Looking for something to do to get you out of the house? North Dakota is full of unique and interesting places that are well worth the trip! So don't search for "day trips near me in North Dakota;" instead, take a trip to some of the following places. Some will expand your knowledge of the state's history; others offer unique thrills and adventures! Read on for five unique day trips in North Dakota that are an absolute must-do:
We know this is something that sounds like a school field trip, but there actually is so much to see at the capitol in Bismarck that it will take up a whole day. It's an important part of North Dakota and something everyone should see once. See the Skyscraper on the Prairie in person and take a tour of the indoors, where it has a gorgeous art deco-style interior that would wow anyone.
The grounds also include the North Dakota Heritage Museum, a completely free museum full of artifacts of the people and history of the state, all the way back to the dinosaurs that roamed here. You stop by the Liberty Memorial Building right next to the museum, as well. There's plenty to see and do here, and everyone should put a day aside to do it. It's one of the most informative North Dakota day trips you can take!
Picture this - you're trapped in a room and all you have are the objects in the room to gain information on how to escape, and you only have anywhere from one to three hours to do it. This sounds like it might be full of panic but it's actually crazy fun. You aren't told much other than the rules of the game and the premise, then it is up to you and your group to solve how to get out. Every part of the room and every prop might be a clue so you really have to search everything. Beating the clock to get out can be super intense and will get your adrenaline going for an action-packed afternoon in one single room.
This is best done with a large group, or you can go alone and get paired with random people. Try it for yourself; there are two different rooms to try to escape from, and they're working on a new one to be released soon. It is an experience you'll be talking about for weeks afterward, especially if you win! Visit the Fargo Escape Room website for more information.
This gorgeous place is both a state park and a historical site. You can hit the nature trails around the breathtaking Missouri River, have a picnic, and take a trip to the fort buildings or the Custer House in the afternoon and get a tour of the huge prairie home that once housed the colonel himself.
The interior of the house is just as beautiful and loaded with historical items and information to learn. The entire park is a wonderful way to get away from everything else and take some time for yourself to enjoy what is around you and appreciate the history of where you live. Rumor has it, this charming place is haunted!
Take a relaxing drive to one of North Dakota's beautiful small towns located in the south-central county of Emmons. It's a great way to get away from your busy life and appreciate the simpler things, and it has the famous Welk Farmstead State Historic Site or the birthplace of Lawrence Welk.
The beautiful little farm was where the famous late TV bandstand host Lawrence Welk got his start in life. His fascinating history is kept preserved at his childhood home where, like many early settlers of the Dakotas, his German immigrant family began their life and made this place their own. It's an interesting part of history and an interesting stop for a North Dakota day trip!
Now this is one place in North Dakota that is, and should be, on everyone's bucket list to visit. The drive may be a bit long for some but it is very worth any trip. The incredible natural land formations surrounding Medora will take your breath away. Hop over to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, which lies right next to the town, to see the best of the badlands and tons of wildlife.
You can also explore the town of Medora itself. There are historical sites, amazing restaurants, and museums such as the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, shown here. You'll probably need more than one day here if you really want to experience it all, but for one of the best day trips in North Dakota, it will absolutely fill your day with perfect fun.
If you haven't been to some of these places yet, definitely put them on your radar! And if you're still wondering about "day trips near me in North Dakota," be sure to check out these photo-perfect places to visit in the Peace Garden State. You'll be glad you did!
Summer in North Dakota gives us a pretty good excuse to dust off our bucket list and make plans for the sunny season. Knowing that the cold, snowy winter is right around the corner, we want to pack as much fun as we can into those fleeting warm-weather days. If you're not sure where to start, take a peek at some of the best things to do in North Dakota in summer.
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Best Summer Vacation Destinations In North Dakota
Summer in North Dakota promises an idyllic backdrop for a vacation. The hard part is deciding where to go. Whether you're looking for the best family things to do in North Dakota in summer or feel like a romantic getaway, you'll find just the right destination. Here are a few summer vacation destinations in North Dakota to add to your must-visit list.
Need To Know: Campsites are first come first serve.
If you want to get away from it all and reconnect with nature, you probably won't find a better way or place to do that than by camping at
Hankinson Hills Campground. This remote North Dakota campground offers just 15 campsites, making it easy to find solitude on the prairie. All of the campsites have a fire ring and a picnic table, and campers have access to drinking water and vault toilets during the summer. Camping at Hankinson Hills stands atop the list of the best cheap things to do in North Dakota in summer. The camping fee, as of 2024, is only $10 a night.
The darling town of Hatton is the perfect summertime destination, whether you're heading out on a day trip or a weekend getaway. Perhaps the town's most popular destination, Golden Lake Acres, undeniably one of the best family things to do in North Dakota in summer, is a seasonal camping resort that beckons outdoor lovers and those looking to get away from it all. It has everything you need - a beach and boat launch, a playground, and live entertainment - for an unforgettable summer getaway. It's also pet-friendly.
