10 Of The Most Eccentric Towns In North Dakota
President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “I never would have been President if it had not been for my experiences in North Dakota.” North Dakota has adopted Teddy Roosevelt’s innate love of the land. It is the state with the largest national grasslands in the United States, the most wildlife refuges of any state, and a commitment to the preservation of the Badlands and roaming wildlife in areas such as Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
But North Dakota also has a more playful side, offering a plethora of unusual roadside attractions and town curiosities. Here are 10 of the most eccentric towns in North Dakota for your next road trip.
Regent
Regent is a tiny dot in Hettinger County that staked its claim as a major attraction with a few very big ideas. In fact, the ideas came to one man, former school principal Gary Greff, who decided he had to keep his small farming town alive. Inspired by a giant farmer in a nearby field, Gary decided to weld an entire highway of snap-worthy metal giants. His Enchanted Highway began with the Tin Farm Family in 1991, and his sculptures remain an ongoing project. Perhaps his most impressive work, "Geese in Flight," was added to the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest scrap metal sculpture in 2002.
However, Gary’s creative ambitions did not end there. His Enchanted Castle offers accommodation to travelers of the Enchanted Highway in a building that was once a high school. Guests can enjoy a tankard of ale at the medieval-themed tavern or treat themselves to a first-class dinner at the Excalibur Steakhouse. Of course, a castle-themed hotel would not be complete without a dragon. His latest sculpture, Sir Albert and the Dragon, features a 41-foot knight complete with longsword and shield fending off a 100-foot-long dragon with mouth open wide to expose his sharp teeth.
Minot
Minot’s eccentricity attracts travelers from both sides of the border, sitting just 50 miles south of Canada. Known as the “Magic City,” due to the quick tent city set up by the Great Northern Railway, today Minot is known for a far different heritage. As home to Scandinavian Heritage Park, the only outdoor museum of its kind in the world, visitors come to visit a full-size replica of the famous 13th-century Norwegian Stave Church of Gol. The stunning building is a memorial dedicated to the Scandinavian pioneers who came to find a new life in America. The church is 60-feet by 45-feet at the base and stands about 60-feet-high with intricately hand-carved front and side portals and doors. The interior carvings on the four main posts are even more impressive.
The park also features an authentic “Stabbur,” or storehouse replica originally built on a farm near Telemark, Norway, in about 1775. The replica was built in Norway, disassembled, and rebuilt in Minot. Completing the park’s Scandinavian structures is a 30-foot-tall Dala horse, a traditional symbol carved and painted by Swedish craftsmen since the 1840s. The horse features the traditional “kurbit” flower-patterned saddle and harness.
Otherwise, Minot Street Art brings whimsy and a splash of color to historic downtown, where you can stroll the streets and alleys to discover more than 25 murals by local artists infusing Minot with a touch of “urban vitality.” While you're admiring the town's unique flair, don't forget to snap a shot of the quirky white horse on Main Street at Bray's Saddlery & Western Wear.
Bottineau
Bottineau is located near the Turtle Mountains and shimmering Lake Metigoshe, which explains the 26-foot-tall turtle riding the world’s biggest snowmobile in Tommy Turtle Park. The massive fiberglass structure sets the tone for the town’s brand of eccentric fun.
Bottineau is also home to the "Stonehenge" of the prairies, known as Mystical Horizons. The working sundial and stylized stone and concrete structures are the vision of local Jack Olson. His goal was to accurately mark the daily and monthly movement of the sun. Sadly, Jack died before the project was complete; however, a local engineer staked out the site to catch the sun's movements. The structures include a large sundial and a "sighting tube" with views of the North Star.
5th & Main Bakery & Restaurant is a family-run eatery with an extensive menu of irresistible donuts, as well as hearty meals piled high with good old-fashioned comfort food. Pride Dairy’s signature sweet treats have oddball names like Pig’s Dinner and Cow Pies, but deliver satisfying taste sensations at North Dakota’s last small-town creamery. A town staple since the 1930s, they are all about local flavors, making it difficult to resist ordering more than one scoop of their award-winning ice cream. If you don’t have a sweet tooth, visit for the cheese!
