North Dakota

Before he became the 26th president of the USA, Theodore Roosevelt became a conservationist and a cowboy inspired by his many years spent on this land. Drive through the Badlands to all three units of the park, and visit Roosevelt’s restored Maltese Cross Cabin. Take in the breathtaking view of Painted Canyon, where the rugged landscape described as “hell with the fires put out” competes with grazing bison for a most-worthy image. The only lines found at this lesser-traveled park are those separating the horizon from the blue skies.

The rural roadside around the town of Regent is more than wide-open prairies and kilometers of pavement. It’s also a canvas of sorts for a local artist whose giant metal sculptures have a place in the Guinness World Records. The creations along the 48-kilometer route include a gaggle of geese, grasshoppers, fish and fishermen and a tin family. The highway ends – or begins – in Regent, where you’ll find a gift shop offering all the sculptures in miniature, as well as the Enchanted Castle Hotel.

This replica fort along the Missouri River near Washburn recognizes the site where explorers Lewis and Clark spent the winter of 1804-05, met Sakakawea in a nearby village and began logging their observations about the people and environment around them. Tour the reconstructed fort to imagine what life was like for the intrepid explorers and visit nearby Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center to see artifacts from the journey.

This Jamestown museum dedicated to Plains history is in a log cabin within Frontier Village, a 19th century town with restored buildings, homes and businesses to tour. Museum exhibits reflect the history of bison in the area and feature Plains Indian artifacts. Among its collection is a full-body mount of the legendary white buffalo “White Cloud,” which used to live within the on-site herd. Don’t miss a photo op at the “World’s Largest Buffalo” statue.

The official North Dakota history museum in Bismarck tracks the state’s evolution from 600 million years ago to the present and includes thousands of fossils, dinosaur skeletons and other exhibits. Permanent exhibits offer a glimpse into both the state’s past and future, highlighting prominent Native Americans, the settlement period, and North Dakota’s role in the nation’s military history and energy development.

This Minot park commemorates Scandinavian pioneers who helped shape North Dakota. The park grounds feature statues of prominent Scandinavians, traditional structures and symbols, including a 9-meter-tall Dala Horse, a grass-roofed Stabbur (little Norwegian house used to store food), windmills, flags and the centerpiece – a full replica of a Stave church.

The remnants of three villages can be found at this site near Stanton, where Sakakawea first met Lewis and Clark. The museum showcases artifacts and crafts from the site, and a reconstructed earthlodge allows visitors a first-hand look at life in the lodge. Remains of earthlodge dwellings, cache pits, fortification ditches and trails can be seen.

Fargo’s plains-oriented art museum houses nearly 4,000 works in its permanent collection, including regional and national art, Native American art, historic photographs and murals. The museum is located within a collection of craft breweries, eclectic shops and unique eateries in the city’s vibrant downtown.

Devils Lake is a summer and winter recreational destination for those who love the outdoors, especially fishing, boating, hunting and water sports. Graham’s Island State Park, White Horse Hill National Game Preserve and Fort Totten State Historic Site surround the lake. Plan a stay or enjoy entertainment and dining at Spirit Lake Casino & Resort, which sits on the banks of Devils Lake within the Spirit Lake Reservation.

The 930-hectare garden dedicated to peace between two nations is located in the Turtle Mountains on the USA-Canada border near Dunseith. Wander freely through the two countries, or stand in both countries at one time while in the lush, hilly, forested gardens. Attractions include a 9-11 memorial, floral flags, floral clock, a conservatory and Game Warden Museum. Nearby Mystical Horizons is known as North Dakota’s Stonehenge of the Prairie.