North Dakota holidays

Most people know North Dakota’s biggest city from the 1996 film ‘Fargo’. But the real stars here are the historic theatres, trendy microbreweries and outdoor sculpture trails.

Whether you’re strolling the Grand Forks Greenway or kayaking along the Red River, this outdoorsy North Dakota town is a breath of fresh air.

Get swept up in the lively atmosphere of Minot, an events hotspot that hosts the continent’s largest Scandinavian festival and the famous North Dakota State Fair.

From Sacagawea to Sitting Bull, North Dakota’s history is rooted in Native American culture. Visit the burial ground of Hunkpapa Lakota leader Sitting Bull in Fort Yates. Or learn about the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara people at the Three Affiliated Tribes Museum in New Town. For even more 19th-century history, check out Washburn’s Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.

North Dakota’s rugged landscape of prairies and wetlands is a playground for hikers. Head to Little Missouri State Park to enjoy more than 60 kilometres of trails across Badlands terrain. And step back in time at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, where trails pass by reconstructed Native American earth lodges and offer views over the Heart and Missouri rivers.

Playing in the snow is one of the best things to do in North Dakota during winter. Slalom through fresh powder at downhill skiing destinations like Bottineau Winter Park in the Turtle Mountains and Thrill Hills in the Sheyenne River Valley. And take your pick of snowmobile trails, including the Lake Region Trail around Devils Lake.

North Dakota’s lakes give way to beautiful beaches for swimming, fishing, boating and general sun soaking. With a shoreline longer than California’s coast, Lake Sakakawea is a prime spot to visit in the summer. Lake Metigoshe State Park also offers plenty of activities alongside its inviting waters, like hiking and birding in the summer and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter.

North Dakota’s natural beauty is its biggest draw. Spot bison, wild horses and bighorn sheep against a backdrop of the North Dakota Badlands in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. In the Turtle Mountains, you’ll find the International Peace Garden’s lakes, waterfalls and hiking trails, a tribute to peace and friendship between the US and Canada.

Much of North Dakota’s cuisine reflects the traditions of its Scandinavian immigrants, including dishes like ‘lefse’ (Norwegian flatbread), pickled herring and fried ‘rosette’ biscuits. You’ll also find restaurants in North Dakota serving German-inspired food. Try ‘Knoephla soup’, a creamy potato soup with dumplings, or ‘Fleischkuekle’, a German–Russian dish of seasoned ground beef wrapped in flaky fried pastry.

Check out the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck for a deep dive into the state’s past. And make time to explore the Plains Art Museum in Fargo, one of the best museums in North Dakota. For an immersive cultural experience, don’t miss West Fargo’s Bonanzaville, a pioneer village of 40 historic buildings and thousands of artefacts.

The best time to go to North Dakota is late spring or summer if you aim to explore its parks, lakes and Badlands hikes. Early autumn is a pretty time to visit, with crisp air and the changing leaves in the Turtle Mountains and Red River Valley. Dropping temperatures and snowfall make winter the perfect time for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sledging.

A cheap holiday to North Dakota is very doable with some careful budgeting and forward planning. Expect to pay less than 15 US dollars ($) for a simple meal in a restaurant and less than $5 for a coffee. Heading to a bar? You’ll usually pay under $6 for a local beer.