North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum — Attraction in Bismarck

The North Dakota Heritage Center was such an amazing place to go see and that fact that it's completely free is fantastic! The exhibits are well-done and a ton of care was put into the design and layout of every aspect of this place. The Center itself is huge and there is SO much breathing room which means almost no one to get in the way and interrupt your time! We're went early afternoon and a couple of small groups of children were there on a field trip, but the place is so big that we only ran into them once and never again - not even in the nearly 3 hours we were roaming and browsing. The taxidermy is certainly museum-quality - absolutely gorgeous!

There were some older gentlemen seated near the cafe playing folk music with guitars and singing. As we spent more time at the Center, even more people arrived and were participating. What was especially nice was the volume they were playing at and songs they were saying were not offensive or too distracting to enjoy the exhibits or carry on a private conversation. It made for an especially calm ambience when wandering around and seeing what the Heritage Center had to offer.

We visited the center with an almost one and a half year old and found out from an employee here that there is a playplace for children called The Treehouse on the upstairs level. He absolutely LOVED playing here! It was not super busy and it was also absolutely free. With our son being the youngest and the oldest child being maybe 7/8 years old, there was still plenty to interact with without the kids constantly running...

The North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum is an outstanding destination for anyone interested in the history and culture of this fascinating state. From the moment you step inside, you'll be struck by the high-quality exhibits, informative displays, and engaging presentations that bring North Dakota's rich heritage to life.

One of the standout features of this museum is its attention to detail. From the beautifully designed galleries to the carefully curated artifacts, every aspect of the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum has been crafted with care and precision. Whether you're interested in the state's natural history, its early settlers and pioneers, or its vibrant modern culture, you'll find something to fascinate and inspire you here.

But what really sets this museum apart is the passion and expertise of its staff. The guides and curators are knowledgeable, friendly, and eager to share their love of North Dakota with visitors. They're always available to answer questions, offer insights, and help visitors make the most of their museum experience.

Overall, I would highly recommend the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum to anyone visiting the area. Whether you're a local looking to learn more about your state's history or a visitor from afar, this museum is a must-see destination that's sure to leave you feeling informed, inspired, and enriched. Five stars...

The North Dakota Heritage Center is a phenomenal state museum in the heart of Bismark near the state capital. The building itself is very open and modern, with spacious halls throughout. Admission is free (although donations are accepted). We visited all three permanent galleries, which covered prehistoric times, early peoples, and the more modern state history. The exhibits are well thought out, with just the right amount of interpretive materials. We especially enjoyed the prehistoric gallery with the dinosaur fossils and prehistoric timeline.

There is plenty of parking in two large parking lots located next to the NDHC. We also had a light lunch on site in the El Coqui cafe (wonderful soup and sandwiches) before exploring the gift shop.

The NDHC is located near the capital building , making it easy to spend a...