Medora
An unlikely sight greets visitors entering Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Set against the dramatic landscape of Medora sits an 1883, 26-room chateau. The Chateau de Mores was built by French nobleman, the Marquis de Mores, along with a meat packing plant. Unfortunately, a series of events, including overgrazing, severe drought during the “Great Dry Up,” and a brutal winter, led to the demise of an estimated half million cattle in the area. An exodus of the area’s would-be beef barons soon followed, including the Marquis, Antoine de Vallombrosa. Tours of the home offer a glimpse into the life the Marquis envisioned for his family, and the chimney is all that remains of the packing plant, now known as Chimney Park.
The Marquis had good company in fellow rancher Theodore Roosevelt, who lost over 50% of his cattle. Not yet president, Mr. Roosevelt abandoned his land, Elkhorn Ranch, in 1890. The stones from the ranch house’s foundation, along with plaques recounting the story, are set along the trails of what is now Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
North Dakota’s cowboy culture is alive and well in Medora at the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. The museum explores the relationship of the Plains Native American tribes to the horse, ranching and homesteading, and the cowboy way of life, including the rodeo. A visit to cowboy country also calls for a cowboy meal. Pitchfork Steak Fondue is like dinner and a show, watching cowboy chefs heft 12-ounce steaks with giant pitchforks into a barrel of oil. Live music, views of the Badlands, and drinks at Tjaden Terrace Bar provide the full cowboy cookout experience.
Watford City
The legacy of Teddy Roosevelt is honored by many towns in North Dakota, where he invested time and money both as a rancher and lover of all things wild and beautiful. In Watford City, that includes a massive bust of the former president. When Roosevelt admirer and hotel owner Marty Mulder heard about defunct President’s Park in Lead, South Dakota, he made the drive to purchase a giant 20-foot bust of the man and shipped the 8-ton sculpture to Watford City. The head is now installed at Roosevelt Inn & Suites along with a collection of authentic Roosevelt memorabilia.
The town also holds the dubious title of the gateway to the least-visited entry to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The low traffic offers a less crowded opportunity to explore the beauty of the badlands, where golden eagles soar overhead and local wildlife roam, including the mighty bison, humble prairie dogs, and white-tailed deer.
Stop in to refuel at Door 204, a quirky cafe with exceptional coffee that doubles as a local art gallery, and also a post office, with personal mailboxes for Watford City residents. The Maah Daah Hey Trail weaves through the north and south units of the Badlands and national park, as well as a fraction of the Little Missouri National Grasslands. One of the best ways to explore the diverse terrain is by horseback, but biking and hiking are equally pleasing ways to discover the beauty of grassy flats, badland buttes, and rolling prairies. Little Missouri National Grasslands is also the only area you might spot bighorn sheep in North Dakota.
Rutland
Rutland is tiny; however, the Sargent County town is known for something rather large. When the town grilled and ate a massive burger in 1982, they earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for the World’s Largest Hamburger. Close to 10,000 people sampled the 3,591-pound burger, and curious visitors still make a stop to see the remaining half of the massive grill at Sanderson Field in Rutland.
The Rutland Depot & Museum sits in the old Great Northern Depot, displaying a collection of local artifacts, photos, and documents. The structure spilled its secret during a renovation in 1958. Rumors said holes drilled through the floor tapped beer and whiskey kegs hidden above so bootleggers could drain the libations into containers. The holes in the old floorboards confirmed the rumors, adding intrigue to the depot's history.
Uffda Day is a town event held the first Sunday in October, celebrating the Scandinavian heritage of the area. Scandinavian foods are a popular draw to the fall event, including handmade tasty “lefse” flatbreads and mouthwatering traditional “Abelskievers.” Stroll Main Street admiring the classic cars, and pop into the Community Center and Legion to enjoy quilt displays, local crafts, and more. The Lariat Bar and Grill is a popular spot for food and drink throughout the year and often hosts a wine and beer tasting on Uffda Day.
Steele
Steele is situated between Fargo and Bismarck in the path of migrating sandhill cranes. Although bird enthusiasts arrive in Steele to witness the migration in the spring and fall, there is a lone crane that remains in town year-round. “Sandy,” the world's largest sandhill crane sculpture, stands almost 40 feet tall and is the creation of local farmer James Miller. The self-taught ironworker created the crane out of rolled sheet metal in 1998, and visitors can take in its proud stance at a park behind the Cobblestone Inn and Suites.
