Road Trip To 9 Of The Quirkiest Attractions In North Dakota

There’s nothing more classic Americana than stopping at a quirky roadside attraction while you’re on a road trip. No matter how many “world’s largest somethings” you stop for or annoyed groans from the kids in the backseat when you pull off to see a museum dedicated to something totally mundane, it’s still whole-hearted fun. Naturally, a road trip where the roadside attractions aren’t a nice bonus but the entire purpose of the trip is set to be a blast! If you’re looking for a unique adventure to take in North Dakota this summer, here is the one for you:

This road trip will take you through central North Dakota to some of the most unique roadside attractions in the state.

Google maps This trip is about 400 miles long and should take 6 hours and 45 minutes. With a few minutes to stop at each attraction and time to grab a bite to eat for lunch, you could squeeze this all into one day or you could split it up over multiple days. You could take this trip in either direction, starting from the top and going down and around, or starting at the bottom and going up and around. In this article we will be starting from the top.

Click here for driving directions.

Your first stop is in Rugby, North Dakota, where you will find the geographical center of North America. That’s right, the center to the entire continent is here in North Dakota!

Holly Hayes/Flickr

After that you’ll head a little ways north towards the Canadian border where you’ll reach the town of Dunseith and will be greeted by this W’eel Turtle, made of tire rims. You can also stop by the International Peace Garden here.

Jimmy Emerson/Flickr

Speaking of turtles, the next stop you’ll reach after heading westward is Tommy the Turtle in Bottineau, North Dakota. Join him on his snowmobile!

Darcy S/Tripadvisor

Now you’ll start heading southbound until you reach Minot, North Dakota. Here you can take a tour of the Scandinavian Heritage Park and its beautiful Gol Stave Church, unique buildings and statues, and this huge dala horse.

ME Peters/Flickr

Next up is Garrison, North Dakota and its mascot: Wally the Walleye. The dam that forms Lake Sakakawea is near Garrison and in that lake you can fish walleye, of course!

Andrew Filer/Flickr

Further south is the town of New Salem, North Dakota, and the World’s Largest Holstein Cow, Salem Sue. You’ll want to take a drive up onto her hill and get the view she sees from there - it’s fantastic!

Nic McPhee/Flickr

Now we’re switching directions back east along I-94. In North Dakota’s capitol city, Bismarck, you can stop by Keelboat Park and see unusual things like this thunderbird statue or huge figures depicting Lewis, Clark, and Sakakawea.

TakinLotsaPictures/Tripadvisor

As you continue east, you’ll reach the town of Steele, North Dakota, and its claim to fame is having the World’s Largest Sandhill Crane. This long-legged fellow is fun to see when it’s towering over you in person.

Albert Lynn/Flickr

Finally, Jamestown, North Dakota has one of the most well known and fun roadside attractions in North Dakota. The World’s Largest Buffalo, Dakota Thunder, stands over a field of real bison including rare white ones. It is also next to the old west town attraction, Frontier Village.

Jasperdo/Flickr

You can learn some fun facts about that last stop right here!

Google maps

This trip is about 400 miles long and should take 6 hours and 45 minutes. With a few minutes to stop at each attraction and time to grab a bite to eat for lunch, you could squeeze this all into one day or you could split it up over multiple days. You could take this trip in either direction, starting from the top and going down and around, or starting at the bottom and going up and around. In this article we will be starting from the top.