9 Playfully Peculiar Towns In North Dakota

Traveling through North Dakota is a chance to experience not only different terrains but also different time periods. Through various reconstructions featured in this article, the 39th state creates spaces of reverence for the pioneers and the Native American tribes that settled in their vast plains long ago. Voyage through the towns on this list to become immersed in rolling hills that are speckled with surprises, such as record-breaking large-scale animal statues. Keep reading to discover what else awaits in the towns of North Dakota.

Medora

Medora is the home base for Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s South Unit, where the Buffalo that were once hunted freely roam the land. Walking the land alongside the United States’ largest mammal is an experience that will rewild the soul, especially if one of the park's herd of wild horses wanders by as well. Another wild experience awaits on an open-air stage, where the Medora Musical showcases the history of the town and the American West. The show features real horses on stage, accompanied by live music and variety acts. After witnessing wild animals in the park and living history on stage, check out Point to Point Park. This is a fun destination for all ages, making it especially appealing to families. The park has a wide variety of entertainment, from mini golf, zip lines, a house of illusions, and a river pool in which to float and relax.

New Salem

In a bizarre claim to fame, this town is home to the world’s largest Holstein cow. “Salem Sue” is 38 ft tall and watches over New Salmen from a hilltop over Interstate 94. Sue can be seen within a five-mile radius, so while you venture throughout the rest of the town, you will likely see the titan-sized cow in the background. Far away from people (and Sue) is Fish Creek Dam, a perfect place to pitch a tent and have a primal camping experience. Step back into society while remaining outdoors at Red Trail Links. Here, you can play on a 9-hole golf course that rolls over the North Dakota plains.

Jamestown

See another giant farm animal in Jamestown, which has the World’s Largest Buffalo statue. The monument, named “Dakota Thunder”, is a 26-foot-tall buffalo made from 60 tons of concrete. Real-life buffalo roam the same hilltop, creating a playfully surreal dreamscape in the North Dakota plains. Learn more about these stunning creatures at The North American Bison Discovery Center. This museum explores the cultural, historic, and ecological value of the buffalo while explaining the restoration of the species after its near extinction. Along with the restoration of an integral mammal, Jamestown has also restored its frontier villages. Imagination meets history at the Jamestown Frontier Village, where you can ride a stagecoach through streets lined with original buildings from the frontier era. For a sweet treat after the stagecoach ride, pop into the old-fashioned General Store for hand-dipped ice cream.

Bottineau

Start your journey through this peculiar town by seeing Bottineau’s own version of Stonehenge. Just like Stonehenge, Mystical Horizons is not only a fascinating sight, but a functional sundial that is best viewed on the summer and winter equinoxes. Venture beyond these horizons to Lake Metigoshe. Explorers can take a scenic walk within the 13-mile worth of hiking trails or rent a 20-foot pontoon on the lake. Don’t leave Bottineau without meeting “Tommy the Turtle,” the world’s largest snowmobile-riding turtle. The 26-foot-tall turtle, suited with a helmet and goggles, sits atop their yellow snowmobile, ready to ride over the snowy hills.

Wahpeton

While walking through this small town, visitors will come across a very unusual sight. A giant catfish (the world's largest, in fact) greets all who enter Wahpeton. To roam among real-life animals such as Bengal Tigers, Kangaroos, and much more, head over to Chahinkapa Zoo. The zoo conserves various species, so while you are petting animals at Grandpa's Petting Zoo, you’ll be helping to aid wildlife preservation. Afterwards, take a walk or ride a bike through the ultra-green Red River trails. Here, you can stroll past the serene river, where gentle water mirrors the beautiful forest around it.

Minot

Walk among full-scale replicas in a world of rich heritage and even richer colors at Minot's Scandinavian Heritage Park, complete with a giant Dala horse and Nordic buildings. This park honors all five Scandinavian countries: Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Finland, and Denmark, each with its own special designs. Continue exploring at the Taube Museum of Art, where guest artists display their work alongside a permanent collection of photography and paintings. Even more beauty awaits outside at Oak Park, where pavilions offer a peaceful place to picnic and volleyball courts a wonderful place to play afterwards.

Rugby

To visit Rugby is to visit the center of the continent - literally. A colorful stone monument sits atop a heart-shaped base, marking the geographical center of North America. While exploring North America’s center, check out Prairie Village & Museum, where 21 historic buildings create a village square from the prairie past. This museum feels more like a functional town, and is fully immersive, offering guests the chance to wander through jail houses, schools, and other integral community structures. Another structure to see awaits nearby. The Northern Lights Tower, a sculpture meant to represent the Aurora Borealis, reflects colorful lights off its metallic frame that are meant to represent the northern lights.

Mandan

Home to the oldest established park in North Dakota, Mandan is full of rare cultural experiences. Start with the oldest park in the state, Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park (established in 1907). The sprawling acres are home to historic artifacts and reconstructions that exemplify the life of Native Americans who once lived on the same land. To see such artifacts, wander through the Visitor Center Museum within the park. Then, park explorers can experience On-a-Slant Village, where reconstructed earthlodges transport visitors to 400 years in the past, where hunter-gatherer natives lived in the same type of lodging. Fort McKeen displays another historic way of life, this time of frontier soldiers who lived in blockhouses and barracks. Take the living history tour to walk through and around the commanding officer’s quarters as well as other sections of the Blockhouses.

Devils Lake

Being home to the largest natural body of water in North Dakota, Devil’s Lake is a great getaway for those who love the outdoors. The lake, which shares a name with the town, is a particular draw to fishermen as it is home to a wide variety of fish, even being the “Perch Capital of the World”. For more outdoor options, head over to Grahams Island State Park, a popular camping spot among locals and tourists. This park has paths that wind through the forest as well as lakeside, creating seemingly endless opportunities for adventure. Those who want to really dive into the soul of this small town can discover it at The Lake Region Heritage Center. This museum combines history, local culture, and art to give visitors the most intimate understanding of Devils Lake.

Visiting these towns in North Dakota will nurture the wildest part of the human spirit. Being playful is simple in a land where animals roam the plains, thriving lakes packed with rich wildlife line shores, and pieces of the past live on to tell their unique story. From the Buffalo herds of Medora to the Frontier Village of Jamestown, this peculiar state will leave even those most adventurous travelers with new stories to tell.