Highest-rated free things to do in North Dakota, according to Tripadvisor
Highest-rated free things to do in North Dakota, according to Tripadvisor
It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in North Dakota.
Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in North Dakota using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!
#30. Wind Canyon Trail
- Rating: 5/5 (12 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. Buffalo Statue
- Rating: 4.5/5 (18 reviews)
- Address: 600 East Boulevard Ave. Bismarck, North Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. Assumption Abbey
- Rating: 5/5 (32 reviews)
- Address: 418 3rd Ave. West Richardton, North Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Japanese Gardens
- Rating: 3.5/5 (60 reviews)
- Address: 3300 11th Ave. South Grand Forks, North Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. McDowell Dam Nature Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (39 reviews)
- Address: 1951 93rd St. Northeast Bismarck, North Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Maah Daah Hey Trail
- Rating: 4.5/5 (30 reviews)
- Address: Medora, North Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Lindenwood Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (46 reviews)
- Address: 1905 Roger Maris Drive South Fargo, North Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Harold Schafer Heritage Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (48 reviews)
- Address: 335 4th St. Medora, North Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Dakota Square Mall
- Rating: 4/5 (70 reviews)
- Address: 2400 10th St. Southwest Minot, North Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Former Governors' Mansion State Historic Site
- Rating: 4/5 (43 reviews)
- Address: 320 East Ave. B Bismarck, North Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Kirkwood Mall
- Rating: 4/5 (26 reviews)
- Address: 706 Kirkwood Mall Bismarck, North Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. North Dakota State University
- Rating: 4.5/5 (69 reviews)
- Address: 1301 University Drive North Fargo, North Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Salem Sue - World's Largest Fiberglass Cow
- Rating: 4.5/5 (107 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. Flood Memorial Monument
- Rating: 4.5/5 (82 reviews)
- Address: Memorial Park, N. 3rd St. and DeMers Grand Forks, North Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Knife River Indian Villages Historic Site
- Rating: 4.5/5 (95 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. University of North Dakota
- Rating: 4.5/5 (97 reviews)
- Address: Grand Forks, North Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. West Acres Shopping Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (124 reviews)
- Address: 3902 13th Ave. South Fargo, North Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Laughing Sun Brewing Co.
- Rating: 4.5/5 (110 reviews)
- Address: 1023 East Front Ave. Bismarck, North Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Fort Union Trading Post
- Rating: 4.5/5 (163 reviews)
- Address: 15550 Highway 1804 Williston, North Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Roger Maris Museum
- Rating: 4/5 (177 reviews)
- Address: West Acres Shopping Center 3902 13th Ave. South Fargo, North Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Frontier Village
- Rating: 4/5 (234 reviews)
- Address: 17th St. Southeast Jamestown, North Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Drekker Brewing Company
- Rating: 4.5/5 (94 reviews)
- Address: 1666 1st Ave. North Fargo, North Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Missouri River
- Rating: 4.5/5 (145 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum
- Rating: 4.5/5 (650 reviews)
- Address: 612 East Boulevard Ave. Bismarck, North Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. North Dakota State Capitol Building
- Rating: 4.5/5 (314 reviews)
- Address: 600 East Boulevard Ave. Bismarck, North Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Enchanted Highway
- Rating: 4.5/5 (298 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Scandinavian Heritage Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (372 reviews)
- Address: 1020 South Broadway 11th Ave. Southwest intersection Minot, North Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (451 reviews)
- Address: 2001 44th St. South Fargo, North Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Painted Canyon Overlook
- Rating: 4.5/5 (274 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Red River Market
- Rating: 5/5 (147 reviews)
- Address: 201 Broadway North Broadway Square Fargo, North Dakota
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.
