Enjoy The Adorable Downtown Area
Downton Medora is small and easily walkable. You can find a bite to eat, coffee, ice cream, or just soak up the fun atmosphere. Youll also find a childrens play area.
Theres a back in time element to walking around Medora that I found very restorative.
We arrived in Medora at lunch time and left after breakfast the following morning so my time to look around was fairly limited. I definitely want a Medora do-over.
Who knows? You might come home from Medora with some new ideas for outdoor decor. Isnt this a cute idea for a planter?
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Eat Pitchfork Steak Fondue
If youre looking to really get to know the culture of Americas West, there is no better place to start than the dinner table. Pitchfork Steak Fondue is a unique dish served to you by chefs in cowboy hats that will give you a one-of-a-kind experience youll remember for years to come.
Located right next to the Medora Musical Theatre, this restaurant makes for the perfect place to grab a bite to eat before you catch a show.
What To Do In Medora North Dakota
January 19, 2020 by Jill
You might be asking yourself Where in the world is Medora North Dakota? Medora is located in the Badlands of North Dakota near the entrance to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, South Unit. Medora is full of wide open spaces, charming shops and eateries, and friendly people. Medora might be a little bit of a secret outside of North Dakota and it takes some effort to get there, but the effort is all worth it. If youre wondering what to do in Medora North Dakota, Im about to tell you. There are lots of things to do in Medora North Dakota and you have lots of choices depending on the seasons and what you like to do.
North Dakota Be Legendary funded a portion of my travel. All opinions are mine.
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Nd Cowboy Hall Of Fame
The ND Cowboy Hall of Fame features a 15,000 square-foot interpretive centre that celebrates the cowboy way of life. With a theatre featuring a quick movie about North Dakotas cowboy history, beautiful displays of authentic artifacts and a fun hands-on section for kids, theres plenty of information and entertainment in this building!
Coming from a province with a strong Western heritage myself, I loved seeing some of the awards and props used in the old rodeos. A barrel used by the Rodeo Clowns had me especially captivated I had no idea the inside of the huge, heavy barrel had been so carefully padded but considering its purpose, it made sense that it would be!
The upper floor of the building contained the Hall of Honorees and the boys were so inspired by the awards that they decided to become informal members of the famed North Dakota Six-Pack! A trip to the gift shop finished off our adventure a visit to Medora, ND wouldnt be complete without some fun cowboy gear for the kids!
Book A Ride With The Medora Riding Stables
If you really want to feel like a cowboy, head on over to the Medora Riding Stables just east of the town. Here you can saddle up and imagine what it was like for pioneers to explore the West for the first time.
Have little to no riding experience? No problem! With trained guides leading you along the trails, even those who have never been on a horse can enjoy the great outdoors while sitting astride a saddle! Taking you through canyons and buttles, this is an adventure you wont want to miss.
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Things To Do In Medora Nd
Honestly, when we were booking our trip to Medora, I didnt think there would be much to do. Id mentally planned for us to be in Theodore Roosevelt National Park most of the time.
Boy was I wrong. After four days we still hadnt hit everything, and we definitely werent lounging by the pool for hours on end.
From history to mini golf, live shows and horseback riding, we crammed as much in as possible. If you have a week to spend in Medora, do it. This town has so much to offer, both inside and outside of downtown, Sully Creek State Park and the national park.
A Fun Historical Museum
Calling all museum enthusiasts! Remember when I wrote that Medora has it all? They even have a museum downtown that has a decent sized collection of tools, barbed wire and other time pieces from around the county. Touring the Billings County Court House Museum definitely had me on my toes while walking through the building. Two areas that you dont want to miss while touring the building the jail (which has two different jail cell areas and the upstairs courtroom. It was creepy walking through the jail but gave a feeling of what it was like years ago.
Beyond walking through jail cells, you get a variety and a different part of history with Medora as you walk through the museum. All in all I had a good time with this attraction and it gives you a different twist in experiencing Medora. Insider Tip: If you ask nicely at the front desk theyll tell you stories of the place. Its definitely a cool experience and learning the back story behind some of the names gives an added touch. Be prepared but enjoy the museum its something outside the box, but adds to the allure and mystery of Medora.
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The History Behind Medora
Much like Deadwood, SD, Medora has been billed as a Wild West town. In fact, that is relatively inaccurate. It was founded by French nobleman Marquis de Mores in 1883. He planned to ship meat to Chicago via the Northern Pacific Railway from Medora. So, originally, Medora was a meatpacking town. Later, Theodore Roosevelt would visit the area and fall in love with it. Since Roosevelts time in the Medora area, the town has become a total tourist destination thanks to the history behind it. However, the idea that it was once an Old West town like Deadwood is not true.
