Last week, I wrote about my favorite place in North Dakota (and maybe the U.S.) Check out last week’s article for tips on making an affordable Medora getaway. This week, I’m going in the opposite direction: how to go big in Medora and make the most of your trip if your budget isn’t quite as tight. What is actually worth spending your hard-earned money on?

Stay Somewhere Nice
Hotel 1883 is brand new this year, and it was quite a sight to see. If you’ve never stayed in a brand-new hotel, this is your chance. Everything was crisp, clean and comfortable, and the best part was the view from many of the rooms. The landscape outside is everything you love about Medora.

The hotel also offers breakfast, full TV channels, easy-to-use heating and air conditioning controls, and wonderful service. Each room was even greeted by a “Teddy” bear, which was a fun touch.

Rooms are still reasonably priced considering how new the hotel is, and there are several other places to stay in town. But if you want to make your Medora experience a little more luxurious, Hotel 1883 is worth considering. And the free trolley stops right at the front door!

Embrace Teddy Roosevelt
Another unique way to experience Medora is to fully embrace everything Theodore Roosevelt. Just jump in and do it all!

There are several Roosevelt-themed shows, including The Teddy Roosevelt Show, with dinner or brunch options. I attended one of the performances, and it was a fun way to learn about Roosevelt while hearing TR himself tell stories about his time in North Dakota. And the food was excellent.

New Teddy Roosevelt performer Kurt Skinner was previously stationed as an Airman at Minot Air Force Base. I caught up with him after a show, and he had a message for the Airmen and families still at Minot:
“Thank you for your continued service and vigilance to the nation. I am looking forward to seeing the base once again, a place that I had called home for four years. Good memories, I hope to be back soon.” There are multiple other shows and performances to enjoy in Medora, and they are all well done.

Steak, Pitchforks and a Little Fun
What about activities? Let’s talk about the Pitchfork Steak Fondue.

I doubt you’ve had a dining experience quite like it. Much to my surprise, “fondue” does not mean dipping things into cheese or chocolate. Maybe this is common knowledge, but after all my visits to Medora, this was my first time at Pitchfork, and I had no idea!

I asked an employee about it, and he explained that the “fondue” comes from literally taking a pitchfork and dipping the steak into hot oil to cook it. “We’re doing the fonduing for you,” he told me.

Either way, the steak was delicious, and the buffet was filling. It can be a little pricey, but if you want a great steak in a fun atmosphere, this is a must-do before heading to the Medora Musical.

Point to Point Park also has several paid activities worth checking out. As a big mini-golf fan, I had to try Little Bully Pulpit Mini Golf. Once again, the scenery makes it unique, and it was a lot of fun for anyone who enjoys putting.

Nearby, you’ll also find the Lazy Lil Mo & Wade In Pool, Manitou Zipline and the newer Perception attraction. I didn’t get a chance to try Perception, but I’ve done the other activities, and if you have kids, they are so much fun! If you plan to stay awhile, I recommend looking at the Play All-Day packages so you can experience multiple attractions without paying for each one individually.

The Big One: Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library
Last, but certainly never least, is the brand-new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, which is less traditional library and more interactive museum dedicated to TR.

In case you didn’t know, this place is a big deal. Matt Briney, chief communications officer, told me that by the first weekend in August, the library had welcomed 50,000 guests, exceeding its initial goal after only being open for one month.

There are dozens of exhibits, but Briney said some of the biggest hits have surprised them. “The photo stations were a little bit of a surprise hit,” he said. He also said it has been amazing to watch people explore and engage with the exhibits, adding that visitors consistently come out saying they had a great time.

And I can confirm that. Everyone in the family can enjoy this place: little kids, grandparents and everyone in between. It’s fascinating to see how much North Dakota shaped Roosevelt and, in turn, American history.

This isn’t just a museum where you walk around reading plaques. You actually participate, which makes learning about TR much more memorable. Briney said any time of year is a good time to visit the library, but if you want to climb the roof, explore the surrounding trails and enjoy everything else Medora has to offer, he recommends visiting in the next few months before the weather becomes a deterrent.

Just Go to Medora
If I haven’t convinced you to visit Medora yet, I don’t know what else I can do!

You can come and spend very little, or you can splurge a little and experience some of the town’s incredible attractions. Either way, Medora has a way of making a trip feel special.

It’s beautiful, quirky, historic and just plain fun, and I promise, it will be a magical vacation you’ll remember for years to come.