian Village Historic Site

Double Ditch Indian Village is the site of a was a large earthlodge village inhabited by the Mandan Indians for nearly 300 years (AD 1490 – 1785). According to Mandan oral history, Double Ditch was one of seven to nine villages simultaneously occupied near the mouth of the Heart River. The Mandan population in this area probably totaled 10,000 or more during this time. The earthlodge villages were centers of trade between the Mandans, their nomadic neighbors, and later, Euroamerican traders. 

Double Ditch is a great place to consider when you're looking for things to do in Bismarck North Dakota

This picture represents the picture I had in my mind of North Dakota. Not all of North Dakota looks like this but for me, these open spaces are quintessential North Dakota.

Today, Double Ditch is a place to enjoy being outdoors in the wide open spaces, which I think was the biggest treat for me. It’s a great spot to walk, take pictures, or let your kids and dogs (or both!) run around. If you’re a city dweller or a suburbanite (like me) you’ll find the vastness and the stillness enthralling. The weather was glorious and If I’d have had a chair or a blanket, I’d have been content to sit here and soak up the views for hours. More here.

What I loved so much about being out here was the sense of stillness.

Related post: Things to do in Montana besides Glacier and Yellowstone

Lewis and Clark Riverboat Cruises

If you want beautiful views of the Missouri River from on board a Lewis and Clark style riverboat, you’re in luck because you can do that in Bismarck. Public cruises last approximately 90 minutes and are scheduled to run from Memorial Day through Labor Day, as you’ll find many activities in this part of the country do.

There are reduced hours in the spring and fall so I recommend calling or checking their website in advance of your visit.

Whether you explore the Missouri River from a boat or from the banks, it’s really beautiful…especially during the golden hour.

If you have a larger group or want the boat to yourself, you can check out a charter. I strongly recommend you buy your tickets in advance and show up about half an hour early. The boat begins loading 20 minutes prior to departure and the top deck fills up quickly. If you don’t have a ticket you may be able to buy one on site, space pending. And, don’t be late. The departure times are firm.

There’s a lovely public park area with sculptures near where the riverboat cruise launches. I recommend doing this in addition to the cruise or even instead of if you don’t have time to do the full cruise. 

The area along the riverbank has a lot of art installations and is a popular hike and bike spot for the locals.

Things to do in Bismarck – Eating! Fun Eats in Bismarck

I spent a relatively short time in Bismarck, so my recommendations are limited to places I experienced firsthand. I will say eating in Bismarck struck me as very…un-North Dakota like.

I guess I was expecting very basic meat and potatoes, which was perhaps the wrong expectation. Everything I ate in Bismarck was very fresh, locally sourced and…dare I say trendy? A quick Trip Advisor search (which never fails me when I’m searching for food or activities) and there’s a great variety of interesting looking places. You don’t really think of “foodie” when someone says Bismarck, so this was a very pleasant surprise.

Terra Nomad

Terra Nomad in downtown Bismarck serves breakfast, lunch, a variety of baked goods as well as coffees and teas. They’re open Monday through Saturday – winter hours apply so make sure you check their website. 

There are lots of vegetarian and vegan breakfast/brunch options. Want baked goods? They’ve got oodles of those, too.

Their lunch menu is published online weekly – looks like they have some really yummy offerings. We enjoyed a late breakfast and while items from the bakery case seemed the highlight, there was a small brunch menu available at the register. Unfortunately, that menu isn’t available online so we’ll have to go with what I remember, which is a yogurt/granola bowl (delish), a smoothie bowl (vegan) and a chia seed pudding (I’m pretty sure that one was also vegan). There might have been avocado toast but I can’t say for sure.

Humpback Sally’s

Humpback Sally’s, also located in downtown Bismarck, is the absolute CUTEST tapas place. They offer a twist on comfort food and they’re very vegetarian and vegan friendly. I can recommend the edamame, truffle fries, hummus, crab cake, and tater tot hot dish. My friend ordered the walleye fish and chips and the yellow curry with warm naan…the latter smelled seriously amazing. Humpback Sally’s also offers a fun selection of cocktails and has a full bar.

I didn’t get to fully explore, but downtown Bismarck is full of street art. If you walk around after dinner, there’s lots of fun things to see.

Go hungry with a group of friends and share. 

There were lots of other places in the downtown Bismarck area (bars, shops, art) that I would have loved to have had time to check out. Bismarck is a really cute, eclectic area with almost a funky vibe. Who knew?

If you have more time…

…or if these activities don’t float your boat, there’s more. Check out the Bismarck/Mandan website for more suggestions.

Related post: Top things to do in Butte Montana

Where to stay in Bismarck

I didn’t extensively research lodging options – my hotel was taken care of by North Dakota Tourism and Bismarck/Mandan Tourism. I stayed at the Radisson Hotel Bismarck. This inside corridor hotel is located in the heart of downtown, with an easy walk to restaurants and bars. I stayed in a spacious suite with a king bed and a large flat screen TV and I was very comfortable. There’s an on-site fitness center and indoor pool. This hotel offers free parking, free wifi, and a free airport shuttle. Lots to like here. 

Explore the Radisson Hotel Bismarck or other properties in town here.

Things to do in Bismarck North Dakota

 

Want to see more of North Dakota?


