20 Best & Fun Things To Do In North Dakota: A Guide

North Dakota, a quiet state in the Midwest, is home to a wealth of breathtaking attractions.

Embark on a journey to discover the picturesque landscapes of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, where wild bison roam freely, or explore the iconic Badlands, a haven for hikers and nature enthusiasts alike. North Dakota’s wide-open spaces provide an ideal playground for outdoor activities such as fishing, birdwatching, and camping.

Delve into the state’s captivating history at various museums, including the North Dakota Heritage Center, and learn about the fascinating tales of Native American tribes and pioneers who shaped the region.

For a taste of Western heritage, attend a rodeo or immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of a local powwow, celebrating the rich traditions and vibrant cultures of the indigenous communities.

North Dakota’s warm hospitality extends to its charming small towns and friendly locals, making your visit an unforgettable experience of true Americana.

Whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat into nature or a cultural exploration of the Great Plains, North Dakota welcomes you with open arms, promising an authentic and enriching adventure that will leave a lasting impression.

Listed in this article are interesting and mind-blowing places you could visit and also exciting things to do in North Dakota during your stay.

Things To Do In North Dakota

They include and are not limited to the mentioned places.

1. Lake Sakakawea And Garrison Dam

The Missouri River includes the Garrison Dam, which was constructed in the middle of the 20th century.

Information regarding the dam’s construction and the nearby Lake Sakakawea is displayed in the lobby.

After taking a tour of the power plant, you can go to the lake to engage in some outdoor activities.

The third-largest man-made lake in the nation, the lake itself is approximately 200 miles long.

The lake, which bears Sacagawea’s name, is a popular destination for anglers from all over the world. Sacagawea was a Shoshone woman who guided Lewis and Clark.

2. Plains Art Museum

The Plains Art Museum, located in the International Harvester warehouse, is a well-liked destination in Fargo.

There, you may find more than 3,000 works from local and international artists.

View the works of modern native painters like George Morrison and Impressionists like Mary Cassatt.

The Katherine Kilbourne Burgum Center for Creativity is part of the museum’s 50,000+ square foot building, which has grown from its modest beginnings in the Moorhead post office.

This multipurpose structure provides classrooms and a venue for exhibits.

3. National Buffalo Museum

Only one state, North Dakota, has three albino buffalo.

Many indigenous cultures hold White Cloud, the most well-known of these, in high regard.

She was born in 1996 and spent over 20 years as a herd member on the grasslands close to the museum.

She gave birth to 11 calves throughout her life, one of whom was Dakota Miracle, an albino.

When a brown buffalo gave birth to a white calf named Dakota Legend, the museum received even more attention.

For many individuals, the museum and its surroundings are hallowed, and coming here is transformative.

4. Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site

Fort Union, once regarded as the greatest fort on the Missouri River, was possibly the most significant fur-trading location for most of the 19th century.

The head merchant and his family reside in a big white mansion that stands out sharply from the surrounding scenery.

To impress the Assiniboine tribe and other Plains tribes, it was constructed in the largest style imaginable.

Over 25,000 buffalo skins are thought to have been exchanged here annually.

Despite being in use amid unrest, the fort took pride in its ability to maintain good relations with all of the passing commerce.

5. The Scandinavian Heritage Park

The Scandinavian Heritage Park, which honors the numerous pioneers from Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway, is located in Minot.

The foundation of the center, which was founded in the late 1980s, is dedicated to preserving the past and creating new connections for the future. The center has an impressive international membership.

You can witness a real house that was brought to the center from Sigdal, Norway.

The recreation of the Gol Stave Church and the soothing Finnish sauna is not to be missed.

The park honors the pioneering spirit of the numerous Scandinavians who emigrated to the American frontier in search of a better life.

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6. International Peace Garden

Along their shared border in North Dakota, gardens and trails commemorate the two nations’ long-standing peace.

2,300 acres make up the International Peace Garden.

which are split equally between the United States and Canada.

The Interpretive Center is open all year round and features a restaurant, a conservatory with more than 3,000 cacti, and a gift shop.

