Visitor's Information for Bismarck

Bismarck is a town in Burleigh County in the American state of North Dakota.

Bismarck, ND (pop. 55,532) is located in central North Dakota. It is the state's capital so is home to many politicians. Mandan (pop. 16,718) is located adjacent across the "Big Muddy" Missouri River. The local area code is 701. Bismarck uses the following zipcodes: 58501-58507

By plane

A new Bismarck Municipal Airport (IATA: BIS) was completed in late 2005 and is now fully operational. Bismarck has the following carriers & flights:

  • Northwest Airlines Non-Stop to Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
  • United Express Non-Stop to Denver, CO
  • Delta Non-Stop to Salt Lake City, UT
  • Allegiant Air Non-Stop to Las Vegas, NV; no one-stops or connections

By train

Bismarck does offer freight stops however no public train transportation exists. The nearest Amtrak station is located in Minot, ND, which is around 100 miles north of Bismarck on US-83. There is also Amtrak service to Fargo, which is 190 miles east of Bismarck on Interstate 94. Both the Fargo and Minot Amtrak stops are on the Empire builder line which runs between Chicago and Seattle/Portland.

By car

You can get to Bismarck from the east or west via I-94, or from the north or south via US-83. Taxi 9000 does offer cab service for the area. They are usually at the airport upon arrivals.

By bus

Greyhound provides bus service along major interstate routes in North Dakota.

Get around

The airport offers car rental services or you may use taxi services as well. The CAT (Capital Area Transit) now provides limited public transit service between the airport and Kirkwood Mall.

The city services public transportation by running several bus routes throughout the area. It is called the Capital Area Transit (CAT). Route maps and information should be available at all major bus stops and the airport.

See

Bismarck has the state's tallest building, the capitol.

  • Bismarck Art and Galleries Association, 422 East Front Ave., Bismarck, ND. Art, photography and sculptures exhibits by local, regional and national artists. Open year round, Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 1-3 p.m. Free admission. Tel: (701) 223-5986. Fax: 701-223-8960. Email: baga@btinet.net
  • Buckstop Junction Missouri Valley Fairgrounds. Reconstructed village with buildings from the late 1800s to the early 1930s. Turn-of-the-century atmosphere. By appointment. Tel: (701) 226-1217 or (701) 223-4838. Admission fee is $2.
  • Camp Hancock state historic site, 101 West Main, Bismarck, ND. Open May 16 to September 15, Wednesday-Sunday 1:00-5:00 PM. Originally established in 1872 as a military post, Camp Creeley, then renamed Camp Hancock in 1973. Its mission was to provide protection for work gangs building the Northern Pacific Railroad. The camp headquarters, a log building, is still standing on the site. Tel: (701) 328-2666. Fax: (701) 328-3710. Email: histsoc@state.nd.us
  • Chief Looking's Village, Burnt Boat Drive NW, Bismarck, ND. Native American village site with self-guided tour of the grounds, contains earthlodge depressions and a fortification ditch. Tel: (701) 328-2666.
  • Dakota Zoo, in Sertoma Park, Bismarck. Variety of animal exhibits, including endangered monkeys, moose, and brown bears, some in natural habitats. Open late April to end of September from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily. In the winter (October to late April), open Friday to Sunday, 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Admission fee is $5.50 for adults and $2.50 for children. Tel: (701) 223-7543. Fax: (701) 258-8350. Email: director@dakotazoo.org.
  • Double Ditch Indian Village, 7 miles north of Bismarck on Highway 1804. Remains of a large Mandan Indian earthlodge village that is believed to have been inhabited for almost 300 years until 1781. Eight interactive signs provide information on the site. Tel: (701) 328-2666. Fax: (701) 328-3710.
  • Old Governor's Mansion state historic site, 320 East Avenue B, Bismarck. Restored Victorian mansion and carriage house. Originally constructed in 1884, it housed 21 ND governors from 1893 to 1960. Exhibits explain the restoration process, architectural style changes, and furniture used by several governors. Open May 16 to September 15, Wednesday thru Sunday, from 1:00 to 5:00PM. Tel: (701) 328-2666. Fax: (701) 328-3710.
  • North Dakota Heritage Center and Sakakawea Statue, 612 East Boulevard Ave., Bismarck. This is North Dakota's largest museum. It displays a collection of Plains Indian artifacts, as well as exhibits of North Dakota's military, agricultural, and natural history. Includes a special children's historical area. Sakakawea was the guide for the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804-1806. Her statue is displayed near the center's entrance. Open year round, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. Tel: (701) 328-2666
  • North Dakota State Capitol, this art deco 19-story building is located at 600 East Boulevard Ave., Bismarck. After a fire destroyed the original bldg., the present structure was built on the same site in 1933, one of only 3 'skyscraper' style state capitol buildings in america. Open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with hourly tours, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Tel: (701) 328-2471 or (701) 328-2480. Email: tourcal@state.nd.us
  • Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Hall of Fame in the State Capitol, 600 East Boulevard Ave., Bismarck. Displays portraits of recipients of the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, the stat's highest, given to North Dakotans who have brought honor to the state. Open Year-round, Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and during Memorial Day to Labor day, also open on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and on Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. Tel: 701-328-2480

Do

Missouri River

The Missouri River is a favorite with locals for fishing, swimming, and other water sports. Please keep in mind that rivers can be dangerous. It is important that young children wear life jackets and all people are conscious of those around them.

