 |
|
|
|
Trips to Go
|
Bring the Kids
|
|
|
|
Categories: History and Legends, Set the Kids Free, Stay by Day
|
North Dakota is not only a safe travel destination for families, but North Dakota is a such a cool destination for families that the kids won’t even realize they are learning and traveling through US History!
DAY 1
Bismarck-Mandan Area
Bismarck is the State Capitol of North Dakota and the second largest city. It started as a railroad, riverboat and military wild west boom town in the 1800’s. Now is home to the state’s largest museum, finest dining, and greatest recreational asset in the Missouri River. Some of the attractions you should visit while in the Capitol City are:
FORT ABRAHAM LINCOLN STATE PARK
- 977-acre park located on the Missouri River’s banks south of Mandan. The history goes back over 300 years when it was home to the Mandan Indians. Site of a military garrison in the mid-to late 1800s. Exhibits relate to the life of the Mandan Indians and the military history of the fort. www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/FLSP.htm
ON-A-SLANT INDIAN VILLAGE
- Fort Lincoln State Park - This village was once home to a thriving Mandan Indian population. Reconstructed earthlodges of the Mandan Indians at On-A-Slant Indian Village. www.fortlincoln.com
THE CUSTER HOUSE
- Fort Lincoln State Park - Tour the home of General George & Libbie Custer Reconstructed commissary storehouse, granary, barracks and stables. This was the last home and command of General George Armstrong Custer.It was from here that Custer and his 7th Cavalry rode to meet their fate at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. www.fortlincoln.com
FORT MCKEEN BLOCKHOUSES
- Fort Lincoln State Park - Infantry blockhouses set high on the bluffs over-looking the Missouri River. Same vantage point early cavalry soldiers had as they viewed the wide expanse of the Missouri River.
FORT LINCOLN TROLLEY
- Restored trolley car offers a round-trip ride to Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. Daily trips to the park running on the hour. 701-663-9018
NORTH DAKOTA STATE CAPITOL
- The 19-story, Art Deco building was constructed in the early 1930s, often referred to as the “Skyscraper of the Prairie”, contains unique woods and materials from many states and countries. Tours available 701-328-2471 or 701-328-2480. www.nd.gov
NORTH DAKOTA HERITAGE CENTER AND SAKAKAWEA STATUE
- State's largest museum has an outstanding collection of Plains Indian artifacts and interpretive exhibits that feature North Dakota's varied American Indian, military and agricultural history and prehistory. www.nd.gov/hist
LEWIS & CLARK RIVERBOAT
- 100-foot paddle-wheeler features twin decks and a 70 foot cabin that can carry more than 150 people. Departs in the afternoon, also dinner and sunset cruises on the Missouri River. www.lewisandclarkriverboat.com
DAY 2
Washburn Area
LEWIS & CLARK INTERPRETIVE CENTER
- This world-class interpretive site along the route Lewis and Clark traveled almost 200 years ago. Bergquist Gallery features a rare set of the printed artworks of Swiss artist Karl Bodmer.Fort Clark Exhibit presents information on steamboats, frontier trade and American Indian culture. www.fortmandan.com
FORT MANDAN
- Reconstructed site of Fort Mandan, winter home of Lewis and Clark in 1804-1805. www.fortmandan.com
Travel the Sakakawea Scenic Byway highlights fantastic views of the Missouri River Valley along with some of the state’s most outstanding Lewis and Clark destinations. Visitors are able to follow the course of this great journey and discover the history and culture of the people who lived in the rolling hills and wooded valleys of the Missouri and Knife rivers. http://www.parkrec.nd.gov/byways/find/Sakakawea/index.html
Stanton Area
KNIFE RIVER INDIAN VILLAGES NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
- American Indians occupied this area for more than 11,000 years. This is also where Lewis & Clark met Sakakawea in 1804 and Visit the ruins of an ancient Indian village last occupied in 1845, a collection of artifacts and a reconstructed American Indian earthlodge. American Indians occupied this area for more than 11,000 years. www.nps.gov/knri
DAYS 2 & 3
Medora Area
Medora is the gateway to the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This authentic Old West cow-town was founded in 1883 by the Marquis de Mores and named for his wife. Medora offers a musical extravaganza, trail rides, mountain biking, hiking, museums, many gift shops and restaurants are bustling during the summer season. www.medora.com/
THE COWBOY AND HIS HORSE
- The Cowboy and His Horse Series takes place near the Rough Riders Hotel Tuesdays through Sundays at 11:30AM from mid-June through early September Local cowboy Lyle K. Glass presents different topics daily, including How to saddle a horse, How to read a brand,How to groom a horse and many others. Free to the public.
