Discover North Dakota

BY LUKE FENNIMORE

When making travel plans this summer, Manitobans should look no further than North Dakota. It’s big; it’s beautiful and welcomes you for exploration and adventure with a wealth of restaurants, attractions, and accommodations ready to satisfy travel-hungry Manitobans.

Head straight down the I-29 corridor to its biggest urban centers, where shopping and cultural events abound, along with an abundance of top shelf dining and plenty of quality accommodations. Head towards the center and western areas of the state where a playground awaits, with numerous camping and hiking options and some of the best fishing in the country. Along with many cultural and western themed events, North Dakota is also home to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, an absolute gem in the National Parks system.

Urban Appeal

For Winnipeggers Grand Forks and Fargo have long been favourite destinations for weekend or summer trips, and back to school or Christmas shopping excursions. At less than three hours’ drive, the city of Grand Forks with its Columbia Mall, refreshed downtown, and great concert venue tends to be the first stop for Manitobans. Be sure to visit the historic Empire Arts Centre, which, besides being one of the most beautiful buildings in Grand Forks, has become a downtown hub for great live entertainment. Hosting numerous concerts, classic films, North Dakota Ballet Company productions and other special events, EAC produces an annual theatre season through its in-house Empire Theatre Company. The Empire is also home to the University of North Dakota Art Collections Gallery, which has featured works by several acclaimed artists. At NORTH DAKOTA MUSEUM OF ART you can you find a life-size giraffe, unique gifts, delicious culinary creations and works from internationally acclaimed artists. Many musical events are hosted here throughout the year, including Sunday Concerts in the Galleries and Summer Concerts in the Garden. If you love grand art and the great outdoors, combine the two with a public art walk. You’ll find an array of unique works scattered about downtown, each with its own story and personality

The ALERUS CENTER is Grand Forks’ premiere performance and convention complex, and is the perfect place to entertain and be entertained.Numerous big name acts have performed there, and this summer in July it’s Whiskey Myers (who was featured in four episodes of the show Yellowstone), and in the fall Comic Con comes to town.

Nature lovers will appreciate the Greenway Trail System, a 35-mile path along the Red River and adjacent Flood Memorial Park, which contains a large obelisk commemorating the historic 1997 flood. The Grand Forks Air Force Base is 30 minutes from Grand Forks and offers tours to the public.

Travel an hour further south and you will be in Fargo, North Dakota’s largest city. You will want to head to Broadway Square, a comfy half-acre of community gathering space for the public, located in the heart of downtown Fargo. Broadway Square's Music at The Square series will entertain you with local music on Tuesday evenings, and on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer, it’s the Red River Market, North Dakota’s largest farmers' market. Check out the weekly tradition with free community programming, including live music and cultural performances, educational cooking demonstrations, and children’s activities.

If that isn’t enough, plan your visit so you will be in Fargo for the Red River Valley Fair, running from July 7 to 16. See performers such as Third Eye Blind, Shinedown, Lynryd Skynyrd, Buckcherry, Tyler Hubbard and more. Music continues to be the theme with the Fargo Blues Festival happening on July 28 & 29. The FargoDome is North Dakota’s largest concert venue and this summer has some pretty exciting shows. Coming in August is the Def Leppard & Motley Crue 'The World Tour' with Special Guest Alice Cooper. A week later Pink is in town. Later in the year, Shania Twain brings her show to the Dome.

A Capital Idea

If you want to branch out and see more of North Dakota, travel a further 3 hours west to visit Bismarck, the state’s capital and second largest city. Check out the capital building and beautiful grounds or time your visit to attend ND Country Fest. The festival is the region’s biggest, and is actually held in New Salem, some 35 kms west of Bismarck. It runs from July 5-8 and features numerous artists such as Rodney Atkins, Clare Dunn, Sawyer Brown, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Tyler Rich and others.

