8 Of The Most Charming Towns In North Dakota
A diverse Upper Midwestern landlocked state, North Dakota is acclaimed for its wide-ranging flatlands dominated by rolling prairies, badlands, farmlands, grassland plains, and temperate savanna. Boasting a strong heritage shaped by the miscellaneous Native American tribes who inhabited the region for thousands of years and the earnestness of the American pioneers, the Peace Garden State amazingly blends the retro charm with the friendly hospitality of the residents. Notwithstanding the fact that the state capital, Bismarck, and Fargo - the biggest city account for almost one-fifth of North Dakota’s entire populace, the Roughrider State is not frequented much by vacationers compared to its neighboring states. The countless charming small towns sprinkled all over the Flickertail State are waiting to captivate the hearts of holidayers who wish to spend quality time on their next vacation to this ‘Heaven on Earth.’
Jamestown
This seat of southeast-central North Dakota’s Stutsman County is situated at the meeting of Pipestem Creek and James River, nearly midway betwixt Fargo and Bismarck. Baptized by the Northern Pacific Railway’s General Thomas Rosser after Jamestown, Virginia, the town houses the main campus of the University of Jamestown - a private Christian university founded in 1883 and has been co-educational since then. The Frontier Village, located in the town’s southeastern end, features umpteen restored ancient structures, a museum filled with native history exhibits, and an American bison statue - believed to be the ‘World’s Largest Buffalo Monument.’ The Jamestown Reservoir at the town’s northern extremity offers abundant water-based recreation, while other attractions like the North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame, Jamestown Arts Center, Jamestown Civic Center, National Buffalo Museum, and two world-class disc golf courses are not to be missed.
Garrison
Founded in 1905 and named after Garrison Creek, this tiny town is set alongside the northern banks of Lake Sakakawea in McLean County. Travelers visiting Garrison are welcomed by a 26-foot-long statue of ‘Wally the Walleye’ on the northern extremity of Main Street, aptly reflecting the local walleye fishing scene and earning the town its moniker “Walleye Capital of the World.” After a photo op with Wally, head to the North Dakota Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum and North Dakota Firefighter’s Museum & Fallen Firefighter’s Memorial, play a round of golf at the Garrison Golf Course besides taking note of the 15-foot-tall Big Gene - The Golfer statue, savor delectable cuisines at Big Gene’s Bar & Grill and the Four Seasons Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor, watch movies at the SACA KOTA Theater, partake in kayaking and hiking activities at Fort Stevenson State Park, and walk through the park’s less than 0.5-mile-long Arboretum Loop to know more about the local flora and fauna. Rest for the night at the North Shore Inn & Suites and be present at the town’s Dickens Village Festival.
Kenmare
Kenmare, labeled after its namesake Ireland town is a tranquil settlement in Ward County that forms a part of the Minot, ND Micropolitan Statistical Area. At the heart of the business district of this 961-inhabitant town in the downtown park square is Kenmare’s most noteworthy site of interest - an original Danish windmill built by a Danish immigrant farmer in 1902. Additionally, learn about the area’s bygone days at the Lake County Pioneer Village Museum, catch a movie at Kenmare Theatre, take note of the various toys at the V & R Toy Museum, feed on appetizing pizzas at M&K’s Pizza Hub, observe over 250 avian species along with a variety of wild fauna at the Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge and its 14-mile-long scenic byway, and spare time from your busy schedules to be present at the yearly Kenmare Goosefest in October.
Valley City
Valley City, Barnes County’s seat of government, is named after its location at the core of the Sheyenne River Valley in southeastern North Dakota, just 60 miles west of Fargo. Other than being home to the Valley City State University, this energetic college town pridefully upholds the motto: “City of Bridges” in reference to the myriad grand bridges spanning the Sheyenne River. The Hi-Line Bridge - 3,860 feet long and 162 feet high historic railroad bridge, which, at present, is considered one of the nation’s longest and highest single-track railroad bridges, is Valley City’s most-visited site of interest. Also, tour the Valley City State University Planetarium, Medicine Wheel Park, Rosebud Visitor Center, The Vault - a self-served coffee shop, and Bjornson Park Public Golf Course; and attend the annual North Dakota Winter Show in the first week of March.
