Looking for wide-open spaces, rugged badlands, and prairie charm? Head to North Dakota! Known for its vast landscapes, frontier history, and vibrant Native American culture, North Dakota offers a peaceful yet adventurous escape. Whether you’re exploring Theodore Roosevelt National Park or strolling through Fargo’s art district, this northern state surprises with scenic beauty and Midwestern hospitality.
North Dakota Highlights:
- For Nature Lovers: Explore Theodore Roosevelt National Park – Hike through colorful badlands, spot wild bison, and take in expansive views in western North Dakota.
- For History Buffs: Tour Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park – Visit Custer’s last post, reconstructed earthlodges, and learn about Native American heritage.
- For Art & Culture: Discover Fargo’s downtown – Murals, microbreweries, indie shops, and the famous Fargo Theatre highlight the city's creative energy.
- For Wildlife: Visit the National Buffalo Museum – Learn about the American bison and meet “White Cloud,” a rare albino bison, in Jamestown.
- For Road-Trippers: Drive the Enchanted Highway – Stop at massive scrap-metal sculptures along a quirky rural route near Regent.
Best Time to Visit North Dakota
The best time to visit North Dakota is in the late spring through early fall (May–October). Summers bring warm weather and outdoor festivals, while fall offers golden prairie views and mild temperatures. Winters are very cold but ideal for cross-country skiing and quiet exploration.
How to Get to North Dakota
- By Air: Fargo (FAR), Bismarck (BIS), and Minot (MOT) are the main airports with regional and national service.
- By Car: I-94 and I-29 provide major east-west and north-south routes across the state.
- By Train: Amtrak’s Empire Builder stops in Fargo, Minot, and Williston on its route between Chicago and Seattle.
Where to Stay in North Dakota
- For Nature Stays: Badlands Motel (Medora) – Simple lodging steps from Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Medora attractions.
- For Urban Comfort: Jasper Hotel (Fargo) – Modern hotel with chic design, downtown views, and walkability.
- For History & Views: Custer House Cabins (Mandan) – Rustic cabins within Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park.
Best Things to Do in North Dakota
⮕ North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum
Explore fascinating exhibits or visit prehistoric fossils and state history displays.
The North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum is the official history museum of the state of North Dakota. It is located on the same grounds as the State Capitol building. The museum features both permanent and temporary displays related to more than 12,000 years of the state's history.
The museum is roughly divided into sections that represent time periods. The exhibits include Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus skeletons, Native American cultural artifacts, agricultural machinery, and more. The Treehouse is a section of the museum that is especially dedicated to young children, and it allows them to learn and explore through play and kid-friendly exhibits.
612 E. Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58501, Phone: 701-328-2666
⮕ Ralph Engelstad Arena
See exciting hockey games or explore one of the country’s premier sports venues.
The Ralph Engelstad Arena, an indoor arena that seats nearly 12,000 people, is situated on the campus of the University of North Dakota. The venue is home to the university's men's and women's ice hockey teams. The arena is known for having some of the most impressive furnishings of any hockey arena and features granite flooring in the concourses as well as spectator seating made from cherry wood and leather.
In addition to hosting home games for the hockey teams, the arena hosts many concerts and annually holds a circus. The complex features a second Olympic-sized ice rink known as The Betty that is home to the university's volleyball and basketball teams.
1 Ralph Engelstad Arena Drive, Grand Forks, ND 58203, Phone: 701-777-4167
⮕ Scandinavian Heritage Park, North Dakota
Discover Nordic traditions or walk through historic buildings and cultural landmarks.
Scandinavian Heritage Park is a park in Minot that is dedicated to the history and culture of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland. The best place to start a visit to the park is by touring the Scandinavian Heritage Center. The center is home to a tourist information center as well as a gift shop with a wide range of books and Scandinavian-inspired gifts and souvenirs.
The displays include items from each country, including a 25-foot Swedish Dala Horse, a replica of a Scandinavian Stave Church, a grass roof Stabbur, and much more. There are memorials to Scandinavian ancestors as well as a flag display that honors each of the countries as well as Canada and the United States.
1020 S. Broadway Street, Minot, ND 58701, Phone: 701-852-9161
⮕ South Unit Visitor Center & Theodore Roosevelt N.P.
Explore rugged badlands or visit exhibits on Roosevelt’s conservation legacy.
The South Unit Visitor Center is a visitor center and entrance to Theodore Roosevelt National Park near the town of Medora. The Visitor Center houses a museum that includes collections related to Theodore Roosevelt as well as displays on the history of the area, geology, and nature. The center shows a 17-minute film related to the park and presents a variety of ranger programs throughout the summer. The Maltese Cross Cabin is located near the Visitor Center and includes at least two items that belonged to the President when he used the cabin as his temporary home and hunting cabin.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, 201 E River Rd, Medora, ND 58645
⮕ The Dakota Zoo
See diverse animal species or walk scenic trails through natural habitats.
The Dakota Zoo is a zoo located on the banks of the Missouri River in Bismarck. The zoo is home to a variety of animals ranging from Whitetail Deer and Wild Turkey to Bengal tigers, grizzly bears, and more. Guests can feed animals in Prairie Dog Town, the barnyard area, and the whitetail deer enclosure.
The concession stand sells a variety of popular park food including hotdogs, nachos, beverages, and cotton candy. Strollers can be rented from the concession stand as well. The stand also sells tickets for the train that departs from nearby. The zoo is handicapped accessible and has a limited number of wheelchairs available for guest use.
