North Dakota Points-of-Interest

Information sources: A=AAA Travel Guidebook, AC=AAA Camping Book, H= Highways magazine (Good Sam Club), L=loop tours book (Readers Digest, hardbound), X=Xerox copy, T=1992 Texas travel soft-cover book, RVJ=RV Journal spring 2008, NOTE: Key to map-location numbering system: 05, 06, 07, etc = date when data was current & typed into our system NOTE: Info may NOT contain CURRENT phone numbers, prices, times of operation, etc. due to publication dates for info sources. ALWAYS check with the attraction / location / venue for updated info rather than drive to the location and be very disappointed !

NORTH DAKOTA 2009

AAA Gem Sites:

(4/09)

Bismarck: North Dakota Heritage Center State Capitol International Peace Garden: International Peace Garden Mandan: Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Theodore Roosevelt National Park: Theodore Roosevelt National Park

ND001 Bismarck !(A206) 1. Lewis and Clark Riverboat Cruises 09 Departs from under the Grant Marsh Bridge, I-94 exit 157, then 1.5 miles west on Burnt Boat Road and .5 miles south on River Road. Narrated sightseeing excursions on the Missouri River are given aboard the Lewis and Clark, which resembles the old-fashioned paddle wheelers that were the backbone of 19th-century American river traffic. Pizza, picnic and dinner cruises also are offered. 90-minute sightseeing cruises depart Tues-Sat at 2:30 and 8:30PM (also Wed-Fri at 6PM), Sun at 2:30, Mem Day weekend thru Labor Day.; Sat at 2:30 and 8:30PM, Sun at 2:30, May 1 thru the day before Mem Day and day after Labor Day thru Sept 30. All cruises are weather permitting. Schedule may vary; phone ahead. AAA discount implied. Sightseeing cruise $16; $11 ages 4-12. Phone ahead for pizza, picnic and dinner cruise schedules and fares. Departures require a minimum of 20 people. Reservations are required for dinner cruises. Ph: 701-255-4233. 2. North Dakota Heritage Center, [Gem site], 09 (A209) at 612 E. Boulevard Avenue on the State Capitol grounds, is the home of the State Historical Society of North Dakota. This center for archeological and historical interpretation contains archives and a research library. The museum contains "time-pod exhibits depicting the history of North Dakota from its geologic beginnings to the present. The Native American artifacts collection is extensive. Allow 2 hours. Historical society open Mon-Fri 8-5. Exhibit galleries open Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat-Sun 10-5, Archives and library open Mon-Fri 8-4:30, and second Sat of the month 10-4:30. Closed Jan 1, Easter, ThGiv, and Dec 25. DONATIONS. Ph: 701-328-2666. 3. State Capitol, [Gem site], 09 (A209) see detailed information on page A209. 4. Dakota Zoo, 09 (A208) see detailed information on page A208. AAA discount implied. Cost is $.50; $5.50 ages 2-12. Ph: 701-223-7543. ND002 Epping (A211) 09 Buffalo Trails Museum at 100 Main Street interprets the history of the upper Missouri River prairie land, its early American Indian inhabitants and the trials of the plains pioneer. The sevenbuilding complex also includes a homesteaders log cabin, a dentists office, a photograph gallery, and a library. Allow

