North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum
North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
** We will be reopening on June 22. Four galleries tell the fascinating story of North Dakota through thousands of artifacts and specimens, high-tech displays, and interactive exhibits. Experience North Dakota’s heritage throughout the museum spaces. Along with the galleries, hallway exhibits located within the Corridor of History also help tell our unique story. The Northern Lights Atrium is a stunning combination of architecture and symbolism, and the outdoor Pembina River Plaza features specimens from our geologic past. Find treasures in the new Museum Store, and enjoy refreshments at the James River Cafe. From a life-size T. rex skeleton cast to a 1950s soda shop, you will find connections from your own life with your experience here. Our goal is “history for everyone."
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Address
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Restaurants
198 within 3 miles
Attractions
40 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
634 reviews
Excellent
498
Very good
113
Average
19
Poor
0
Terrible
4
AC97
North Dakota5,131 contributions
Jun 2022
Excellent trip! We arrived at approximately 8 am and made our way towards the entrance of the museum. The museum is huge and admission is free for all! There are three permanent galleries inside the museum, and one rotating gallery. We toured each gallery one by one, and were extremely impressed by the amount of artifacts and items out for display in each one. Each item was labeled and there were an informational plaque in front of each artifact, giving us some background information on what we were seeing. The entire museum contained items relating to the history of North Dakota. The museum also had recreations of various building structures, replicas of dinosaurs, and stuffed animal exhibits. There was something to do and see for everyone of all ages. There was so much to see I actually went back the next day because I didn’t get to see it all on the first day! I highly recommend this museum.
Tip: I recommend spending 2 full days here if you truly want to see everything.
Tip: I recommend spending 2 full days here if you truly want to see everything.
Written June 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Fondue4two
Madison, WI1,107 contributions
Sep 2020
This FREE museum has a very friendly staff and did a good job taking Covid seriously including the only place on our two week trip that took our temperatures. All patrons wore masks.
The museum is a really nice space and if you are interested in learning more about dinosaurs, horses, and Native Americans this is a great place. We found the best section to be the last on immigrants, agriculture and industry in ND.
The one problem we had was figuring out where to park. Google maps had us parking in a lot that was not for the museum so it took a bit to find the entrance and it was a bit of a hike. We must have missed the signs...
Definitely worth the detour if passing by the Bismarck area
The museum is a really nice space and if you are interested in learning more about dinosaurs, horses, and Native Americans this is a great place. We found the best section to be the last on immigrants, agriculture and industry in ND.
The one problem we had was figuring out where to park. Google maps had us parking in a lot that was not for the museum so it took a bit to find the entrance and it was a bit of a hike. We must have missed the signs...
Definitely worth the detour if passing by the Bismarck area
Written October 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DadDoug
Mercer, New Zealand63 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
This museum has several stationary exhibitions and a space for special exhibits. At the time we went the special exhibit was on fashions and was very well done and enjoyable.
The next permanent exhibit hall had very good exceptionally good displays of dinosaur skeletons. It was one of the best exhibits on dinosaurs that I have seen.
The next hole was centered around Native Americans as they evolved through North Dakota.
All spaces were excellent and what they displayed and their explanations. North Dakota should be extremely happy with this museum.
We were pleasantly surprised!
The next permanent exhibit hall had very good exceptionally good displays of dinosaur skeletons. It was one of the best exhibits on dinosaurs that I have seen.
The next hole was centered around Native Americans as they evolved through North Dakota.
All spaces were excellent and what they displayed and their explanations. North Dakota should be extremely happy with this museum.
We were pleasantly surprised!
Written July 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Arjun S
St. Paul, United States174 contributions
Jun 2021
We visited the North Dakota Heritage center with children and spent 2 hours there. It is a remarkably well done smaller museum with has an excellent dinosaur display. The whole museum is well laid out and well planed with topical displays of native Americans, immigrants and industry. Both the adults and kids thoroughly enjoy the visit.
Written June 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Meredith S
31 contributions
Jul 2021
I'm so glad we took the time to stop here! This was, as other reviewers have noted, a Smithsonian-quality museum. I was very impressed. We were not familiar at all with North Dakota and its history/culture, and this museum really gave a great overview. All of the exhibits were really good and interesting. Plus, it's free, so take an hour or two and enjoy this wonderful museum.
