Wales North DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Wales, North Dakota.
1. Hy-Wire Zipline Adventures
THRILLING OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
Hy-Wire Zipline Adventures offers exciting zipline experiences in the Wales area. Visitors can enjoy soaring through the air while taking in panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. This attraction received a 4.5 rating from visitors who appreciate the adrenaline rush and natural scenery.
2. The Pyramid of North Dakota
MYSTERIOUS LANDMARK STRUCTURE
The Pyramid of North Dakota stands as an intriguing architectural anomaly near Wales. This unique structure has garnered a 4.3 visitor rating and attracts curious travelers looking for unusual sights. Visitors often photograph this distinctive landmark that contrasts dramatically with the surrounding North Dakota landscape.
3. Theodore Roosevelt National Park
HISTORIC BADLANDS BEAUTY
Theodore Roosevelt National Park showcases the rugged badlands that once captivated the 26th president of the United States. Visitors can observe free-roaming bison while exploring the park's rolling hills through hiking trails or scenic drives. The park features the Little Missouri River winding through dramatic landscapes and offers primitive camping opportunities at two different campgrounds.
4. Painted Canyon Overlook
SPECTACULAR BADLANDS VISTA
Painted Canyon Overlook provides one of the most breathtaking viewpoints in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The overlook allows visitors to gaze across the colorful stratified badlands formations that give the canyon its name. The adjacent visitor center offers engaging information about the park's natural and cultural history.
5. Pembina Valley Provincial Park
TRANQUIL NATURAL ESCAPE
Pembina Valley Provincial Park offers visitors a peaceful retreat into nature near the North Dakota border. The park features scenic hiking trails that wind through forested valleys and along riverside paths. Visitors have awarded this natural area a 4.6 rating for its serene atmosphere and beautiful landscapes.
6. Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center
FILM-INSPIRED TOURIST STOP
The Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center welcomes travelers with unique movie memorabilia including the famous woodchipper from the film 'Fargo'. This popular attraction features a gift shop selling local souvenirs and provides information about regional points of interest. The center also hosts a special club for enthusiastic travelers looking to explore North Dakota.
7. Enchanted Highway
WHIMSICAL ROADSIDE ART
The Enchanted Highway features a series of massive, whimsical metal sculptures along a scenic drive through rural North Dakota. Each enormous artwork represents different themes related to the region's culture and natural environment. The route culminates in a charming town offering photo opportunities, a gift shop, and refreshing ice cream treats.
8. Knife River Indian Villages
PRESERVED INDIGENOUS HISTORY
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site preserves the cultural heritage of Northern Plains Indigenous peoples in a tranquil open-air museum setting. Visitors can take peaceful walks through the site while learning about traditional earth lodge dwellings and native practices. The site offers informative talks at a historical church and provides numerous opportunities for contemplative photography.
9. International Peace Garden
TRANQUIL FLORAL SANCTUARY
The International Peace Garden straddles the border between the United States and Canada, symbolizing the friendship between the two nations. Visitors can explore the meticulously maintained gardens featuring thousands of flowers, a carillon bell tower, and a floral clock. The garden also offers hiking trails, scenic picnic spots, and various memorials dedicated to peace.
10. Dakota Zoo
FAMILY-FRIENDLY WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE
The Dakota Zoo opened in 1961 and has grown from its original 15 acres to become a beloved wildlife attraction in Bismarck. Founded by Marc and Betty Christianson with help from dedicated volunteers, the zoo houses a diverse collection of animals in naturalistic habitats. Families appreciate the educational opportunities and close encounters with wildlife in a comfortable, accessible setting.
11. North Dakota Heritage Center
STATE'S PREMIER MUSEUM
The North Dakota Heritage Center serves as the state's official history museum showcasing exhibits spanning from prehistoric times to the present. Visitors can explore galleries featuring dinosaur fossils, Indigenous artifacts, pioneer history, and modern North Dakota development. The museum offers interactive displays, educational programs, and a museum store featuring locally made products.
12. Plains Art Museum
REGIONAL ARTISTIC SHOWCASE
The Plains Art Museum houses an impressive collection of regional, national, and international artwork in downtown Fargo. Housed in a renovated historic warehouse, the museum features rotating exhibitions alongside its permanent collection focusing on contemporary and traditional Native American art. Visitors can participate in art classes, attend cultural events, and browse the museum store for unique art-inspired gifts.
13. Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park
HISTORIC MILITARY OUTPOST
Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park preserves a historic military outpost along with reconstructed Mandan Indian earth lodges. Visitors can tour the restored Custer House, where Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and his wife lived before his fateful journey to Little Bighorn. The park offers scenic riverside campsites, tranquil walking paths, and interpretive programs about both military and Indigenous history.
14. National Buffalo Museum
AMERICAN BISON HERITAGE
The National Buffalo Museum educates visitors about the cultural and historical significance of the American bison. The museum houses artifacts, art, and interactive exhibits telling the story of this iconic North American mammal and its relationship with humans. Outside the museum, visitors can observe a live buffalo herd that includes rare white bison, considered sacred by many Native American tribes.
15. Manitou Opera House
HISTORIC PERFORMANCE VENUE
The Manitou Opera House stands as a cherished historic performance venue in the Wales area. This perfectly preserved theater continues to host various cultural events, musical performances, and community gatherings. The opera house has earned a perfect 5.0 visitor rating for its charming architecture and cultural significance to the region.