The 7 Friendliest Little Towns In North Dakota

Famous for being the home of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota is known for more than just its wealth of outdoor activities. North Dakota is a very welcoming state, with many friendly towns to visit that will make you feel at ease on your next trip. From hosting the annual Dickens Village Festival in Garrison, an ode to Charles Dickens, to Summer Nights on Central in Valley City, a free, monthly summer event featuring live music, there is no shortage of hospitable events in this Midwestern state. Explore these seven friendliest little towns in North Dakota, each offering hospitality in spades.

Devils Lake

Visitors will love exploring the sites of Devils Lake, from the romantic breakfasts offered at the Proz Lakeside at the Cove, to the shores of Devils Lake itself, renowned for its fishing and wildlife. Hiking the wilderness around the Lake leads to some spectacular scenery.

If you happen to be visiting at the right time of year, Devils Lake is home to several events and festivals. The Lake Region Fall Film Festival is a series that includes four movies done by Daniel Bielinski, which feature true North Dakota stories from days past, all of which seek to highlight the challenges of North Dakota life and the grit of managing those obstacles with strength, faith, and raw North Dakota spirit.

Valley City

Nicknamed the City of Bridges, visitors are encouraged to embark on a walking tour of Valley City and its many bridges over the Sheyenne River, not least of which is the impressive Highline Bridge, which is one of the highest and longest single-track railroad bridges in the country. Medicine Wheel Park, located on the grounds of Valley City State University, is scenic and lush, and contains Native American burial grounds for those interested in regional history.

Speaking of history, Bob's Collectibles, located downtown, has an impressive array of coins and other items for sale, while the Valley City State Planetarium makes for a perfect family outing. At the right time of year, Summer Nights on Central is a family-friendly event that takes place on Central Avenue; completely free, this local highlight comes replete with food vendors, live music, games, and more.

Lisbon

Featuring a thriving downtown, one of Lisbon's best restaurants is the Bronc Bar & Grill, a local favorite that combines social atmosphere with delicious meals. Nearby, one can also find the Rustic Hanger, a clothing-and-novelty boutique that serves as a microcosm of the town's overall charm and friendliness. Each year, the Ransom County Fair makes its way to the local fairgrounds: not just a standard fair, this interesting tradition pits attendees against one another in a series of competitions. Fairgoers can challenge in the puzzle competition, the cornhole tournament, and more.

As promised, there are plenty of outdoorsy experiences to enjoy both in Lisbon and the valley in which it is situated. The North Country Trail is a great opportunity for visitors to hike and explore, challenging themselves on a winding trail that runs from the Sheyenne River National Scenic Byway on the north side of Lisbon and the beautiful Sheyenne River bluffs on the south side.

Rugby

You will find Rugby at the very geographical center of North America. Founded in 1886 at a junction on the

Bottineau

While it may be home to a giant turtle statue, Bottineau is much more than just its quirky roadside attraction. After pulling over for a photo with Tommy the turtle, visitors may want to stay a while: Pride Dairy, for example, is the last small-town creamery in all of North Dakota. Named by USA Today as the best ice cream in the state, this family-oriented shop has been servicing its customers since the 1930s. For further culinary options one may want to visit Marie's on Main Street; operating as a bistro, fine-dining experience, and cocktail bar all at once, Marie's is a local favorite.

For those interested in some pre- or post-meal sports, Bottineau Country Club Golf Course offers an accessible nine-hole course that has been open to the public for 81 years. Alternatively, excursions to nearby Lake Metigoshe State Park and Bottineau Winter Park offer hiking trails, ski slopes, and fishing holes. Bottineau Winter Park, however, also hosts several additional events throughout the year. There is the annual Alpine Glow Fest, which lights the ski slopes in an array of colors and provides glow-tubing until midnight. The Park also contains a concert venue, ensuring that throughout the winter months locals and visitors alike have a unique music-going experience.

New Salem

Not to be outdone by Tommy the turtle, Sue the Holstein cow, standing tall at 38 feet, overlooks the town of New Salem. Established in 1883, New Salem has been a peaceful town since its founding. The New Salem Historical Society runs the Custer Trail Museum to showcase the history of the town and the surrounding area. Featuring multiple buildings, one can explore a church from 1904, two schoolhouses, the original New Salem depot, a blacksmith shop, and others. Following this, visitors may want to stop by Metro Perk & Market, a local restaurant/bakery and a coveted coffee shop. If touring in the summer months, you may want to attend the annual Cow Town Hoedown, a fun festival with live music, games, and (perhaps best of all) a demolition derby.

There are several accommodation options for those who wish to explore New Salem and its surrounding areas in more depth. The Arrowhead Inn offers 18 cozy rooms, a restaurant, and a 24-hour convenience store adjacent to the property. Additionally, the Metropolitan Hotel on Main Avenue features a cafe, meeting room, and even a nail salon.

Garrison

In this fishing-centric town, one can find the North Dakota Fishing Hall of Fame. Presided over by yet another giant statue, Wally the Walleye represents much of what Garrison is about as a whole. Nearby fishing opportunities abound in the Fort Stevenson State Park, while Lake Sakakawea is renowned not just for its angling, but for hiking trails and camping sites as well.

For some fun family activities, visitors are encouraged to explore Ye Olde Malt Shoppe, a '50s-style restaurant for ice cream and other sweet treats. Also, be sure to catch a movie at KOTA Theater, another retro-style establishment.

Perhaps the most intriguing event in Garrison is the annual Dickens Village Festival: a three-weekend Christmas-themed celebration that turns the town into a Dickensian village, complete with food vendors, parades, and carriage rides. This unique tradition always draws a crowd.

The small towns of North Dakota are inviting and exciting. People who travel here will have no shortage of experiences to enjoy, history to learn from, and local restaurants to sample. Pack a pair of hiking boots to explore the trails around Lisbon, bring a fishing rod for the waters around Garrison, or visit one of the many museums in these towns to discover how North Dakota came to be and how these several friendly towns maintain so much character.