Fried Excavating

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.

Get a stunning picture of the incredible art scene when you buy a picture---or several of them–at Bismark's highly popular Five Nations Art Depot. This historic Burlington Northern Railroad Depot has been converted into an eye-popping collection of several different varieties of Native American arts and crafts. The works of more than 200 North Dakota American Indian artists are on display and available for sale, so the chances are better than good that you'll find something you'll want to bring home with you!

For a touch of class–or classic–make music a big part of your evening when you plan to take in a performance of the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra. This highly accomplished group of musicians regularly performs at the Belle Mehus City Auditorium. An appealing mix of classics as well as the work of more modern composers is presented throughout the year, as well as special engagements with featured singers. There's also seasonal entertainment like The Nutcracker, but you will most definitely want to check out the symphony's excellent offerings all year long.