The Broken Oar
Mandan

Row, row, row your boat along the Missouri River and into "the best bar in North Dakota," the Broken Oar, for "good times, good drinks, cool people, and one fabulous view!" Of course, you can walk the gangway into this "local hang" that "doesn't look like is has changed much in 100 years," and enjoy the "yummy burgers," "strong drinks," and "fantastic" live music.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park - North Unit
Watford City

Experience "true wilderness" as you enter the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, a living memorial to the 26th president of the United States. Whether you're relaxing along the Little Missouri River, taking advantage or the "amazing hiking," or making friends with the local prairie dogs and bison, the North Unit "will set your mind at ease no matter who are you." Read more.

Fort Union Trading Post
Williston

"History buffs will love going back to the mid-1800's" at the "historical and extremely educational" Fort Union Trading Post in Williston. John Jacob Astor's American Fur Company built the original in 1828, and it soon became a headquarters for trading buffalo hides and other furs with the Assiniboine, Crow, Cree, Ojibway, Blackfeet, and Hidatsa Tribes. Since its reconstruction in 1991, learning about the history is "made fun" by real blacksmiths, furs that you can touch, and traders telling stories about the "good old days." Read more.

Sanders 1907 Restaurant
Grand Forks

Experience North Dakota cuisine "at it's best and most splendid" at Sanders 1907 Restaurant where locals go to get some "home cooking while fine dining." Sink your teeth into a Buffalo Burger that is "truly a treat" or indulge in the chocolate decadence dessert for "the best chocolate fix ever." Sanders even allows cigars in the bar and pool room for some "long, relaxing evenings" of "hanging with friends" and playing pool. Read more.

National Buffalo Museum
Jamestown

You'll be saying, "aww, buffalos are so cute" after your visit to the National Buffalo Museum in Jamestown, home to buffalo-related artwork, artifacts, and local Native American items. The "highlight, by far" of the museum is the live bison heard that is home to White Cloud, an albino buffalo and her two calves Princess Winona and Dakota Thunder. Read more.

The Final Go Around
Mott

During hunting season there "isn't an open seat in site" at the Final Go Around--a roadhouse known for "amazing steak and prime rib." Locals and pheasant hunters are "the rowdy and very fun" clientele at this Western-themed restaurant, which also features a ballroom for line dancing, weddings, and banquets.

Fargo Theatre
Fargo

With the "most unusual and original" Art Deco design, the Fargo Theater, built in 1925, is a "true Fargo treasure." Playing independent films of today and classic films from yesterday, this "art house with heart" will give you the "total movie-going experience, no matter what you see." The Fargo also presents live theater, and it even has a pipe organ! Read more.

Badlands Brew
Dickinson

Coffee aficionados "worship the holy brew" at Badlands Brew, a coffee bar and roasterie that used to be St. John's Episcopal Church where President Teddy Roosevelt used to worship. Locals can "spend days" lounging in this coffee house, indulging in Badlands' many roasts of coffee, and enjoying the live music in the evenings. Panini sandwiches are also on the menu-one enthusiast notes that the "Medora is the best," a "vegetarian's dream!" Read more.

Zandbroz Variety
Fargo

For an "antithesis of Wal-Mart" shopping experience, head to Zandbroz Variety--a "great place for hip and fun shopping." The owners of Zandbroz Variety purchased historic buildings in downtown Fargo to help revitalize the area. You will be greeted by "helpful and warm" salespeople, but also make sure to check out the soda fountain, which fans say is a "fantastic sugar rush that helps you keep shopping!" Read more.

Hotel Donaldson
Fargo

Feel like you are "in the middle of New York of Los Angeles" when you enter this "ever-so-cool," and "luxurious retreat." The Hotel Donaldson started off as a utilitarian lodge in 1893, and has since undergone an "extreme makeover," complete with heated floors, fitness center, cloud-puffed comforters and custom-made furniture-all of which "rank up there with any four-star hotel you've ever been in." The seventeen rooms have been designed to showcase Fargo's local art, and include blown glass, pottery, wood engravings, fiber collages, and enormous oil paintings. The restaurant also emphasizes local ingredients such as walleye cakes. Read more.