8 Most Hospitable Towns In North Dakota
North Dakota, admitted as America’s 39th state in November 1889, is a landlocked Upper Midwestern State acclaimed as one of the safest and affable destinations to visit for your vacations. Flaunting sweeping landscapes covered by rolling prairies, badlands, temperate grasslands, and cultivated lands, the Roughrider State offers a relaxing getaway amidst spectacular natural beauty coupled with the gracious hospitality of the residents. Notwithstanding that the bustling urban centers like Fargo and Bismarck account for much of North Dakota’s entire populace, the Peace Garden State is deemed the least excursionist-attracting compared to the bordering states. Punctuating the Flickertail State’s diverse terrain are a plethora of hospitable towns providing every out-of-towner a feeling similar to their dwelling place.
Devils Lake
Christened after the state’s second-largest natural water body, this seat of government of Ramsey County is set in the northeast-central part of North Dakota, approx. 90 miles west of Grand Forks. The town’s most noteworthy attraction is the endorheic Devils Lake which better known as the ‘Perch Capital of the World,’ has been for years recognized as a fishing and watersports hub. While on a tour of this serene community, eat a snack at the Old Main Street Café, play some golf at the Creel Bay Golf Course, and participate in open-air activities at the Grahams Island State Park.
Kenmare
Kenmare, titled after its namesake Irish settlement, is a tranquil Ward County town that forms a portion of the Minot Micropolitan Statistical Area. This 961-resident (as per the 2020 US Census) town’s most visited site of interest is an authentic Danish windmill constructed in 1902 and placed in downtown Park Square at the core of Kenmare’s business district. Conjointly, admire the assorted toys at the V & R Toy Museum, enjoy a movie at Kenmare Theatre, and spot several wild faunae and more than 250 feathered friends along the Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge’s 14-mile-long scenic byway.
Bottineau
A tiny community baptized in honor of the Metis pioneer Pierre Bottineau, this administrative capital of Bottineau County sits at the base of the Turtle Mountains, around 10 miles south of the US-Canada international boundary. Primarily established in 1883 as an ‘overnight stagecoach stop’ this ‘Four Seasons Playground’ entices holidaymakers with impressive tourist magnets such as the exemplary ‘Tommy Turtle’ - the biggest turtle statue in the world, the Bottineau Winter Park - a 40-acre moderate alpine ski area, and Mystical Horizons - an astronomical-themed site. Also, relish the scrumptious fares served by Marie’s Restaurant and try to attend the Bottineau County Fair to be held from June 12 to June 15, 2025, at the Bottineau County Fairgrounds.
Medora
Part of Dickinson Micropolitan Statistical Area, Medora, named for Medora de Vallombrosa (nee von Hoffman), the spouse of the French frontier ranchman Marquis de Mores, is the Billings County seat and its lone incorporated place. Wanderers sojourning in this town delimited by the undefiled woodlands of Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s South Unit must appreciate the beauty of the Badlands while partaking in family-centric activities and on a drive through the vivid landscapes of the national park. Additionally, sightseers gotta check out the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Chateau de Mores State Historic Site, the Burning Hills Amphitheater which hosts performances by Medora Musical, and savory dishes served by the Theodore’s Dining Room Restaurant in the Rough Riders Hotel.
Garrison
Garrison, titled after Garrison Creek, is a teeny McLean County town situated next to Lake Sakakawea’s northern shores. Vacationers setting foot in this 1,462-resident town (as per the 2020 US Census) are in the first instance ushered in by the ‘Wally the Walleye’ statue on the northern edge of Main Street boosting Garrison as the self-professed ‘Walleye Capital of the World.’ Accessorily, tourists should survey the North Dakota Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, be involved in leisure-time activities at Fort Stevenson State Park, enjoy a game of golf at the Garrison Golf Course, and watch films at the state-of-the-art SACA KOTA Theater.
Lisbon
The administrative center of Ransom County, Lisbon, baptized by founder Joseph L. Colton after the homonymous New York town, occupies the Sheyenne National Grasslands at the crossroads of State Highways 27 and 32.
Lisbon acts as an entryway to the southern terminal of the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway and Fort Ransom State Park.
Shoppers must peruse the Downtown’s multiple boutiques like The Rustic Hanger Boutique, eateries like Valley View Bar & Grill, the National Register-listed Lisbon Opera House, and the 1911-established Scenic Movie Theater - the United States’ oldest uninterruptedly running theater.
The 591-mile-long Sheyenne River can be seen in town; it is one of the Red River of the North’s principal tributaries.
Valley City
Named after the town’s placement in the Sheyenne River Valley, the seat of Barnes County is located in the state’s southeastern portion, nearly 60 miles west of Fargo. The community is known for Valley City State University, and the many bridges that span the Sheyenne River.
The historic 3,860 ft long and 162 ft high Hi-Line Bridge, a self-served coffee shop - The Vault, Bjornson Park Public Golf Course, and Valley City State University Planetarium are some of Valley City’s outstanding tourist magnets.
Jamestown
Jamestow is the Stutsman County seat sited at the conflux of Pipestem Creek and James River. Besides housing the central campus of the co-educational University of Jamestown, this 15,849-resident (as per the 2020 US Census) settlement is lionized for ‘Frontier Village’ which incorporates countless original prairie pioneer properties filled with artifacts and antiques, gift shops selling unique North Dakota merchandise, the North American Bison Discovery Center, and a 26 ft tall American bison statue - regarded the ‘World’s Largest Buffalo Monument.’ Tourists get to enjoy water-based recreation at the Jamestown Reservoir, play golf at the two 18-hole golf courses, and witness visual arts performances and year-round exhibitions at The Arts Center in Downtown.
From Garrison's ‘Wally the Walleye’ statue to the world’s biggest turtle statue - ‘Tommy Turtle’ in Bottineau, the picture-perfect towns in the country’s 4th least populous and 19th most extensive state has everything to please the visitors. Presenting a superb mélange of visually attractive surroundings, outdoor recreational activities, and shared camaraderie, these tight-knit communities extend a friendly reception to travel enthusiasts from across the globe stopping over at this ‘Heaven on Earth.’
