Northern Tier Sample itinerary

Take the high road! Visit North Dakota’s northern tier through scenic wonders, legendary historic sites, wildlife viewing areas and rounding out the excursion with the metropolitan amenities of eastern North Dakota.

DAY 1

Williston Area

Please contact the Williston Convention and Visitors Bureau for a complete listing of accommodations, restaurants, events and attractions at 800-615-9041. www.willistonndtourism.com

MISSOURI-YELLOWSTONE CONFLUENCE INTERPRETIVE CENTER

• History of the area comes to life at the Confluence Interpretive Center Museum and gift store Walking trail to Fort Buford State Historic Site and Fort Union National Historic Site www.discovernd.com/hist

• Established in 1866 at the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers, Fort Buford became a major supply depot for military field operations. Site of Sitting Bull’s surrender in 1881. Walking trail on site. http://www.nd.gov/hist/

• This site was the principal fur-trading post of Jacob Astor’s powerful American Fur Company. Indians and fur traders peacefully co-existed before the great Indian wars. The Bourgeois House contains a museum and gift shop. www.nps.gov/fous

• Situated on the upper bays of Lake Sakakawea. Full service state park, RV site and campground.

• Nationally top ranked golf course; #2 in North Dakota by Golf Week in 2005, #58 in Golf Week’s 100 Best Modern Courses. 13 sites for RV parking adjacent to the Links of North Dakota www.thelinksofnorthdakota.com

• Casino features live entertainment, dining room, lodging and a beautiful overlook of Lake Sakakawea. www.4bearscasino.com

• A heritage and culture preservation and display area of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara people. On-site interpreters and gift shop. www.mhanation.com

• See a breathtaking view of Lake Sakakawea, Badlands bluffs and the foundations of the underwater town of Sanish. This site was used by William Clark while waiting to reunite with Meriwether Lewis.

• Outdoor museum honors Nordic ancestors. Visit a Norwegian house, stubbur, Danish windmill, Swedish Dala Horse, stave church, statues, picnic pavilion, and visitor center. www.scandinavianheritage.org

• Visit more than 200 mammals, birds and reptiles, Children’s zoo, education center, gift shop and Discovery Gallery. www.rpzoo.com

• Established in 2002, Point of View Winery specializes in native fruit and honey wines including Honeywiess, Chokecherry, and Rhubarb. Sampling and wine purchase available. www.povwinery.com

• Located in the former Union National Bank building in downtown Minot. This beautiful building has been renovated into an incredible art gallery that hosts many traveling exhibits throughout the year. www.taubemuseum.org

• Regional aviation display features military and civilian aircrafts dating from 1928 through present day. www.dakotaterritoryairmuseum.com

• Memorabilia from the region’s pioneer settlers.

• Dedicated to four chaplains who lost their lives in World War II

• The "Stonehenge" of the prairie offers a breathtaking view overlooking the farmland west of the Turtle Mountains and was designed so that visitors can view the summer and winter solstices and the equinox. www.turtlemountains.org/

• Nestled in the scenic Turtle Mountains on the shores of Lake Metigoshe, the state park is one of the most popular year-round vacation spots in North Dakota. Visitors can rental canoes and kayaks in the summer and fall, or snowshoe and cross-country ski in the winter. www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/LMSP.htm

• Fifty-three mile byway, traveling through the Turtle Mountains, visitors can enjoy beautiful lakes surrounded by pine and aspen, wild flowers and wildlife, and a wide variety of outdoor activities.

• A more than 2300 acres botanical garden commemorating the peace between the United States and Canada welcomes visitors from around the world. See the 150,000 varieties of flowers, a floral clock, a 120 foot Peace Chapel and 9/11 Memorial, and the International Music Camp. www.peacegarden.com/

• Eleven and one-half miles, winding along the bends of the Pembina River; you can enjoy the panorama of the Pembina Gorge and enjoy the recreational, historical and natural scenery opportunities of the area www.tradecorridor.com/walhalla/rendezvous.htm

• This house and store owned by Antoine Gingras between 1843 and 1873 served the Metis community. The buildings are among the oldest standing structures built by Euro-Americans in North Dakota.

• Visit the outdoor amphitheater overlooking the Pembina Gorger. The summer theatre features Broadway-style musicals. Winter visitors will enjoy a fun and relaxing downhill skiing experience. www.frostfireskiarea.com or www.frostfiretheatre.com  

• Lake Renwick entices visitors to go boating, swimming and fishing. Within the park visit the Pioneer Heritage Center and Gunlogon Homestead and Nature Preserve. Relax with a walk on the Wilwood Trail which winds through the preserve. www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/ISP.htm

• Regarded as one of the best collegiate aviation complexes in the world, the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences features an atmospherium, high altitude chamber, flight and air traffic control simulators and the Regional Weather Information Center. www.aero.und.edu

• Located on the campus of the University of North Dakota this museum hosts contemporary artwork in 3 main galleries. Exhibits feature regional, national and international art. www.ndmoa.com

• Riverwalk Center is filled with unique stores, restaurants and specialty shops.

• The 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature Champion Golf Course is a par 72 course designed using the Palmer methods to offer an exciting experience to golfers with a variety of abilities. www.kingswalk.org

• The only Division I hockey team in the state, the University of North Dakota boasts a new $100 million arena. The 400,000 sq. ft., five-story arena, with seating for 11,406 is truly the envy of the NCAA. The main lobby area has ticket sales, a pro shop and complete "UND Sioux Tradition" museum. www.theralph.com

• This museum features cultural and ethnic displays. Built circa 1897, the Campbell House is dedicated to pioneer women. A one-room schoolhouse and the original Grand Forks log post office, which was refurbished into a general store, which is also on the grounds. www.grandforkshistory.com