Why Everyone In North Dakota Should Visit This One Small Town

There is a town in central North Dakota that should be the center of attention. With a population of only 1,453, it has a lot going for it that makes it a prime day trip destination. As far as character goes, it certainly has a lot! If you haven't been here yet be sure to add this to your Peace Garden State bucket list, because this is a must-see for everyone - multiple times a year.

Garrison, North Dakota - one of the most charming, unique, and fun to visit towns in the entire state.

Garrison was founded in 1905 in McLean County. Along with being an enjoyable small town to visit, its main claim to fame is being the location of the Garrison Dam - the dam that created Lake Sakakawea - and the Walleye Capital. Wally the Walleye shows that off in the statue above!

Taking a day trip to this town is one of the best decisions you can make. It has all the delightful aspects of a perfectly North Dakotan place.

Garrison is a beautiful place with all the classic characteristics of a small town. The local drug store, the tiny theater, and pretty much everything else you could think of.

Stop by a tasty eatery like the Ye Olde Malt Shoppe on Main Street for a nostalgic meal.

This restaurant makes you feel like you've stepped into an old time diner.

They, of course, serve malts and walleye here - and they're delicious!

The Ye Olde Malt Shoppe is located at 72 S Main Street, Garrison, ND 58540.

Along with a scenic downtown, Garrison is also right next to this fantastic recreational area - Fort Stevenson State Park.

This park takes advantage of all Lake Sakakawea has to offer with the beaches, trails, and a full marina that gives access to the lake for tons of boaters and sailors.

The park is great for fishing, boating, sailing, hiking, camping, and the list goes on. It's a beautiful outdoor extravaganza!

You can even visit parts of the fort that it is named after, and every year they host a mesmerizing kite festival over Fort Stevenson that will blow your mind.

The kite festival, called Sky Fest Over Fort Stevenson, usually happens over Memorial Day weekend.

There is another reason Garrison is so special. It is the Christmas Capital of North Dakota!

Garrison becomes a storybook Christmas wonderland each year during the Dickens Village Festival. This festival embraces the famous holiday tale by Charles Dickens and becomes a bit of London in the prairie. Food stalls, sleigh rides, fruit cake throwing competitions, and rides on the double decker Queen Elizabus are just a few of the awesome activities you can partake in during the festival. All right here in Garrison!

No matter what time of the year you visit, whether it be to the kite festival in spring, the lake in the summer, or the Christmas town in the winter, Garrison is the best kind of small town to visit.

These are just a few of the ways to take advantage of visiting Garrison, North Dakota. They have a whole website full of information on traveling to this town. You can check it out here.

North Dakota's fascinating, picturesque, and sometimes unusual small towns don't end here. We've discovered plenty more that are worth visiting, and you can find them by following this link.