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
- Rough Riders HotelHotelold-meets-new property in Medora
- Sheriff Bear’sRestaurantquick burger and milkshake spot
- Theodore Roosevelt National ParkMuseumpark with badlands landscapes and bison herds
- Maah Daah Hey TrailTrailconnects units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Boicourt Overlook TrailTrail0.2-mile trail great for sunsets
- Wind Canyon TrailTrail0.4-mile trail with best views of the river
- Pitchfork Steak FondueRestaurantcommunal outdoor dining experience
- Burning Hills AmphitheaterSightcarved into hillside, hosts Medora Musical
- Medora MusicalFestivalcountry western revue incorporating Teddy Roosevelt lore
- Theodore’s Dining RoomRestauranthotel restaurant with bison omelette
- Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryMuseumeco-friendly building with interactive experiences
- Salt+ScoriaRestauranton-site restaurant at presidential library
- Elsewhere
- Anima CucinaRestaurantBismarck, United StatesJames Beard-nominated spot for breakfast
- North Dakota State CapitolSightBismarck, United Statesart deco skyscraper, state's tallest building
- North Dakota Heritage Center & State MuseumMuseumBismarck, United Stateshouses dinosaur fossils, Native American artifacts
- 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
- Laughing Sun BreweryPubBismarck, United Statespairs beer and barbecue with live music
- EverSpring SuitesHotelBismarck, United Statesconveniently located in Bismarck
- Brick Oven BakeryRestaurantBismarck, United Statespastry shop in Bismarck
- Geese in FlightSightRegent, United States110-foot-tall scrap metal sculpture
- Enchanted HighwayTrailRegent, United States65-mile round-trip detour with large metal sculptures
- Sweet Crude Travel CenterMarketWatford City, United Statesgas station for jerky and trail mix
- River Bend OverlookSightWatford City, United Statesbadlands panorama in North Unit