  • Lewis and Clark Riverboat is a 150-passenger paddle wheel riverboat based at the Port of Bismarck, River Road, Bismarck. Afternoon and evening round-trip cruises on the Missouri River from the historic Port of Bismarck to Fort Lincoln and the On-A-Slant Mandan Village. Dinner and beverage service available for regular cruises and charters. Narrations and reenactments provided during cruises. Call for regular scheduled cruises from April through October. Tel: (701)255-4233. Email: lewisandclark@uswest.net
  • The Desert is a local hangout in the summer. The desert is located on the east bank of the Missouri south of the University of Mary. It takes about 15-20 minutes to reach the desert by car. A boat ramp (Kimball Bottoms) is located in the area, and continuing past the boat ramp while following the shoreline for about another mile will bring you to a large sandbar beach where you may park your car and camp. This area is often extremely crowded during the summer, especially on holidays and weekends. During the week, it can be much more relaxing. A large area is located adjacent to the beach that is used by off-road vehicles, including dirt bikes and 4-wheelers.

While generally North Dakotans are very respectful and generous people, when large amounts of people are at the desert, it can be a hard place for families to enjoy time together. There is often plenty of partying and alcohol consumption. If you have small children, this is an area best avoided on weekends and major holidays (mainly the 4th of July), especially when the weather is good.

  • Boating is a great way to spend a long weekend or a lazy summer evening. A map showing boat ramps can be found here. There are generally many sandbars available in the Bismarck area to dock on. Much like the desert, sandbars near the bridges in the middle of Bismarck-Mandan often become crowded and rowdy on hot summer days. Head away from the middle of town, to the north or south, for some seclusion and relaxation.

Water-skiing, tubing, and wakeboarding are all popular activities, as well. Be aware that it is often dangerous to do these things within the vicinity of the four bridges spanning the river, as there is often too much boat traffic. Heading one mile up or down river will help you to have a safer (and more fun!) time. Be aware that state law requires two people on the boat/jet-ski in cases of pulling someone on a tube, wakeboard, etc. One person is required to sit at the back of the boat and 'spot' for the people being pulled. There are state Game & Fish boats enforcing these rules.

  • Play Cro-Shoes. This is a great river tradition. The game was invented by Vern Peterson, a local, in 1987. The game combines elements of horse shoes and other games to provide a unique sandbar game. Game sets are available at Scheel's Sports, located at Kirkwood Mall, or through the Cro-Shoes website contact page.

Ski & Snowboard

  • Huff Hills Ski Area, located in the buttes on the western banks of the Missouri River, is the largest downhill ski area in North Dakota, with a vertical drop of 450 feet. Huff Hills is located 18 miles south of Mandan on ND State Highway 1806. The scenic drive takes around 45 minutes from Bismarck, and around 30 minutes from Mandan.

Cross-country skiing is often possible in Bismarck. Bismarck Parks & Recreation Department grooms trails at Riverwood Golf Course if snow conditions allow. It is often possible to ski in the countryside around Bismarck, but remember that trespassing on private property is a crime!

Bismarck offers two movie theaters (see movie showtimes):

  • Carmike has a theater in Gateway Mall in North Bismarck.
  • Locally-owned Grand Theaters is the favorite among local movie enthusiasts. It offers stadium seating in most of its theaters. The theater features curved screens, two giant screens, rocking seats, a theater with many loveseats, and lavish decor. If you find yourself in Theater 15, look up, there are twinkling stars in the ceiling. Grand Theaters is well worth the $7.75 to see a film.

The Bismarck Civic Center is home to the Bismarck Bobcats(hockey), Dakota Wizards (Basketball) and the Roughriders (Arena Football.) The civic center also offers the occasional concert, featuring performers such as Clay Aiken.

  • Dakota Zoo is located between Sertoma Park and the Missouri River in southwest Bismarck. It offers many fascinating exhibits, including moose, bears, and river otters. As of late 2007, admission is $3 for children 2-12, $6 for 13+, and children under the age of 2 are admitted free of charge.
  • Superslide Amusement Park, Riverside Park Road, Sertoma Park, Bismarck. Superslide, ferris wheel, carousel, batting cages, tubs, swings, bumper cars, critter track, whisper carts, mini-golf, bankshot basketball. Open from May through mid-September, weather permitting, daily from noon to 10:00 PM. Tel: (701) 255-1107 or 400-4273.
  • Camping General Sibley Park, 501 South Washington St., Bismarck, ND. 150 tent sites, 115 RV sites with electric. 4 miles south on Washington Street. Tel: (701) 222-1844. Fax: (701) 222-0774. Email: gensibley@bisparks.org.
  • Midway Lanes just across the Missouri river in Mandan, is the only area bowling lanes. 3327 Memorial Highway, Mandan. Tel: (701) 663-0277
  • Dakota OutRight, a non-profit organization that serves as a regional community resource and provides gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) diversity education and promotes unity within the GLBT community and allies in western and central North Dakota.

 


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