north dakota itinerary

We enjoyed a quick hike at dusk on the Birnt Hills Trail. Sadly, when we visited, the performance was rained out. Id love to hike portions of this trail, or maybe even the entire thing someday! The land of the North Unit is within a short driving distance from Watford City, and its a must visit place on your North Dakota road trip. Members of the Assiniboine and Northern Plains tribes exchanged furs for other goods with white people of European descent. There are also some nature trails for hiking enthusiasts. We spotted a few bison and drove as far as the River Bend Outlook for a peek at the scenery. A trip to Theodore Roosevelt National Park tops any list of things to do in North Dakota, and you shouldnt miss the less visited North Unit. Id consider staying at the Landmark Suites if you need a long term accommodation. Its possible to go camping there, park your RV, or stay at one of their cozy cabins overlooking the lake. It is performed on an outdoor stage, so weather can be an issue from time to time. As for vegan meal options, I ordered a veggie pizza with my favorite toppings, minus the cheese. When traveling to Williston, its worth the short drive out to the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site. I am not sure that tourists realize how many incredible hidden gems await. I quickly stammered, Well, theres the national park, and some nature, and some small towns. There are a large assortment of espresso beverages and more. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from Qualifying Purchases. Walk up to the top of the hill and youll be rewarded with fabulous views of the badlands. You can go on a tour of the Prairie Fire Pottery studio and go shopping at the showroom. Fort Buford is also the place where Sioux Chief, Sitting Bull surrendered in 1881. The coffee shop is inside a wooden building marked Mercantile. Park Cafe has lots of delicious espresso beverages and coffee to savor. My suggestions for a 5 day itinerary for North Dakota: spend a day in each place with some extra time in Medora for the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Its the perfect rainy day activity, but you dont need to wait for the weather to act up to check out this interesting attraction. Unfortunately, it was raining quite hard when we visited. I dont think that sightseeing in North Dakota would be complete without spotting at least a couple of their native animals. The Americano that I ordered was exactly what I needed first thing in the morning. Travel back in time through tours of reconstructed sites, complete with lively and knowledgeable tour guides who get right into character. Eventually, youll reach the most iconic view of the North Unit, the River Bend Outlook. Its like having your own little apartment in Williston. Its the perfect place to stay for the whole family. There are many scenic trails at the Little Missouri National Grasslands in McKenzie County. Just a few blocks away on Fourth Street (next to Glance Salon), youll find another massive mural splashed across an expansive wall. Contact Us, Travel Photography Cooks on Main has all kinds of cooking classes to help you learn some new tricks in the kitchen. Its a stop off the highway where you can soak up a sweeping view of the badlands. Youll discover dinosaur exhibits and information about early civilizations (including a cyclorama of Double Ditch! For fans of street art and murals, Bismarck has its very own art alley called Alley 5.5. Heres a map with all the North Dakota attractions that Ive mentioned. You can truly spend hours and hours here, absorbing so many intriguing details and stories. Theres also complimentary parking, a 24 hour fitness center, a swimming pool, and a hot tub. I feel like theres a roadside attraction right outside the hotel. I had the opportunity to attend a special cooking class that focused on knife skills. I feel like I learned so much at Fort Buford, especially as a Canadian with only a small amount of knowledge about American history. springs super Bonnechere Provincial Park: How to Stay, Play, and See the Best Fall Colours in Ontario, Flam Railway Norway: The Most Beautiful Train Journey in the World. Theres a small main street and its worth a quick stop before continuing on your way. Many people only make a quick pit stop to the Painted Canyon on their North Dakota road trip. Its the largest grassland in the country, stretching from the shores of Lake Sakakawea and beyond.

