Bismarck with Kids

Hello. We%26#39;ll be traveling to Bismarck as part of a three-state tour with four kids (two girls, 5, two boys, 8) and me %26amp; my best friend. We plan to stay two nights in Bismarck to explore the Lewis %26amp; Clark and Ft. Mandan sites. Any advice?

Also, any recommendations for a kid-friendly (ours are a well-behaved and well-traveled bunch) dinner spot for a Friday night?

Thanks so much!

Bismarck with Kids

The Seven Seas in Mandan is right off interstate and has a pool slide if that%26#39;s important. Otherwise we have some brand new hotels built up along State Street in Bismarck. You can pretty much get from one side to the other in 15 minutes so location isn%26#39;t a huge issue. It%26#39;s more of an issue of what amenities you%26#39;d like. Same goes with the dinner. Meriweathers is right on the Missouri River and a nice place to eat. But it depends on what you%26#39;re looking for...if you want fancy, the Bistro or Pirogue%26#39;s Grill are more downtown.

Bismarck with Kids

Hi,

Thought I%26#39;d answer you here instead of the SD forums. Just to make sure you know, Fort Mandan is in Washburn and Fort Abraham Lincoln is in Mandan. That%26#39;s not confusing, right?

Washburn is 40 miles north of Bismarck. Fort Mandan has a cool reconstruction of the fort Lewis %26amp; Clark built for their winter stay. fortmandan.com/planningyourvisit/fortmandan.鈥?/a> Also in that area are Knife River Village Site http://www.nps.gov/knri/ and Cross Ranch State Park http://www.ndparks.com/Parks/CRSP.htm

Fort Lincoln has the Custer Home and some other restorations, and 3 block houses up on a hill, I think from the original fort. It also has the On-A-Slant Indian village with reconstructed earthlodges. http://www.ndparks.com/Parks/FLSP.htm

Also in Bismarck, the Heritage Center Museum on the capitol grounds, the capitol building itself, the Lewis %26amp; Clark Riverboat on the Missouri, under the interstate bridge, and nearby a sort of long skinny park along the bank of the river called Keelboat Park. We also have a nice zoo adjacent to Sertoma Park which has a small amusement park.

Kid Friendly dinner spot - I think most restaurants will do, but if the weather is nice, how about a picnic at one of the parks with take out from Big Boy. http://www.bigboy.com/ If its rainy or cold, there%26#39;s Snoopers Tons of Fun in Bismarck or Pizza Ranch in Mandan.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for clearing up that Fort Confusion! =) And thank you so very much for all the links - awesome. Great recommendations. I can%26#39;t wait to get there!

Might have more questions again...thanks for taking the time!!

Not sure if you%26#39;ve set your plans yet - but thought I%26#39;d add my opinions. It%26#39;s not often we get asked about ND!

I actually like the Comfort Suites. They have a small pool with a small water slide - but my family stays there when they visit as my son (6) loves the slide. It%26#39;s a bit closer to the attractions and places to eat too.

Also, a favorite place to eat is Space Aliens. Most kids just love the theme and we%26#39;ve had pretty good luck with the food. Just beware of all the token games.

Heritage Center is a wonderful attraction, as someone else posted. They have a new dinosaur on display that actually has the skin intact! Pretty cool stuff! Have fun in ND - if you make it west - don%26#39;t miss Medora!

We%26#39;ve always enjoyed our visits to Bismarck! It is a beautiful city on the prairie that does get overlooked! I agree with the others advice. You will want to see Custer%26#39;s home but also be sure to head out to the see the look out towers (they%26#39;ll give you directions). The kids can climb up at least you used to be able to...it%26#39;s been awhile since we%26#39;ve been there). And the Slant Indian Village is cool, too. Haven%26#39;t been to the museum in a long time. If the kids just want some time to cool off, there is a the new water slide park, but we always enjoyed the older one...only has a couple slides, but inexpensive and fun (at least it was!). Ask around, but it should be somewhere south off 15th street ???. And we always enjoyed the zoo and the small amusement park! Not sure when you%26#39;re going but I believe Art in the Park festival is coming up sometime around the 4th. Artists, food vendors etc line the walks around the state capital...it%26#39;s fun, also. What are the other 2 states you%26#39;ll be visiting?