8 Best Attractions To Visit In North Dakota
In the Midwestern parts of the U.S., states like North Dakota are easy to find comfort in when it comes to tourism. With many towns full of vibrant locales and landmarks, there is no shortage of what travelers can find. Ranging from historical attributes to natural beauty and commercialized stops, people can find all sorts of motivators to come visit the "Peace Garden State". For anyone seeking an escape, these are the best attractions in the state worth considering!
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Located within the North Dakota Badlands near Medora, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a treasure. The landmark, which spans over 70,000 acres of rugged vibrance, is sure to raise eyebrows as a spectacular canyon-filled sight. With lots of roaming bison and wild horses around, it is easy for visitors and residents to take in all the state has to offer, not to mention its colorful buttes and abundant overlooks to help trekkers feel right at home. Those who cherish rocky scenery and animal habitats will find nothing short of amazing pleasures at this park!
Enchanted Highway
A magical attraction worth every road trip, the Enchanted Highway is a true display of artistic talent and wondrous creations. Starting on Interstate 94 near Gladstone and ending in Regent, the highway is essentially a 32-mile portrayal of scrap metal sculptures that has both historical and cultural significance as a testament to a former school principal, who wanted to showcase Regent as a must-visit town. Those who drive by or take a glance can witness large metal creatures, such as deer and grasshoppers, and some can even find a large flock of metal geese while looking around for a bit!
Scandinavian Heritage Park
Found in the small town of Minot, the 14-acre Scandinavian Heritage Park is a renowned attraction with iconic Nordic culture and history fused into a captivating landmark. The Gol Stave Church is part of the park, which stands as one of many elements that allow tourists to learn more about Scandinavian heritage; there is also a 25-foot Swedish Dala horse and a 240-year-old Norwegian log house that stands as an architectural impact on the town when it came to folklore symbolism and Viking-era traditions! Furthermore, the park is quite ideal for picnickers and fans of northern European appreciation.
World's Largest Buffalo
The World's Largest Buffalo is pretty much as the name makes it out to be, and it is located in Jamestown. The buffalo statue stands 26 feet tall and has over 60 tons of concrete visible all the way across Interstate 94! The attraction, also known as "Dakota Thunder" among the locals, is a definitive Midwestern roadside stop that is sure to leave a lasting impression. With its history dating back to the 1950s, tourists can take nice photos of the buffalo as it continues to reel in outsiders with its massive size and monumental importance next to Frontier Village.
Salem Sue
A quirky fiberglass cow called "Salem Sue" is sure to surprise newcomers while they are out and about in the town of New Salem. The cow structure is 38 feet high and approximately 12,000 pounds, and is a spectacle among all who like hillside attractions. For laidback visitations, this feature of the town is noteworthy as a mountainous prairie splendor and fun detour off Interstate 94. While it was built in honor of dairymen in the 1970s, there is no doubt that Salem Sue can make even non-farmers come back again and revel in its dairy roots!
Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site
The Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site is one of those attractions that history buffs will never forget! Recognized as a pair of launch facilities from the Cold War era, the site is a tribute to missile testing and defense systems used by the U.S. during a complicated period of nuclear deterrence. Visitors to the landmark can walk through both the Oscar-Zero Missile Alert Facility and the November-33 Launch Facility, both of which contain nuclear technologies and old launch control features that were once used by military personnel. For weekenders traveling around Cooperstown, the missile sites are quality tourism options, should one wish to experience what life was like in the 1960s!
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
First brought to life in 1974, the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site is a pivotal stop in Stanton for learning more about Native American influence. Full of mound houses and tobacco plants, the site is equal parts a Hidatsa village tribute and a visitor center for witnessing earthlodge upbringing related to the Missouri River tribes. Backpackers can be educated on crops and agriculture while walking through decorative tribal homes and educational areas where prairie natives first thrived. There are even cool museum films to help tourists learn more about the town's explorative paths and original settlements devoted to North Dakota tribes.
Garrison Dam
An earth-filled embankment located on the Missouri River, the Garrison Dam is a central North Dakota landmark that draws in visitors with its massive sights. Completed in the 1950s, the 180-mile dam is a manmade reservoir that was created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a way of preventing flood risks for the community; today, many see it as a global attraction thanks to its beautiful Lake Sakakawea scenery and Missouri River fishing zones. With a stunning shoreline and hydropower ambiance, many might overlook this landmark as a mundane stop, but in reality, it is quite a travel endeavor for almost anyone who craves engineering marvels!
All of these attractions are sure to bring newfound adventures to explorers who want to check out special stops in North Dakota. There is enough to see and take in for a lifetime, while travelers can take part in history, nature, and commercial thrills. No matter how familiar or unfamiliar one may be with traveling around the U.S., these locales and landmarks are sure to make any visit to the "Peace Garden State" more fulfilling!
