Our first trip to North Dakota was in 2012, a very short trip with a single purpose: to see North Dakota in our quest to see all 50 states. We flew into Fargo and planned to spend one day there before driving south to Omaha, where we were spending the weekend at a wedding. Our flight touched down on the tarmac, we loaded our suitcases into the rental car, and we were off to see just enough of the city that we could feel secure in telling others we had been to North Dakota. Our visit was short, but the impressions it left ran deep: we were both somewhat surprised by the cosmopolitan feel of Fargo and the comforting peace of the spaces outside of the city. Although we expected our visit to be one and done, we agreed we would both like to make a more intentional visit in the future.
When we started planning our 2021 road trip, North Dakota felt like a natural destination. During a time when social distancing was still top of mind, a state we remembered most for its open spaces and smaller populations felt very inviting. For as much as we enjoyed our quick stop a decade before, we couldn’t get enough of the Peace Garden State as we wove our way from destination to destination. There were historical spots that helped us understand the state’s role in how the USA grew and changed over time. There were artsy spots that showed local color and personality. There were more than a few surprises that proved North Dakota is a lot more than fields and snow. If North Dakota is on your radar—and especially if it is not—here are 10 things to do in North Dakota that might push this incredible state to the top of your vacation planning list!
Enchanted Highway

You can access the highway from north or south, but most of the statues tend to face north so keep that in mind as you drive. You can find a map outlining the landmarks at the north and south entrance, but be sure to check out the full Enchanted Highway visitor center in Regent for souvenirs and additional information. The address for that is 607 Main St, Regent, ND 58650. No matter which direction you are coming from, you’ll find helpful reference material to learn about the sites along the Enchanted Highway!
Mystical Horizons: The Stonehenge of the Prairie
Located in the north central part of the state, just five miles from the Canadian border, the “Stonehenge of the Prairie” is worth a visit if you plan to visit North Dakota. Officially called Mystical Horizons, the structure includes a working sundial and multiple granite pillars that are aligned to the summer and winter solstice as well as the spring and fall equinox. It was designed to be a 21st century Stonehenge and became a tribute to Jack Olson, an aerospace engineer who dreamed of a place that could connect visitors with the cosmos but died of cancer in 2001 before his vision could be realized. The Stonehenge of the Prairie attracts visitors on every solar alignment date. There is no fee to enter, and you’ll find a parking lot and informational plaques to help you interpret what to see during your visit.
Geographical Center of North America

If visiting the geographic center of North America is on your list of things to do in North Dakota, you’ll have more than one stop to make—but like our experience in Ecuador, each stop will show you a different side to a unique attraction.
Fort Mandan and the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
As explorers Merriweather Lewis and William Clark set off to explore lands acquired through the Louisiana Purchase, they spent their first winter at Fort Mandan in North Dakota. It was from that location that they planned their journey, connected with local native tribes, and met Toussaint Charbonneau and his wife Sacagawea, both of whom accompanied the Corps of Discovery Expedition as they departed for the west.
Today, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center provides a reconstruction of Fort Mandan, which provides a nice look into what winter might have been like for the explorers and the native people they befriended. Be sure to check out the giant dog statue near Fort Mandan, a six-foot tall monument built to pay tribute to Lewis and Clark’s dog Seaman. The visitor center offers exhibits that provide a great historical overview, and you can also walk through the replica fort to get a better sense of the size and layout of the buildings. We have visited a few Lewis and Clark historical locations, and this stop reminded us quite a bit of Fort Clatsop in Oregon, where the Corp stayed for several months at the end of their expedition. For history aficionados, Fort Mandan is a must-see location to add to your list of things to do in North Dakota!
More Information: NPS.gov
Salem Sue

World’s Largest Buffalo
Much like Salem Sue, the World’s Largest Buffalo is a fun stop for a photo op and some great views. Located in Jamestown at Frontier Village and the National Buffalo Museum, which is home to a real buffalo herd, it is one of the state’s most popular roadside attractions. Our visit occurred just before sunset, which provided some great photos as well as a sense of calm that can only come from relaxing on vacation—under a giant buffalo.
More Information: BuffaloMuseum.com
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
If there’s one place we insist you include on your list of things to do in North Dakota, it is Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We wrote in detail about our experience spending a day in the park, and of the national parks we have been to it is one of the most memorable experiences we have had. If a day exploring how the plains meet the Badlands and watching wildlife interact with some of the most stunning sites on Earth sounds like your idea of a good time, we know you will love Teddy Roosevelt National Park.
Our Post: A Day at Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Take a look at our video below for a few of the scenic highlights around Teddy Roosevelt National Park!
Decommissioned Missile Silos and the Pyramid of Nekoma
Not everyone knows the role North Dakota has played in our national defense, but the missile silos scattered across the state tell the story of how they were designed and strategically placed to keep the county safe during the Cold War. We shared a full recap of our visit to the Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site and the Pyramid of North Dakota in an earlier article, and history fans will want to be sure to check it out and plan to add the decommissioned missile silos to their lists of things to do in North Dakota!
Our Post: The Pyramid of North Dakota and the Missile Silos of the Peace Garden State
Visit Fargo

Wineries
Believe it or not, grapes grow in North Dakota, and there are a few great wineries to choose from if you’re looking for a relaxing afternoon. We stopped at 4e Winery, which has a refreshing tasting menu that focuses on sweeter wines. Lisa and Greg started the winery as a passion project, and their wines are a testament to their skill for getting the very best out of their vines. We loved the wine, but we loved the hospitality even more—we were glad to be driving so we could bring a few bottles home with us!
More Information: 4eWinery.com
Where to Stay in North Dakota
North Dakota is a big state, and if you’re planning a road trip as you check items off your own list of things to do in North Dakota you may have a need to do a little hotel hopping. We used Booking.com to plan our stops as we navigated the state; Booking.com helped us find hotels that met our criteria (free parking! free Wi-Fi! free breakfast!) along the route we were following. Take a look at Booking.com to see if there is a hotel that meets your needs as well!
Enjoy North Dakota!
Despite a completely packed agenda for our visit to North Dakota, leaving was still bittersweet. We arrived with a complete list of things to do in North Dakota, and although we crossed each one off, we found most of them were highlighted as something we would love to experience again. We don’t often take the same vacation twice, but our North Dakota road trip will almost certainly be repeated. If you’re planning a trip of your own, be prepared to be surprised—it’s a beautiful state with an incredible variety of things to see and do, and you might find it quickly becomes a favorite of yours as well!
Related Posts
Want to learn about more interesting locations around the United States? Check out these posts from our archives!