10 Museums In North Dakota That You Probably Don’t Know About
As the saying goes, ‘You learn something new every day’ — and we’re guessing you don’t know about these unique museums in North Dakota. From history museums to train museums, rock museums to cowboy museums, here are 10 unique museums in North Dakota that are as unique and interesting as The Peace Garden State.
1. North Dakota State Railroad Museum
This railroad museum, featuring an expansive 3,000-square-foot railroad display is a must for locomotive lovers. The best part? Admission is free! Learn more about the North Dakota State Railroad Museum here.
2. Dickinson Museum Center
Dickinson Museum Center is a 12 acre campus that may just be the best museum in the state. The center's Badlands Dinosaur Museum houses the largest collection of real dinosaur fossils on display in North Dakota, including a complete Triceratops skull, six full dinosaur skeletons, hundreds of fossils, a colorful mineral collection, and lots of opportunities for hands-on learning. Visitors can even watch paleontologists at work preparing fossils for research and display. Learn more about this must-visit museum here.
3. North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame
Ye haw! You'll learn all about Western history and culture at the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. This unique museum pays homage to culture of North Dakota’s Native American, ranching and rodeo communities through dynamic displays about the state’s rich and colorful western heritage.
4. National Buffalo Museum
"Home, home, on the range..." -- the National Buffalo Museum, home of the rare albino buffalo, White Cloud, is one of the most unique attractions in the state. This museum is all about preserving and educating the public about the bison, a beloved figure in the state's history.
5. Fargo Air Museum
For aviation fans, the Fargo Air Museum is a must. This premier flying museum displays many historic flyable airplanes, including a Wright Brothers' flyer. Learn more here.
6. Dale & Martha Hawk Museum
This history museum displays antique tractors and vintage cars, along with antiques from North Dakota's pioneer days, with a focus on preserving the past, appreciating the present, and educating the future. Learn more at the Dale & Martha Hawk Museum website.
7. Bonanzaville, USA
Well, this museum certainly wins the "best name" contest. Bonanzaville, USA is a 12-acre history museum complex in West Fargo, complete with an authentic pioneer village, 43 historic buildings, and thousands of artifacts.
8. Paul Broste Rock Museum
This museum totally rocks (pun intended). The Paul Broste Rock Museum displays different types of rocks from all over the world, and has a really unique history. The museum was a brainchild of Paul Broste, a North Dakota farmer, artist, and rock collector. He began his rock collection at an early age and did much of it during the 1920's and 30's when few people were interested in purchasing rocks. He acquired rare and unique rock specimens from all over the world; out of this collection, came the eponymous Paul Broste Rock Museum.
9. Plains Art Museum
Art museums might not immediately come to mind when thinking about North Dakota, but this state has a deep appreciation for the arts. Plains Art Museum is the largest art museum in North Dakota, and focuses on regional Native American, folk art, and contemporary art. Learn more here.
10. Pfennig Wildlife Museum
Pfennig Wildlife Museum features the largest individual wildlife collection in North Dakota, and includes approximately 175 animal specimens from all around the world. There's also a sizable taxidermy collection. Learn more about Pfennig Wildlife Museum here.
What other North Dakota museums are definitely worth visiting? Let us know in the comments below! And if you’re looking for more museums in North Dakota, here are some must-visit *free* museums to explore.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.