Pembina Gorge

30 Must-See Places in North Dakota

North Dakota has uncrowded, wide-open spaces, and amazing vistas that take your breath away at must-see national and state parks, and recreational areas. Its urban hubs offer all the amenities you are looking for along with a friendly smile. There's lasting memories and adventure to be found in North Dakota at so many unique, and affordable destinations so fill your itinerary with more than two dozen things to see and do on a tour of North Dakota.

Girl runs on boardwalk at Fort Buford State Historic Site
Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center and Fort Buford

Historically significant area includes the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center and Fort Buford, a supply depot for the U.S. Army during the Plains Native American tribe wars and the site of Chief Sitting Bull's surrender in July 1881.

15349 39 Ln NW
Williston, ND 58801
United States

Fort Union Trading Post
Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site

Home to John Jacob Astor's powerful American Fur Company, Fort Union Trading Post dominated the peaceful fur trade on the upper Missouri River between 1829 and 1867. Today, see museum exhibits in the Bourgeois House and shop for gifts and souvenirs in the reconstructed Trade House.

15550 Highway 1804
Williston, ND 58801
United States

MHA Interpretive Center
MHA Interpretive Center

This world-class museum takes you on a captivating journey through the rich history and vibrant culture of the MHA Nation. Explore the permanent museums, living history programs, and remarkable story of the Great MHA Nation.

9386 ND-23
New Town, ND 58763
United States

Scandinavian Heritage Park
Scandinavian Heritage Park

Celebrate the heritage of all five Scandinavian countries all in one place! See the 60-foot-tall full-scale replica of the Gol Stave Church built without nails, an original Norwegian log house, a Nordic-style visitors center and more at this 14-acre park.

1020 S Broadway
Minot, ND 58701
United States

Maah Daah Hey Trail
Maah Daah Hey Trail

The Maah Daah Hey Trail is a 144-mile EPIC single-track for hiking, biking and horseback riding through the Badlands, Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the Old West town of Medora. 

3389 Pool Dr
Medora, ND 58645
United States

Lake Sakakawea
Lake Sakakawea and Garrison Dam

The largest lake in North Dakota and the largest man-made lake within one state, Lake Sakakawea covers 609 square miles behind Garrison Dam. It's named for the young Native American woman who accompanied Lewis and Clark on their expedition.

Hwy 200
Riverdale, ND 58565
United States

Knife River Indian Villages
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site

Visit the 1804 meeting place of Sakakawea and Lewis and Clark. On the ruins of an ancient Native American village last occupied in 1845 today sits a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to preserving Native American culture. A reconstructed earthlodge contains artifacts as well.

564 39 1/2 Ave SW
Stanton, ND 58571
United States

Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center
Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Fort Mandan

Stop into this world-class interpretive center along the route Lewis and Clark traveled. Exhibits focus on artifacts from every tribe the explorers encountered, showcasing the culture of the Mandan Native American tribe and the winter of 1804-05. Fort Mandan is two miles west of the interpretive center.

2576 8th St SW
Washburn, ND 58577
United States

Fort Abraham Lincoln
Fort Abraham Lincoln and On-A-Slant Village

At Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, history goes back 300-plus years to when On-A-Slant Village was home to the Mandan Native American tribe. Today it's a 977-acre park on the banks of the Missouri River, and its exhibits relate to the life of the Mandans and the military history of the fort. Tour the home of General George and Libbie Custer and the 7th Cavalry.

4480 Fort Lincoln Rd
Mandan, ND 58554
United States

North Dakota State Capitol and Heritage Center
North Dakota Capitol and Heritage Center & State Museum

The collection of Plains artifacts found here at the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum is second only to the Smithsonian's. See displays on the state's rich military and agricultural history and step back into the time of the dinosaurs. The 19-story Capitol, built in the early 1930s, has a top-floor observation deck. 

600 E Boulevard Ave
Bismarck, ND 58505
United States

Roosevelt Zoo
Roosevelt Zoo

The Roosevelt Park Zoo is a zoo in Minot, North Dakota. It is the oldest zoo in North Dakota. The park is home to 135 animals from 68 different species. Over 100,000 people visit the zoo every year.

1219 Burdick Expressway E
Minot, ND 58701
United States

Magic City Discovery Center
Magic City Discovery Center

A fun and exciting destination that brings children, their families and caregivers together in an interactive environment that inspires creativity, encourages play and enhances education.

1545 1st St NW
Minot, ND 58703
United States

Enchanted Highway
Enchanted Highway

Classic roadside art, in the forms of giant metal statues, rise from the prairie alongside the Enchanted Highway between Gladstone and Regent in western North Dakota. It's selfie heaven.

102 Ave SW
Regent, ND 58650
United States

Dickinson Museum Center
Dickinson Museum Center

Don't let the life-sized Triceratops and Pachycephalosaurus outside the entrance scare you away. Real skeletons excavated from the area are found inside, in addition to a Triceratops skull named "Bill" and a collection of minerals from all over the world. The gift shop has unique souvenirs like insects in amber and casts of dinosaur teeth and claws.

