Welcome to Bismarck-Mandan! Straddling the beautiful Missouri River, Bismarck and Mandan combine two unique cities into one extraordinary community. The metro area is home to the North Dakota State Capitol, public and private post-secondary education, two distinct downtowns and miles upon miles of parks and recreational trails. Affordable and full of opportunity, and where every street tells a story and every corner is a gateway to unique experiences.
Bismarck & Mandan
The Bismarck-Mandan area has welcomed visitors since Lewis and Clark paddled up the Missouri River in 1804. The capital of North Dakota, Bismarck is a hub of culture, history and shopping. Don’t miss attractions like the Dakota Zoo, and the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum. Trees cover the Capitol Grounds just as they do the land on either side of the river. From the observation deck on the 18th floor of the North Dakota State Capitol, visitors get a bird’s-eye view of just what it is that makes Bismarck a true destination.
Enjoy nature at McDowell Dam Nature Park, which features hiking trails, fishing ponds, and picnic areas; and fishing, boating, and camping at Harmon Lake Recreation Area, which is located just north of Mandan. Visit Raging Rivers Waterpark, which offers water slides, a lazy river, and other water attractions for all ages. Learn about the history of the railroads in North Dakota at the North Dakota State Railroad Museum in Mandan. The museum features exhibits and artifacts related to the railroad industry.
History stares back from the Fort Abraham Lincoln blockhouses on the bluffs to the southwest side of the Missouri River, which separates Bismarck and Mandan. In the summer and fall, you can book a dinner cruise on the Lewis and Clark Riverboat or stop in the Huckleberry House a restaurant with modern comfort dishes inspired by North Dakotan & Scandinavian tradition and nestled inside the landing on the Missouri River.
Play a round of golf at Hawktree Golf Club, which is consistently ranked as one of the best golf courses in North Dakota, or play a round at the Mandan Municipal Golf Course, which offers an 18-hole course with scenic views.
Bismarck and Mandan are shining lights of arts, culture, history, and bustle with life, eclectic dining and entertainment venues. There are exciting outdoor activities year-round, and plenty of biking trails on both sides of the river. Come see for yourself why Bismarck and Mandan are must-see destinations.
Things to see and do in Bismarck-Mandan
Unique places to dine in Bismarck-Mandan
5 unique locally owned restaurants to experience in Bismarck, by Travel Awaits
The best things to do in historic Bismarck, by Travel Awaits
Special events in Bismarck-Mandan
Witness the Culture and History of Bismarck, ND
From the first European explorers of Lewis and Clark to the nation's largest present day powwow, Bismarck/Mandan is a place to explore, learn and grow.
