3-Day Itinerary Along I-94 In North Dakota

This North Dakota Itinerary at a Glance

Following this itinerary, you’ll travel along Interstate 94 and take a step back in time. From old western towns to the World’s Largest Buffalo, these three days are packed full of exciting excursions for the whole family!

Enjoy these wonderful I-94 attractions and more!

Medora, North Dakota
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
World’s Largest Cow
Fargo Air Museum

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Interstate-94 Day-to-Day Itinerary

Day 1 of Things To Do Along Western I-94

Early morning pack up your car at your hotel in western I-94 and head off.

Kick off your trip in North Dakota’s #1 tourist destination, Medora. Founded in 1883, Medora became a place of inspiration for Theodore Roosevelt; nestled in the Badlands amongst awe-inspiring scenery and bountiful wildlife, Roosevelt championed his stance on conservation.

With original storefronts full of character and a backdrop of the mountains, you’ll be transcended into the western 1880s, walking alongside Roosevelt, feeling the rich history around you.

There are plenty of cafe options for a morning pick-me-up, one being Cowboy Cafe, a staple breakfast nook that has been in operation since the 1980s.

If time allows, be sure to see a show at the Medora Musical–a family-centered musical amphitheater that opened in 1965–as well as the Cowboy Hall of Fame, which features cowboy, cowgirl and Native American legends. Each of these stops showcased the magic that comes along with the west.

After you’ve gotten your fix of caramel rolls, musicals and cowboy history, you’re ready to explore Theodore Roosevelt National Park, South Unit. Beforehand, stop at a local convenience store, like the Medora C Store, to stock up on fixins for a picnic in the park.

Along this 48-mile scenic experience, you’ll become acquainted with the breathtaking landscape of mountains and gorgeous lookouts. The park offers self-guided driving audio tours, hiking trails and mountain biking; all equally immersing you into the world that is North Dakota. During your journey, you’ll see lots of native wildlife, including–but not limited to–prairie dogs, bison and snakes.

If hiking is your thing, you’ll take a quick 15 minute walk up Buck Hill, which is the highest accessible point in the park, letting you see the park in its entirety. Then, you can hike an easy to moderate trail, like the Painted Canyon Nature Trail, where you’ll walk into the basin of the canyon, coming face-to-face with rocks layers and wildlife.

After hiking, exploring and taking in the scenery, you’ll eat a late lunch before hopping back on I-94 towards Dickinson.

On your way to Dickinson, you’ll exit on exit 72, and travel the Enchanted Highway. The 32 mile highway features metal structures such as “Deer Crossing” at mile 3, “Fisherman’s Dream” at mile 19, and the “World’s Largest Tin Family” at mile 30. Almost all of the metal structures offer a pull-off area for visitors to park and view.

Hopping back onI-94, you’ll wind down day one at Fluffy Fields Vineyard & Winery in Dickinson. With delicious food and North Dakota sourced drinks, this kid-friendly, cozy winery offers the perfect refuge after a fun day of exploring.

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Day 2 Itinerary of Central I-94

Starting day two, you’ll continue east on I-94 toward Bismarck.

On your way to Bismarck, you’ll see the World’s Largest Cow, Salem Sue. This fiberglass, holstein cow overlooks the terrain, making it hard to miss her 38-foot-tall frame from the interstate. You’re able to pull off the dirt road and take pictures with her.

To keep up the cow-vibes, you’ll head to downtown New Salem to a cafe called Udderly Caffeinated for a bite to eat and coffee before hitting the road again.

The North Dakota Heritage Center is the next stop on your trip. The heritage museum, free to enter, features enthralling exhibits from the Geologic Time–showing a life-size T-Rex exhibit, to the Early People’s exhibit–showcasing the dressings and innovations from nearly 13,000 years ago.

Huckleberry House, about ten minutes down the road, is where you’ll recharge after exploring the museum. This nordic fusion restaurant not only offers unique, tasty food, but a river-side view of the beautiful Missouri River as well.

After dinner, hop aboard the Lewis & Clark Riverboat experience and sail down the Missouri River, enjoying the beautiful sunset.

Day 3 Itinerary of Museums and Frontier Life Along Eastern I-94

Frontier Village in Jamestown, North Dakota is your last, first stop on your I-94 excursion. This village features original frontier buildings that are filled with artifacts and antiques from the 1880s. Among the buildings are a blacksmith shop, town hall, schoolhouse and so many more intriguing buildings. The town also features carriage rides, immersing its visitors into that era.

The World’s Largest Buffalo is also located within the Frontier Village. As you walk down Main Street in Frontier Town, signs will guide you along a path that leads you right to it!

After snapping a few pics and maybe picnicking alongside the buffalo, you’ll make your way to your next stop: Fargo Air Museum.

The Fargo Air Museum is a non-profit museum featuring aircrafts from all eras, with a goal to educate,preserve and restore. Fly through history with these interactive displays and let you imagination take flight.

Brewhalla is your last stop on your trip. At Brewhalla, you’re able to choose from a variety of delicious restaurants offering different foods; from dumplings and bao buns to woodfire pizza and smash burgers. They also have great drinks and fun events, so be sure to check their events calendar!

After a long, fun-filled trip along I-94, there is a hotel included in Brewhalla to stay!