Quirky Roadside Attractions You’ll Only Find in North Dakota
Just outside of Fargo, about a 10-minute drive west, you’ll find the Roger Maris Museum, nestled within the West Fargo Civic Center. While Fargo is better known for its modern arts scene and booming downtown, this modest museum pays tribute to one of North Dakota’s most quirky claims to fame: the homegrown baseball legend Roger Maris. Inside, visitors can explore a rich display of memorabilia including Maris’s uniforms, bats, and personal artifacts. The museum offers a hands-on experience that goes beyond the typical sports hall of fame, illuminating the quirky story of a man who broke Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record amid intense media scrutiny. Best visited on a chilly fall afternoon, the museum makes for a warm and engaging stop before or after catching a local baseball game.
Traveling northwest about 2 hours from Bismarck, the town of Medora offers a uniquely offbeat experience with the Medora Musical and the Burning Hills Amphitheater. This open-air venue set against the rugged badlands showcases a blend of melodrama, comedy, and western folk music, celebrating the quirky spirit of the Old West. The amphitheater itself is a sight to behold, carved into the natural landscape with seating that seems to float above the hills. While the musical runs mainly in summer, visiting the scenic Painted Canyon trail during the day reveals the red and yellow hues that make this landscape so distinctive. Hiking the moderate 1.5-mile loop is a must for photographers and nature lovers who appreciate a backdrop that is as dramatic as the show.
To the north, near the Canadian border and about 3 hours northeast of Minot, lies the enchanting International Peace Garden. This sprawling park straddles the U.S.-Canada border and serves as a living monument to friendship between the two nations. The garden’s quirky charm is in its dual identity—visitors can stroll through gardens, fountains, and sculptures on both sides of the border without passport checks. The Floral Clock, with its intricate arrangement of seasonal blooms, and the serene sunken garden are highlights. Spring and early summer bring the gardens to life with vibrant colors, making it the best time to visit. The Peace Chapel, built over the border line, offers a peaceful spot to reflect on cross-border unity—a rare experience anywhere in America.
About 90 minutes southeast of Minot, the Enchanted Highway near Regent is a celebrated stretch of road dotted with massive metal sculptures. These whimsical creations, like the towering grasshoppers and geese, are the brainchild of local artist Gary Greff and stand as some of the world’s largest scrap-metal artworks. Driving the 32-mile highway is a quirky delight where each sculpture serves as its own roadside attraction, perfect for a leisurely afternoon. The remote setting amid wide-open prairies enhances the surreal feeling, especially during golden hour when shadows stretch long across the fields. This outdoor gallery is particularly magical in late summer when wildflowers bloom nearby, blending art and nature in a truly North Dakota way.
Near Dickinson, roughly a 2.5-hour drive southwest from Bismarck, the Dickinson Museum Center offers a fascinating peek into the region’s past with a quirky twist. The centerpiece is the Western North Dakota Dinosaur Museum, home to some of the most impressive dinosaur fossils found in the badlands. Kids and adults alike marvel at the life-sized skeletons and interactive exhibits that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a prehistoric world. The museum also features a working paleontology lab where visitors can observe real scientists at work. Late spring through early fall is ideal for visiting since you can pair the museum experience with a trip to nearby Theodore Roosevelt National Park for hiking or wildlife spotting.
Near Jamestown, about 75 miles west of Fargo, the National Buffalo Museum celebrates one of the quirkiest iconic animals of the American Plains. This museum is dedicated entirely to the history and preservation of the American bison. Visitors can learn about the bison’s near extinction and its comeback through engaging exhibits and live animal viewing areas. The museum’s highlight is its large herd of bison just outside, seen from observation decks that give an up-close look at these massive creatures. Fall is the best time to visit when bison calves are growing and the prairie grasses turn golden, creating a stunning natural display against the backdrop of the prairie sky.
Lastly, in Grand Forks, about 80 miles north of Fargo, the University of North Dakota’s Gorecki Alumni Center houses a surprisingly quirky treasure: the Ralph Engelstad Arena. While primarily an ice hockey venue, this arena is a spectacle in itself with its lavish decor inspired by Las Vegas casinos, complete with chandeliers and marble columns. The arena is home to the UND Fighting Hawks and showcases the state’s passion for college hockey. Visitors touring the arena can soak in the extravagant interiors and catch a game in the winter months when the energy in the stands reaches a fever pitch. This unexpected blend of glamour and sport sets it apart from any other stadium in the state, making it a must-see for travelers seeking something truly different.