North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum
4.8(570)google
4.8(37)yelp
KidsSenior-FriendlyIndoorFreeMust-SeeLocal FavoriteInteractiveEducationalScienceFossilsArchaeology
Overview
The North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, located on the North Dakota State Capitol grounds in Bismarck, is the state of North Dakota's official history museum. The original building, which was opened in 1981, is operated by the State Historical Society of North Dakota and features permanent and temporary exhibits. In June 2008, the museum became home to a rare mummified Edmontosaurus with fossilized skin.
Practical Info
Mon–Fri8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat–Sun10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration2.5-4 hours
Best TimeAn incredible state-of-the-art indoor museum boasting completely free general admission. Arriving Monday through Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM is highly recommended; a quiet gallery environment maximizes your experience exploring prehistoric T-Rex fossils and Native American history, while the soaring glass Northern Lights Atrium shimmers brilliantly under high noon sun.
Getting TherePerfectly integrated into the northeastern corner of the main North Dakota State Capitol grounds. Take the municipal CAT Bus system directly to the Capitol loop stop and take a brief walk east across the courtyard. Motorists enjoy the excellent benefit of a massive, dedicated visitor surface parking lot positioned right outside the grand glass pavilion doors.
Travel Tips
- Admission is entirely free, but the main museum parking lot fills rapidly with state employees on weekdays; arriving before mid-morning ensures securing an open space.
- Exhibition galleries maintain strict microclimate and temperature controls near 62-65°F (16-18°C) for artifact preservation; carrying an extra layer or jacket is essential for comfort.
Photo Tips
Photo Rules
- The use of tripods, monopods, or flash photography is strictly banned inside the galleries; commercial capturing requires written administrative approval four business days in advance.
Reviews
Positive
- Amazingly, admission to this high-quality state museum is completely free! It comprehensively chronicles North Dakota's history from dinosaurs to modern fracking.
- The building is beautifully modern and deceptively large, featuring fantastic displays of dinosaur fossils and reconstructed mammoth skeletons.
- It is incredibly interactive and features an awesome treehouse play area for kids aged 2-8, complete with a slide and a fire truck cockpit.
- Accessibility is outstanding; the information desk at the East Entrance provides free mobility scooter rentals, and the docents are eager to help.
Heads up
- The museum is so vast that reserving only an hour is nowhere near enough to take it all in; you will be forced to rush through excellent galleries.
- The on-site cafe has limited seating; during busy Saturday afternoon crowds, the lines get long and finding an empty table to rest becomes difficult.
- The text on some informative wall signs can be small or poorly lit in certain angles, making reading a bit strained for elderly visitors.
- Despite the spacious lot, the prime spots fill up completely on Saturday afternoons, forcing you to park further down the street and walk.