When planning a trip, remember that it is the hands-on encounters that make your adventure memorable. You might find it interesting to read about a locale’s treasured history or watch a sporting event at a sparkling athletic arena, but the experiences you can touch are the ones you ultimately feel the most. This is the biggest reason why North Dakota is such a fulfilling travel destination: from sampling and making pirogues to digging for fossils and touching animal pelts, it is full of top-notch, interactive attractions that will leave you wanting more.
Scandinavian Heritage Park in ND
Our last stop is a park you should absolutely include in your trip itinerary, given its vitality in celebrating and preserving Scandinavian heritage. The Scandinavian Heritage Park is situated in the Upper Brooklyn neighborhood of Minot, a city in North Dakota’s north-central region. The main attractions are replicas and artifacts from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. What might you see if you visit this historical gem? The Dala Horse is a 30-foot-tall replica of the brightly-colored horses famous in Dalarna, Sweden. The Danish Windmill is a working windmill built locally in 1929. Finally, the Leif Erickson statue honors the Icelandic explorer.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota
Theodore Roosevelt came to the Dakota Territory to hunt bison in 1883, and this area has not been the same since. Named after the Rough Rider president who helped shape American history, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is one of North Dakota’s most exceptional offerings. Looking for things to do once you arrive on the scenic lands? Take a drive: the South Unit’s awe-inspiring route starts and ends in Medora and takes just two hours; the North Unit’s drive is a bit shorter, rolling across the badlands before climbing up the historic River Bend Overlook. But Roosevelt National Park isn’t just great because of its scenic paths. There are also various opportunities for hiking and camping—plus, kids can become certified junior rangers.
International Peace Garden
North Dakota’s International Peace Garden
When you are done rough-riding around Teddy Roosevelt’s namesake park, the International Peace Garden—a 3.65-square-mile park on the Canada-U.S. border—awaits. This renowned attraction features 150,000 flowers, each of which is planted afresh every year. You will enjoy smelling the sweet floral scents as you walk around the area, gazing at the 18-foot clock display and the 120-foot concrete towers that straddle the Canadian border. Those interested in history should like this locale, too: part of the garden includes building remains from the World Trade Center, providing a lasting memory of the victims of the September 11 Attacks.
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