[...] Roadtrip Planning: North Dakota Posted on Saturday, April 25th, 2009 in Travel – Comments: (12) I grew up in North Dakota, and have visited bits and pieces of it throughout my lifetime, but I’ve never really taken a good trip around the state.  It’s something I’d like to do with my kids, however, so I’ve begun putting a trip plan together.  I requested information from North Dakota Tourism, but while I’m waiting for it to arrive, I’m asking my readers what I should see. [...]

We stopped by the largest buffalo as well. The little stores and stuff were closed, but we’d stayed in Jamestown the night before and I wasn’t leaving town without a photo of the big beastie.
What is it with ND and “worlds biggest” whatevers? We saw several signs as we drove through the state advertising the buffalo, the world’s largest sand hill crane, etc.

Dominique’s last blog post..Photo Friday

The bismarck zoo is great. I plan on taking my kids there this summer.

How about Emter Family Dinner Theater in Jamestown? Your little music loves would enjoy it! I thought it had closed, but their website does have a 2009 date on it so it looks like it’s still up and running.

Roger Maris museum? It’s right at West Acres Mall. How are you going to narrow it down?!! Have you been to the Fargo Zoo?

Dale and Martha Hawk museum? Leeds, ND I can’t remember it,but know we have been there.

There is kind of a cool little museum in Dickenson, kind of like a little old city. Right off the interstate too. There is a Dinosaur Museum in Dickenson also–http://www.dakotadino.com/index.html

There is always Bonanzaville in West Fargo. Old time buildings set up kind of like Stump Lake. There is also Yunker Farm.

Hatton, ND — Carl Ben Eilsen Museum
http://www.eielson.org/home.html

Something kind of neat to see is the wind farm up near Langdon. There are more than 100 wind turbines. You can see it if you take Highway 17 from hiway32 west toward Dunseith and the Peace Garden.

Lewis and Clark Interpretive center in Washburn, ND

Knife River Indian Villages in Stanton ND and also Fort Clark–acheaological find of fur trade and Indian mound villiage.

Fort Union is also Southwest of Williston. Fur Trading Post.

We know them all!! While other families got to go to fun and exotic places for vacation, we toured our state!!

Amidon — Burning Coal Vein. A Big steaming crack in the ground it was neat to learn about it! Hard to find, Keep in mind that the sign that says BCV is NOT a military installation!!!

Fort Lincoln- the fort General Custer rode out from to the Battle of Little Big Horn. 7 miles south of Mandan.

Fort Buford- Williston, ND Where Sitting Bull surrendered very interesting especially when they have re-enactments.

Sully’s Hill Devils Lake-Drive through park to see the Animals!!

Garrison Dam maybe? That bridge is huge!!!

Richarton- Assumption Abbey Monestary They used to give tours, I don’t know if they still do!

Hebron Brick Factory Hebron ND

Eat at the Trapper’s Kettle in Belfield,ND AWESOME FOOD also Ukranian architecture in town.

I will try to remember some more things!!! I hope you can use some of these things!!!

Bismarck has a riverboat as well. There is the state capital and the heritage center and state library on the capital grounds. There is a state park just west of Williston, I can’t think of the name right now.

You could also check out the Pembina Gorge near Walhalla – they now have a musical every summer too which is very good (Fiddler on the Roof this year). Arvilla State Park – love that place (remember 4H camp?). The Ralph in GF has tours. Rollerskating in Stump Lake. I think they have a riverboat tour from the Casino in New Town. Hwy 1804 or 1806 is a very pretty drive north of Bismarck. I’m out of ideas for now.

South of Mandan is Fort Lincoln. During the season, or by appointment, the people dress in period costume and act in character as they get tours around the fort. Nearby they also have the towers from another fort (I think) and people can actually climb up to the top and stand on the outside walk to look around. With a little bit older kids, … Read Moremiddle elementary and up, with an apointment, you can tour the Falkirk Mine and/or the Great Plains Energy plant (near each other on Hwy 83). At the mine, you actuallly go down into the mining area and see the machinery in action. Near Garrison is the power plant and fish hatchery which both give tours.

Definitely go to Washburn and see the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Fort Mandan. I was at a weeklong “class” about Lewis & Clark one summer and it was a lot of fun! I think the two places are only a few miles apart on the same road. Your son would love that little bit of history! Knife River was kind of neat too – you could actually see where the earth lodges were. Check Washburn’s website for that and maybe more ideas.

Fort Abraham Lincoln was pretty neat too. I even went to the Melodrama! On A Slant Indian Village is right there also.

Dinosaur museum in Dickinson is a great attraction for kids. We were there four years ago when our kids were 4 and almost 2. We loved the Medora Musical, too. Went to that during the week, when the crowds weren’t so big. Kids even got to go on stage during the show. Also on 94 is the Dakota Zoo in Bismarck. I’ve heard the zoo in Minot is very good, too, but have not ever been there myself.

Our kids loved Medora – musical, hiking in TR Park. IF you do that, you can see New Salem Sue on the way (we did) & you hit at least part of the enchanted highway. Since you are coming from Minneapolis you can see the Buffalo in Jamestown & hit the Heritage Center (our kids love it) on the way. That’s a lot of stops for one trip though. The … Read MoreGeographic Point in Rugby is just a monument in a parking lot (not very exciting). The Peace Garden is nice but not really in full bloom until end of June & July. We’ve never taken our kids to Ft. Totten. I’m not sure why since we have been to Sully’s Hill. If you’re in Minot we have the Taube Museum & the Air Museum. Both are very small. Brad was just to the Air Museum yesterday & said it is pretty cool. Well, there’s my input. Have fun!