Bismarck

Day Trips

Begin your day with a freshly brewed latte at a cozy café on Fourth Street and watch the city awaken. Wander between restored brick storefronts, pausing to admire street art and historic plaques that tell Bismarck’s story. Pop into a local bakery for a warm pastry before heading to your next stop.

Explore the Belle Mehus Auditorium and check out rotating art exhibits at the Bismarck Art and Galleries Association. Browse boutique shops for handmade jewelry, specialty foods, and North Dakota souvenirs. Grab a gourmet sandwich at a riverside bistro and relax on a bench overlooking the Missouri River.

Dine at a farm-to-table restaurant featuring seasonal local ingredients and craft cocktails. Take a leisurely stroll along the illuminated boardwalk in Riverfront Park as the sunset casts golden hues on the water. Cap the night with live music at a neighborhood pub or sample a regional brew at a downtown microbrewery.

Arrive early at the Lewis and Clark Riverboat Interpretive Center to watch the opening film that brings the Corps of Discovery’s journey to life. Explore interactive exhibits showcasing Native American culture and riverboat history. Walk out onto the observation deck for sweeping views of the Missouri River.

Join a guided interpretive hike along the riverbank trail to trace the explorers’ footsteps through prairie grasses and cottonwood groves. Stop for a picnic lunch beneath a shady tree, listening to birdsong and the gentle lapping of river waves. Photograph interpretive markers that reveal hidden ecological treasures along the trail.

Return to the center for an evening talk by a park ranger on river ecology and regional wildlife. Sip herbal tea and sample locally made snacks in the cozy lobby area. End the night with a quiet riverside walk under a canopy of stars.

Step back in time with a guided tour of reconstructed barracks, officer quarters, and the famous Custer house. Watch costumed interpreters demonstrate blacksmithing, cooking over an open hearth, and daily military drills. Feel the prairie breeze as you explore the parade grounds where soldiers once mustered.

Venture down the hillside to the On-A-Slant Mandan Indian Village, marveling at earth lodges and artifacts that reveal centuries of indigenous life. Participate in a pottery-making workshop led by tribal artisans and learn traditional techniques. Enjoy a sack lunch picnic overlooking scenic hills and river valleys.

Attend a living history program featuring a buffalo hide tanning demonstration and storytelling around a crackling fire. Sip on hot spiced cider as dusk settles over the rugged landscape. Retire to the visitor center’s theater for a brief historical film before heading back to town.

Board a paddlewheel riverboat at Bismarck’s marina and feel the gentle sway as you set off upriver. Savor a continental breakfast buffet while listening to commentary on local landmarks and wildlife habitats. Spot herons, eagles, and perhaps a group of playful otters along the riverbank.

Enjoy a plated lunch on deck as the captain navigates past historic bluffs and hidden coves. Join the naturalist on a guided deck tour to learn about river geology, seasonal migrations, and water management. Relax in a cushioned lounge chair with panoramic river views, book in hand.

Capture the sunset over the water, painting the sky in vibrant oranges and purples. Delight in live folk music performed by local musicians under string lights on the upper deck. Conclude your cruise with a nightcap at the onboard bar before disembarking under a starry sky.

Explore the state museum’s grand atrium, where towering fossils and geological exhibits chart 500 million years of regional history. View a meticulously reconstructed T. rex skeleton and touch genuine prehistoric bone replicas. Wander through galleries showcasing Native American artifacts, pioneer tools, and cultural displays.

Attend a curator-led demo on glassblowing or stone carving in the discovery studio. Browse rotating special exhibits that spotlight local artists, photographers, and historians. Grab a midday snack at the museum café, sampling local berries and sweetgrass-infused tea.

Stroll through the landscaped grounds outside, reading interpretive panels about prairie restoration and native plant species. Head to a nearby farm-to-fork restaurant for dinner featuring buffalo short ribs or roasted root vegetables. Toast the day with a Northern Plains IPA at a laid-back brewpub down the street.

