the north dakota lewis & clark interpretive center

We visited the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center and Ft. Mandan. We have a newfoundland dog so it was of great interest to us as Lewis & Clark traveled with a Newfoundland Dog. The Interpretive Center has a very nice display to walk through.

We had stayed overnight in Washburn and were not even aware of this facility until the hotel manager mentioned it to us. This is a beautifully built facility just north of town that tells the story of the Lewis & Clark expedition from 1804-1806. For any student of early US history, this should be a stop on your travels through North Dakota.

We have seen many Lewis and Clark sites over our travels. This one is definitely our favorite. While some might complain that it is small, it is"right sized" for a wonderful day of learning and enjoying. The visit starts with a sincere welcome from the staff, always a plus. I found the exhibits laid out in an exceptionally clear manner, the signage was clear and pointed the viewer to the next step on the tour. I learned so many hidden surprises about the Discovery Expedition. Perhaps most enjoyable was the exhibit space donated to the expedition of Prince Maximillian and the artist who accompanied him, Karl Bodmer. We learned so much from this follow up tour made to the same areas as Lewis and Clark and company travelled. Each exhibit, each painting, each sign offered us more information. There are clipboards and a scavenger hunt for children as well as much for them to see and learn. I would not recommend it for children under five, however...much like any museum experience, it is not a playground rather is a learning opportunity that parents and children can share.If at all possible, make time in your trip to visit this place and Fort Mandan.

Not just a roadside attraction, but one of the top museums in the country, will a world-class art collection, Lewis and Clark artifacts, amazing views of the Missouri River, gift shop, library, highly trained, knowledgable and helpful interpretive staff, and really two sites in one - for just a mile or so down the road is the actual Fort Mandan replica fort, with its own interpretive center and staff, right on the river's edge. If you are not already a Lewis and Clark admirer you will be by the time you leave here.

Wow! An unbelievable collection of art work & artifacts from the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Terrific setting overlooking the Missouri River. We worth the visit!

This was a good stop in combination with Fort Mandan and Knife River Indian Villages. Stopping here first will give a good introduction to Lewis and Clark and the time they spent in this area. From here, continue the two miles to Fort Mandan (a reconstruction of) where the Corps of Discovery spent the winter before setting out on their great exploration. It's not too far to drive to Knife River Indian Villages to see remains of earth lodges (and a reconstruction of a lodge) where Sacajawea lived when she met Lewis and Clark before joining their expedition.

The Interpretive Center is in two parts: the museum itself right on US-83N near Washburn, ND, and Fort Mandan which is a 2-mile drive down the road. Upon check-in at the Center, the docent referred us to an interpreter lecture which would take place down at the Fort. We were surprised to find another small museum at the Fort, with a special children's area. We ended up attending three interpreter talks, enjoying all of them but particularly the two given by interpreter Jeff. Another interpreter, Daymon, gave us a personal tour of the Fort. Touring both the museum and the Center, it was full of artifacts and information, many of them with interactive displays. We spent five hours between the two places and came away full of new knowledge of the trials of Lewis & Clark, and of Thomas Jefferson.

My wife and I were on our way from the Knife River Indian Village National Monument to our hotel in Bismarck when we saw this place on the highway map. Since the Interpretive Center was right on the interstate and it was mid-afternoon, we decided to stop. The Interpretive Center is really a combination museum/art gallery. We did pay an entry fee which included entrance into the center AND entry into the reconstructed fort just a few minutes down the road. Unfortunately, we arrive at 4pm…the museum and fort both closed at 5pm. We quickly looked at the Native American and Lewis and Clark exhibits in 30 minutes…could have spent at least another 30 minutes here. We left early so that we'd have 30 minutes at the fort. The fort was a reconstruction of the structure erected by the Corp of Discovery as they settled down for the 1st winter on the way to exploring the western US in the early 1800s. There were guides in the fort that did a great job of explaining how the fort was set up and what life was like between the native people and the expedition. We would have planned an earlier arrival time if we would have known how extensive the exhibits at the museum and fort were. A definite stop for anyone interested in native American or early American history.

The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center provided a thorough and engaging exposition of the journey of the Corps of Discovery. My son and I read a children's book about the journey before coming to North Dakota. It was wonderful to see that brought to life at the center. The staff were also happy to answer our questions. This was well worth the trip to Washburn.

We stopped in here on our Band and Choir tour. After just browsing through the Buffalo Museum in Jamestown the previous day, I was please that they split the students into two groups and actually guided them through the museum. The guides were very energetic and knowledgable. The students also enjoyed trying on the buffalo hide coat and taking their pictures in it. I would love to come back when I have even more time to look even closer at some of the exhibits. You also get a special deal if you book your group visit ahead of time!

I was less than impressed. I expected quite a lot more for all of the appropriations the state has provided to the museum. It was mediocre at best. It was worth going to once but no point for us to go back. The drive from Bismarck was barely worth it.

This was a very interesting and informative center to tell of brave people who shaped the future for the west.

The center and grounds are beautiful and well kept. The collection of artifacts is impressive and interesting. The gift shop had a good assortment of merchandise. The guides at both the Interpretive Center and Fort Mandan were very knowledgeable. Everyone there was friendly. You see both sites with one admission ticket, we enjoyed it and thought it was well worth a visit.

May be good for school children, but i thought it was somewhat boring. The price was $7.50 for adults, to much for what you get.

After following the Lewis and Clark Trail a few miles north of Washburn, I explored this center the next day. The interactive displays were accurate and enhanced my knowledge of this exploration. I was also privileged to talk to a L & C expert about.my thoughts, after my previous readings.A must destination if you appreciate American Exploration!