602 Riverside Park Road, Bismarck, ND 58504, Phone: 701-223-7543
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
⮕ Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park
Discover historic military sites or hike beautiful riverside trails.
Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park is a state park near Mandan. The park is home to the reconstructed On-A-Slant Indian Village, which tells the stories of the Mandan Indians who lived in the area from 1575-1781.
Additionally, there are several reconstructed military buildings from the military post that once stood on the site including the Custer House. The park features several recreational facilities, including a modern campground. The campground has picnic sites and a playground, and it offers scenic views of the Missouri River. In addition to the modern sties, the park has four primitive campsites with horse corrals.
4480 Fort Lincoln Road, Mandan, ND 58554, Phone: 701-667-6340
⮕ North Dakota State Capitol
Explore the impressive architecture or visit observation decks for stunning city views.
The North Dakota State Capitol houses the government for the state. The Capitol is a 21-story art deco style building that shares its grounds with several other government buildings. The Capitol grounds also include several trails, monuments, and parks with informational signs and plaques that inform guests about the history of the state.
The building itself is the tallest building in the state of North Dakota, and the 18th floor features an observation deck that is the highest in the state. Visitors can tour the Capitol building on weekdays. Tours visit both the judicial and legislative branches of the government and travel by elevator to the top of the tower.
600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58505, Phone: 701-328-2471
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
⮕ Red River Zoo
Walk through engaging animal exhibits or see rare cold-climate species up close.
The Red River Zoo is a zoo in Fargo that is home to more than 600 animals from 89 species. The zoo includes red pandas, wolves, and an impressive river otter exhibit with indoor and underwater viewing capabilities.
The zoo specializes in breeding rare cold climate species, including red pandas, Sichuan takin, and Russian Red Tree squirrels. The zoo sits on a 33-acre farm known as the Red River Ranch. Some of the original farm buildings have been renovated for the zoo's current use. The zoo hosts many family friendly events throughout the year, including the popular ZOOcation series.
4255 23rd Avenue S, Fargo, ND 58104, Phone: 701-277-9240
⮕ Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks Baseball
Catch an exciting baseball game or explore the lively stadium atmosphere.
The Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks is a professional, minor league baseball team that is based out of Fargo. The team was originally founded as a part of the Northern League expansion franchise. Today the team plays in the American Association. The team plays their games at the Newman Outdoor Field, which also hosts a variety of other events.
The team won five Northern League titles before that league disbanded and won the 2012 and 2013 American Association North Division Championship. The team plays a full schedule of home and away games throughout the baseball season.
1515 15th Avenue N, Fargo, ND 58102, Phone: 701-235-6161
⮕ Chateau De Mores State Historic Site
Visit a historic mansion or walk through exhibits on frontier life.
The Chateau De Mores is a historic home in Medora that was built by the Marquis de Mores. The home was constructed in 1883 as a summer home and hunting lodge. The site features a permanent exhibit called "Rails Ranching and Riches," which tells the story of de Mores and his family.
Visitors can take tours of the home, which features 26-rooms of the family's original artifacts. Some of the museum's interesting holdings include a small-scale refrigerator car as well as an original stagecoach from the family's company. The site also frequently hosts temporary exhibits. Additionally, the historic site shows a film to orient and introduce visitors to the site.
3426 Chateau Road, Medora, ND 58645, Phone: 701-623-4355
Where to Eat in North Dakota
- For Local Favorites: Kroll’s Diner (Fargo & Bismarck) – German-American comfort food like fleischkuekle and knoephla soup served in a retro setting.
- For Fine Dining: Mezzaluna (Fargo) – Upscale seasonal fare in a stylish downtown venue.
- For Classic Western Vibes: Pitchfork Steak Fondue (Medora) – Steak cooked on pitchforks and served outdoors with epic views.
If You Are Interested in Local Events:
- For Culture & History: United Tribes International Powwow (September, Bismarck) – One of the largest Native American cultural gatherings in the U.S.
- For Western Fun: North Dakota State Fair (July, Minot) – Carnival rides, concerts, livestock shows, and fair food galore.
- For Summer Entertainment: Medora Musical (June–September) – A Broadway-style production under the stars in the Badlands.
Day Trip Itineraries Within North Dakota:
- For Nature: Cross Ranch State Park (1 hr from Bismarck) – Trails, river views, and peaceful campsites along the Missouri River.
- For Quirky Art: Enchanted Highway (Near Regent) – Drive through whimsical giant sculptures set in open prairie.
- For Riverfront Fun: Downtown Bismarck – Explore dining, riverboat cruises, and outdoor concerts in the capital city.
- For History: Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site (1 hr from Bismarck) – Learn about Hidatsa earthlodges and ancient agriculture.
- For Scenic Views: Lake Sakakawea (Various access points) – Boating, fishing, and shoreline trails around North Dakota’s largest lake.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What is North Dakota known for?
- North Dakota is a state where the rolling plains meet intensely blue skies.
- How much of North Dakota is still untouched?
- Much of the state is wide, open spaces that have been largely untouched since the area was explored by Lewis and Clark and their team.
- What cultural experiences are available in North Dakota?
- Visitors looking for a cultural experience will find a thriving arts community in North Dakota, including museums, historical theaters, and concert venues.
Map:
Plan Your Trip