The Small Town in North Dakota That Feels Straight Out of ‘Deadpool vs. Wolverine’

Deadpool here... just kidding, it’s Jacki, your friendly neighborhood adventure writer, but for the sake of this story, I’m wearing the red suit and breaking all the fourth walls. Ever wanted to have a North Dakota vacation of epic proportions? I’m talking full-on, Marvel-sized proportions: less boring brochure, more cinematic chaos. Well, buckle up, buttercup, because I’ve got a town for you. Deep in the quiet woods of North Dakota sits a place that feels anything but ordinary. It’s small-town calm with movie-scene energy, and it might just make you believe you accidentally walked onto the set of Deadpool vs. Wolverine.

“Wait. North Dakota?” Yes, my frostbitten friend. The latest Deadpool vs. Wolverine movie actually gives a nod to this ruggedly underrated state. There’s a key scene shot (or at least set, let’s be real, CGI is expensive) in a North Dakota forest where yours truly and the grumpiest Canadian alive go claw-to-katana in the mist. Picture pine trees shivering, birds scattering, and a showdown so intense the trees filed for hazard pay. That moody, wooded energy? You can find it right here, in Valley City: a real-life version of a superhero battleground minus the property damage.

Valley City was founded back in 1874, which means it’s been around longer than Wolverine’s sideburns. It’s the county seat of Barnes County, with a population of around 6,580 souls... plus a few dozen deer who clearly think they own the place. They call it the “City of Bridges,” thanks to the many crossings that link the town over the Sheyenne River. The star of the show is the Hi-Line Railroad Bridge, a massive steel structure that stretches across the valley like it’s posing for a drone shot. Imagine Wolverine standing there, brooding into the sunset, while I photobomb him from behind with jazz hands. That’s the Hi-Line vibe: majestic, cinematic, slightly chaotic.

The Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway runs right through here, too. It's a drive so picturesque it could double as a Marvel establishing shot. You’ll weave through rolling hills, pastures, and tree tunnels that look like they were drawn by a comic book artist on their best day. This is where you half expect to see me zip-lining past your car window yelling something inappropriate. It’s that kind of beautiful... peaceful on the surface, but full of quiet drama.

Every great superhero flick has food scenes (you think we fight on empty stomachs?), and Valley City doesn’t disappoint. The James Bon Bon Café serves the kind of breakfast that would make even Spider-Man hang up his web shooters for a minute. It’s cozy, caffeinated, and smells like Sunday mornings should. Over at Sabir’s Dining and Lounge, things get fancier. Picture Wolverine sitting in a corner booth, sipping whiskey, pretending not to care about the perfectly cooked steak in front of him. It’s moody, it’s delicious, it’s totally photo-worthy for your travel feed.

Now, let’s talk about Medicine Wheel Park: Valley City’s most unexpected gem. This 30-acre park is home to 12 ancient Native American burial mounds dating back as much as 2,000 years, plus a massive stone medicine wheel that doubles as an astronomical calendar. It’s educational, it’s beautiful, and it’s way older than Professor X’s hairline. The park includes a model of the solar system, interpretive panels, and walking trails that lead to scenic overlooks where the world seems to slow down for a minute. It’s the kind of place Doctor Strange would visit to realign his chakras (or where I’d go to nap dramatically in the grass.)

Valley City isn’t some flashy metropolis with lasers and explosions. It’s a small town with real character, shaped by history, nature, and people who actually wave when you pass them on the street. Peggy Lee made her singing debut at the local radio station here, by the way. You know, the jazz legend whose voice could melt even Wolverine’s tough exterior. You can feel that same creative spirit all over town: in the art, the architecture, and the sense of rhythm that pulses beneath its calm surface.

So here’s your mission, hero-in-training: visit Valley City. Cruise the Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway, stroll through Medicine Wheel Park, snap a pic on the Hi-Line Bridge, and grab dinner at Sabir’s. Then pop over to nearby Fort Ransom State Park to hike, kayak, or pretend you’re training for your next Marvel cameo.

And when someone asks why you picked North Dakota, tell them the truth: because Deadpool (aka me, Jacki) said it’s basically a superhero movie waiting to happen. Then wink, strike a pose, and cue the end credits music.

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