30 Must-See Places in North Dakota

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.