The kitchen has a fridge and freezer, a stove top, a microwave, a sink, plates, glasses, cutleryyou name it! The cabin traveled around during his presidency: to the Worlds Fair in St. Louis, to theLewis and Clark Centennial Exposition in Portland, to Fargo, Bismarck, and finally to the national park. It has everything youll need for a comfortable nights stay: a spacious suite, roomy living space, a large desk, a flatscreen TV, and free Wi-Fi. Please note that the Painted Canyon does not have an entrance to the South Unit, although its a great place to stop before or after your visit to the park. I really didnt know what to expect when I booked my plane ticket to Bismarck, North Dakota. Feel free to use this map to plot out what to do in North Dakota. Our Gear, Join our Community! While I didnt have an idea where people typically went sightseeing there, I was excited to embark on a North Dakota road trip to uncover what there was to see and do. A post shared by Krolls Diner (@krollsdiner), the largest Scandinavian festival in North America takes place here, Travel Planning With voyay!ge to Bar Harbor, Maine, How to Visit the Witchs Castle in Portland, Oregon, Top 13 Beautiful Places to Visit in Arizona, Day 1 Arrive in Fargo, explore the citys museums, landmarks, and shops, Day 2 Breakfast in Fargo, the historic Frontier Village in Jamestown then on to Bismarck, Day 3 Museums, State Parks, driving the Enchanted Highway to Dickinson, Day 4 Getting to know Medora, prairie dogs, and the Maah Dahh Hey Trail, Day 5 Hiking in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, dinner at Pitchfork Steak Fondue and the Medora Musical, Day 6- Catch a flight home out of Bismarck (. Admission to the museum is always free, too! Please do not get out of your car near the bison. They have a great selection of books for all ages, as well as a little coffee shop in the back of the store. It features a mythological theme, showcasing goddesses of beauty and love from various cultures. If youre looking for what to do in North Dakota, you can certainly go on many hiking and biking adventures. Theres also the very short Buck Hill trail (0.1 miles in total). Walk around the grassy mounds and read the historical signage to learn more about its history. I loved Watford City most for its easy access to the great outdoors, not too far from the city itself. Tobacco Gardens describes themselves as a little bit of heaven in the middle of nowhere. There are six non-motorized designated trails are perfect for hikers and bikers. The hotel room is massive with a living room, sleeping area with a flatscreen TV, a huge bathroom, and a whole kitchen. I may be compensated if you make a purchase using my link. I found quite a few vegan treats here, including some packaged cookies and snacks. Or stay for a while at one of their diner booths at the cafe! Its the perfect stop on a North Dakota road trip. Local street artists painted the alley between 5th and 6th streets with a series of beautiful murals (between East Broadway Ave and East Main St). A special thank you to North Dakota Tourism for sponsoring my trip (and to our tour guide, Mike, for being super knowledgeable and fun!). On day two of this North Dakota road trip, we head northwest to the town of Williston. The restaurant has a kitschy design, and the menus are made out of old license plates. How fitting, for a North Dakota road trip! Alright, lets clear something up right away: there isnt a sandy beach in the town of Beach, North Dakota. Prairie Fire Pottery is the perfect North Dakota road trip pit stop as its fairly close to the interstate highway. What a surprise! Its the seventh fastest-growing city in the USA. I do always suggest comparing prices for the best rate as there are a few rental car companies in Bismarck. Theres also tons of natural food products, including many unique vegan items. Its always good to be prepared when taking a road trip adventure! Im always looking for the best coffee in town, and youll find a delicious dose of caffeine at Door 204 in downtown Watford City. Theres even a Best for Last Club to honor those visiting North Dakota last, since it seems to happen so often. The Roosevelt Inn and Suites was a delightful place to stay when I traveled to Watford City, North Dakota. The name of the trail means, land that will be around for a long time, and the name originated with the Mandan Tribes. Make sure you add the South Unit and the North Unit to your North Dakota road trip travel itinerary. After my North Dakota road trip, I continued on my way to Billings, Montana for a travel conference. Need a caffeine boost before you head out on the rest of your North Dakota road trip? You might live within driving distance of North Dakota, which works out quite wonderfully. I recommend you get out on the water whether youre visiting by boat or taking part in water sports like kayaking, canoeing, sailing, wind surfing, stand up paddle boarding, or jet skiing. I decided to sample a few of their beers in a flight. Head straight to the museum on your North Dakota road trip, especially if you have kids. Check out all of our pictures in one place at our travel photography album. Book your stay at the Radisson Hotel Bismarck and be sure to check out more reviews from fellow travelers. Twitter The visitor center has lots of information and souvenirs. They also serve a soup of the day, and a selection of fresh bread. Travel Videos For accommodations, the clear choice is the Radisson Hotel Bismarck. Terra Nomad is a cozy cafe in downtown Bismarck. Youll be able to spot bison (over 200 buffalo live here), mule deer, and maybe even a bighorn sheep on the side of the cliffs if youre lucky. Its the most popular summer vacation spot in the state and North Dakotas top tourist attraction. Then, Fort Buford and Fort Union offer interactive history lessons that are very interesting and insightful. Youll find many more opportunities for outdoor adventures in Montana, South Dakota, Wyoming, or wherever your travels take you. We took a short tour around the exterior property and inside some of the buildings. You can take tours of the actual Chateau de Mores, the lavish 26-room summer residence of the Marquis family. Our server was very knowledgeable as to which items were naturally plant-based. The whole idea is to order numerous small dishes and share them with your dining companions. Near the entrance to the parking lot of Fort Union, youll notice a unique attraction: a sign marking the border of North Dakota and Montana! It was his small lodge and temporary home while he stayed in North Dakota. If youre deciding on what to see in North Dakota, make a visit to Lake Sakakawea a priority. If you did keep driving the length of the entire North Unit, youd eventually come across the Oxbow Overlook at the end of the journey. I was surprised to find that Bismarck had quite a bit of public art and murals around the city. The Williston Brewing Company is a great place to gather your pals and go for a meal. Post contains affiliate links. There arent too many opportunities where you can physically straddle both states. This is not how I pictured North Dakota at all. Theyve got refreshing brews and an extensive menu with something for every taste.

