Explore 7 Cities in North Dakota Famed for Vibrant Downtown Culture
The early 1800s Lewis and Clark Expedition traversed the American West, but did you realize they spent 25% of their time in North Dakota? L&C spent nearly 200 days in the state. You won’t need long to discover North Dakota’s magnificent tiny towns’ history and enchantment, but you’ll want to return. Along with amazing culture, history, and wildlife, these villages have lively downtowns that can rival large cities. They offer amazing shopping, delicious food, unusual sights, and engaging activities within a few blocks, making them ideal for a 2024 travel bucket list.
Lisbon
Lisbon, a little town in the Sheyenne National Grasslands, offers a picturesque downtown with historic buildings and local businesses. The Lisbon Opera House, established in the late 1800s, has been the town’s main entertainment facility for nearly two centuries. In 1901, the Opera House hosted a memorial service for President William McKinley, and the first movie screening in 1910. History buffs love its atmosphere and appointment tours. Just down the street, the Scenic Theater, America’s longest continually functioning theater, continues the Opera House’s tradition.
Sandager Park is a downtown Sheyenne River oasis off Main Street. The park is ideal for picnics and relaxation on sunny days. Take a dip in the pool or walk up Main Street to the I Scream, U Scream ice cream parlor, a local favorite with over 50 varieties.
Medora
To visit Medora is to follow President Theodore Roosevelt, who stopped here in 1903. Starting with the Rough Riders Hotel, which has one of the largest collections of literature about the 26th President, his visit is still remembered throughout town. Theodore’s Dining Room, the hotel’s Old West-style restaurant, is one of the town’s best.
Visit the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame a few streets west of the Rough Riders Hotel to learn about the state’s pioneers, homesteaders, ranchers, and rodeo superstars. Return up the street to Cowboy Lyle’s Candy Barn for some sweets from a modern cowboy.
This quaint store sells handmade chocolates, jelly beans, and classic delicacies. Country music aficionados flock to Medora in summer. In June to September 2024, the famed Medora Musical will include music, variety, and fireworks in a beautiful outdoor amphitheater constructed into the Medora mountainside in 1958.
Garrison
Say hi to Wally the Walleye, Garrison’s most famous resident, as you approach at the north end of Main Street. This magnificent 26-foot statue honors Garrison as ‘the walleye capital of the world.’ The North Dakota Fishing Hall of Fame offers a unique glimpse at Garrison’s sportfishing history, while Fort Stevenson State Park south of town offers fishing.
Fishing, camping, and boating on Lake Sakakawea are great at this park. Ye Olde Malt Shoppe on Main Street offers a fast meal after outdoor enjoyment. Enjoy daily specials, handcrafted sweets, and over 18 ice-cream flavors at this retro 50s café.
Winter in Garrison turns it into a Victorian wonderland. The Dickens Village Festival occurs from late November to mid-December. Garrison is the ‘Christmas capital of North Dakota’ due to its yearly illuminated procession, fruitcake toss, horse-drawn carriages, and Dickensian plays.
Washburn
On the Missouri River, Washburn is a thriving river town with gorgeous streets, charming boutiques, friendly inhabitants, and a rich history. Quaker soldier Joseph H. Taylor, a pioneer, moved to the area in 1869. You may see his first log cabin downtown off Main Avenue. Main Avenue leads to the Riverboat Saloon, a charming North Dakota haunt for drinks.
Riverside Park is a picturesque riverside park a few blocks southeast of Main Avenue where you can see the Sioux Ferry. This area is home to one of the last Missouri River paddle-wheel ferries, which history buffs love. For a decade, the ferry carried passengers across the river before stopping in 1962.
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Rugby
Rugby, a Pierce County tourist town, has an early 1900s main street. One can eat, buy, or snap photos on a charming downtown Rugby walk. Grill restaurant 3rd St Station serves delicious food. One can acquire great keepsakes at This ‘N’ That antique store, a short walk away.
Rugby’s rich history gives history buffs many options. The 1907 Rugby Train Depot and 1908 Pierce County Courthouse are National Register of Historic Places landmarks.
Mayville
Mayville, a charming tiny town, offers endless tourist activities within blocks. This lovely town, founded in 1881, is home to North Dakota’s oldest university, Mayville State. Goose River Heritage Center Museum on Main Street and First Avenue has Mayville information. This specialist museum has a barber shop, school room, pioneer kitchen, and military exhibitions in an 1897 brick depot.
Across the street is the famous Soholt Bakery. This 1918 landmark restaurant serves homemade sweets and is still cherished by Mayville residents. Drive along Main Street past the 1927 Delchar Theatre to Island Park and the Rainbow Garden after fueling up. A sculpture path and gorgeous bridge overlooking the Goose River make this riverside green space special.
Valley City
Valley City is a charming Red River Valley hamlet with a walking center full of sights. Visit the Barnes County Historical Society Museum downtown to see a dinosaur statue and a miniature of Valley City’s Hi-Line Railroad Bridge (the actual one is north of town on 117th Ave SE).
The 1907 Rudolf Hotel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a short walk away. A painting honoring Valley City native Peggy Lee, who began singing in 1936, is on the hotel’s north wall. One can then eat at Taco John’s or Pizza Corner for quick tacos or large pizzas.
Conclusion
North Dakota has more than its badlands, Western heritage, and pioneer plains. The state’s genuine spirit is in its little villages, where history and modern comforts coexist. Each North Dakota hamlet has its own personality and character; explore several in one epic road trip, spend a weekend getting to know the residents, or stop by for the day.
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