Free & Cheap Things to Do in Dickinson

Museums & Galleries

The former Dakota Dinosaur Museum, now city-run, fills a hall with full-size dinosaur skeletons, fossils, and a working paleo prep lab - including a tyrannosaur airlifted in from Montana. One ticket also covers the Joachim Regional History Museum on the same campus year-round.

Address: 188 Museum Dr E, Dickinson, ND 58601

Tip: Summer admission also unlocks Pioneer Machinery Hall and a guided Prairie Outpost Park tour at no extra cost.

History & Culture

An open-air heritage village across the Museum Center's 12-acre campus, with eleven historic and reproduction buildings celebrating the area's Czech, Scandinavian, and Germans-from-Russia settlers. The grounds also hold petrified tree stumps, a re-created coal-mine entrance, and a demonstration garden.

Address: 188 Museum Dr E, Dickinson, ND 58601

Tip: Walk the grounds free anytime; interior building tours run only Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Outdoors

Southwest North Dakota's biggest lake recreation spot, on a reservoir just west of town. A swimming beach, boat ramps, fishing for walleye and bass, and shoreline picnic and camping areas make it Dickinson's main summer-water destination.

Address: 4000 Recreation Area Rd, Dickinson, ND 58601

Tip: The $4 vehicle fee covers beach access; arrive early on summer weekends for shaded picnic spots.

Arts & Culture

A growing collection of large-scale murals brightens downtown Dickinson, headlined by the Highway 22 underpass series near Villard Street. Panels depict immigrant settlers, badlands cowboys, Native Americans, and bison, plus sculptures and Axel Reis's rebar dinosaurs along 'Art Avenue.'

Address: Hwy 22 underpass near Villard St, Dickinson, ND 58601

Tip: Pair the underpass murals with a downtown walk to spot the rebar dinosaurs and Art Avenue sculptures.

History & Culture

The Museum Center's regional-history wing tells southwest North Dakota's story - ranching, railroads, immigrant homesteading, and Native American heritage - through artifacts and full-scale exhibits. Admission is bundled with the Badlands Dinosaur Museum on a single ticket, year-round.

Address: 188 Museum Dr E, Dickinson, ND 58601

Tip: No separate ticket needed - it's covered by the same admission as the dinosaur hall next door.

History & Culture

A Benedictine monastery on the open prairie 30 miles east in Richardton, anchored by St. Mary's Church (1906-1910) in rare Bavarian Romanesque style with distinctive 'Rhenish helm' steeples. A visitor center offers self-guided tours, and the gift shop sells monk-made pottery, soap, and candles.

Address: 418 3rd Ave W, Richardton, ND 58652

Tip: Visitor center hours are Mon-Sat 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-4:30 p.m.; the monk-made pottery is the draw.

Outdoors

A sprawling rec complex with indoor and outdoor pools, a climbing wall, gymnasiums, an indoor track and playground, racquetball, and tennis. A single day pass covers the whole building - a reliable rainy-day or family option in the heart of town.

Address: 2004 Fairway St, Dickinson, ND 58601

Tip: Day-pass rates aren't posted online - call (701) 456-2074 to confirm youth and adult pricing before going.

Free Walking Tours

Downtown Dickinson - 'built on railroad wishes and ranching dreams' - keeps a stretch of century-old brick storefronts best seen on a free self-guided walking tour. Printable brochures map the historic architecture, and the route ties in with the downtown murals and Art Avenue sculptures.

Address: Downtown Villard St, Dickinson, ND 58601

Tip: Grab the free walking-tour brochure from the visitor site or city center before you set out.