News & Events

North Dakota is full of surprise and charm—where wide-open prairies meet rugged Badlands, small-town diners serve up legendary burgers, and quirky roadside attractions dot the landscape. Whether you’re a lifelong local, a curious road-tripper, or planning a summer full of new experiences, this guide brings together the best of ND.

From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, seasonal outdoor adventures, hometown eats, and local markets, here’s your go-to list for making memories in the Peace Garden State. 

 Outdoor Activities & Nature 

• International Peace Garden 

• Riverboat Cruise 

• Fort Ransom State Park- Hiking, biking, horseback riding, new campground corrals 

• Dirt Track Races (All across ND) 

• Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North & South Units) 

• Little Missouri State Park 

• Lake Metigoshe State Park (Bottineau) 

• Fort Stevenson State Park (Garrison) 

• Turtle River State Park (Grand Forks area) 

• Lake Sakakawea 

• Devils Lake 

• Jamestown Reservoir 

• Red River Water Trail (Fargo area) 

• Maah Daah Hey Trail 

• Enchanted Highway (Regent) 

• Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area 

• Chateau de Mores State Historic Site 

• Mystical Horizons (Bottineau) 

• Icelandic State Park (Cavalier) 

• Owl and Turtle Mountains Scenic Area 

Winter Adventures 

• Cross-country skiing at Turtle River or Fort Ransom 

• Snowshoeing in Theodore Roosevelt NP 

• Snowmobiling trails in Bottineau Hills 

• Ice fishing on Devils Lake or Lake Metigoshe 

Unique Local Attractions 

• Salem Sue (Giant Cow) 

• North Dakota State Capitol & Heritage Center (Bismarck) 

• Chahinkapa Zoo (Wahpeton) 

• Dakota Zoo (Bismarck) 

• Raging Rivers Waterpark (Mandan) 

• Medora Musical 

• World’s Largest Buffalo (Jamestown) 

• Enchanted Highway (Regent) 

• Tommy Turtle (Bottineau) 

• W’eel Turtle (Dunseith) 

• Tin Family (on Enchanted Highway) 

• National Buffalo Museum (Jamestown) 

• Knife River Indian Villages (Stanton) 

• Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park (Mandan) 

• Pioneer Village Museum (West Fargo) 

• Scandinavian Heritage Park (Minot) 

• Mystical Horizons (Bottineau) 

• Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Site (Cooperstown) 

• Paul Broste Rock Museum (Petersburg) 

• Turtle Mountain Scenic Byway (Bottineau area) 

Restaurants & Bars 

Fargo / West Fargo 

• Mezzaluna 

• Würst Bier Hall 

• Blackbird Woodfire 

• Vinyl Taco 

• BernBaum’s 

• Sol Ave. Kitchen (Moorhead) 

• Bulldog Tap 

• Spitfire 

• Beer & Fish Company  

Bismarck / Mandan 

• Rusty’s Saloon & Grill (St. Anthony) 

• Big Boy 

• Blarney Stone Pub 

• JL Beers 

• Laughing Sun Brewing Co. 

• Stonehome Brewing Company  

• FOMO IceCream (Bismarck) 

• Peacock Alley 

• Jack’s Steakhouse and Seafood (Bismarck) 

• Tumbleweed Bar & Grill (Lincoln) 

• Bearscat Bakehouse (Bismarck & others) 

Grand Forks 

• Rhombus Guys Pizza 

• Skies 322 

• L’Bistro at Canad Inn 

• The Toasted Frog 

Minot / Medora / Dickinson 

• Pitchfork Steak Fondue (Medora) 

• Little Missouri Saloon (Medora) 

• The Starving Rooster (Minot) 

• 10 North Main (Minot) 

• Blue 42 (Dickinson) 

• Badlands Restaurant (Minot) 

Small Town & Hidden Gems 

• The Ranch Steakhouse (Devils Lake) 

• Hodenattes on Main (Finley) 

• Old 10 Bar & Grill (Buffalo) 

• Dani’s Place (Gackle) 

• Izumi’s (Jamestown) 

• Dry Hollow Saloon & Grille (Fort Ransom) 

• Crystal’s Bar and Gaming 

• The Watering Hole (Ft. Rice) 

Local Shops & Markets 

Fargo / Moorhead 

• Unglued 

• Fargo Antiques & Repurposed Market (F.A.R.M.) 

• Red River Market 

• Stabo Scandinavian Imports 

• Kindred People 

Bismarck / Mandan 

• Buffalo Gypsy Boutique (Mandan) 

• BisMarket 

• The Foundry 

Grand Forks 

• Kittsona 

• Town Square Farmers Market 

Minot 

• Main Street Books 

• Olivers Attic 

• Minot Farmers Market 

Western ND / Small Towns 

• Western Edge Books, Art & Music (Medora) 

• Chateau Gift Shop (Medora) 

• Pioneer Museum Gift Shop (Hettinger) 

• Wild Vines Market (Watford City) 

• Rustic Roots Boutique (Dickinson) 

Specialty & Seasonal 

• North Dakota Handmade Market (traveling) 

• Holiday Lights & Craft Markets (various towns) 

• Pride of Dakota Shows (statewide) 

• Harper Mae by Same (Online) 

• Farmers Markets 
  
  

 Unique Venues / Lodging 

• Nome Schoolhouse (Nome, ND) 

 
Events & Causes 

• Dough 4 Joe 

• Pray for Gray (Charity event) 

• ND Country Fest Concerts 

• ND State Fair (Minot)