North Dakota and Beyond: Small Town Destinations Worth the Drive

Since I turned 50 back in August, I have made it a personal goal to travel more. Having been born in Billings, I have only been back there four times. I still have not seen Yellowstone or Glacier Park. And I still have not seen the Peace Garden in North Dakota. With these destinations on my horizon, I know I will be going through a few small towns along the way, maybe the best ones in the state.

HGTV published their list of the 50 best small towns to visit, and the ones in our region that mad ethe list are all good choices.

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Whitefish Montana

Whitefish, Montana, was named one of the "Top 25 Ski Towns in the World" by National Geographic. But this small town on Whitefish Lake has even more things to see and do. People come to ski, hike, boat, ride bikes, see live music, and eat at nice restaurants. It doesn't take long to get to Glacier National Park if you like being outside.

Park Rapids, Minnesota

Vacationers come to enjoy the lake and stay at nearby resorts or campgrounds; Park Rapids is a gateway to the headwaters of the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park. You'll find extra wide streets, and tons of shopping too!

Yankton, South Dakota

Visitors travel from all over the world to Yankton to take part in water sports and learn about its history. Kayaking, sailing, fishing, and canoeing are all available on the historic Missouri National Recreational River shoreline of Yankton. They can also do these things on Lake Yankton or Lewis and Clark Lake. People who live on land can enjoy the beautiful Riverside Park and the Meridian Bridge, which used to be a railroad bridge but now goes into Nebraska.

Medora, North Dakota

Medora resides in our state's beautiful Badlands. Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the 144-mile Maah Daah Hey Trail System, accessible to non-wheeled vehicles, make it feel like the Old West. Visit the Medora Musical, a tribute to Roosevelt, and learn about the town's history.

I'm excited to get a look at these neat little places as I embark on my goal to travel more. Every town promises a fun adventure, whether it's the Old West history of Medora, the riverside of Yankton, or the scenery of Whitefish. I have many reasons to travel—I just need to decide where to begin—because our area is home to so many neat destinations!