Steele is one of the best birding destinations in North America, where enthusiasts can follow three birding routes starting from town. Not only can birders spot a variety of species in the thousands rising out of the beautiful landscape, but they also discover the expanse of the Northern Great Plains. Each route explores different preservations and offers opportunities to spot specific species, including ducks, geese, cranes, and pelicans attracted to local lakes and watering holes.
MAD Moves is an old-school roller rink with a modern twist. Lace up a pair of rented roller skates and roll to upbeat music synched to a colorful light display. You can also enjoy carnival-style retro eats, including milkshakes, corn dogs, and onion rings, or a big chewy pretzel. After a day of birding and roller skating, stop in at Steele Veterans Club Bar & Grill for generous servings of diner staples before hitting the road.
Garrison
With its location on the north side of Lake Sakakawea, it is no wonder Garrison is known as the "Walleye Capital of the World." But there might be another reason the town has this title. Wally the Walleye is a 26-foot-long fiberglass fish mounted over a small garden at the top of Main Street. Wally’s job is to promote local fishing and add a little street cred to support the town's disputed claim to fame, as a town of the same name in Minnesota begs to differ.
A quirky little town attraction includes the North Dakota Fishing Hall of Fame, a public celebration of its members as well as artifacts of local sport fishing. Garrison is not just known for its tall fish tales, but also its tall residents. "Big Gene" is the 15-foot-tall gatekeeper at the Garrison City Golf Club, poised to take his next swing. For those who prefer golf over fishing, you can play a round at the 9-hole, par-36 golf course, then head to the clubhouse for a pint and a burger at Big Gene's Bar & Grill.
If you'd rather stick to the streets, you can take in the lighthearted ambience at Ye Old Malt Shoppe, where locals meet for casual fare in a retro setting. The snazzy checkered floors, vintage red vinyl stools, and diner-style counter take you back to simpler times. It is the ideal spot to indulge in breakfast, lunch, or dinner, or treat yourself to ice cream and homemade baked goods.
Dickinson
Dickinson’s location on the western edge of North Dakota is not where you would expect to find an art adventure. However, the town’s streets are a veritable outdoor art gallery where you can browse a collection of stunning murals and sculptures. From the quirky to the moving, the strollable town offers a unique open-air experience featuring over 20 works.
Meanwhile, The Southwest Art Gallery and Science Center merges a diverse range of curious artistic and scientific exhibits and interactive displays where visitors engage in different experiences and workshops. The Dickinson Museum Center’s 12-acre campus also offers hours of discovery at the Badlands Dinosaur Museum, the Joachim Regional History Museum, the Pioneer Machinery Hall, and Prairie Outpost Park. Once you've worked up an appetite, Phat Fish Brewing is a brewery cum pizzeria made for socializing. The friendliness is contagious, and the beer and pizza are outstanding.
Mandan
Mandan overlooks the city of Bismarck from the eastern bank of the Missouri River. But the expansive view some tourists seek is on the western outskirts of town, where a life-sized 32-piece silhouetted cattle drive stretches 1,200 feet as an homage to rancher Buddy Kahl's final trip with his herd. His son Larry Kahl installed the sculptures along a ridge at their ranch.
A far less poignant roadside attraction sits out front of a gas station on 6th Avenue, where a scrappy metal chicken seems ready to jump into passing traffic. The funky chicken was installed by a previous gas station at the site, and as a good sport, the new station decided to keep the town icon. Across the street is a somewhat controversial wood carving by Peter Toth. The sculptor is known for his Trail of Whispering Giants honoring Native Americans. His goal was to install a sculpture in every state, although the native Hungarian was often criticized for appropriating the totem pole. The works are his interpretation of the Indigenous people.
On-A-Slant Village at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park is a 400-year-old Mandan settlement that was once a major hub for Great Plains trade. A smallpox outbreak in 1781 wiped out the settlement where roughly 1,000 people lived in earthlodges along the side of the river. The site features five reconstructed earthlodges and tours share the details about Mandan culture. The park also offers stunning views of the Heart and Missouri Rivers and surrounding hills.
If your travels tend to include the oddities and quirky roadside attractions others might regard as kitschy, these 10 most eccentric towns in North Dakota are right up your alley. These towns offer must-visit destinations to satisfy your imagination. History buffs, foodies, and art lovers alike will find new adventures awaiting in North Dakota. So get out there to discover some of the world’s biggest attractions, towns filled with creativity and whimsy, quirky retro eateries, and the unfulfilled dreams of pioneering adventurers.