The Medora Musical is an outdoor live performance, and one of the longest running North Dakota attractions and traditions. Theres one called Little Muddy Gifts that features handmade and locally produced wares. Rows of post office boxes line the walls, and other spaces are occupied by bright and beautiful artwork. There are some really innovative gadgets to make life easier in the kitchen, as well as top of the line products to cook the best meals. When youre thinking about what to do in North Dakota, start your journey in Bismarck. Im glad that I didnt prolong my trip to North Dakota, and I am sure that I will be back in the future to explore even more of this great state. There are numerous scenic outlooks and trail heads along the way. Her pottery evokes imagery of the badlands, the prairie skies, and the vibrant sunsets of the west. The Chateau de Mores State Historic Site has an interpretive center to learn more about the Marquis and the history of the area. It ranks up there with my overall favorite coffee shops in North Dakota. Definitely check one out if you have the chance! While only small, rolling hills remain nowadays, youll have to use your imagination a little for this one. Not only are the surrounding views amazing, but there are so many opportunities to see wildlife of the park. Each room has a flatscreen TV, complimentary Wi-Fi, an expansive desk, and a spacious bathroom. The North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck has all sorts of exhibits and artifacts highlighting the history of the region. The Cowboy Cafe is a restaurant in Medora where we stopped for lunch. This site was a place of peaceful social and economic exchange, and over $100,000 worth of goods were traded each year. Portfolio The Maah Daah Hey Trail is used mostly by cyclists, although its great for hikers, too. Next stop on our North Dakota road trip: the Double Ditch State Historic Site. Books on Broadway is another fabulous shop in Williston, ND. Its what remains of a military post that became a huge supply depot for military operations. We also managed to see wild horses, prairie dogs, turkeys, and deer on our trip through the South Unit. At one point in time, up to 2000 people lived there. Work With Us Posts may be sponsored. Categories Blog, North Dakota, Road Trips, Travel Guides, United States. The sculpture is meant to remind us that all beings have a spirit and need to be treated with respect. They also serve a few flavors of air popped popcorn at the cafe (all vegan, including a cheesy nutritional yeast one!). Cooks on Main is another amazing shop in downtown Williston, selling just about everything you could think of that relates to kitchen wares and cooking. Its the best combination of observing spectacular scenic vistas, going for short hikes, and admiring an array of wildlife. There were huge bison road blocks on our way where dozens upon dozens of bison walked onto the street. There are many shops and restaurants to discover with the majestic badlands looming in the distance. Browse their selection of books for a new read, and then grab a yummy coffee on your way out. The rooms are newly renovated and refurbished, and youre sure to enjoy a comfortable nights stay here. This national park was named to honor Roosevelt and his conservation legacy. Be sure to book your stay at the Landmark Suites and check out more reviews from fellow travelers. Its conveniently located at the Bismarck Airport, making for a seamless transition between flying and driving. With the Badlands looming over the town, quick access to Theodore Roosevelt National Parks South Unit, and unique cultural attractions, a trip to Medora will leave lasting memories of an awesome vacation.

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