It’s no secret that I love living in Minot. I also enjoy traveling. As a military spouse living states away from immediate family, it can be tricky to justify a vacation anywhere other than “home” to visit relatives.

Despite my adoration for Hotdish Land, we’ve spent surprisingly little time road-tripping through North Dakota. Typically, our vacations focus on minimizing time in the car while crossing the country.

That recently changed when my husband and I loaded up the car for a NoDak road trip. We traveled from Minot to Medora, packing in plenty of fun along the way.

The itinerary we followed worked so well for our young family that I wanted to share it with you. Use it for an upcoming long weekend, tuck it away for a quick getaway, or let it inspire an itinerary of your own.

Heading Out: Medora, ND, is on Mountain Time—so you’ll gain an hour traveling that direction, giving you more time to explore along the way.

Stop 1: Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery
Admission and tours are free. There are display tanks, touch tanks (where you can hold turtles or feel sturgeon), and feeding tanks (where you can feed hungry trout). There’s also a walking path and very clean restrooms to use before getting back on the road.

Stop 2: Beulah, ND
Pack a lunch from home or grab fast food in Beulah. Enjoy your meal at Riverside Park while the kids run around on their awesome playground.

Stop 3: Dickinson, ND
Fill up on gas in Dickinson and pick up a few groceries for the motel room.

Arriving in Medora:
Even with stops, we arrived in Medora before 4 p.m. This gave us time to settle into the motel and play at Point to Point Park before dinner and bedtime.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Medora, ND
One of the things I love about this trip itinerary is its flexibility. It can be used for a short getaway or extended for a long weekend.

We spent two full days in Medora before returning to Minot, but you can mix and match activities to suit your schedule. Our second day was spent exploring the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and relaxing in town. On the third day, we enjoyed the paid attractions at Point to Point Park, Pitchfork Steak Fondue, and the Medora Musical. However, you could easily pick the activities best suited to your family and fit them all into one day, or space them out a bit more.

Whatever you choose to do, make sure you explore the national park—especially if you’ve been led to believe North Dakota is flat and boring. Also, be sure to take advantage of free admission for military members, veterans, and dependents. Just inquire about a free annual pass at the visitor center.

Heading Home:
Make the return trip fun by breaking it up with a few more stops. Here are some possibilities:
Dickinson Museum Center and Badlands Dinosaur Museum
My kids loved seeing all the fossils and the vast rock and mineral collection. My husband and I enjoyed learning about the discoveries made right here in our region.

New Town, ND
If you’d like to travel home via a different route, consider stopping at attractions in New Town. These include the MHA Interpretive Center, Four Bears Casino and Waterpark, and Crow Flies High State Recreational Area.

Dakota Drug
If you return to Minot through New Town, make a pit stop at Dakota Drug in Stanley, ND, for a Whirl-a-Whip. Dakota Drug is home to the last surviving Whirl-a-Whip machine (that we know of). It’s been turning hard-churned ice cream into velvety soft-serve treats since 1949 and is truly the tastiest time capsule you’ll ever find.

When you get the urge to get out of the Magic City, this North Dakota road trip offers a delightful mix of activities and sights. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best getaways are close to home. And that it’s important to explore the places life sends us.
For more on life in Hotdish Land, tips, and everything you need to know about Minot, follow me on Instagram and Facebook @HeyMinot. Connect with me further at my website, amyallender.com.