Need To Know: Cabins and traditional campsites are available.
Even if you don't have time for a vacation, you can pack a whole lot of fun into a single day at Grahams Island State Park. The 959-acre state park is brimming with amenities, from scenic hiking trails and playgrounds to picnic areas and horseshoe courts. Spend the day boating, sunbathing on the beach, and cooling off in the lake. If you have the time, book a campsite or a cabin for a few nights then spend the evening stargazing, after catching a sensational North Dakota sunset behind Devils Lake.
Best Beaches, Lakes & Rivers To Visit In North
Dakota This Summer
A sun-soaked summer day is perhaps best spent wading in a cool lake, sunbathing on a sandy beach, and exploring on a kayak. These classic North Dakota summer activities are easy to find if you know where to look. Got your bucket list out? Add these picture-perfect summer destinations to it.
Need To Know: The state park has two seasonal camping cabins.
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Summer is synonymous with soaking up the sun on sandy beaches, and that's just what you can do at Lake Sakakawea State Park. Relax on the shore before venturing into the water to cool off, but that's only the start of the fun that awaits. The park is chock full of amenities, including a playground, picnic shelters, volleyball courts, and a boat ramp. The lake is also popular for fishing and boating. If a day simply isn't enough, and you'll probably find it's not, book one of the seasonal cabins or pitch a tent near the water. You'll find some of the most fun things to do in North Dakota in summer at this state park.
Need To Know: If you want to spend more than a day here, reserve a campsite at Lion Park at Lake Upsilon.
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Considered by many one of the best-kept secrets in North Dakota,
Lake Upsilon is perhaps such a hidden gem because of its remoteness. If you really want to get away from it all, you'll find it with a day at the lake. The pristine lake is popular for swimming and boating. You might even want to catch lunch or dinner; the lake is stocked with rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and bluegill. Whether you spend your time in or on the water, wait until the sun sets to call it a day. (The sunsets here are glorious.)
Need To Know: The state park has a campground, making it easy to stay for a few nights to enjoy all of its amenities.
Stretching more than 600 miles in North Dakota, the Sheyenne River promises plenty to do on a summer day. Winding through Fort Ransom State Park, the river is flanked by forest. Explore on a boat, where you can watch the scenery go by, or cast a line to catch lunch or dinner. When you're not on the water, follow one of the three scenic hiking trails.
Parks To Visit In North Dakota This Summer
Remember how much fun summer was as a kid? We packed so much into every day, dreading our inevitable return to school. Relive a little of that childhood magic this summer with a visit to one (or all!) of these parks in North Dakota.
Need To Know: The park is open seasonally, from May through the middle of September.
Treat yourself to some good, old-fashioned fun at Super Slide Amusement Park, a family favorite for more than five decades. The old-school amusement park boasts a variety of classic rides, including a roller coaster and tea cups. Get your game on with Water Wars; shoot a few rounds of mini golf, and hone your swing at the batting cage. Stop by the snack shop, too, for a soft pretzel or an ice cream cone.
Need To Know: Day and season passes are available.
Venture out of the A/C and beat the heat with a day in the water at Raging Rivers Waterpark. Zip down slides into a pool of crystal-clear water; float on the lazy river, and sunbathe on the lush grass. The popular North Dakota waterpark also has a concession stand. Treat yourself to such summer favorites as burgers, hot dogs, fries, hot pretzels, and ice cream. Don't worry if you don't plan to get in the water; you can purchase a spectator pass for half the price of a day pass.
Need To Know: The state park has three seasonal cabins, modern campsites, and primitive campsites.
Make some room on your summer itinerary for a day (or overnight) at Beaver Lake State Park. Home to a swimming beach, the 273-acre state park boasts a full menu of amenities, including showers, picnic shelters, a boat ramp, and hiking trails. More than five miles of trails meander through the park and are popular with both hikers and mountain bikers. The shortest trail, Beaver Lake Nature Trail, tallies just .32 of a mile and will take you past woodlands, the lake, and a prairie.
Best Free Summer Activities
While summer usually goes by much faster than most of us would like, it can also be quite a pricey season, especially if we have kids. Enjoy a memorable summer without busting your budget by checking out some of the best free things to do in North Dakota in summer. Here are three to help you get started.
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10. Smell The Wildflowers At The Audubon National Wildlife Refuge
Need To Know: The visitor center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It's closed on federal holidays.
