North River North DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near North River, North Dakota.
1. Theodore Roosevelt National Park
HISTORIC BADLANDS WILDERNESS
Theodore Roosevelt National Park encompasses stunning landscapes that once enamored Roosevelt himself, featuring rolling hills and Badlands carved by the Little Missouri River. The park is divided into North and South Units, offering hiking trails, scenic drives, and opportunities to spot free-roaming bison. Visitors can explore the Painted Canyon Visitor Center and the historic Maltese Cross Cabin that once served as Roosevelt's temporary home.
2. North Dakota State Capitol Building
ART DECO GOVERNMENT TOWER
The North Dakota State Capitol Building stands as an impressive 19-story art deco skyscraper in the state's capital city. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about the state's government and history while enjoying panoramic views from the observation deck. The surrounding grounds feature monuments, walking paths, and the North Dakota Heritage Center.
3. International Peace Garden
TRANQUIL BORDER GARDEN
The International Peace Garden straddles the border between North Dakota and Manitoba, Canada, symbolizing friendship between the two nations. The garden features thousands of flowers, a peace chapel, and a 120-foot peace tower. Visitors can enjoy botanical displays, hiking trails, and the unique experience of standing in two countries at once.
4. Fort Union Trading Post
HISTORIC FUR TRADING SITE
Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site preserves what was once the most important fur trading post in the region from 1829 to 1867. The site features a partial reconstruction that interprets what plains travelers might have encountered in 1851. Visitors can explore a stunning collection of Native American art and participate in Junior Ranger activities.
5. Knife River Indian Villages
NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site preserves the historic and archaeological remnants of the Northern Plains Native Americans. Visitors can explore reconstructed earth lodges and learn about the cultural heritage of the Hidatsa, Mandan, and Arikara tribes. The site offers interpretive programs, hiking trails, and a modern museum with authentic artifacts.
6. North Dakota Heritage Center
COMPREHENSIVE STATE MUSEUM
The North Dakota Heritage Center serves as the state's premier museum showcasing the region's natural, cultural, and historical legacy. Exhibits span from prehistoric times through the present day, featuring dinosaur fossils, Native American artifacts, and pioneer history. The modern facility includes interactive displays, a digital theater, and regularly rotating special exhibitions.
7. Plains Art Museum
CONTEMPORARY REGIONAL ART
The Plains Art Museum occupies a renovated historic warehouse in downtown Fargo, housing an impressive collection of regional, national, and international artwork. The museum focuses on contemporary Native American art alongside modern and traditional pieces from the Northern Plains region. Visitors can participate in educational programs, hands-on workshops, and appreciate the building's architectural significance.
8. Red River Zoo
NORTHERN SPECIES SANCTUARY
The Red River Zoo specializes in breeding and exhibiting cold-climate species from around the world. The zoo's naturalistic habitats house rare animals including red pandas, Pallas cats, and Sichuan takins. Families can enjoy the carousel, playground areas, and educational programs throughout the year.
9. Bonanzaville
PIONEER VILLAGE MUSEUM
Bonanzaville is an immersive pioneer village museum featuring over 40 historic buildings that tell the story of early settlement in the Red River Valley. The 12-acre site includes a fully restored prairie town with original structures including a church, school, and various shops. Visitors can experience living history demonstrations, special events, and an extensive collection of artifacts from North Dakota's past.
10. National Buffalo Museum
BISON HISTORY CENTER
The National Buffalo Museum celebrates the cultural and historical significance of the American bison to the Great Plains region. The museum houses exhibits on bison evolution, Native American relationships with buffalo, and the near extinction and recovery of the species. Visitors can observe a live bison herd, including rare white bison, grazing on the surrounding prairie.
11. Ralph Engelstad Arena
PREMIER HOCKEY VENUE
Ralph Engelstad Arena is considered one of the finest collegiate hockey facilities in the world, home to the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks. The arena features opulent details including leather seats, granite floors, and over 400 hockey memorabilia displays throughout the concourse. Visitors can take guided tours of the facility, attend collegiate hockey games, or enjoy other sporting events and concerts.
12. Frontier Village
OLD WEST TOWN
Frontier Village recreates an authentic old west town with buildings collected from throughout the region. Visitors can explore a trading post, jail, schoolhouse, and church while experiencing the atmosphere of pioneer days. The village serves as the gateway to the National Buffalo Museum and the World's Largest Buffalo Monument.
13. White Horse Hill National Game Preserve
WILDLIFE AND RECREATION AREA
White Horse Hill National Game Preserve (formerly Sullys Hill) offers a stunning natural setting with forests, grasslands, and wetlands on the shores of Devils Lake. The preserve is home to herds of American bison, elk, and white-tailed deer that can be observed from a scenic driving route. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails, bird watching, and interpretive programs that highlight the area's natural and cultural history.
14. Fargo Air Museum
AVIATION HISTORY COLLECTION
The Fargo Air Museum houses an impressive collection of aircraft from various eras, with many planes still in flying condition. The museum features both permanent and rotating exhibits that tell the story of aviation development with a special focus on military aircraft. Visitors can interact with knowledgeable volunteers, many of whom are veterans and pilots, who provide firsthand accounts and demonstrations.
15. Chateau de Mores State Historic Site
FRONTIER ERA MANSION
The Chateau de Mores was the summer residence of the Marquis de Mores, a French nobleman and entrepreneur who founded the town of Medora in 1883. The 26-room mansion has been preserved with many original furnishings, offering a glimpse into frontier-era luxury and the life of this ambitious cattle baron. Visitors can tour the chateau and surrounding buildings including a hunting cabin, church, and blacksmith shop.