If you think that the concept of the cowboy was invented by John Wayne-types, Bismarck's North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame will challenge everything you think you know about cattle rustlers from the past. This attraction is an interpretive center for the history of Native Americans, and you will see the dramatic link between their culture to various “western” traditions like the rodeo, ranching, and the rustic “cowboy” lifestyle that owes much to the tribes that first inhabited the land.
O'Brian's Tavern is one of those charming nightlife spots where you feel at home the minute you walk through the door. The friendly bar staff and amenable crowd will truly make you feel like a long-lost friend. Pull up a chair and plan to stay awhile to enjoy the great selection of imported beer or sample any one of the many concoctions that the bartenders are quite skilled in creating. This is a perfect place to meet friends after work or to enjoy a casually cool evening out with no fuss or hassle.
Get a taste of what life was like for the various individuals who served as North Dakota governor when you spend some time at the Former Governor's Mansion State Historical Site in Bismarck. This impressive mansion and museum was originally built back in 1884 as a private residence by Asa Fisher. It remained the governor's residence from 1893 until 1960. Those years are detailed through the use of vintage items, personal effects, exhibits, documents and photographs that all go to tell the story of what life was like for the man who had the responsibility of holding the highest political office in the state of North Dakota.