The ultimate goal of most nature lovers is to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and find solace in a relaxing, natural setting. In Bismarck, the McDowell Dam Recreation Area is such a place. Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities that include paddle boating, swimming, fishing, and picnicking. If you want to make yourself comfortable there are shelters available for full or half-day stays.
Hark back to a time when steamboats ruled the country's waterways as the chief means of transportation. Those mighty vessels had to be constructed, and it was no easy task! Learn about the fascinating and sometimes complicated story of how steamboats were built when you take a tour of the Steamboat Warehouse. This State Historical Marker is located on the east bank of the Missouri River in Bismarck across the road from the water treatment plant and it stands to commemorate the Northern Pacific Railroad warehouse where the steamboats were originally constructed.
Curious minds deserve to be in a stimulating environment, and Bismarck's Gateway to Science Center is such a place. This is the type of venue that challenges you to go on a journey of discovery with the help of its many interactive and multimedia exhibits. Visitors of all ages are not only invited to learn, but to also reach out and touch, as the museum proudly touts itself as a major resource for hands-on science education.