Located in the Great Plains, North Dakota is often associated with the big oil boom of recent years. The Peace Garden State has many hidden treasures for locals and visitors alike, and it’s not all buffalo and cowboys. Check out these top 10 bucket list items you need to add to your travels.
10. National Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
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The Washburn Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center offers visitors hands-on experience and valuable insights into the years-long expedition headed by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, as well as the American Indian tribes they met along the way. The center also includes a reconstruction of Fort Mandan, the winter respite that the traveling party built in 1804 along the Missouri River.
9. Attend a University of North Dakota Hockey Game
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North Dakotans take their hockey very seriously. Never is this more apparent than when the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks are playing a home game. One of the most storied members of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, the Hawks have made over 30 NCAA tournament appearances and send many of their players onward to the NHL.
8. Laughing Sun Brewing Company
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With signature ales such as Sinister Pear, Laughing Sun Brewing is sure to impress even the most knowledgeable beer drinkers. They have a craft brew for every taste. Laughing Sun also boasts its charismatic attitude by showcasing live music from local artists.
7. Doolittles Woodfire Grill
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A Fargo tradition, Doolittles Woodfire Grill is known for its slow-cooked meats and artisan side dishes. Guests rave about the restaurant’s menu, including favorites such as the spitfire chicken. The inviting atmosphere only adds to the restaurant’s charm, ensuring that visitors go home satisfied.
6. Knife River Indian Villages
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At this national historic site, the traditions of the Northern Plains Indians live on through the preservation of artifacts spanning more than four centuries. Knife River was particularly important to the fur industry after 1750. Your group will surely enjoy themselves while learning about America’s indigenous culture.
5. Bonanzaville
(image via Flickr)
Comprised of 47 historically significant buildings, Bonanzaville is a museum in the form of a village from the past. Walking through, you will see a jail, a schoolhouse, a church, and many other buildings that make up a functioning town. Many of the buildings were from the region and moved to the museum to complete the image.
4. Enchanted Highway (I-94, Exit 72)
Stretching 32 miles in southwestern North Dakota, the Enchanted Highway features the world’s largest collection of scrap metal sculptures. Visitor favorites include The Tin Family, Geese in Flight, and Teddy Rides Again. While there, be sure to stay in the Enchanted Castle in Regent.
3. Scandinavian Heritage Park
Since it was first opened in 1990, the Scandinavian Heritage Park in Minot has showcased the culture and achievements of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. Among the notable monuments is a detailed replica of the Gol Stave Church in Norway and Plaza Scandinavia, a granite map of each of the represented nations.
2. Theodore Roosevelt National Park
In the 1880s, Theodore Roosevelt would come to the North Dakota badlands to hunt bison. Now, the area is preserved in his honor. Much of the animal life of the area is on display in the national park, including mountain lions, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs. The wildlife can easily be enjoyed during one of the park’s scenic drives.
1. International Peace Garden
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Found on the border of the United States and Canada, the International Peace Garden is meant to symbolize goodwill between the two nations. Every year, more than 150,000 flowers are planted within the park, including in the shape of American and Canadian flags. Many notable monuments stand in the garden, including the Peace Towers, one on U.S. soil and the other on Canadian.
