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.
The stories, traditions and culture of the area's Native Americans are treasures too precious and rare to lose. That is why there are places like Bismarck's Double Ditch Indian Village State Historic Site. In the wake of Louis and Clark's expedition and the eventual takeover of the land by settlers, groups like the Sioux Indians held on to their claims as much as they could, and this site stands as a reminder of their 3,000-year old Mandan Indian Village that remains a significant part of their history. Take a self-guided tour with the help of information provided by the Bismarck Convention and Visitors Bureau to get the whole story of this fascinating area.
Learn about how the development of the American railroad system affected the history and progress of Bismarck and its surrounding areas when you experience the North Dakota State Railroad Museum. See various exhibits and attractions that tell the dramatic story of how this then-new method of transportation transformed the way people lived, communicated and did business. The story is vividly accentuated by an impressive collection of artifacts, machinery, pictures, and documents.