North Dakota Points-of-Interest

1 hour. Tues-Sat 10-4, Sun noon-5, Mem Day thru Labor Day; by appointment rest of year. $3.50; $2 students w. ID. Ph: 701-859-4361. ND003 For Totten (A213) 09 Fort Totten State Historic Site is on CR7, 1 mile east of SR57. One of the nations best preserved forts of the Indian War era, it retains 16 original buildings and the parade grounds. The renovated buildings date 1868-73 and include a general store, a classroom, an American Indian boarding school, a commissary, and a hospital. One of the officers quarters has been converted to a Victorian-style bed & breakfast. The fort also contains an interpretive center and the Pioneer Daughters Museum, in addition to Fort Totten Little Theatre. Open daily 8-5, May 16 thru Sept 15. Musical productions are presented Wed-Thurs and Sat at 7:30PM, and Sun at 2PM, from early-July thru early-Aug. $4; $1.50 ages 6-15. Theater tickets $18. Dinner and theater performance $43. Ph: 701-766-4441, or 701-662-8888 for tickets. ND004 International Peace Garden (A215) [Gem site], 09 Approximately 12 miles north of Dunseith on US281, the International Peace Garden consists of 888 acres in the United States and an adjoining 1,451 acres in Manitoba, Canada. Set among the lakes and streams of the wooded Turtle Mountains, the botanical garden and park commemorates the friendship between these two countries on the longest unfortified border in the world. Centers of attraction include the Peace Tower, which represents people form the four corners of the world coming together for the common purpose of peace; an interpretive center depicting the history and development of the park; the Peace Chapel, which includes quotations etched in limestone walls; more than 150,000 flowering annuals in the formal gardens that line the boundary; a floral clock; the Carillon Bell Tower, which chimes every 15 minutes; and a memorial cairn, constructed if steel salvaged from the ruins of the World Trade Center, commemorating the tragic events of Sept 11, 2001. Facilities include campgrounds, hiking and bicycling trails and picnic areas. Self-guiding walking tours and driving tours are available. Flowers are in full bloom mid-July thru early-Sept (weather permitting). The International Music Camp Summer School of Fine Arts is held at the garden JuneJuly. The Canadian Legion Sports Camp, held during July and August, attracts coaches and athletes from many countries. Allow 1 hour. The garden and port of entry offices are open daily 24 hours. Daily vehicle permits $10; season permits $25; pedestrian permits $5. Visitors are required to go through customs when leaving the garden. Ph: 701-263-4390 in the USA or 204-534-2510 in Canada. ND005 Jamestown (A215-216) 1. Frontier Village 09 (A216) is 1 mile north off I-94 exit 258, then 1 mile east on Louis LAmour Lane, following signs, features the Worlds Largest Buffalo, a 26-foot-tall, 46-foot-long, 60-ton concrete statue of an American buffalo. The village contains a barbershop, blockhouse gate, caboose, church, drugstore, jailhouse, log fire hall, log headquarters building, pioneer schoolhouse, post office, print shop, and railway depot as well as the Kirkpatrick gallery and a visitor information center. Grounds open daily 9-9. Building open daily 9-9., Memorial Day weekend thru Labor Day; open 9-5:30, early-May thru the day before Mem Day weekend and the day after Labor Day to mid-October (weather permitting). DONATIONS. Ph: 701-251-9145. 2. National Buffalo Museum 09 (A216) is off I-94 exit 258, at 500 17th Street S.E., just south of Frontier Village. The museum is devoted to the cultural and natural history of bison and the prairie. Inside are historical displays, artwork, American Indian artifacts, frontier-era relics, a period gun collection, and a display about uses for buffalo. An observation deck allows visitors to view a herd of buffalo that includes a rare albino buffalo. Temporary traveling exhibits also are featured. Allow 1 hour. Open daily 8-8, Mem Day thru Labor Day; Mon-Fri 9-5, Sat 10-5, Sun noon-5 May 1 thru day before Mem Day and day after Labor Day thru Oct 31; Mon-Fri 9-5, Sat 10-5 rest of year. AAA discount implied. $5; $1 ages 7-17; $10 family. Ph: 701-252-8648 or 800-807-1511. ND006 Mandan (A217-218) Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park [Gem site], 09 is 7 miles south on the Lewis and Clark Trail (SR1806), and encompasses 1,006 acres at the confluence of the Heart and Missouri rivers. It includes the site of Fort Abraham Lincoln, an infantry and cavalry post from which Lt. Col. George Custer led the 7th Cavalry to the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876. See page A218 for more details of this state park. Camping is permitted. Park admission $5 per private vehicle. Tour is $6; $4 students w/ ID. Ph: 701-667-6340. See color ad on page A208.

