North Dakota offers unique experiences and untold adventures that entice visitors to relish in the unexpected and return for more. Its open landscape is lush with diversity, opportunity and possibility. With world-class hunting, fishing, biking, hiking, golfing, camping, boating, horseback riding, wildlife viewing and more, there are so many things to do that you’ll need more than one trip to experience them all.
Bismarck boasts some great restaurants with unique atmospheres and delicious cuisine. Look at some of the best in the area! Whether you are looking for fine dining, casual dining, riverside dining or ethnic dining, Bismarck has a lot to offer!
Broadway Grill & Tavern
Opened in 2014, this is Bismarck’s new “hot spot” restaurant. Boasting a robust menu, a large, beautiful bar, outdoor patio, and a large selection of wine and drinks, Broadway is a hit in Bismarck already!
Bistro
The Bistro – An American Café was established in November of 1996 by Dona Rockstad. This cleverly crafted café was recently purchased by Gerard Schmidt, Bismarck, ND, native.
The Bistro defines the difference between eating and dining. Widely known for its regional Italian cuisine and modern dishes cooked over red oak on an open grill, the Bistro truly offers unique menu items that go beyond what others can only claim to provide. Our goal is to provide each of our guests with warm, friendly hospitality and the finest food in the region. Eat well, laugh often, live long!
Pirogue Grille
Opened in September 2005, Pirogue Grille is a chef-owned, casual fine dining restaurant, offering elegant cuisine and warm hospitality in downtown Bismarck.
Our food is sourced from top quality seasonal ingredients, featuring local and organic components whenever possible. The menu changes seasonally, offering a mix of new and signature dishes, inspired by great food from around the world. Our kitchen staff crafts our stocks, sauces, breads, desserts, and ice creams from scratch. We source out lamb, beef, and bison locally and are shareholders in a Community Supported Agriculture network that provides organic produce to the Bismarck area.
Peacock Alley
The Peacock Alley American Grill and Bar was established in 1933 following the end of prohibition. The Peacock Alley is not only a dining and bar establishment, it is also a historic location rooted in tradition. The Peacock Alley upholds the prestige and distinction by serving "real" food consistently using the very best quality and freshest ingredients we can find, year after year, in a clean uncluttered environment.
Stepping into the Peacock Alley is like a step back in time. A classic martini, hand-crafted cocktail, or glass of wine or beer awaits you either in the bar or in the dining room. Our menu is nostalgic without being old-fashioned; contemporary, bold flavors bring updated tastes to timeless favorites. While you are here enjoy the notable photographs, stained glass windows and the overall historic ambiance that cannot be duplicated anywhere else. Whether sitting down for a memorable dinner, enjoying a cocktail in the bar, or hosting a group gathering in our private 40 seat Langer Room, the Peacock Alley is the place where people meet.
The Walrus Restaurant
The Walrus Restaurant is a bustling neighborhood eatery located within a few blocks of the North Dakota State Capitol. With our eclectic atmosphere and a staff that is as diverse as our culinary sumptuousness, we can accommodate nearly 100 people inside our cozy dining room.
Kirkwood Plaza Shopping Center, known more commonly as Kirkwood Mall, is an enclosed regional shopping center that features more than 90 tenants, including five full-line anchors: Target, Scheels Sporting Goods, Herberger’s, JCPenney, and Keating Furniture; and two mini-anchors, both of which are currently vacant. At approximately 850,000 square feet, Kirkwood Mall is the largest shopping center in central and western North Dakota, second in the state only to Fargo’s West Acres.
Pinehurst Square Shopping Center is a “power mall” located in northwest Bismarck with several big box stores, in addition to several restaurants and smaller stores.
Constructed in two phases, beginning in 2005, Pinehurst Square officially opened in 2006. It was the largest single development since Kirkwood Mall 35 years earlier. National retailers housed in the area include Best Buy, Lowe’s, Pet Smart, TJMaxx, Old Navy, Kohls, and Dollar Tree. Restaurants include Texas Roadhouse, Starbucks, Carino’s, Good Times Burgers, Taco Johns, and McDonalds.
Gateway Fashion Mall (formerly Gateway Mall) is an enclosed shopping mall in Bismarck, North Dakota. Opened in 1979, the mall currently features more than 30 stores, with Conlin's Furniture, Hancock Fabrics and Sears as anchor stores.
Scheels Sporting Goods
Scheels is a regional sporting goods, hardware, and clothing retailer headquartered in Fargo.