Walhalla
The Flickertail State’s second-oldest community, this Pembina County town sits on the shores of the Pembina River, approx. Forty-five miles from the North Dakota-Minnesota state boundary and 5 miles from the state’s international border with the Canadian province of Manitoba. Known for the rich fur trading history of the Red River Valley, the town duly justifies its motto: “Heart of the Rendezvous Region.” When in town, do stop by the Kittson Trading Post - the state’s oldest building located in the Walhalla State Historical Park, the Gingras Trading Post State Historic Site, Walhalla-Masonic Scenic Overlook, the Walhalla Country Club’s 9-hole golf course, Frost Fire Ski & Snowboard Area, Frost Fire Summer Theatre, and the Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area comprising thousands of acres of undefiled wilderness and several trails most suited for hiking, mountain biking, ATVing, and off-road motorcycling.
Lisbon
Lisbon, the Ransom County administrative center, is situated at the junction of State Highways 27 and 32 in the Sheyenne National Campgrounds. Called by Joseph L. Colton after the hometown of his spouse, the teeny town acts as a gateway to the Fort Ransom State Park and the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway’s southern terminus. One of the Red River of the North’s significant tributaries - the Sheyenne River, which meanders through the town, highlights the excellent outdoor recreational activities that the abutting area offers apart from delineating the appealing downtown jam-packed with quirky shops, a refurbished opera house, dining establishments, and the oldest uninterruptedly running theater in the country - The Scenic Movie Theater. Picnic-goers can watch canoers paddle the free-flowing Sheyenne River at Sandager Park, while sightseers should tour the Lisbon Bissell Golf Course, the nearby Fort Ransom State Park, the Sheyenne River Speedway, and the Sheyenne State Forest, in addition to taking part at the town’s Ransom County Fair every August.
Bottineau
Dubbed “Four Seasons Playground,” this Bottineau County seat is located at the foothills of Turtle Mountains near the International Peace Garden, around 10 miles south of the international border between the US and Canada. Initially an overnight stagecoach stop named ‘Oak Creek,’ the town was renamed in honor of Pierre Bottineau - the Metis pioneer in 1884. Bottineau lures vacationers to discover some of the town’s remarkable sites, including the iconic 30-foot-tall ‘Tommy Turtle’ statue, Bottineau Country Club Golf Course, Lake Metigoshe State Park, Bottineau Winter Park, and Mystical Horizons - an astronomical-themed site. Savor mouth-watering food served at the China Inn Restaurant and try to attend North Dakota’s oldest county fair - Bottineau County Fair at the Bottineau County Fairgrounds.
Medora
Billings County’s seat of government and its lone incorporated place, Medora, with only 121 inhabitants, forms a part of the Dickinson Micropolitan Statistical Area. Established in 1883 adjacent to the Northern Pacific Railway’s transcontinental railroad and christened in honor of Medora von Hoffman, the better half of Marquis de Mores - an eminent French duelist, the town is widely known for its Western culture. Surrounded by the immaculate wilderness of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s South Unit, adventure-seekers must soak in the magnificence of the Badlands by partaking in a number of family-friendly activities and taking a scenic drive through the national park’s incredible landscapes. Also, tour the Chateau de Mores State Historic Site, Maah Daah Hey Trail, North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, Harold Schafer Heritage Center, and Old Town Hall Theater; aside from tasting delicious food at Theodore’s Dining Room, relaxing at Rough Riders Hotel, and enjoying a performance by Medora Musical at the open-air Burning Hills Amphitheater.
From Garrison - the self-proclaimed ‘Walleye Capital of the World’ to Jamestown - the home of the ‘World’s Largest Buffalo Monument,’ the 19th largest and 4th least populous state of the nation has uncountable picture-perfect towns waiting to be discovered by vacationers of all ages and interests. With mind-boggling natural surroundings, intriguing histories, Midwestern allure, exceptional attractions, colorful festivities, and first-rate restaurants serving lip-smacking local cuisines, these enchanting Roughrider State communities are worth adding to your travel plans.
