North Dakota

The Peace Garden State

For travellers seeking something extraordinary beyond the well-trodden path, North Dakota delivers an unforgettable blend of natural beauty, rich history, and cultural celebration. Nicknamed the Peace Garden State, North Dakota welcomes visitors with open skies, open roads, and open-hearted communities.

This is a state where legends were made. From Lewis and Clark to Theodore Roosevelt, some of America’s most iconic figures lived, travelled, and found inspiration here. Their stories live on in historic sites across the region – from the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center near Washburn to Fort Abraham Lincoln near Mandan, once commanded by General George Armstrong Custer. In nearby Bismarck, the United Tribes International Powwow draws performers and visitors from across the world to celebrate Native American culture with drumming, dancing, and storytelling.

Landscapes, Parks & Open Space

North Dakota’s wide-open landscapes offer a different kind of experience compared to nearby states. While South Dakota is known for landmarks such as Mount Rushmore or the Black Hills, North Dakota highlights quieter prairie scenery and more spacious trails. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, with its roaming bison and rugged Badlands, provides a peaceful alternative fr travellers who enjoy open horizons and fewer crowds, and offers a contrast to Minnesota’s lakes and forests without competing with them.

Minnesota is well known for its thousands of lakes and wooded landscapes, while North Dakota offers a more open, expansive environment shaped by grasslands, buttes, and wide river valleys such as the Little Missouri. Both states showcase natural beauty in different ways: Minnesota with its forests and water activities, and North Dakota with its sweeping prairies and quiet spaces.

Culture, Festivals & Small-Town Charm

History is everywhere in North Dakota. At the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck, you can trace the region’s story from the age of dinosaurs to the digital era. In Minot, explore Nordic traditions at the Scandinavian Heritage Park, or experience the vibrancy of Norsk Høstfest, the largest Scandinavian festival in North America – a cultural celebration shared with, but distinct from, Minnesota’s Scandinavian roots.

In Medora, a charming gateway to Roosevelt National Park, Western heritage meets live music, open-air theatre, and local hospitality. And for something uniquely tranquil, the International Peace Garden, straddling the Canadian border, offers 2,300 acres of botanical beauty symbolising friendship and unity.

A Different Kind of American Journey

Whether you're tracing the footsteps of pioneers, hiking scenic byways, or discovering America’s frontier heritage, North Dakota provides a travel experience that’s spacious, soulful, and grounded in both legend and landscape.

Explore the difference, and the freedom, of North Dakota.

Last Updated: 12/01/2026