Hit the Road: North Dakota
By Best Western
Uncover a slice of American history when you visit North Dakota, from when dinosaurs ruled the earth, the rich, Native American culture to the path Lewis and Clark once traveled on. Then head into town for family fun before heading out for recreational exploring. North Dakota has it all; it is just a matter of where to begin.
With a Best Western to call home base, here are several must-sees in North Dakota to add to your itinerary:
Go into town
Made famous by an iconic movie and hit tv series, Fargo is more than thick midwestern accents and a barren white landscape. Visitors of this lively city will see how much it has to offer: food trucks, breweries and distilleries, live music and a stellar art scene. Enjoy a friend’s getaway or family vacation; however you choose it, you’ll find plenty to do.
Once known for cattle and oil, Dickinson has developed into a city of adventure, delicious cuisine and endless experiences to tackle. It is home to a world-class dinosaur museum – Badlands Dinosaur Museum -, retail shopping and a short distance from Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
North Dakota’s capital, Bismarck-Mandan, is nestled up along the Missouri River and has welcomed visitors for many years, including some very famous ones (Lewis and Clark). Since these well-known visitors made their way through Bismarck, a lot has changed. Bismarck has become a vibrant, energetic metropolis city that is home to enriching history, the great outdoors and an immeasurable amount of things to do like Dakota Zoo, Fort Abraham Lincoln and the annual United Tribes International Powwow.
Get outside
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Named after the President who helped our nation preserve hundreds of national forests, parks and reserves, the Theodore Roosevelt National Park holds a special place for outdoor enthusiasts. The park offers more than trails and camping sites; it’s a prime spot for wildlife watching. Pay a visit and you may be able to spot bison, white-tailed deer, elk and more.
With 2,800 acres of public land and 30 miles of trails, the question isn’t what Pembina Gorge State Park has, but what doesn’t it have. Visitors can kayak the Pembina river, enjoy a horseback ride through the valley, pushing the pedal on your ATV or dirt bike in designated areas or hike one of the dozens of trails the park has to offer.
Located on the south shore of the third-largest man-made reservoir in the nation is Lake Sakakawea State Park. It’s an aquaphile’s dream spot. Take a swim at the beach, fish, sail, paddle among the water waves or camp beneath trees and enjoy the cool breeze— it’s paradise on earth.
Things to do
- Immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind history lesson when you visit the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Fort Mandan. Engage with exhibits, period artifacts, art collections and stories of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The Fort Mandan is a fully furnished, full-size replica of the fort Lewis and Clark outwintered in 1804-1805.
- Visit the oldest state park in North Dakota, Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. Take a look into the lives of the Mandan Native Americans and venture through reconstructed earth lodges. Plus, the land is open for hikes that cover nearly 20 miles of land.
- Visit the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum for an all-encompassing overview of the state’s history. Exhibits include the exploration into the state’s geology with life-sized casts of dinosaurs, the journey of the Native people of the land to the passing decades and its unique contributions to the state.
Hit the Road with Best Western and travel with ease as our hotels are putting guest’s safety first with the implementation of our We Care Clean program. Book your next stay direct at bestwestern.com to get our lowest rates guaranteed.
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