AfarJul 7, 2026
This Summer Road Trip Crosses 700 Miles of One of the Most Underrated U.S. States
Many travelers leave North Dakota as their 50th visited U.S. state, so much so that the Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center even has a cheeky “Best for Last Club” (members get a commemorative T-shirt and ...
25 things in this story
- Anima CucinaRestaurantJames Beard-nominated spot for breakfast
- North Dakota State CapitolSightart deco skyscraper, state's tallest building
- North Dakota Heritage Center & State MuseumMuseumhouses dinosaur fossils, Native American artifacts
- Laughing Sun BreweryPubpairs beer and barbecue with live music
- EverSpring SuitesHotelconveniently located in Bismarck
- Brick Oven BakeryRestaurantpastry shop in Bismarck
- Elsewhere
- Paddle TrapRestaurantMandan, United Statespatio overlooking the Missouri River in Mandan
- Fort Abraham Lincoln State ParkTrailMandan, United Statesoldest state park in North Dakota
- George Armstrong CusterPlaceMandan, United Statesreconstructed home at Fort Abraham Lincoln
- Geese in FlightSightRegent, United States110-foot-tall scrap metal sculpture
- Enchanted HighwayTrailRegent, United States65-mile round-trip detour with large metal sculptures
- Rough Riders HotelHotelMedora, United Statesold-meets-new property in Medora
- Sheriff Bear’sRestaurantMedora, United Statesquick burger and milkshake spot
- Theodore Roosevelt National ParkMuseumMedora, United Statespark with badlands landscapes and bison herds
- Maah Daah Hey TrailTrailMedora, United Statesconnects units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Boicourt Overlook TrailTrailMedora, United States0.2-mile trail great for sunsets
- Wind Canyon TrailTrailMedora, United States0.4-mile trail with best views of the river
- Pitchfork Steak FondueRestaurantMedora, United Statescommunal outdoor dining experience
- Burning Hills AmphitheaterSightMedora, United Statescarved into hillside, hosts Medora Musical
- Medora MusicalFestivalMedora, United Statescountry western revue incorporating Teddy Roosevelt lore
- Theodore’s Dining RoomRestaurantMedora, United Stateshotel restaurant with bison omelette
- Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryMuseumMedora, United Stateseco-friendly building with interactive experiences
- Salt+ScoriaRestaurantMedora, United Stateson-site restaurant at presidential library
- Sweet Crude Travel CenterMarketWatford City, United Statesgas station for jerky and trail mix
- River Bend OverlookSightWatford City, United Statesbadlands panorama in North Unit