Voltaire North DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Voltaire, North Dakota.
1. Churches & Cathedrals of Voltaire
HISTORIC RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE
The Churches & Cathedrals of Voltaire represent the historical religious heritage of this small North Dakota community. Visitors can explore the architectural details and cultural significance of these structures which have served as gathering places for generations. The buildings offer a glimpse into the region's settlement history and the importance of faith communities in rural North Dakota.
2. David Thompson Historical Monument
LEGACY OF EXPLORATION
The David Thompson Historical Monument pays tribute to the legendary explorer whose maps helped shape North America's history. Thompson's cartographic work was instrumental in documenting the geography of the region during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Visitors to this historical landmark can learn about Thompson's contributions to early exploration and mapping of the Northern Plains.
3. Theodore Roosevelt National Park
MAJESTIC BADLANDS WILDERNESS
Theodore Roosevelt National Park showcases the stunning North Dakota Badlands where bison, elk, and prairie dogs roam freely through three distinct sections interconnected by the Little Missouri River. This landscape so inspired President Theodore Roosevelt during his 1883 visit that it fueled his passion for conservation efforts and influenced his presidential policies. The park offers visitors breathtaking scenery, wildlife viewing opportunities, and a deep connection to America's conservation history.
4. Fort Union Trading Post
HISTORIC FUR TRADING SITE
Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site preserves the most important fur trading post in the region from 1829 to 1867. Today, visitors can experience a partial reconstruction that interprets what plains travelers might have encountered here in 1851. The site houses an impressive collection of Native American art and offers educational Junior Ranger activities for younger visitors.
5. International Peace Garden
SYMBOL OF FRIENDSHIP
The International Peace Garden straddles the border between North Dakota and Manitoba, Canada, symbolizing the peaceful relationship between the two nations. Established in 1932, this 2,339-acre botanical garden features over 155,000 flowers, a peace chapel, and a 9/11 memorial made from steel girders from the World Trade Center. Visitors can enjoy the formal gardens, conservatory, hiking trails, and interpretive centers while literally walking between two countries.
6. North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame
CELEBRATING WESTERN HERITAGE
The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame celebrates the state's rich western heritage through exhibits honoring the cowboys, ranchers, rodeo champions, and Native Americans who shaped the region. The 15,000-square-foot interpretive center features permanent and rotating exhibits that tell the story of North Dakota's ranching, rodeo, and Native American history. Visitors can explore artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays that bring the state's western culture to life.
7. Chateau de Mores State Historic Site
FRONTIER ARISTOCRAT'S HOME
The Chateau de Mores State Historic Site preserves the 26-room summer residence of the Marquis de Mores, a French aristocrat and entrepreneur who founded the town of Medora in 1883. The chateau houses many of the original furnishings and personal effects of the de Mores family, offering visitors a glimpse into frontier luxury living. Adjacent interpretive centers provide insight into the Marquis' business ventures, which included a meatpacking plant, a stagecoach line, and a refrigerated railway car system.
8. Fort Buford State Historic Site
MILITARY FRONTIER POST
Fort Buford State Historic Site preserves the remains of a military post established in 1866 that played a significant role in the settlement of the Dakota Territory. This is where the famous Hunkpapa Lakota leader Sitting Bull surrendered in 1881, marking a pivotal moment in American frontier history. Visitors can explore several reconstructed buildings including the field officer's quarters, which houses a museum featuring exhibits about military and civilian life at this remote outpost.
9. Lewis and Clark State Park
EXPEDITION CAMPSITE RECREATION
Lewis and Clark State Park sits on one of the upper bays of Lake Sakakawea, near where the famous explorers camped during their historic journey. The park offers excellent recreation opportunities including boating, fishing, swimming, and hiking along with modern campgrounds and cabins for overnight stays. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the rugged buttes and rolling prairie while learning about the Corps of Discovery's passage through the area in 1805.
10. Buffalo Trails Museum
PIONEER LIFE COLLECTION
The Buffalo Trails Museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts depicting pioneer life in western North Dakota from the late 1800s through the early 20th century. Exhibits include a one-room schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, homesteader's shack, and numerous agricultural implements that tell the story of early settlement. The museum's collections particularly highlight the challenges and ingenuity of the region's early European settlers and their interactions with the landscape.
11. White Horse Hill National Game Preserve
WILDLIFE REFUGE EXPERIENCE
White Horse Hill National Game Preserve (formerly known as Sullys Hill) offers visitors the opportunity to observe American bison, elk, and prairie wildlife in their natural habitat. The preserve features a scenic 1.5-mile auto tour route, hiking trails, and an environmental education center with interactive exhibits about the region's ecosystem. Visitors can enjoy spectacular views of Devils Lake while learning about conservation efforts and the area's natural history.
12. Frontier Village
HISTORIC PIONEER TOWN
Frontier Village is a reconstructed pioneer town featuring authentic buildings that have been relocated from across North Dakota to create an immersive historical experience. Visitors can explore the sheriff's office, one-room schoolhouse, church, and other structures filled with period artifacts from the late 1800s. The village also serves as the gateway to see the World's Largest Buffalo Monument, a 26-foot tall, 60-ton concrete sculpture that has become an iconic roadside attraction.
13. Medora Musical
OUTDOOR WESTERN SHOW
The Medora Musical is a professionally-produced, Western-style musical show performed in the stunning outdoor Burning Hills Amphitheatre each summer. Set against the backdrop of the North Dakota Badlands, the show combines music, dance, and patriotic themes to celebrate Theodore Roosevelt's time in the region and the spirit of the Old West. Each performance concludes with a spectacular finale featuring the singing of God Bless America as the sun sets over the picturesque landscape.
14. Pitchfork Steak Fondue
UNIQUE DINING EXPERIENCE
The Pitchfork Steak Fondue offers a unique dining experience where chefs plunge North Dakota beef steaks on pitchforks into large vats of boiling oil. Set on the rim of the Badlands, diners enjoy their meal at picnic tables overlooking the stunning landscape as the sun sets. The experience includes a complete Western meal with all the fixings and can be paired with tickets to the nearby Medora Musical for a full evening of entertainment.
15. Western Edge Books
WESTERN LITERATURE TREASURE
Western Edge Books specializes in literature about Theodore Roosevelt, the American West, and North Dakota history. This charming independent bookstore offers a carefully curated collection of fiction and non-fiction works that celebrate the region's unique heritage and natural beauty. Visitors can find everything from scholarly works to children's books, along with maps, gifts, and local artisan crafts that make perfect souvenirs of their North Dakota adventure.