Just 50 miles from the Canadian border, Minot is situated in Central North Dakota. It is a hotspot for family fun, local flavors, live arts, and Scandinavian traditions. Offering locally owned restaurants, shops, family-friendly attractions, museums, and more! There are many adventures you can discover, and day trips you can take with Minot as your home base. Stop by our Visitor Center & Gift Shop in the Scandinavian Heritage Center for recommendations and information about our local favorite places, North Dakota products, and Minot souvenirs.

Minot

Best known as the “Magic City,” Minot was founded in 1887 when the Great Northern Railway set up camp for the winter. As if by magic, the tent town grew rapidly into a bustling population of 5,000 in five months. The city continued to grow with the construction of Minot State University (formerly known as the State Normal School) in 1913 and the Minot Air Force Base in the 1950s.

Each July, the largest event in the state, the North Dakota State Fair, draws visitors from around the region. This vibrant city is full of attractions, including Roosevelt Park Zoo, Dakota Territory Air Museum and the Scandinavian Heritage Park, which honors the five Scandinavian countries. It includes a full-size replica of the Gol Stave Church. The newest family-friendly attraction is the Magic City Discovery Center, a hybrid between a children’s museum and science center featuring over 150 interactive experiences.

Minot has a 65-piece symphony orchestra making it one of the smallest cities with a symphonic ensemble in the country. Norsk Høstfest, which translates to “Norwegian fall festival,” occurs annually and is the largest Scandinavian festival in North America. It features traditional cuisine and top-notch entertainment that draws international travelers from around the world.

Half of the fun while traveling is eating your way through the city's cuisine. Local favorites blend with flavors from around the globe, including bakeries, pubs, fine dining and family style restaurants. For the best of both worlds, visit Minot and experience this small-town atmosphere with big-city style. Check out some of the other fun things to see and do in Minot along with some of the tasty unique places to dine.