Rent a paddleboat or kayak for a sunrise excursion on the picturesque lagoon, watching ducks and geese gliding across calm water. Pause on a floating platform to stretch and breathe in fresh river valley air. Return to shore for a hearty breakfast picnic beneath a grove of elm trees.

Hike the scenic trail system winding through tallgrass prairie, spotting wildflowers and prairie grasses in bloom. Challenge friends to a round of disc golf on one of the course’s well-maintained holes. Cool off with an ice cream cone from a park concession stand before exploring the duck pond.

Head to a grassy riverbank to watch families fly kites in the gentle evening breeze. Follow the paved trail to an outdoor amphitheater for a community concert under open skies. End the day by roasting marshmallows at a public firepit area, sharing stories as the sun dips below the horizon.

Drive southwest to the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, passing rugged badlands and rolling grasslands. Stop at scenic overlooks to photograph dramatic hoodoos, layered rock formations, and roaming bison. Stretch your legs on a short nature trail that weaves through sagebrush and colorful cliffs.

Embark on a more challenging hike up Caprock Coulee Trail, keeping an eye out for pronghorn antelope and wild horses. Enjoy a packed lunch atop a bluff with sweeping views across the Little Missouri River valley. Learn about Teddy Roosevelt’s conservation legacy at the visitor center museum displays.

Return to Bismarck as the sky blushes pink and gold, reflecting off distant buttes. Treat yourself to a relaxed dinner at a riverside grill specializing in fresh-caught walleye. Sample a local dessert—perhaps rhubarb pie—before calling it a night.

Fuel up with a classic North Dakota breakfast of scones, scrambled eggs, and locally cured bacon at a beloved family-run diner. Chat with friendly locals who offer insider tips on must-try dishes. Savor a dark roast coffee brewed from beans roasted in-state.

Embark on a self-guided tour of Bismarck’s craft breweries, sampling signature ales, saisons, and farmhouse beers. Pair each tasting with house-made pretzels or flatbreads at the taproom. Learn about the brewing process from on-site brewers and admire industrial-chic décor.

Join a guided food truck crawl that highlights fusion tacos, gourmet burgers, and artisan ice cream sandwiches. Sit under string lights around communal tables and swap stories with fellow travelers. Cap off the night with a decadent whiskey flight at a speakeasy-style bar tucked down a historic alley.

Meet zookeepers behind the scenes for an intimate animal feeding session with red pandas and lemurs. Observe the careful preparations of enrichment activities and learn about ongoing conservation efforts. Snap photos as playful otters dive and swim in their state-of-the-art habitat.

Watch the majestic white tiger pacing in his enclosure, then catch the giraffe feeding demonstration at the African savanna section. Stop by the reptile house to marvel at chameleons and sand boas lounging under heat lamps. Grab a casual lunch at the zoo café overlooking a panoramic prairie landscape.

Experience the special “Zoo After Dark” program and stroll illuminated pathways past nocturnal creatures like porcupines and tarantulas. Listen to the low hoot of barred owls and the gentle chirp of tree frogs in the darkness. End the evening with a warm drink from the pop-up concession tent as you enjoy a final animal encounter.

Join a sunrise yoga class on a grassy knoll facing the river, breathing in crisp morning air and golden light. Drift into meditation as gentle river currents lap at the shore. Finish with a citrus-infused smoothie from a nearby vendor cart.

Rent a stand-up paddleboard and drift lazily along the Missouri, spotting herons nesting in overhanging trees. Lounge on a riverbank hammock with a favorite book or simply watch the clouds float across the sky. Treat yourself to rolled ice cream topped with fresh berries at a food truck along the path.

Settle onto a riverside bench for an open-air concert featuring local folk and jazz ensembles. Let the soft melodies mingle with the sound of water gently flowing by. As evening deepens, share charcuterie and local wine by the water’s edge, watching city lights dance on the river.