46 W Museum Dr
Dickinson, ND 58601
United States

Medora Musical
Medora Musical, Pitchfork Fondue and Chateau de Mores State

Tour the 26-room Chateau de Mores, built in 1883 by the founder of Medora, eat a steak cooked cowboy style at the Pitchfork Fondue and settle in for the Medora Musical in the outdoor Burning Hills Amphitheatre.

3426 Chateau Rd
Medora, ND 58645
United States

Hiking at the south unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park - South Unit

Admire the 26th president's contribution to conservation at this south unit of the park. The North Dakota Badlands provide a scenic backdrop, and you may spot buffalo, deer, elk, bighorn sheep, wild horses, mule deer and prairie dogs on the loop drive.

Medora
Medora, ND 58645
United States

Summer view at Riverbend Overlook at the north unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park - North Unit

Get spectacular views along the 14-mile scenic drive, which features turnouts with interpretive signs. Self-guided nature trails take you through coulees and breaks. Visit the prairie dog town, Oxbow Overlook and the Edge of Glacier Pullout.

217 Scenic Dr
Watford City, ND 58854
United States

Icelandic State Park
Icelandic State Park

Located on the shores of Lake Renwick, this 912-acre park allows visitors to learn about the state’s early settlement and provides an array of recreational opportunities. Boating, swimming, and fishing are a few summer favorites, and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter.

13571 ND-5
Cavalier, ND 58220
United States

World's Largest Buffalo Monument
World's Largest Buffalo and North American Bison Discovery Center

The World's Largest Buffalo Monument towers over the city of Jamestown and the adjacent North American Bison Discovery Center has interactive and rotating exhibits. See the live bison herd on site.

404 Louis Lamour Ln
Jamestown, ND 58401
United States

Devils Lake
Devils Lake

North Dakota's four-season recreational area boasts excellent open-water and ice fishing, boating, camping and hunting. The lake offers ample wildlife viewing, hiking trails, along with breathtaking views.

Hwy 2
Devils Lake, ND 58301
United States

International Peace Garden
International Peace Garden

The tribute to peace between the U.S. and Canada encompasses 2,300 acres of natural beauty; two pristine freshwater lakes, scenic hiking and driving trails, wildflowers, waterfalls and a large variety of North American birds and animals. 

10939 Hwy 281
Dunseith, ND 58329
United States

Pembina Gorge
Pembina Gorge

The Pembina Gorge near the Canadian border at Walhalla is a four-season playground with trails, a kayaking river, Frostfire Ski and Snowboard Area, Frostfire Theatre and a mountain biking terrain park.

101 5th St
Walhalla, ND 58282
United States

White Horse Hill
White Horse Hill National Game Preserve

Bison, elk, prairie dogs and migratory birds are plentiful at White Horse Hill on the shores of Devils Lake. Hiking trails and an auto tour wind through the preserve.

2107 Park Drive
St. Michael, ND 58301
United States

Gateway to Science
North Dakota's Gateway to Science

Offers engaging, hands-on STEM learning experiences for all ages in our gallery and exhibits, after school and summer camps, preschool discovery hour, Gateway to Science on the Go, and other community events.

1600 Canary Ave
Bismarck, ND 58501
United States

Orangutan at Chahinkapa Zoo
Chahinkapa Zoo

More than 300 animals representing six continents and 100 species make the zoo their home. Otters, gibbons, zebras, grizzly bears, spider monkeys, Bengal tigers and kangaroos are just a few of the favorites. Tal, the only orangutan in North Dakota, is waiting to greet you.

1004 RJ Hughes Dr
Wahpeton, ND 58075
United States

Fargo Air Museum
Fargo Air Museum

Premier flying museum in the Upper Midwest has historic flyable airplanes, including P-51 Mustang, Duggy - "Smile in the Sky" airplane, TBM Avenger, Corsair, L Birds, PT-19 Fairchild, Pitts Special, Wright Flyer replica, Ag Cat and more.

1609 19th Ave N
Fargo, ND 58102
United States

Bonanzaville
Bonanzaville

43 historic buildings and more 400,000 artifacts, including Fargo's first house, Donbrinz Schoolhouse, St. John's Church, Embden Train depot, Houston House, automobile museum, tractor museum, airplane museum and more.

1351 Main Ave W
West Fargo, ND 58078
United States

Plains Art Museum
Plains Art Museum

Accredited fine art museum in the heart of historic downtown Fargo. The museum includes the The Store, exhibitions, gardens and outdoor art, performances, special events, tours, and classes. 

704 1st Ave N
Fargo, ND 58102
United States

North Dakota Museum of Art
North Dakota Museum of Art

Three galleries house exhibitions of regional, national and international art. The museum is recognized nationally for its commissioning of landmark works of art anchored in the landscape, history and culture of the Northern Plains.

261 Centennial Dr
Grand Forks, ND 58202
United States

Pembina State Museum

Discover 100 million years of regional history from the Cretaceous Age to contemporary times in the permanent exhibit gallery. Also features temporary exhibit gallery, museum store and seven-story viewing tower.

832 W Rolette St
Pembina, ND 58271
United States