MEDORA CHILDREN’S PARK
- The playground has a western theme with a false front town and a section that looks like an Old West fort. The play areas have western-looking equipment like a stagecoach and train engine. Children of all ages will enjoy their visit to this FREE attraction.
MEDORA RIDING STABLES
- Trail rides into the Badlands continue to be a favorite pastime for visitors to Historic Medora. No experience is necessary to ride these well-trained horses on guided trails along buttes and paintbrush canyons. The rides fill up fast with folks who want to create unforgettable memories so it's best to call ahead to reserve a time. Riders must be six years of age or older to ride. Only one rider per horse is allowed. The Medora Riding Stables are located on the eastern edge of Medora.
BUGGY RIDES
- See historic Medora and have a once-in-a-lifetime experience while on a fun buggy ride through the downtown streets. You'll be entertained while learning about all the history and by-gone years of Medora as told to you by a cowboy guide.
MINI GOLF
- Located across from the Medora’s Children’s Park. 18 holes of Family Fun!
DOLL HOUSE MUSEUM
- A collection of antique dolls and toys housed in the VonHoffman House built by the Marquis. www.medora.com/attractions/dollhouse.html BULLY THE PLAY One-act play from the BRoadway production of Theodore Roosevelt as President, father, husband and hunter in the North Dakota Badlands. http://www.medora.com/what-to-do/?Medora-Doll-House
PITCHFORK FONDUE Experience unique dining on top of one of the highest bluffs offering a spectacular view of the scenic Badlands and the town of Medora. Ribeye steaks are fondued "western style" with all the fixin's. http://www.medora.com/where-to-eat/?Pitchfork-Steak-Fondue
MEDORA MUSICAL
- Broadway-style musical show in spectacular Burning Hills Amphitheatre. The surrounding hills resound with music and laughter at this fast-paced, song-and-dance professional extravaganza. http://www.medora.com/musical/
SOUTH UNIT THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK
- Scenic splendor in the savagely beautiful North Dakota Badlands, named for the 26th President of the United States and managed by the National Park Service. This beautiful national park has three units, all offering distinctly different views.Named for the 26th President, it memorializes his contribution to conservation. www.nps.gov/thro/
BULLY PULPIT GOLF COURSE
- Ranked America's Best New Affordable Public Course by Golf Digest in January 2006. Located just 3 miles south of Historic Medora, this 18-hole course is set in the beautiful North Dakota Badlands. http://www.medora.com/bully-pulpit/
CHATEAU DE MORES STATE HISTORIC SITE
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS:
- Mountain biking through the Badlands on Maah Daah Hey Trail
- Hiking along trails through the Badlands to see nature and wildlife
- Canoeing through the Theodore Roosevelt National Park on the Little Missouri River.
Contact Information:
Bismarck-Mandan CVB
1600 Burnt Boat Drive
Bismarck, ND 58503
701-222-4308
800-767-3555
www.discoverbismarckmandan.com
Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation
PO Box 198
Medora, ND 58645
701-623-6721
800-633-6721
www.medora.org
Washburn Visitors Bureau
US Hwy 83 & Hwy 200A
Washburn, ND 58577
701-462-8530
888-462-8530
|
|
|
|