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Slip on comfy shoes to explore along one of the trails at the Audubon National Wildlife Refuge, where you can stop to smell the colorful wildflowers during the warmer months. If you prefer staying in the cool comfort of your car, follow the eight-mile South Shore Auto Tour Route. Bring your camera along because, whether you hike or drive, you'll pass an abundance of natural beauty - prairies, Lake Audubon, wetlands, and local wildlife. Twelve miles of the North Country Trail, which runs from North Dakota to Vermont, wanders through the refuge too.
Need To Know: Camping sites are available for a fee.
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Channel a little of that childhood magic with a day at Lake Tschida, a man-made swimming hole that's perfect for cooling off on a sweltering summer day. Measuring 3,400 acres, the pristine lake is a prime destination for summer fun. If you tire of swimming, explore the lake by boat or go fishing. Bring a picnic along, too.
Need To Know: The family-friendly park is open year-round, so make a point to visit each season.
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Bring the whole family for a day of fun at Spring Lake Park. The popular North Dakota park features something for everyone, from a dog park and a walking path to volleyball courts and a swimming beach. The gem of the park is the 41-acre lake that's popular for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Best Summer Events And Festivals In North Dakota
So much makes summertime in North Dakota special. Those balmy summer days also mean a visit to one of our favorite festivals, where we can enjoy some old-fashioned fun and the season's tastiest treats. Pull out your calendar, and add a few of the best summer festivals in North Dakota.
Need To Know: Concert tickets are already on sale.
Celebrate summer at the Red River Valley Fair, one of the highlights of the season that features an old-fashioned carnival, delicious eats, and free and ticketed entertainment. The fair is set for June 28 through July 14, 2024. Those artists set to perform during the fair include the Goo Goo Dolls, Ludacris, Blake Shelton with O'Shea, and Breaking Benjamin.
Need To Know: This annual festival is held at Davidson Park in Williston.
Mark your calendar for the annual Chokecherry Festival, slated for Aug. 9-10, 2024. The two-day festival celebrates the state fruit of North Dakota and promises a full menu of family-friendly fun, including live entertainment, activities for the kiddos, food vendors, and craft booths. You can even purchase chokecherry jam.
Need To Know: The festival's schedule of events and activities is usually published in early August.
Make the most of the final days of summer at Sunfest in Enderlin, set for Sept. 15-21, 2024. Previous editions of this late summer festival in North Dakota have included such family-friendly fun as a parade, food vendors, entertainment, pickleball, and a duck race.
What else would you add to this list of the best things to do in North Dakota in summer? Let us know in the comments. Summer is also the perfect time for a road trip in North Dakota. Before you hit the road, check out OIYS' road trip essentials packing list.
Just A Few Minutes From Downtown Minot, The Scandinavian Heritage Park Is The Perfect North Dakota Day Trip Destination
Scandinavian Heritage Park in Minot, North Dakota, celebrates the culture and history of five Scandinavian countries with replica buildings and festivals.
Nestled in the lovely Upper Brooklyn neighborhood of Minot, North Dakota, is a park well worth a day trip, be it alone or with friends and family. Established in 1988, the Scandinavian Heritage Park is a beautiful and carefully-kept homage to not one, not two, but all five Scandinavian countries. It's believed to be the only park in the world that celebrates all of them, and it's right here in our backyards! Just minutes from beautiful downtown Minot, this is one of the best small towns in North Dakota, and we think visiting the Scandinavian Heritage Park makes for one of the best day trips in North Dakota! Come see what makes the park - and Scandinavian culture - so beautiful and interesting:
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Standing tall and proud at the park are seven flags; one for each Scandinavian country represented at the park, and one for both the U.S. and Canada as well.
The five countries represented at the park include Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. It's a wonderful representation of each nation, and you're sure to learn something new at every turn.
Wander across the emerald green grounds and admire all sorts of intriguing replica buildings.
Explore a perfect copy of the famed Gol Stave Church, which was originally built in Gol, Hallingdal, Norway as far back as the 1100s. Marvel at its stunning, intricate details and learn about the fascinating story of the church.
There is homage paid to numerous historic and cultural figures from the five represented countries, including famed fairy-tale founding father Hans Christian Andersen, a Danish writer famous for tales like The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling.
Or, attend one of many festivals held by the park each year, like the Midsummer Night celebration and plenty more.
We have a sneaking suspicion that once you've visited once, you'll want to return time and time again for the delightful events that always seem to be going on around here.
As if the long list of interesting attractions and histories contained within the Scandinavian Heritage Museum wasn't enough, the festivals only add to the overall experience, and it's a unique one - especially for somewhere like North Dakota, which doesn't exactly have an enormous population.
Come honor the five Scandinavian countries in style at the Scandinavian Heritage Museum in North Dakota.
Whenever you set out for one of the many awesome day trips in North Dakota, make sure you pack all the essentials you'll need along the way. What are your favorite day trip destinations in ND? Tell us about them in the comments!