Situated in the center of Turtle Island, the original name given to North America by the American Indians, in the Turtle Mountains.

Visitors can camp, walk, ride, and watch wildlife in the refuge, which was established more than 80 years ago.

7. Maah Daah Hey Trail

The Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s northern and southern regions are connected by this trail, which is slightly under 100 miles long.

It is known as the Maah Daah Hey Trail, and a turtle serves as its emblem to represent tenacity and endurance.

If you choose to hike it, you will need it.

Some sections are challenging and have rugged Badlands and stunning prairie.

Coyotes, golden eagles, deer, bighorn sheep, and even bison will be visible.

In this wonderful section of the national park, visitors camp out while hiking, biking, and riding horses.

8. The State Capitol Complex

Among US capitals, the state capital of North Dakota is distinctive.

Sometimes referred to as the “skyscraper of the prairie,” it is a tall structure with art deco details that has a Stalinist appearance.

To view Bismarck and its surroundings, take the elevator up to the 18th floor, where there is an observation deck.

It was constructed in the 1930s and has a 241-foot height.

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9. The Woodchipper

If you haven’t seen Fargo by the Coen Brothers, be ready for a cult hit.

The Fargo Moorhead Visitors Center in Fargo now has the actual wood chipper that was utilized in the movie to dispose of Carl’s body.

Visitors can recreate the well-known scene using real movie attire and a prosthetic leg.

It’s one of the city’s most well-liked photo opportunities, and you’ll have plenty of tales to tell when you get home.

10. Visit The North Dakota Heritage Center

The North Dakota Heritage Center covers all the bases, from prehistoric to the current.

The museum reopened in 2014 with a new exhibit area that features anything from nuclear silos to bachelor farmers in Norway to dinosaurs.

Sacagawea, the renowned Lewis, and Clark guide, are depicted in a wonderful monument outside, while the four galleries detail the state’s history and highlight its contributions to the development of the nation.

11. Medora Musical

Teddy Roosevelt was a rowdy cowboy of the dying west before becoming president.

Theodore Roosevelt’s life is portrayed in this outdoor production at Medora, which is next to his national park, using singing, dancing, pyrotechnics, and real animals.

The 1950s saw the debut of the first production, which has since developed into a must-see attraction.

The town was rebuilt and remodeled, and it is now home to a variety of outdoor activities and entertainment spots that are sure to provide an authentically American Old West experience.

12. Fort Mandan Overlook State Historic Site

Fort Mandan was erected in 1804 with the aid of Lewis and Clark. When they arrived, it was winter, and they required a base camp.

During their stay here, they met Sacagawea, their renowned guide, and conducted numerous tribal members’ interviews.

Even though the river swept away the old fort, historians and archaeologists have attempted to reconstruct daily life at the time the explorers passed through.

There are now interactive exhibits that describe the history and present-day circumstances of the overlooks.

13. Bison Monument And Frontier Village

The well-known Bison Monument and Frontier Village can be found midway between Fargo and Bismarck.

View actual bison, including the uncommon albino bison, grazing close to the monument.

There is also the National Buffalo Museum.

You’ll discover everything there is to know about these amazing animals and how they facilitated Plains Indian culture.

The Frontier Village is a collection of historic pioneer structures that includes a barbershop from bygone times, a drugstore, a church, a jail, a post office, a schoolhouse, and more.

In order to preserve these buildings, they have been brought here from various frontier locations across the state.

You can visit Louis L’Amour’s writing cabin, Jamestown’s oldest train depot, and shop for locally crafted products.

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14. Theodore Roosevelt National Park

This 70,000-acre area encompasses the elements that Theodore Roosevelt cherished most about North Dakota, including canyons, mountains, the Missouri River, and the Badlands.

The former Elkhorn Ranch of the president is located halfway between the park’s two main portions, which are separated by about 50 miles.

Due to the presence of the city of Medora, the southern portion of the park is usually the most visited, although the northern region is just as breathtaking.

Come camp, go on a trek, rock climb, ride a horse, or even just drive by.

In the busiest months, park rangers conduct all-day guided tours and wildlife programs.

