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 Indian 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 Indian Trade House.

See artifacts relating to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa history at Turtle Mountain Chippewa Heritage Center. The vibrant multi-cultural community includes traditions from the Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) and Metis/Cree people.

A tribute to the area's Scandinavian heritage. See a typical Norwegian house and a Norwegian stabbur (storehouse). Among other attractions, there's a Danish windmill, 30-foot-tall Dala horse (the national symbol of Sweden) and a Nordic-style visitors center.

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. 

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

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 Indians 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 Indians. 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 Indians 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. 

See more than 600 animals from more than 125 species at the Dakota Zoo, home to mountain lions, moose, grizzly bears, river otters and more.

The museum features dinosaur fossils and other archaeological, genealogical and paleontological findings presented to the public. Traveling displays rotate regularly. 

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.

Little Missouri State Park offers a wilderness experience in the picturesque North Dakota Badlands. Hike or bring a horse and explore the extensive trail system (corrals are available).

The World's Largest Buffalo Monument towers over the city of Jamestown and the adjacent National Buffalo Museum. See the live bison herd on site.

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. 

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.

Last remnants of the 321st Missile Wing. It tells the story of the Cold War years in North Dakota. Oscar-Zero Missile Alert Facility is the underground launch site and November-33 Launch Facility is a silo.

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. Includes the Blue Goose Cafe, The Store, exhibitions, performances, special events, tours, 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.