North Dakota Points-of-Interest

ND007 Medora (A218-219) Medora Musical 09 , I-94 exits 24 or 27, then 1.5 miles southwest following signs, is staged in the Burning Hills Amphitheater overlooking the Badlands. The variety show blends old and new Westernstyle music, song and dance routines and a gospel section in a tribute to Theodore Roosevelt, who owned a ranch in this area as a young man. Guided 45-minute Behind The Scenes tours are also available. Inquire about refund and weather policies. Performances take place nightly at 8:30PM, late-May thru early-Sept. Behind The Scenes tours leave at 7:15. Tickets $28.50-$32.50; $14-$16 grade 2-12. Phone ahead to verify prices. Behind The Scenes tour $6; $3.50 grades 2-12. Ph: 701-623-4444 or 800-633-6721. ND008 Mooreton (A220) The Bagg Bonanza Farm 09 is located .5 miles east on SR13, then .5 miles south to 8015 169th Ave S.E.. This is one of the last remaining bonanza farms large, wheat-producing farms common in the Red River Valley from the late 1870s to the early 1930s and the only one with original buildings. Guided tours include 17 of 21 buildings. Allow 1.5 hours. Fri-Sun noon-5 or by appointment, Mem Day thru Labor Day. $5; $2.50 ages 6-12. Ph: 701-274-8989 or 701-642-2411. ND009 Regent (A221) 09 The Enchanted Highway runs from Gladstone through the center of town; follow I-94 exit 72S. The 32-mile stretch of prairie highway contains whimsical, oversized metal folk art sculptures made of scrap farming and industrial materials. Lining the roadway are Deer Crossing, Geese in Flight, Grasshoppers Delight, Pheasants on the Prairie, Theodore Roosevelt Rides Again, The Tin Family, Fishermans Dream, and Whirligigs, a moving sculpture that visitors can activate by pushing a button. A visitor center is in Regent. Allow 1 hour. Off-road parking and picnic tables are available. Roadway open daily 24 hours. Visitor center open daily 9-6, Mem Day thru late-Oct. DONATIONS. Ph: 701-563-6036. ND009 Rugby (A222) 09 Geographical Center Museum and Prairie Village Museum, 1 block east of the junction of SR3 and US2 at 102 US 2 S.E., is at the site determined by the US Dept of the Interior to be the geographical center of the continent. The 27 restored pioneer community buildings include a museum, a train depot, a log cabin, and a schoolhouse. Displays of American Indian and pioneer artifacts, antique automobiles and agricultural machinery are offered. Allow 1 hour. Mon-Sat and holidays, 8-7, Sun 1-7, MaySept. AAA discount implied. $7; $3 ages 12-15; $1 ages 6-11. Ph: 701-776-6414 or 701-542-3813 from Oct-Apr. ND010 Theodore Roosevelt National Park (A223) In the Badlands of North Dakota, the park comprises a South Unit near Medora, a North Unit near Watford City, and the Elkhorn Ranch Site, midway between the two units. The 70,448-acre Theodore Roosevelt National Park pays tribute to the 26th presidents contributions toward the conservation of the nations natural resources. For greater details of the park, see the extensive article on page A223-224. 1. 09 Rangers conduct daily summer programs, including walks, interpretive demonstrations and campfire talks about local nature and history. Both the North and South units of the park have self-guiding nature and hiking trails. Guided trail rides are available in the South Unit; an hourly fee is charged. A 36-mile scenic loop drive begins and ends at the entrance to the South Unit. A 14-mile scenic drive begins at the entrance station to the North Unit and ends at Oxbow Overlook. 2. Medora Visitor Center, 09 South Unit, just inside the Medora entrance to Theodore Roosevelt national Park, features Roosevelts first cabin from the Maltese Cross Ranch, a museum, and an orientation film. Open daily 8-6, mid-June thru Labor Day; 8-4:30 rest of year. Closed Jan 1, ThGiv, and Dec 25. FREE. Ph: 701-623-4466. ND011 Washburn (A225-226) 1. Cross Ranch State Park (A226) 09 is 8 miles southwest on CR1806, and encompasses 589 acres along the Missouri River. The park contains Mandan Indian archeological sites, an amphitheater and the River Peoples Visitor Center, which has interpretive displays. Hiking, picnicking, cross-country skiing, camping, fishing and boating are permitted. Interpretive programs are offered Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Allow 6 hours. Park open daily dawn-dusk. Visitor Center open daily 9-5, Mem Day thru Labor Day; hours vary rest of year. $5 per private vehicle. Ph: 701-794-3731. 2. Cross Ranch Nature Preserve (A226) 09 is on CR1806 across from Cross Ranch State Park. The preserve contains the states best remaining example of Missouri River valley ecosystems, including floodplain forest and upland prairie. Flora and fauna can be seen from a marked, self-guiding nature trail. A

North Dakota Points-of-Interest

bison herd also can be viewed from the trail from a distance. Visitors are encouraged to keep clear of the fenced area. Two cemeteries are within the preserve. Open daily dawn to dusk. FREE. Ph: 701-794-8741. 3. North Dakota Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center and Fort Mandan (A226) 09 at the junction of US83 and SR200A, houses the exhibits describing the historic 1804-06 journey of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Displays include a buffalo robe, a cottonwood keelboat, watercolor prints by Karl Bodmer who traveled the area 1833-34, and steel sculptures of Lewis and Clark with Chief Sheheke. A replica of Fort Mandan is 2.5 miles west via CR17, and includes a visitor center, picnic shelters, walking trails, a playground, and Seaman Overlook, with a steel sculpture of the expeditions Newfoundland dog. Costumed interpreters are on site. Allow 2.5 hours. Open daily 9-5. Mem Day thru Labor Day; Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun noon-5, rest of year. Closed major holidays. $7.50; $5 students w/ ID; free for ages 0-5. Ph: 701-462-8535 or 877-462-8535. ND012 West Fargo (A226) Bonanzaville, USA 09 .5 miles east off I-94 exit 343 at 1351 W. Main Avenue is a reconstructed historic village representing the bonanza farm era. Among the more than 40 buildings on the grounds are log cabins and a schoolhouse, a bonanza farm mansion, a church and a train depot. Also included is a vintage automobile, tractor, and airplane museum. Allow 2 hours. Open Mon-Sat 10-5 (also Thurs 5-8), Sun noon-5, Mem Day thru late-Sept; Mon-Fri 9-5, May 1 thru day before Mem Day; Fri-Sat 10-5, Sun noon-5, late SeptDec 31. Closed Dec 25. AAA discount implied. $8; $4 ages 6-16. Admission half-price after 5PM Thursdays, Mem Day thru late-Sept. Ph: 701-282-2822 or 800-700-5317.

[Gem site], AAA discount implied. (Weve been here. Very good!)