The state of North Dakota lies in the Midwestern
region of the USA and the Canadian border sits to the north of
it. It’s the 19th largest state in the country by size, but is
the third smallest when it comes to population with just over
half a million residents. It became the 39th state to enter the
Union when it was admitted back in 1889. The city of Bismarck is
the capital while Fargo is the largest city. Other major centers
include Grand Forks, Minot, West Fargo, Mandan, Medora,
Dickinson, and Jamestown. The state is relatively flat, but is
filled with picturesque prairies, grasslands, plateaus, and
forests.
When in Bismarck, a good way to learn about the
area, its culture and history, is to drop in at the North Dakota
Heritage Center. There are also plenty of things to do and see
in Grand Forks and Fargo. When looking for some attractive
outdoor spots, Devils Lake is a good place to start as it’s the
biggest natural lake in the state and offers over close to 400
miles of shoreline.
It’s a great area for water sports as well as
hiking, hunting, fishing, camping, and snowmobiling, etc. Other
popular spots include the Lewis
and Clark State Park, the historic town of Medora, the
Mansion of the Marquis de Mores, and the Knife River Indian
Villages National Historic Site. Some other fine places and
events to check out include Theodore Roosevelt National Park,
the Norsk Hostfest Scandanavian festival, the North Dakota State
Fair and the Medora Musical event.
The state has a continental climate and can be
prone to very extreme temperatures, meaning it can get very hot
in the summers and well below freezing in the winters. Native
Americans inhabited the region for centuries and the first
Europeans to settle there were French-Canadian traders.
However, there is still a pretty strong Native
American presence and influence and you’ll find a lot of pow-wows
held there. These are a great way to learn about the native
culture as they feature traditional singing, dancing, and
religious ceremonies. One of the largest in the country, the
United Tribes International Pow-wow, takes place in Bismarck
every September. The area also has a strong Icelandic,
Norwegian, and Russian presence.
Some of North Dakota's best fine art venues and
museums are the Chester Fritz Auditorium, the Fargo Theatre, the
Empire Arts Center, the Plains Art Museum, and the North Dakota
Museum of Art. For music lovers there are a few symphony
orchestras, including Bismarck-Mandan, the Fargo-Moorhead, the
Greater Grand Forks, and the Minot Symphony Orchestras. The
Great Plains Harmony Chorus is also very popular.
To get into the state by air, there are major
airports in Fargo and Bismarck and Amtrak rail stations in
Fargo, Minot, and Grand Forks. It’s also a great state to drive
around and take in the sites and scenery as there’s plenty of
room to get around with no heavy traffic to worry about.
North Dakota has some fine local food with some
of the best dishes being chicken stew with dumplings,
lye-treated fish, flat bread made with rice potatoes,
dough-covered deep-fried ground beef, and several traditional
Norwegian dishes and German dishes. You can also find lots of
international cuisine in local restaurants.
Finding a place to stay shouldn’t be hard at all
as there are many lodges, motels and hotels to choose from and
you can find them in all price ranges.
North Dakota offers a nice and easy-paced life
with plenty of interesting attractions to see and fun activities
to do for visitors of all ages and interests.
About North Dakota