Written July 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MsVic
Frisco, TX492 contributions
Jun 2022
We were visiting family and had not been in the ND area in years— this was a nice outing and good way to get reconnected with the history of the area. Enjoyed exploring this museum. Lots of interesting artifacts to see from Dinosaur Bones to current celebrities from the area. All the galleries were very well done and it was a clean & modern facility. Spent a nice afternoon here seeing all the history of the Bismarck area. Staff was also very informative and helpful.
Written June 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
krogersku
Johnston, IA486 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Museum located by the Capitol building. Admission is free. Four exhibit halls and a nice gift shop on site. Takes about an hour and a half to go through entire museum with young kids. Exhibit halls feature Indian culture and artifacts, dinosaur fossils, and North Dakota state history. Excellent stop while traveling across the state.
Written August 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
bigboy61455
xxx1,156 contributions
Jul 2020
It is a free museum next to the State Capitol where we can see replica cannon balls just in case we do not find them next day. Beautiful building inside out and staff also check temperature and mask mandatory for visitors.
Although museum is good in description and made rooms very interesting to visitors, they do not highlight their prized possession of the world’s largest giant squid fossil, and a rare mummified dinosaur (with skin intact) in Geologic exhibit. So you can not really tell which one is the real fossil or whether it is a replica. The Innovation Gallery has a hand painted mural of Double Ditch Indian Village.
I asked staff for above prized possession from the beginning but she couldn't provide much info. I do not even know whether mummified dinosaur is here or it was loaned to another museum.
Although museum is good in description and made rooms very interesting to visitors, they do not highlight their prized possession of the world’s largest giant squid fossil, and a rare mummified dinosaur (with skin intact) in Geologic exhibit. So you can not really tell which one is the real fossil or whether it is a replica. The Innovation Gallery has a hand painted mural of Double Ditch Indian Village.
I asked staff for above prized possession from the beginning but she couldn't provide much info. I do not even know whether mummified dinosaur is here or it was loaned to another museum.
Written July 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Grussingtravels
Detroit Lakes, MN255 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
First of all it’s free!!! Second it new and clean and well organized. The galleries offer amazing exhibits from fossils, dinosaur bones, horses, cowboys, Native Americans and pioneers/farmers. It is interactive and so educational. The staff are so helpful and kind. The museum opens at 9am so you can have something to explore early before everything else opens in Bismarck!
Written July 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Smiledoctorsmile
Saint Paul, MN206 contributions
Jun 2020
My dad (78) especially liked reading all the exhibits. A wide range of displays and good information provided. The business was very good about taking temperature and wearing masks. A great gift shop. And free! We were very pleased with our visits.
Written June 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
carolmatulka
Pratt, KS
When was the North Dakota Heritage Center built?
msdsec
Needham, MA48 contributions
1980
How do I secure a motorized wheelchair for Saturday Sept 10 afternoon?
Kathryn D
Mandan, ND10 contributions
There are motorized wheelchairs available at the East Entrance
of the building. Go to the information desk and they will help.
What are the prices to look around really wanna take my son and I'm new to this
Sandra B
Tucson, AZ45 contributions
Admission is free but you can make a donation . Your son will really enjoy it!
Is this museum appropriate for small children aged 5 and 7 ?
Jigoe
38 contributions
Absolutely, they will be amazed, speechless and love every second.
North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum (Bismarck) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum
- North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum is open:
- Mon - Fri 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Sat - Sun 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Hotels near North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum:
- (0.74 mi) La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Bismarck
- (1.44 mi) Sleep Inn & Suites Bismarck I-94
- (1.66 mi) Home2 Suites by Hilton Bismarck
- (1.74 mi) Expressway Suites
- (0.47 mi) Kay's Bed & Breakfast
- Restaurants near North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum:
- (0.24 mi) James River Cafe
- (0.46 mi) The Walrus Restaurant
- (0.31 mi) StoneHome
- (0.96 mi) Pirogue Grille
- (1.01 mi) Blarney Stone Pub