POW WOWS & Rodeos

The Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, also known as the Three Affiliated Tribes or MHA Nation, is located on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. The 988,000-acre reservation is located in the west-central part of the State and is home to a host of PowWows throughout the summer, starting on the Memorial Day weekend with the 4 Bears Powwow. A slate of nine traditional events continues through the summer culminating with The United Tribes International Powwow in Bismarck. It has become one of the premier cultural events of North Dakota, receiving numerous awards over the years. Visit www.mhanation. com for more info and specific times and days.

Rodeos are an important part of North Dakota's culture and are a must to include in your travel plans. Between the MHA and NDRA, the state is home to more than 40 rodeos slated in every region. Expect the best in bull riding, calf roping and barrel racing with national and international competitors. Dates run from April 1st (Minot NDRA) to September 22nd & 23rd (NDRA Finals Rodeo). The oldest and largest rodeo in North Dakota is in Mandan on July 2-4, coinciding with the July 4th celebration.

ND State Fair

Head northwest to Minot because it’s the home of The North Dakota State Fair, which is an experience you won't regret! This year it runs from July 21st to 29th, so come out and experience all the wonders of the longest-running state fair in the Midwest. The Fair has everything you would expect at a fair and is the largest event in the state, drawing an average of 300,000 people.

Located within the beautiful Souris Valley, Minot offers more than just the fair. Whether you're looking for outdoor adventures like hiking and biking trails, fishing in one of the many local lakes and rivers, or just simply strolling downtown for some unique shopping experiences in the quaint stores and boutiques, there's something for everyone here.

Road Trips, Outdoor Adventures & Fishing

Beyond the urban areas and away from fairs and festivals, there’s plenty to check out in the rest of North Dakota. Explore some of the many parks and unique natural attractions that deliver a call from the wild side. Close to Grand Forks is Turtle River State Park, which offers hiking and biking trails, and has become one of the hottest spots in the region. Also worth seeing is Little Missouri State Park, a seasonal park with over 70 kilometres of trails for hiking and horseback riding. The terrain is rugged with spectacular viewpoints. Near Garrison off Highway 83 is Fort Stevenson State Park. Nestled in the bluffs along the north shore of Lake Sakakawea, the park has a substantial trail network and stunning natural views. Be sure to fish Lake Sakakawea for some of the best walleye in the US. Plan a road trip down the Enchanted Highway in western North Dakota for a glimpse of classic roadside art. Giant metal sculptures line the highways leading from Gladstone to Regent. The Enchanted Castle in Regent awaits travellers and promises to treat you like royalty.

Load up the mountain bikes and experience Maah Daah Hey Trail, a 144-mile single-track mountain biking trail system that showcases some of the state’s most unique and breathtaking terrain. There are many camping sites along the route, which connects the North and South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Take a tour through the Badlands on US Highway 85, a geological assortment of bluffs and buttes - an area filled with mysterious coulees and wild nature. Visit the Elkhorn ranch unit where Teddy stayed. Camp, hike, drive the scenic loop and check out Theodore Roosevelt Maltese cabin, painted cabin visitor

Winnipeg

centre (view of Badlands), and oxbow overlook, then visit Medora.

The small Badlands town of Medora is not only the gateway to the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park; it is an Old West cow town with horseback rides, modern museums, the state-of-the-art Burning Hills Amphitheatre, luxury lodging and primitive camping. Notable sights on this drive are Little Missouri National Grassland, Watford City, and the Missouri River. It is also home to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, a 70,000 acre ‘must-see’ that features large herds of wild bison, camping, and interpretive sites.

History

Lewis & Clark Trail - Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery were some of the first visitors to North Dakota. Follow in their footsteps along the Missouri River. Most people know the story of Lewis and Clark and Sakakawea; how the explorers came through North Dakota, wintered here and met a young Native American girl who would become vital to the success of the Corps of Discovery. Today, you can see where and how they lived during their stay at Fort Mandan and Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site. The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center has artifacts and comprehensive details on the journey.

There you have it - enough to do to fill an entire summer. This year, rediscover an old friend by taking the short trip south to experience North Dakota.

Visit www.NDtourism.com for more information on the state’s cities and natural attractions.

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