A Colorful Walk Through Art Alley 5.5 in Bismarck, North Dakota
Art Alley 5.5 in Bismarck is just one of the things we loved about visiting North Dakota’s capital city. Something we did not expect about downtown Bismarck is how walkable it would be, with easy access to many local restaurants, breweries, boutique shops, and historical buildings.
Tucked between some buildings was an unexpected experience. The concept of Art Alley 5.5 transforms an ordinary alleyway that serves the surrounding businesses but is not attractive into a beautiful canvas filled with colorful murals. And we mean filled!
If you’re planning a visit to Bismarck, check out our guide to the best things to do in Bismarck for more ideas around the city.
What is Art Alley 5.5 in Bismarck?
Art Alley is a public art project in downtown Bismarck that transformed an alleyway into an outdoor gallery featuring murals by regional artists.
The project began in 2016 when the community of Bismarck, the Dakota West Arts Council, and the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program collaborated to create this outdoor art gallery.
The theme would be “Reflections of North Dakota,” and a call to artists was made.
48 entries were received, 23 were picked. Read this article to learn more about the artist’s vision behind each mural.
Take a quick Spin Through Art Alley
We mentioned 23 murals. We’ve shown you just a few of our favorites.
We invite you to watch our Instagram reel below to see more.
Where to Find Art Alley 5.5
Art Alley 5.5 is located in downtown Bismarck between Broadway and Main Avenues on 5th Street. The location is great as it’s easy to visit nearby restaurants and local businesses. It’s very accessible as the alley is on flat ground.
More Murals in Bismarck, North Dakota
Art Alley 5.5 is a fantastic way to see a bunch of murals at once, but keep your eyes peeled during your time in Bismarck because you’ll find murals in other places throughout Bismarck.
You could make a whole day of grabbing a local coffee and driving or walking around looking for more murals in Bismarck. What a great way to explore the city.
Public art projects like Art Alley 5.5 are becoming more common in Midwestern cities. During another trip, we explored a similar outdoor space at Art Alley in Sioux City, Iowa.
More Things to Do in Bismarck
If you’re planning a visit to North Dakota’s capital city, there’s plenty more to explore beyond Art Alley 5.5. Check out our guide to the best things to do in Bismarck, North Dakota, for ideas, including scenic riverfront walks, learning about Lewis & Clark, local museums, great local eateries, and other downtown attractions.
Road Trips from Bismarck: Heading Toward Medora and the Enchanted Highway
Bismarck is a convenient stop along I-94 for travelers exploring western North Dakota. We recommend checking out all that Bismarck has to offer before heading west to Theodore Roosevelt National Park in Medora, ND. TRNP is so underrated and needs to be on your summer vacation list.
Between Bismarck and Medora is another must-see roadside attraction of another medium. You must check out the Enchanted Highway. You’ve likely never seen anything like it, and the drive is very scenic! Totally worth leaving the interstate to take this in.
Perhaps you’re planning the ultimate road trip and going further west to Yellowstone. We recommend our guide to Things to Do on the Way to Yellowstone for ideas- so many great stops to make for your trip of a lifetime.
Make A Plan For Visiting These Bismarck Murals
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