Free & Cheap Things to Do in Bismarck

History & Culture

One of the finest free state museums in America, with four sweeping galleries covering 600 million years of North Dakota history — from prehistoric seas and dinosaur fossils to Native American cultures, homesteader life, and modern energy development. The museum underwent a major $52 million expansion and is genuinely world-class, with high-tech interactive exhibits, a stunning atrium, and tens of thousands of artifacts.

Address: 612 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck, ND 58505

Tip: Open Monday–Saturday 8am–5pm, Sunday 11am–5pm. Plan at least 2 hours — the dinosaur hall alone is worth the drive. Located on the State Capitol grounds; combine with a free Capitol tour on the same visit.

History & Culture

Known as the 'Skyscraper on the Prairie,' the North Dakota State Capitol is unlike any other in America — a sleek 19-story Art Deco tower rising from the flat plains horizon. Free guided tours take you through the elegant legislative chambers, the Memorial Hall lined with murals, and rotating art galleries. The observation deck offers sweeping 360-degree views of the Bismarck skyline and surrounding prairie.

Address: 600 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck, ND 58505

Tip: Free guided tours run Monday–Friday at 9am, 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm (June–August also Saturdays at 10am and 11am). No reservation needed. The building is open year-round; the grounds are beautiful in summer.

History & Culture

A beautifully restored 1884 Victorian home that served as the official residence for 20 North Dakota governors from 1893 to 1960. Free to tour, the mansion is filled with period furnishings and personal artifacts tracing a century of state leadership and prairie life. A quiet, fascinating glimpse into North Dakota's political and social history that most visitors completely overlook.

Address: 320 E Avenue B, Bismarck, ND 58501

Tip: Open for free tours mid-May through mid-September, Tuesday–Saturday 1–5pm. Donations are welcome. Located just a few blocks from the Capitol — easy to combine both sites in one walkable afternoon.