7 Most Charming Cities In North Dakota
North Dakota, the 19th largest and 4th most sparsely populated US State, is renowned for its vast expanses of flatlands covered by prairies, farmlands, badlands, grassland plains, and temperate savanna. Inhabited by various Native American tribes for thousands of years, this Upper Midwest State is presently one of the country’s least populous states, that contains breathtaking vast open spaces almost unspoiled by humans. Nestled within these expansive areas are some of the state’s most charming cities waiting to be explored. All the tourists visiting these cities will surely be mesmerized by the natural beauty, fascinating history, and the warmth and hospitality of these fantastic communities.
Fargo
North Dakota’s largest and most populous city, Fargo, is placed in the flat Red River Valley along the western banks of the Red River of the North. Besides being the administrative center of Cass County, Fargo serves as an educational, cultural, commercial, industrial, and healthcare center for the southeastern portion of North Dakota and the northwestern portion of Minnesota. Although the city gained some fame after the release of an Academy Award-winning 1996 film of the same name, tourists mostly remember Fargo as home to friendly folks and flat accents.
The city offers an array of cultural opportunities which the higher educational institutions in the area widely promote. Some of Fargo’s notable attractions include the iconic Fargo Theatre, Plains Art Museum, Fargo Air Museum, the Roger Maris Museum at West Acres Shopping Center, John E. Carlson Coliseum, Fargodome, Fargo Civic Center, and many more. In addition, Fargo also boasts several neighborhood parks, golf courses, and the 33-acre Red River Zoo, which breeds and exhibits some of the world’s rarest cold climate species. During summer, Fargo, and its sister city, Moorhead, conduct ferry rides on the Red River to promote education about the river valley’s fertile soil.
Grand Forks
The state’s third-largest city, Grand Forks, is located on the western shores of the Red River of the North, about 74 miles north of the Fargo-Moorhead area. Initially named “Les Grandes Fourches” by the French fur traders who hailed from Canada and inhabited the region, Grand Forks is currently a vital manufacturing, food processing, scientific research, health care, and higher education center. The city hosts various art and cultural events, which are primarily produced by the University of North Dakota – the state’s oldest higher education institution. Some of Grand Forks’ must-visit attractions include the North Dakota Museum of Art, Chester Fritz Auditorium, Empire Arts Center, Ralph Engelstad Arena, Grand Forks County Historical Society, Fire Hall Theatre, Grand Cities Mall, Alerus Center, etc.
The Grand Forks Park District manages about 14 neighborhood parks, 2 swimming pools, 11 outdoor skating rinks, 3 splash parks, 28 tennis courts, and indoor ice arenas. The city’s spectacular waterfront parks, such as Central Park and Lincoln Drive Park, which form a part of the Greater Grand Forks Greenway, offer many recreational activities like hiking, biking, kayaking, golfing, canoeing, and fishing.
Dickinson
Named after its founder, the American merchant Wells Stoughton Dickinson, North Dakota’s 7th most populous city is situated along the Heart River in the state’s southwestern portion. The North Dakota oil boom helped Dickinson become one of the United States’ fastest-growing cities. As the main city of the Dickinson Micropolitan Statistical Area, Dickinson has numerous unique attractions, including the Dickinson Dinosaur Museum, the Ukrainian Cultural Institute, North Dakota Soccer Association headquarters, Dickinson Museum Center, and Dickinson Area Public Library. The city also serves as a gateway to the nearby Theodore Roosevelt National Park, renowned for its badlands, diverse Great Plains wildlife, scenic drives, and various recreational opportunities such as camping, backcountry hiking, wildlife viewing, and 100 miles of foot and horse trails.
Bismarck
Bismarck, the state capital and Burleigh County’s administrative center is located along the eastern shores of the Missouri River in North Dakota’s south-central portion. The lively downtown of the state’s second-most populous city is home to the Belle Mehus Auditorium, Kirkwood Mall, and several small retail stores and restaurants. Immediately north of downtown Bismarck is the North Dakota State Capitol complex housing the North Dakota State Capitol, the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, Liberty Memorial Building, North Dakota Governor’s Residence, beside Capitol Park, and the Myron Atkinson Park. The city’s several parks, four 18-hole and one 9-hole golf course, and swimming pools are managed by the Bismarck Parks and Recreation District. The beautiful parks and scenic overlooks offer visitors magnificent views of the Missouri River and the surrounding landscape.
Minot
The county seat of Ward County and North Dakota’s fourth-largest city, Minot, is located along the Souris/Mouse River in the state’s Drift Prairie region, approximately 100 miles north of Bismarck. Nicknamed “The Magic City,” the chief city of the Minot Micropolitan Area serves as a trading center for a significant portion of northern North Dakota, along with the southwestern part of Manitoba and the southeastern portion of Saskatchewan. Minot’s economy is greatly influenced by Minot State University, the state’s third-largest university, and the Air Force Base, located 15 miles north of the city. The Minot Park District manages around 17 parks, including Scandinavian Heritage Park, Roosevelt Park, Oak Park, etc. Tourists must also visit the Old Soo Depot Transportation Museum, North Dakota State Fair Center, Taube Museum of Art, Minot Symphony Orchestra, Maysa Arena, Arlene Theater, and the Dakota Territory Air Museum.
West Fargo
Nicknamed “City on the Grow,” West Fargo, the state’s fifth-largest city and one of its fastest-growing communities, is a part of the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Statistical Area in Cass County. Boasting numerous opportunities for families and businesses, West Fargo offers a perfect blend of small-town living with all the amenities of a bigger metropolis. The city’s thriving downtown features numerous unique hotels, eateries, and entertainment options. History lovers must visit Bonanzaville USA, a history museum managed by the Cass County Historical Society. Spread over 12 acres, the museum complex contains 40 ancient buildings that have been relocated from other areas to the museum grounds and have been arranged to form a village setting. Some interesting annual events that attract thousands of tourists to West Fargo include Big Iron Farm Show at the West Fargo Fairgrounds, Bonanzaville Pioneer Days, Hamfest, Red River Valley Fair, West Fest, and Nite to Unite.
Williston
The state’s sixth-most populous city and the administrative center of Williams County, Williston, is located at the upper end of Lake Sakakawea Reservoir, close to the meeting point of Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers. The city’s development over the Bakken Formation, an oil-rich area that occupies 200,000 sq. mi of the Williston Basin’s subsurface, made Williston a regional center for oil production and exploration, in turn boosting the entire region’s economic and population growth.
Visitors to Williston can learn more about the city’s rich past by visiting the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, Fort Buford State Historic Site, Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center, and Cut Bluff Overlook. Some of Williston’s other noteworthy attractions include the Williston Area Recreation Center, James Memorial Art Center, Old Armory, Williston Municipal Golf Course, Eagle Ridge Golf Club, and the Links of North Dakota at Red Mike Resort. The city also offers many outdoor water-based recreational opportunities, such as fishing, boating, camping, and hiking along Lake Sakakawea.
Even though North Dakota is the 4th most sparsely populated US State and the least touristy, it is home to picturesque cities that boast a high quality of life and are full of Midwestern charm. Both the state capital Bismarck, and the most populous city Fargo, are considered among the fastest-growing cities in the country. Some outdoor attractions, such as the 144-mile-long Maah Daah Hey Trail, the historic Lewis & Clark Trail, and the nearby Theodore Roosevelt National Park, attract a lot of visitors. So, whenever you're planning to visit the Peace Garden State, remember to include these charming cities in your itineraries.