Scheels opened its first Bismarck location at Arrowhead Plaza in 1973.The store was relocated to Kirkwood Mall in 1984, where it became the company’s first store devoted entirely to sporting goods – penned “Scheels All Sports” due to this distinction
The Dakota Zoo was founded in 1961 by Marc & Betty Christianson with the help of a host of dedicated volunteers. The Dakota Zoo opened its gates on June 3, 1961, on 15 acres of developed land, with 75 mammals and 23 birds, and 40,000 visitors passed through the gates that first year. Today, thanks to the continued support of members, visitors, donors and volunteers, the Dakota Zoo has grown to a 90-acre facility housing 600 animals, birds, reptiles, and fish representing 125 species and visited by more than 130,000 people each year.
Visitors to the North Dakota State Capitol grounds find a unique blend of the state’s past, present, and future. The State Capitol building, also known as the “Skyscraper on the Prairie”, stands proudly over the heart of Bismarck. The Capitol grounds arboretum trail winds behind the Governor’s residence and along the Capitol building, highway building, Liberty Memorial building, the Heritage Center, and the Veteran’s Memorial. Approximately 75 species of trees, shrubs, and blooming flowers are identified.
Also on the grounds are statues of Sakakawea, the Pioneer family, Former Governor Burke, a buffalo, and an Arabian horse.
Tours of the Capitol are available weekdays on the hour from 8-11am and 1-4pm, Monday through Friday. Saturday tours run 9-11am and 1-4pm and Sunday tours are from 1-4pm, Memorial Day through Labor Day. No off-season weekend tours. Admission is free. For more information, call (701) 328-2480.
The North Dakota Heritage Center is the largest museum in the state. It features temporary and permanent exhibits that explore the story of life on the northern plains from prehistory to the present. In the main gallery, the "Corridor of Time" exhibit covers more than 100 million years of history in North Dakota and features fossils of dinosaurs, like Triceratops and dromaeosaurs, a close relative of the well-known Velociraptor of Jurassic Park fame, as well as many other ancient creatures. Other exhibits highlight native cultures from the time of the glaciers 10,000 years ago to the first contacts with Euro-Americans. Exhibits on the fur trade era, including the story of the Lewis and Clark expedition, tell of economic
competition and military conflict over a vast prairie empire. More stories document the struggles and successes of the homesteaders and pioneers, the economic "boom" of the early twentieth century, and the disillusioning "bust" of the 1930s. Visitors can experience history through hundreds of objects, view images of the past through photographs and actual films made from 1916 to 1921, and participate in interactive exhibits such as cranking a model-T or even smelling a buffalo wallow. The Heritage Center also houses the State Archives and Historical Research Library which is open to the public and is particularly valuable to individuals doing genealogical research.
On Jan. 1, 1983, the Bismarck Art Association and Elan Gallery consolidated to form the Bismarck Art & Galleries Association. In 1991, Bismarck Art & Galleries purchased the building at 422 East Front Avenue.
The Bismarck Art Association was the beginning of many art activities in North Dakota. In the early 1940’s a few interested people joined together to exhibit paintings of their ancestors and friends. A show was held each fall with artwork and attendance growing. In 1992, the five day event brought 6000 people to view work submitted by 300 artists. The Bismarck Art Association created the Elsa Forde and Gannon Galleries at Bismarck State College.
The Elan Gallery formed in 1967 when a group of Bismarck artists under the leadership of Connie Gerdts sought a permanent location to study, paint and display their work. The gallery name “Elan” means to go forth with enthusiasm. Elan provided demonstrations and classes year round with special emphasis on children’s classes. Monthly exhibits of local, regional and national artists provided a wide spectrum of interests. Since 1974, Elan hosted a summer art fair now known as Capital A’Fair. http://www.discoverbismarckmandan.com/
Raging Rivers Waterpark features tube slides, speed slides, a lazy river and a kiddie pool area. It is four acres of wet and wild fun! http://www.ragingriverswaterpark.com/
The Bismarck Airport plays a vital role to connect western and central North Dakota with the air transportation network. Five airlines offer service out of Bismarck with the intent to add more nonstop flights as passengers continue to grow.
A recent upgrade of the terminal was completed to accommodate the growing volume of passengers.
Currently, the airport is serviced by:
· Delta to Minneapolis
· United to Denver
· American to Chicago O’Hare
· Frontier to Denver
· Allegiant offers seasonal service to: Phoenix, Las Vegas, Orlando, Daytona Beach