Bismarck, North Dakota offers Plenty of Recreation Options

Bismarck is the capital of the U.S. state of North Dakota, the county seat of Burleigh County, and the second most populous city in North Dakota after Fargo. Its population was 55,532 at the 2000 census. Its metropolitan population was 94,719 in 2000, but was estimated in 2007 to have grown to 107,719.

Bismarck was founded by European Americans in 1872 on the east bank of the Missouri River. It has been North Dakota's capital city since 1889, when the state was created from the Dakota Territory and admitted to the Union. Bismarck is located across the river from Mandan, named after a historic Native American tribe of the area. The two cities make up the core of the Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Recreation in Bismarck

Bismarck has a large park system and an extensive network of exercise trails. The Bismarck Parks and Recreation District, established in 1927, operates many parks, swimming pools, and several golf courses within the city. The Parks and Recreation District operates roughly 2,300 acres of public parkland. Sertoma Park stretches more than 3 miles along the banks of the Missouri River. Within the park are several miles of biking trails and the Dakota Zoo.

The Bismarck Events Center

The Bismarck Events Center is a 10,100 seat multi-purpose facility located in Bismarck, North Dakota. Built in the 1960's, the arena has seen thousands of performers and audience members. They have over 250,000 people annually attend a large variety of events, anything from sporting events, family shows, concerts, rodeos, circus and more. The Exhibit Hall expansion was completed in 2015 and consists of four halls and six meeting rooms. The newly expanded area is home to over 100,000 square feet of exhibit hall space and a new large lobby.

The Dakota Zoo

The Dakota Zoo is a zoo in Bismarck, North Dakota located on the banks of the Missouri River, it is the third zoo built in North Dakota. The Dakota Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The animals and exhibits are wonderful. There are accommodations for the handicap, and their prices for the food and entrance is great. The zoo is small enough to see it all within a couple hours. The train ride is a great way to see everything. The Dakota Zoo offer plenty of fun, making it a great destination for a family visit.

The State Capital Complex

The North Dakota state capitol reveals significant political history and is home to numerous historical statues portraying important people and events from North Dakota's past. The prominently built structure is the second-tallest in North Dakota and is the state's seat of government. The State Capitol tours are among the many fun things to do in Bismarck, and if you are further interested in learning about the city's and state's history, a visit to The North Dakota Heritage Center is also recommended.