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All About Jill

I'm a digital content creator and essayist who copes with parenting and most other situations with humor and snark. Just so you know, if this weren't the internet, I'd be smiling awkwardly and answering simple questions like "How are you today" with gems like "I like pockets."

I really do love pockets, though.

I spent 26 years in the USAF, which went by really, really fast. I'm very proud of my service but I'm loving my second act even more. Writing gives me the opportunity to flex my creative muscles and that's what makes me happy. Welcome.

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Jill Robbins
Happy Wednesday. 📷 taken at Wasserman Wranch n Happy Wednesday.

📷 taken at Wasserman Wranch near Alpine. Check my bio link for more information. 

#texastravel #westtexas #texastodo #welovetexas #texaskids #donkeysofinstagram #westtx #texastravel #onlyintexas #alpinetexas #alpinetx #igtexas #igtexasphoto #alamocreatives #heymama_love #texasblogger #satxbloggers #texasthingstodo #miniaturedonkey #miniaturedonkeysofinstagram
"Intelligence + Character. That is the goal of tru "Intelligence + Character. That is the goal of true education." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I saw a lot of posts about Martin Luther King yesterday when I was doing my scrolls through social media...on a day where I wasn't supposed to be ON social media, ahem. We hear and see a lot of Dr. King's words and quotes one day a year. So, instead of apologizing for posting this "a day late" I'll share that I'm challenging myself to remember some of these important words more than one day a year.

Our kids are watching us right now. I mean...they're always watching us but I think what they see in these times is more important than ever. Nuturing our kids' intelligence and character is more important than ever. My kids are 10 now - this picture is about four years old - and they are absorbing EVERYTHING we say, how we say it and even what we don't say. 

This mural is near the suspension bridge in downtown Waco. Waco is famous for all the Magnolia things but there's a lot there for families, too, and the park around the bridge is a great place to explore along the Brazos River. 

#martinlitherkingday #martinlutherkingquotes #wacotexas #wacoheartoftexas #wacohot #texastravel #texastodo #onlyintexas #texaskids #texasfamilies #alamocreatives #igtexasphoto 
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Here’s something you’ve probably never seen be Here’s something you’ve probably never seen before: my bottom teeth.
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I always hide my crooked bottom teeth in pictures and I’m super self-conscious when I talk. So I did something about it.
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I wore braces as a kid and my top teeth are straight but my bottom teeth are shifting and one tooth is traveling into the back of my mouth and I have some crowding. My orthodontist said it’s very unusual to put braces on just half your mouth but my bite is still aligned so they didn’t have to put them on my top teeth - my wallet is thankful.
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Questions I’ve already been asked:
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1️⃣ At your age? Yes, at my age. I still care about my smile. 
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3️⃣ How long do you have to wear them?
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6-9 months.
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3️⃣ Do they hurt? 
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My teeth are sore and my mouth is tender but not to the Tylenol level so I guess the answer is “Not too much.”
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Other questions? Advice?
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#braceface #adultbraces
Little things can really be big - do you agree? M Little things can really be big - do you agree?

My husband gets up with our kids twice a week and does their breakfast and morning routine and takes them to school so I can sleep in. I don't laze away the morning in bed - it usually amounts to about an extra hour of sleep for me and a little more peace and quiet as I start my day. 

This probably seems like a little thing but this is huge for me. The mental benefits of not having to set my alarm on a schoolday is truly my love language. I would rather have sleep than flowers or presents. 

On those morning where my husband takes my kids to school, I will inevitably find the kitchen not "just so." There will be spills on the table or something that didn't get put away. I resist the urge to be sarcastic or to ask "Um, is there a reason we have four boxes of cereal just sitting on the counter?" or point out that it would take less than 30 seconds to wipe a tabletop or put a box back on the shelf. I resist saying stuff like "I guess if I want it done a certain way, I have to do it myself." I don't even say that to myself. 

My husband isn't "doing me a favor" by taking care of our kids. When I talked about being stressed and tired during an argument last year, he offered to take some things off my plate and giving me two mornings where I don't have to set an alarm was one of his ideas. It's part of the give and take of marriage and even though it makes me clench a little when I see spilled milk or stuff that hasn't put away, I appreciate having a partner who shares the load with me. 

My marriage definitely is not perfect and I'm in no position to give relationship advice. But for us, this one little thing is a really big deal. 

And, as I've recently discovered, a cereal box can sit on the counter for several days and the world doesn't explode. Who knew.

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Anyone else having massive “This time last year” moments?
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2020 started out so fine. We extended our kids’ winter break to take them on a Disney Cruise- no better reason than that, amiright- and I was excited about all the Disney Cruise blog posts I was going to write. Disney Cruises are (errr...were?) one of the most searched terms on my website and how a lot of people found me.
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Early 2020 was such a time of hope and light that pretty much everyone took for granted.
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While it’s become glaringly obvious the change in the calendar isn’t a magic potion, I still have hope for this year and still believe there magic yet to happen.
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You know...the good stuff.
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#believe #disneycruise #disneycruiseline #disneycruiselife #disneywonder #disneymagic #disneycreators #disneycreatordays #mondayxmhe #disneymagicmoments #nowmorethanever
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