15. Salem Sue

In the lovely North Dakota village of New Salem, there is a huge Holstein cow monument named Salem Sue. Salem Sue, a sculpture created in 1974 to honor the dairy industry.

She is one of at least two “World’s Largest” creatures created by Dave Oswald that are located there.

About $40,000 was spent on the old girl, which was paid for by donations from residents and farmers and supported by The New Salem Lions Club.

The sculpture, known as the “World’s Largest Cow,” is a source of pride for New Salem. It has gained notoriety as a local landmark.

16. Fargo Air Museum

The Fargo Air Museum is one of the most thrilling sites to visit, whether or not you are an airplane fan. 

It is a wonderful museum that can be found close to Hector International Airport in West Fargo’s northern section.

The aviation museum is home to a large collection of vintage aircraft, 90% of which are still in operable condition as a result of diligent, skilled repair and maintenance.

The museum’s mascot is a yellow Douglas DC3 “Dakota,” widely known as the C-47 to the US Military and a well-known and still-flyable passenger and freight transport plane.

The displayed aircraft includes both classic and modern models. The Wright Brothers’ Flier exhibit, the first motorized aircraft to fly successfully, is on display.

There are numerous military aircraft on display from the North Dakota Flying Aces and Air National Guard’s past, as well as exhibitions on agricultural aviation and cloud manipulation.

17. Sandy (The World’s Largest Sandhill Crane)

There are countless roadside attractions in North Dakota, especially along Interstate 94, that are undoubtedly intended to lure unsuspecting drivers to pull over and take some pictures. 

One such attraction is Sandy, the enormous sandhill crane, the largest bird of prey on the entire globe.

The highest crane in the world is this lanky Sandhill Crane made of rolled steel.

The sculpture is about 4.5 tons in weight and about 40 feet tall. 

It was built by self-taught ironworker James Miller between 1998 and 1999.

18. The Enchanted Highway

In the hamlet of Regent in western North Dakota, there is a collection of the largest scrap metal statues in the world called The Enchanted Highway.

From Gladstone to Regent, 32 miles of two-lane road were set aside for a collection of one-of-a-kind scrap metal sculptures, placed at regular intervals.

Highway travel is an adventure you shouldn’t pass up because it offers beautiful scenery and works of art. 

The path takes you to the Enchanted Castle, one of Regent’s most well-liked and fascinating attractions, which is the best part.

On the Enchanted Highway, notable sculptures can be seen along the road.

19. Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site

There are many great sights and landmarks in North Dakota that depict the history, culture, and way of life of the area’s Native American population as well as the wild frontier.

Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, founded in 1974, is one of the best places to learn about these remarkable people and the history of the area.

This magnificent site, which was created on the foundations of an ancient Indian village, is also the site of the legendary meeting of Sakakawea, a Lemhi Shoshone woman who, at the age of 16, helped Captain Meriwether Lewis and Second Lieutenant William Clark finish the Corps of Discovery Expedition, also known as the Lewis and Clark Expedition and incorrectly known as Sacagawea or Sacajawea in English.

A fantastic museum with amazing exhibits on Native American culture, art, and other artifacts, as well as exhibits on the area flora and fauna and their significance among the people of the Plains Nations, can be found at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site today.

20. Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park

Another one of North Dakota’s most beautiful and well-liked state parks is Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. 

It is an excellent location to explore, camp, or even go horseback riding while learning more about North Dakota’s Native and military histories.

It is well known for serving as Colonel George Armstrong Custer’s and the 7th Cavalry Regiment’s last point of departure before heading to the Battle of Little Bighorn, or the Battle of Greasy Grass as the victors Sioux called it.

The history of the state park spans more than three centuries.

The Mandan tribe once called it home. Later, it served as the location of a fort built by the Union Army that guarded trade routes and housed one to two battalions of soldiers in the middle of the 19th century.

Visitors can find rebuilt structures, such as the On-A-Slant Mandan village’s reassembled earth lodges.

FAQ

Conclusion 

Discover North Dakota’s best and most enjoyable attractions, which are already listed above, and enjoy your trip.