Montpelier North DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Montpelier, North Dakota.
1. Frontier Village
HISTORIC WESTERN TOWN EXPERIENCE
Frontier Village is a popular history museum in North Dakota that offers visitors a glimpse into the state's pioneer past. The village features authentic and recreated buildings that form a walkable historic town setting. Visitors can experience what life was like in the frontier days through various exhibits and seasonal demonstrations.
2. Painted Canyon Overlook
BREATHTAKING BADLANDS VIEWS
Painted Canyon Overlook offers visitors spectacular panoramic views of the colorful North Dakota Badlands landscape. This scenic viewpoint provides an excellent introduction to Theodore Roosevelt National Park with its striking geological formations. Travelers can enjoy the interpretive displays at the overlook's visitor center while taking in the natural beauty of the rugged terrain.
3. Enchanted Highway
UNIQUE ROADSIDE METAL SCULPTURES
The Enchanted Highway features a collection of massive metal sculptures spaced several miles apart along a rural highway in North Dakota. Each sculpture has its own unique theme and small parking area, with some offering covered picnic benches for visitors. The attraction leads travelers to Regent, where they can find a visitors center, a castle-shaped hotel and restaurant, and souvenir shopping opportunities.
4. Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit
PRESIDENTIAL WILDERNESS LEGACY
The South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park preserves the beautiful Badlands landscape that inspired President Theodore Roosevelt's conservation legacy. Visitors can explore the excellent visitor center with informative exhibits, a movie presentation, and knowledgeable rangers. The park offers scenic drives, hiking trails, and opportunities to see wildlife including bison, wild horses, and prairie dogs in their natural habitat.
5. Badlands Overlook
STUNNING NATURAL VISTAS
Badlands Overlook provides visitors with sweeping views of North Dakota's distinctive eroded landscape. The overlook features interpretive signs explaining the geological and historical significance of the Badlands formation. Photographers particularly appreciate this spot for capturing the dramatic colors and textures that change throughout the day with the shifting sunlight.
6. Custer House
MILITARY HISTORY PRESERVED
The Custer House is a meticulously reproduced residence where Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer and his wife lived while stationed at Fort Abraham Lincoln. Visitors can take guided tours for $8 per adult to learn fascinating details about the house and the Custer family's life there. The house is part of a larger historical site that includes other reproduced buildings that housed approximately 500 soldiers during the fort's active years.
7. International Peace Garden
CROSS-BORDER FLORAL TRIBUTE
The International Peace Garden straddles the border between North Dakota and Manitoba, Canada, symbolizing the peaceful relationship between the two countries. The garden spans 2,339 acres and features meticulously maintained floral displays, a peace chapel, and a 120-foot peace tower. Visitors can enjoy walking trails, picnic areas, and a conservatory showcasing various plant species throughout the year.
8. White Horse Hill National Game Preserve
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY EXPERIENCE
White Horse Hill National Game Preserve (formerly Sullys Hill) offers visitors a chance to observe native wildlife in a natural setting near Devils Lake. The preserve features a scenic auto tour route, hiking trails, and an environmental education center. Visitors can spot bison, elk, prairie dogs, and numerous bird species while enjoying the peaceful natural environment.
9. Historic 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse
PRESERVED TERRITORIAL ARCHITECTURE
The Historic 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse stands as North Dakota's oldest courthouse building and an excellent example of Victorian architecture. This National Historic Landmark has been carefully restored to showcase its original courtroom, offices, and jail facilities. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about territorial government, early settlement, and the building's significant role in state history.
10. Devils Lake
PREMIER FISHING DESTINATION
Devils Lake is renowned as one of North Dakota's premier fishing destinations, attracting anglers from across the country. The lake spans over 200,000 acres and offers excellent opportunities to catch walleye, northern pike, white bass, and perch year-round. Visitors can enjoy recreational activities including boating, swimming, camping, and hunting in the surrounding wildlife areas.
11. National Buffalo Museum
AMERICAN BISON HERITAGE
The National Buffalo Museum in Jamestown celebrates the cultural and historical significance of the American bison. The museum houses exhibits on the near extinction and subsequent conservation of bison, along with Native American artifacts and art. Visitors can see a live bison herd that includes rare white bison, considered sacred by many Native American tribes.
12. Pitchfork Steak Fondue
UNIQUE WESTERN DINING EXPERIENCE
The Pitchfork Steak Fondue offers a unique dining experience where chefs skewer steaks on pitchforks and fondue them in large vats of hot oil. Diners enjoy their meal overlooking the beautiful Badlands landscape at the Tjaden Terrace. The experience includes a western-style buffet with sides and desserts, often paired with the popular Medora Musical evening show.
13. Kroll's Diner
CLASSIC GERMAN-AMERICAN COMFORT FOOD
Kroll's Diner is a beloved North Dakota institution serving German-American comfort food in a retro 1950s-style setting. The diner is famous for its knoephla soup, fleischkuechle (meat pies), and other hearty German specialties with an American twist. Visitors appreciate the nostalgic atmosphere, generous portions, and homemade pies that have made Kroll's a regional favorite since 1969.
14. Medora Musical
PATRIOTIC OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT
The Medora Musical is a professionally produced, high-energy western musical show performed in an outdoor amphitheater in the North Dakota Badlands. Each summer evening, the show celebrates the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt and the spirit of the Old West through music, dance, and storytelling. The stunning natural backdrop of the Badlands adds to the magical experience that has entertained families for generations.
15. West Acres Shopping Center
PREMIER REGIONAL SHOPPING DESTINATION
West Acres Shopping Center is the largest shopping mall in North Dakota, featuring over 120 stores, restaurants, and services. The mall houses an impressive collection of regional art and provides a comfortable, climate-controlled shopping environment year-round. Visitors appreciate the diverse retail options ranging from major department stores to local specialty shops, making it a popular destination for shoppers from across the region.