If you’ve already seen the beautiful vistas of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, fished on the waters of Devils Lake, taken a drive down the Enchanted Highway, and toured all the historic forts in North Dakota, you might think there is not much else to do here. You’d be wrong, however! North Dakota has more than just big lakes and the badlands. By exploring every corner of the state, you’ll find that this state is full of hidden gems.
From the unusual activities to the relaxing getaways, here are 8 things to do when you think you’ve done it all:
- Relax in a salt cave.
Salt Cave Wellness Relaxation Center Many people don’t know that North Dakota has a relaxing, beautiful salt cave available in Bismarck. You can take short or long sessions sitting in the cave to ease your mind and help your body. They even do yoga classes and other activities inside the cave that you can sign up for. It is a very unique, fun experience that is hard to find! More information here.
- Check out America’s longest running and oldest theater.
Scenic Theater/Facebook Did you know that North Dakota is home to the longest running movie theater in all of the country? It is located in the town of Lisbon and it is a truly awesome piece of history. The theater has been continuously running for over a century! They still show movies today in this old building. They even have an old popcorn machine for the snacks. More information here.
- Take a peaceful stroll through this hidden garden.
Rainbow Garden and Sculpture Walk/Facebook This beautiful, serene garden is located in Mayville, ND. It’s called the Rainbow Garden and the name fits. A stunning array of both flowers and unique art pieces fill the garden. It is free for the public to enjoy and new art installments are put in often. More information here.
- Discover these bizarre natural formations in western North Dakota.
Georgea T/Tripadvisor The cannonball concretions are a weird geological formation that are completely natural but look like they’ve been man made. These formations can be found most commonly in western North Dakota, especially at the Cannonball Concretions Pullout. More information here.
- Explore this criminally overlooked small town.
City of Kenmare/Facebook This small town in North Dakota has everything going for it to be a top destination for tourists in the state, and yet it is criminally overlooked. Kenmare, ND is the town and it has breathtaking natural scenery surrounding it and charm around every corner within it. They even have a Danish mill in their main park, shown above. This town is well worth a day trip to see. More information here.
- Spend the night in North Dakota’s only castle.
skydriver332/Tripadvisor This enchanting castle is located in Regent, ND and will give you a majestically medieval stay. There is no other place like it in North Dakota that can say the same! Certainly not many other hotels in this state have full suits of armor in the halls. More information here.
- Step back to the days of the dinosaurs in America’s largest remaining petrified forest.
warrenville111/Tripadvisor These unusual rocks are actually petrified wood of tree stumps that once stood thousands of years ago. They are bigger than you realize and pictures do not do them justice. Luckily, there is an entire trail dedicated to them - like a natural fossil museum out in the open. More information here.
- Take a tour of one of North Dakota’s prettiest wineries.
Dakota Sun Gardens Winery/Facebook The Dakota Sun Gardens Winery is so much more than just a place that makes delicious wine. Taking a tour here is like traveling to the prettiest corner of the world. Their impressive garden is perfect for a stroll while doing a wine tasting and tours will show you every aspect of the winery. More information here.
Any other things you would suggest to have on this list? How many of them have you done already?
Salt Cave Wellness Relaxation Center
Many people don’t know that North Dakota has a relaxing, beautiful salt cave available in Bismarck. You can take short or long sessions sitting in the cave to ease your mind and help your body. They even do yoga classes and other activities inside the cave that you can sign up for. It is a very unique, fun experience that is hard to find! More information here.
Scenic Theater/Facebook
Did you know that North Dakota is home to the longest running movie theater in all of the country? It is located in the town of Lisbon and it is a truly awesome piece of history. The theater has been continuously running for over a century! They still show movies today in this old building. They even have an old popcorn machine for the snacks. More information here.
Rainbow Garden and Sculpture Walk/Facebook
This beautiful, serene garden is located in Mayville, ND. It’s called the Rainbow Garden and the name fits. A stunning array of both flowers and unique art pieces fill the garden. It is free for the public to enjoy and new art installments are put in often. More information here.
Georgea T/Tripadvisor
The cannonball concretions are a weird geological formation that are completely natural but look like they’ve been man made. These formations can be found most commonly in western North Dakota, especially at the Cannonball Concretions Pullout. More information here.
City of Kenmare/Facebook
This small town in North Dakota has everything going for it to be a top destination for tourists in the state, and yet it is criminally overlooked. Kenmare, ND is the town and it has breathtaking natural scenery surrounding it and charm around every corner within it. They even have a Danish mill in their main park, shown above. This town is well worth a day trip to see. More information here.
skydriver332/Tripadvisor
This enchanting castle is located in Regent, ND and will give you a majestically medieval stay. There is no other place like it in North Dakota that can say the same! Certainly not many other hotels in this state have full suits of armor in the halls. More information here.
warrenville111/Tripadvisor
These unusual rocks are actually petrified wood of tree stumps that once stood thousands of years ago. They are bigger than you realize and pictures do not do them justice. Luckily, there is an entire trail dedicated to them - like a natural fossil museum out in the open. More information here.
Dakota Sun Gardens Winery/Facebook
The Dakota Sun Gardens Winery is so much more than just a place that makes delicious wine. Taking a tour here is like traveling to the prettiest corner of the world. Their impressive garden is perfect for a stroll while doing a wine tasting and tours will show you every aspect of the winery. More information here.
If you need more NoDak to explore, these unforgettable road trips will take you to the best of the best in the Peace Garden State.
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