Ross North DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Ross, North Dakota.
1. The Leader
LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK
The Leader is a well-known establishment in Ross with a rating of 3.4 out of 5 based on visitor reviews. It serves as a gathering spot for locals and tourists alike, providing a glimpse into small-town North Dakota culture. Visitors can experience authentic local hospitality while learning about the history of Ross and the surrounding area.
2. Dakota Drug
CLASSIC SMALL-TOWN PHARMACY
Dakota Drug is a highly-rated local pharmacy in Ross, boasting a 4.3 rating from visitors. This establishment likely offers more than just pharmaceutical services, potentially including a soda fountain or gift section typical of traditional small-town pharmacies. Dakota Drug represents the heart of community life in rural North Dakota.
3. The Blue Buttes Native Gift Shop
INDIGENOUS ARTS AND CRAFTS
The Blue Buttes Native Gift Shop provides visitors with an opportunity to purchase authentic Native American arts and crafts. With a solid rating of 4.0, this shop offers cultural items that represent the rich indigenous heritage of North Dakota. Visitors can find unique souvenirs and gifts while supporting local Native American artisans.
4. Four Bears Bridge
SCENIC RIVER CROSSING
Four Bears Bridge is a highly-rated attraction near Ross with an impressive 4.9 rating from visitors. The bridge spans the Missouri River, offering spectacular views of Lake Sakakawea and the surrounding landscape. Visitors often stop to take photographs and enjoy the panoramic vistas of North Dakota's natural beauty.
5. Mha Nation Interpretive Center
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE
The Mha Nation Interpretive Center showcases the culture and history of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation with a respectable 3.8 visitor rating. Exhibits feature traditional artifacts, historical photographs, and educational displays about the Three Affiliated Tribes. Visitors can gain valuable insights into indigenous perspectives and the ongoing cultural legacy of North Dakota's native peoples.
6. Painted Canyon Overlook
BREATHTAKING BADLANDS VISTA
Painted Canyon Overlook is one of North Dakota's most visited landmarks, offering spectacular views of the colorful badlands landscape. Visitors can enjoy the dramatic scenery from a well-maintained viewing platform that showcases the rugged beauty of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The overlook also features interpretive displays explaining the geological and historical significance of this unique terrain.
7. Enchanted Highway
WHIMSICAL METAL SCULPTURES
The Enchanted Highway features a series of massive metal sculptures spaced along a scenic rural route leading to the town of Regent. Each unique sculpture has its own theme and parking area, with some offering covered picnic benches for visitors to rest and enjoy the artwork. The highway culminates at Regent's visitor center and a castle-shaped hotel and restaurant, creating an unexpected artistic journey through North Dakota's countryside.
8. Theodore Roosevelt National Park
PRESIDENTIAL WILDLIFE HAVEN
Theodore Roosevelt National Park preserves the natural environment that inspired the conservation ethos of its presidential namesake. The park is divided into three distinct sections connected by the Little Missouri River, offering visitors opportunities to observe bison, elk, prairie dogs, and other wildlife in their natural habitat. Its breathtaking landscapes of painted canyons and rolling prairie provide an authentic glimpse of the untamed American West that captivated Roosevelt in 1883.
9. International Peace Garden
SYMBOL OF INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP
The International Peace Garden straddles the border between the United States and Canada, symbolizing the peaceful relationship between the two nations. The garden features meticulously maintained floral displays, reflecting pools, and monuments dedicated to international harmony and cooperation. Visitors can experience the unique sensation of standing in two countries simultaneously while enjoying the beauty of this horticultural treasure.
10. White Horse Hill National Game Preserve
WILDLIFE AND RECREATION
White Horse Hill National Game Preserve (formerly Sullys Hill) offers visitors a chance to observe native wildlife including bison, elk, and prairie dogs in a natural setting. The preserve features scenic drives, hiking trails, and picnic areas where visitors can connect with North Dakota's natural heritage. Educational programs and interpretive displays help visitors understand the ecological importance of preserving these native species and their habitat.
11. 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. Today, visitors can explore a partial reconstruction that interprets how the site would have appeared to plains travelers in 1851. The site houses an impressive collection of Native American art and offers Junior Ranger activities for young visitors.
12. North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame
WESTERN HERITAGE CELEBRATION
The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame celebrates the state's rich ranching and rodeo heritage with exhibits honoring notable cowboys, ranchers, and rodeo champions. Located in the historic town of Medora, this cultural center preserves the stories and artifacts of North Dakota's western tradition. Visitors can explore interactive displays that bring to life the challenging and adventurous world of cowboys and cattle drives in the northern plains.
13. Frontier Village
PIONEER TOWN RECREATION
Frontier Village recreates a pioneer town with authentic and replica buildings from North Dakota's past, including a church, schoolhouse, and trading post. Visitors can step back in time while exploring the carefully preserved artifacts and structures that tell the story of early settlement in the region. The village also serves as home to the World's Largest Buffalo Monument, a 26-foot tall sculpture that has become an iconic roadside attraction.
14. Historic 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse
PRESERVED TERRITORIAL ARCHITECTURE
The Historic 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse stands as North Dakota's oldest courthouse building, representing an important piece of territorial history. This meticulously restored structure showcases period architecture and houses exhibits on early governance in the Dakota Territory. Visitors can explore the courtroom, offices, and jail cells while learning about the development of law and order in the American frontier.
15. Fargo Air Museum
AVIATION HISTORY COLLECTION
The Fargo Air Museum houses an impressive collection of aircraft ranging from historic warbirds to modern military planes. Many of the exhibits feature fully operational aircraft, allowing visitors to see aviation history in its functioning glory. The museum offers educational programs and events that celebrate North Dakota's contributions to aviation and military history.