The Best Things To Do In Bismarck With Kids
If you have been reading my blog for quite some time, you know that I adore North Dakota. It’s true, I have fallen in love with the state. I had the opportunity to explore Bismarck with my eight year old grandson, and we had a blast.
When I travel with my grandkids, my travel itineraries look somewhat like they do when I travel solo; but there are only so many hours in the day. My grandkids keep me young and I love seeing things through their eyes. If you have grandkids, you must make a trip to Bismarck, North Dakota. My eight-year-old grandson loved his time in the area. According to my grandson, Jon, these are the best things to do in Bismarck with kids.
Thank you to Bismarck/Mandan Convention & Visitors Bureau For Hosting me. As always, my opinions are mine and nobody else’s
Table of Contents
The Location Of Bismarck
Bismarck is located in the south-central part of North Dakota. It’s located right off of I-94 and easy to travel in and out of. The town of Mandan is part of the Bismarck metro area and it’s sometimes difficult to know, as a visitor; if you are in Bismarck or Mandan. In the grand scheme of things, it does not matter what town you are in. I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to be back exploring the Bismarck area with my grandson.
What I can tell you is this. You will love your time in this area of North Dakota. If you are traveling to or from Medora to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Bismarck/Mandan is the perfect place to play for a day before you head back to I-94.
Things To Do In Jamestown, ND With Grandkids
Stop At The Bismarck/Mandan Visitor Center
Bismarck/Mandan North Dakota Visitor Center
1600 Burnt Boat Drive
Bismarck, ND 58503
800.767.3555 or 701.222.4308
One of the first places you should always stop at when you arrive in a new town is the visitor center. The Bismarck/Mandan Visitor Center & Genuine Dakota Gift shop offers tips on things to see and do in town. You can also purchase many unqiue Dakota items in the gift shop.
Beautiful Things To Do In Bismarck
My grandson loved everything about this center, making it one of his top places to go in the Bismarck/Mandan area.
Eat Cookies In Bismarck
Brick Oven Bakery
112 N 4th St.
Bismarck, ND 58501
701.751.0147
My eight-year-old-grandson still talks about the Brick Oven Bakery daily. I had visited this French pastry shop beforea and I knew that their food was delicious. What I did not know is that this pastry shop would win my eight-year -old grandson over. I had to try a cruffin. A cruffin is a combination of a muffin and a croissant. I’d rank the cruffin an 11/10!
I knew that the Brick Oven Bakery needed to be our breakfast spot while in Bismarck. And to my surprise, my grandson would request it for breakfast on the day we headed west to Medora. We were first through the door and we grabbed our breakfast to go.
The Brick Oven Bakery is not only a gathering spot, but it’s also an opportunity to enjoy a French experience in North Dakota. The handmade, fresh breads are to die for, and my grandson has confirmed that they have the BEST cookies of anywhere!
Explore The Dakota Zoo
Dakota Zoo
602 Riverside Park Road
Bismarck, ND 58504
701.258.8350
The Dakota Zoo is one of my favorite zoos in the country. It’s not too big and it has everything you and your family will want. The first thing you need to do is buy tickets to ride the train. Jon liked it so well, we rode it twice.
When you ride the train, you have a nice overview of the zoo and you can get a feel for where you want to spend most of your time. The Dakota Zoo is a safe place for you and your family, making it one of the best things to do in Bismarck with kids.
Five Reasons To Explore Bismarck
Jon loved watching the African Penguins. If he would have had his choice, he would have stayed in the building watching them all day long.
Right outside of the penguin attraction is a wonderful playground with vending machines nearby. Restrooms are also in the area, making this area a great place for families to relax while at the Dakota Zoo. No matter how you spend your time at the Dakota Zoo, you and your kids will have a wonderful day.
Play At Raging Rivers Waterpark
Raging Rivers Waterpark
2600 46th Avenue SE
Mandan, ND 58554
701.663.3393
Raging Rivers Waterpark is an outdoor, seasonal waterpark. My eight-year- old grandson loved the AquaPlay area. It features geysers, water cannons, waterguns, and a very popular 300-gallon tip bucket.
The smaller slides and tunnels alongside all of the spraying water made this area a winner. For those looking for a lazy experience, a “Lazy River” flows throughout the park. If you have an older child with a sense of adventure, the two speed slides will be a hit.
North Dakota’s Gateway To Science
North Dakota’s Gateway To Science
1600 Canary Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58501
701.258.1975
North Dakota’s Gateway To Science offers kids hands on activities that promote STEM. The museum itself is not overly large, which makes it more inviting. There’s something for kids of all ages.
You will not lose your child in this stunning museum. These unique learning experiences introduce kids to science and everything that goes along with it.
From water to the human body, there’s something around every corner for kids of all ages to enjoy. Agriculture, health care, transportation, weather, water, and engineering are all at the forefront in this museum.
My grandson loved everything in the museum. He particularly enjoyed racing the “Keep it Moving” section.
He assembled his wooden car and then raced the car many, many times. So many times, that I lost count. And that, my friends, is how you know you have a successful experience in a museum for an eight-year- old. The best grandparent tip I can give you is to purchase a Grandparent membership, this offers free gallery admission for member and grandchildren. This will encourage you to visit this museum and others like this, all across the country.
Dining at The Paddle Trap
The Paddle Trap
2500 Pirates Loop SE
Mandan, ND 58554
701.202.3421
The Paddletrap offers incredible outdoor and indoor dining along the Missouri River. They offer a variety of menu items, including walleye cheeks, salads, burgers,fish, and a kids menu. My grandson claims he had the best peanut butter and jelly sandwich of all time.
The “trap burger” of 1/3 lb beef patty, caramleized onions, bacon, pimento cheese, and lettuce was mouth-watering – enough said! Order cheese curds for an appetizer and you have yourself a winning meal. We chose to eat indoors, as the wait time was 45 minutes less than outdoor seating.
The North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum
North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum
612 E Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58505
701.328.2666
The North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum is free to visit. The dinosaurs were a huge hit with my eight year old grandson and myself.
With four museum galleries and a children’s area, you and your kids will have the best time ever at this museum. History truly comes to life in this museum. From the dinosaurs to history, the hands-on experiences and incredible displays will keep you busy exploring this museum.
Agriculture is a large part of North Dakota’s economy, as it is the number one industry in the state. Kids can sit in a modern day tractor cab and experience harvest.
On the upper level is The Treehouse, designed for younger kids. It’s important to note that all kids must be accompanied by an adult to play in The Treehouse area. Younger kids can explore and experience many different things, including flying an airplane.
Bismarck, North Dakota, is ideal for families. I had visited Bismarck before and I enjoyed seeing it through the eyes of my grandson on this visit. If there is one tip that I can give you when it comes to traveling with your grandchildren, it is to remember that simple is always better.
If you want beautiful and simple, explore Art Alley 5.5 in Bismarck. You and your kids and/or grandkids will love it.
Bismarck is a large community, but it never feels like it and the attractions are all family-friendly. I hope you will travel with your kids and/or grandkids and explore the best things to do in Bismarck with kids.
SaraB
Latest posts by SaraB (see all)
- The Best Places To Shop In Mineral Point, Wisconsin - December 8, 2024
- How To Ensure A Good Mix Of Activities While On Vacation - December 5, 2024
- Best Places To Make Christmas Memories In The Smoky Mountains - December 1, 2024
