\u201cWhat is there to do in North Dakota?\u201d my teen asked when we were talking about possible destinations.<\/p>\n
Turns out that there is a\u00a0lot<\/em>\u00a0to do there! There is something in North Dakota for everyone.<\/p>\n Do your kids\u00a0love adventure activities?<\/strong><\/p>\n Summer in North Dakota is particularly well suited for tweens and teens who love being active in the great outdoors. From mountain biking to hiking. There\u2019s also kayaking and canoeing. Don\u2019t forget about horseback riding. Some kids love the fossil digs, which is a unique hands-on opportunity.<\/p>\n Your whole family can have a ball doing a favorite activity or trying out something new.<\/p>\n If adventure in the water is more your kids\u2019 speed, consider the fun waterparks. Check out\u00a0Raging Rivers<\/a>\u00a0in Mandan or\u00a0Davies Waterpark<\/a>\u00a0in Fargo. There are also several hotels with large indoor waterparks and recreation centers with awesome features like Flow Riders. (Fear not, parents, there are lazy rivers, too!)<\/p>\n Do your children\u00a0love animals?<\/strong><\/p>\n There are more wildlife refuges here than any other state. There are also four zoos. You may not think that you\u2019d find penguins in North Dakota in July, but it\u2019s possible! From antelope to zebras, and yes, penguins, you’ll enjoy a wild and beautiful menagerie of animals in North Dakota’s zoos, including the\u00a0Dakota Zoo<\/a>, which 600 animals including mountain lions, moose, grizzly bears and river otters, call home.<\/p>\n Another must-see is the\u00a0National Buffalo Museum<\/a>\u00a0with live herd with albino bison. I bet no one else is Instagramming that!<\/p>\n Is your tween or teen a history buff?<\/strong><\/p>\n North Dakota has\u00a0tons<\/em>\u00a0of history to explore.<\/p>\n At the\u00a0North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum<\/a>, visitors learn about the state\u2019s agrarian history and military history. However, it is probably best known for its collection of Plains Indians artifacts, which is second only to the Smithsonian\u2019s.<\/p>\n The\u00a0Fort Buford State Historic Site<\/a>\u00a0is a military post at the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers. It was a supply depot for the U.S. Army during the Indian wars. It was the site of Sitting Bull’s surrender in July 1881. He\u00a0was imprisoned here, as was Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce tribe.<\/p>\n Fort Mandan<\/a>\u00a0is also worth a stop and is significant because it was where Sakakawea met Lewis & Clark in 1804. Now, the site is home to an interpretive center and museum dedicated to preserving the culture of the Plains Indians.<\/p>\n Another option is the\u00a0Chateau de Mores State Historic Site<\/a>\u00a0in Medora and take a tour of this 26-room home built in 1883 by the town\u2019s founder. (And your kids thought cleaning their home was a big task!)<\/p>\n If you\u2019re in the northeastern corner of the state, head to the\u00a0Pembina State Museum<\/a>.\u00a0You\u2019ll find exhibits that highlight specific topics in the state\u2019s history. You can also get a\u00a0stunning view of the Red River Valley\u00a0from the top of an observation tower.<\/p>\n Have an aviation aficionado?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Your family can visit the Minot Air Force Base, home to the 5th Bomb Wing. Advance reservations are available for step-on guides, so plan ahead. Drive-on tours are also available.<\/p>\n Then fly on over to the\u00a0Fargo Air Museum<\/a>, where you\u2019ll find historic flyable airplanes, including P-51 Mustang, Duggy – “Smile in the Sky” airplane, L Birds, Wright Flyer replica and more.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget the\u00a0Dakota Territory Air Museum<\/a>\u00a0in Minot, which offers an inspiring look at the history of aviation or the Hatton-Eielson Museum<\/a> showcasing one of the greatest pilots in aviation history, Carl Ben Eielson.<\/p>\n Are you the parent of a budding artist?<\/strong><\/p>\n Located in historic downtown Fargo, the\u00a0Plains Art Museum<\/a>\u00a0includes a renowned contemporary Native American Art collection. The\u00a0North Dakota Museum of Art<\/a>\u00a0in Grand Forks features contemporary, international art in all media from the early\u00a01970s\u00a0onwards.<\/p>\n Are you a parent who wants to spend quality time as a family away from the usual routine but without spending a fortune?<\/strong><\/p>\n Then you’ll love a North Dakota vacation<\/a>!<\/p>\n Disclosure: This post was sponsored by North Dakota Tourism but all\u00a0opinions are my own, and my teen really did want to know what there is to do in North Dakota.<\/em><\/p>\n You May Also Like:\u00a0<\/strong>Tips to make traveling with kids easier<\/a><\/p>\n Prior Post:\u00a0<\/strong>Want to get tweens talking? Try TiffinTalk<\/a><\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss a post! 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