Bismarck Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Bismarck, North Dakota - ND, USA)

The weather plays an important part when it comes to sightseeing in Bismarck and many of the attractions operate on a seasonal basis, due to the hot, sunny summer months and bitterly cold winter weather. In the summer, locals and tourists alike often spend an afternoon sunbathing at 'The Desert', while when the snow arrives in winter, cross-country skiing and snowboarding is the order of the day.

The easterly outskirts of Bismarck is where you will find the Buckstop Junction Missouri Valley Fairgrounds, being located just off East Main Avenue (Interstate I-94B). This popular attraction consists of a reconstructed historic village, made up entirely of old buildings originating from the latter part of the 19th century and the early years of the 20th century.

Tourists always love a day out at the Dakota Zoo, especially those with young children. The zoo enjoys a particularly central setting in the capital and is found on the southeastern side of downtown Bismarck, next to Kiwanis Park and the Sertoma Community Center.

Alternatively, why not sit back and take a cruise along the Missouri River, head to Pioneer Park and check out the Native American Indian artifacts at the Chief Looking's Village, or enjoy some serious family fun at the Superslide Amusement Park.

Buckstop Junction Missouri Valley Fairgrounds

Address: 3805 East Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, North Dakota (ND), 58501, USA
Tel: +1 701 250 8575
The buildings making up the Buckstop Junction Missouri Valley Fairgrounds are grouped in blocks along Main Street and include a bank, barber shop, blacksmiths, church, hotel, post office and school house, as well as a number of private residences and a mining camp. The onsite Shoppe at Buckstop Junction is full of memories and souvenirs, which include everything from candles and figurines, to collectable magazines, handicrafts, toys and baskets.
Open hours: self-guided tours by appointment, guided tours, May to September, Saturday - 13:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children, children five years and under are free

Chief Looking's Village

Address: 2023 Burnt Boat Drive NorthWest, Bismarck, North Dakota (ND), USA
Tel: +1 701 222 6455
Northwestern Bismarck is called home by the Chief Looking's Village, which stands within Pioneer Park and makes for an interesting excursion on a sunny day. This site shows the remains of a former Native American Indian village and comes with mounds that once served as earth lodges. There is also visible evidence of previous fortifications and ditches. The village site itself is named after its famous Mandan leader, Chief Looking, and offers a pleasant recreational space with added historical interest.
Open hours: daily - 06:00 to 23:00
Admission: free

Dakota Zoo

Address: 600 Riverside Park Road, Bismarck, North Dakota (ND), 58504, USA
Tel: +1 701 223 7543
The family themed attractions at Dakota Zoo are certainly in good supply, with more than 600 animals on exhibit, comprising over 120 different species. Opened in the early part of the 1960s, Dakota Zoo now enjoys in excess of 100,000 visitors each year, many of which are tourists with children in tow. Favorite animals include mountain lions, snow leopards and tigers, as well as bears, camels, lemurs, otters, spider monkeys and tamarins. There is also a group of aviaries housing large birds of prey, such as eagles, owls and vultures, while the heated tropical butterfly house will be sure to warm you up on a cold day.
Open hours: May and September, daily - 10:00 to 19:00; June to August, daily - 10:00 to 20:00; October to April, Friday to Sunday - 13:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors, children one year and under are free

Cruises / Boat Trips

Lewis and Clark Riverboat
Address: Port of Bismarck, 1700 River Road, Bismarck, North Dakota (ND), 58504 USA
Tel: +1 701 255 4233
What could be more relaxing and idyllic than a cruise along the Missouri River, especially when it is onboard a traditional padddleboat, similar to those used here in the middle of the 19th century. The Lewis and Clark Riverboat regularly plies the Missouri, featuring two levels and being capable of seating some 150 passengers. The boat docks at the Port of Bismarck on River Road, where it offers more afternoon and evening cruises all the way to Fort Lincoln. Refreshments are always available onboard, along with commentary and great views. Alternatively, you may prefer to hire your own small boat and explore the river yourself, stopping off at one of the numerous sandbars, which are often close to the main bridges.
Open hours: daily - 18:00 to 19:30; Wednesday to Sunday - 20:30 to 22:00; Thursday to Sunday - 15:00 to 16:00; Friday and Sunday - 13:00 to 14:00; Saturday - 12:30 to 14:00
Admission: charge, children two years old and under are free

The Desert

Address: Kimball Bottoms, Bismarck, North Dakota (ND), 58504, USA
Something of a place where locals hangout and socialize during the summer months, the Desert is just a short distance south from the University of Mary and lives on the eastern side of the Missouri River. From downtown Bismarck, you can drive to this attraction in approximately 15 minutes, which consists of a sandbar beach where you can sunbathe, picnic and play ball games. Next-door there is another expanse of sand, where dirt bikes and 4X4s regularly race. It is worth noting that the Desert does get extremely busy at the weekend and on public holidays (particularly Independence Day), being a little rowdy at peak times, so if you are planning to come here as a family, you may prefer to schedule your visit for a quieter weekday.
Open hours: daily - 24 hour
Admission: free

Double Ditch Indian Village

Address: North of Bismarck, North Dakota (ND), USA
Tel: +1 701 328 2666
The remains of the Double Ditch Indian Village lie approximately 7 miles / 11 km to the north of downtown Bismarck and were once inhabited by the Native American tribe of Mandan Indians. They lived here from the end of the 15th century, right up until the latter years of the 18th century, when it was one of several villages grouped around the Heart River. It is believed that more than 10,000 Mandans lived here at its peak in earth lodges, with their demise following a serious smallpox epidemic brought here unintentionally by European explorers. There are a number of interactive signs dotted around the site, enabling you to gain more of an understanding of the layout and what you are looking it in particular.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free, donations suggested

Superslide Amusement Park

Address: Riverside Park Road, Sertoma Park, Bismarck, North Dakota (ND), 58504, USA
Tel: +1 701 255 1107
If you are visiting Bismarck with children, then do leave time to check out the Superslide Amusement Park at Sertoma Park, particularly since Dakota Zoo is right next-door. This family themed attraction has been operating here since the late 1960s and continues to provide fun for everyone, with its miniature golf course, its batting cages, its go-kart rides and its speedy SuperSlide. Rock climbing, bankshot basketball, bumper cars, a roundabout with swings and a traditional carousel with decorated horses complete the main attractions.
Open hours: May to September, daily - 12:00 to 22:00
Admission: free, tickets sold per ride

Papa's Pumpkin Patch and Papa's Polar Patch

Address: 5001 Fernwood Drive, Bismarck, North Dakota (ND), 58503, USA
Tel: +1 701 222 1521
This attraction stands on the northwestern outskirts of Bismarck, on Fernwood Drive, where it is close to the Missouri River and is perfect for families at harvest time. Papa's Pumpkin Patch is very much pumpkin-themed, with other produce for sale here including attractive gourds, squashes and corn stalks, along with pumpkin pies, cookies and soups. Various activities are available, such as mazes made from bales of straw, slides, an obstacle course and the Touchstone Nature Trail. There are also traditional horse-drawn hayrides, Marv's Monster Wagon Rides around the site and pony trekking. At the end of December, the 'Patch' opens briefly for sled rides, outdoor bonfires and snowman building.
Open hours: Custer House and On-A-Slant Indian village tours, September to October and late December, daily - 12:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge, children two years old and under are free