Take A Tour Of Chateau De Mores State Historic Site
Chateau de Mores is an impressive estate of a French aristocrat that settled in Medora in the late 1880s. The Marquis de Mores came to the Dakota territory with hopes of making a fortune in the cattle ranching industry.
Although the Marquis business endeavors failed, his 26-room home on the outskirts of Medora still stands as a historic site. Today, visitors can tour the historic home, which is decorated with original American-made furniture, rich Asian decor, and French artwork.
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Spend Time In Theodore Roosevelt National Park
The number one reason youll find tourists in Medora is to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Made famous by its high plateaus and enchanting landscapes, youll be wanting to photograph every inch of this park.
Located just a few miles away, youll literally be sleeping just minutes away from the gate of the park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is not a place you can see in just a day with miles of hiking trails, scenic drives, and breathtaking scenery, not even a month would be enough to do the park justice.
Lucky for you, Medora offers an unbeatable base for discovering the park. So you can play in nature by day and enjoy the comforts by night.
Fudge And Ice Cream Depot
When you want the local flavor of Medora, you pop into the Fudge and Ice Cream Depot. Here you will find Huckleberry and Juneberry ice cream. I suggest a scoop of each, as they are very different , but complement each other.
I prefer the huckleberry, so if you only want a small scoop, go with this deep purple favorite. Every other person coming out of the shop seems to order huckleberry too.
The Fudge and Ice Cream Depot also have a variety of fudge flavors. Ask for a few squares to go for a snack in the car or while you are touring the park.
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Little Missouri Saloon And Dining
If you love BLTs and fried pickles, you need to grab a table at the Little Missouri Saloon and Dining for lunch or dinner. Seating on the balcony outside gives you views of the town, but can be hot midday as it is right in the sun.
Ask for your BLT on the cranberry bread that the turkey avocado sandwich comes on. They were out of wheat bread when we visited and suggested the cranberry as an alternative. I am so glad they were out of wheat bread!
The kids menu includes pizza, mini corn dogs and your other usual starches. You can always order a small salad if you need to cram some veggies in.
Bully Pulpit Golf Course
- 3731 Bible Camp Rd, Medora, ND 58645
- 623-4653 To Book A Tee Time
- Or Book A Tee Time HERE
- Open Sunrise To Sunset
Im not much of a golfer but felt like I needed to mention this course because it is ranked as one of Americas 100 Greatest Golf Courses! Golf a full 18-holes while you are immersed in the Badlands of North Dakota, by all accounts its a course you wont soon forget.
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Best Things To Do In Medora North Dakota
Have you ever visited a new place and felt wow about it? For many visitors, it happens at Medora.
Medora may not be as popular as other cities in United States, but dont let that fool you. Medora is a smaller but beautiful upcoming tourist destination that is worth a visit. You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do and places you can explore at this hidden destination.
You might wish to revisit it someday again, to take a break and relax at Medora.
If you have plans to visit United States and are not sure if Medora should be included in your itinerary, keep reading. In this list, we have put together some of the things to do in Medora and around. We have a hunch that if you include this city in your travel plans, you will be thrilled you did so.
Why Visit Medora Nd
Medora is the closest town to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. My husband loves rock formations and petrified forests, so this North Dakota national park had been on our list for a while.
We were looking for a remote area of the country to hide out in for a few days, but I still needed good food, a few shops and comfortable accommodations. While my kids are close to convincing me to camp again, Im still not quite there yet.
Medora was like a tiny beach down on the edge of a national park, without the ocean.
We played mini-golf, went tackled multiple hiking trails, explored prairie dog villages, spotted one of the parks wild horses and saw the famous Medora Musical.
Oh, and I ate a ton and my husband was able to have bison and elk, which he loves. The boys tried it too. Bison was by far the favorite, especially the jerky we grabbed for the drive home.
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Do The Historical Walk
Discover Medoras past on a self-guided historical walking tour that leads you through town. Be transported back to a time where old saloons, cowboys, and horses ruled the streets.
This historical walking tour takes you to placards in front of Chimney Park, Demores Park, St. Marys Church, Von Hoffman House, Billings Country Courthouse Museum, and many more historical points of interest in Medora.
They highlight firsthand information from those who called Medora home throughout the years. This is a fun, insightful and free way to get to know this quirky little town.
Little Bully Pulpit Mini Golf Course
My youngest son loves mini golf to the point of obsession. I had to tell him exactly what day and when we would try out the Little Bully Pulpit Mini Golf Course in Medora, and he still nagged me every few minutes all morning long.
We played all 18-holes, and I never cheated so I could beat my kids. Each golf hole had its own difficulty rating and NOrth Dakota theme, but we found the first hole the most difficult, which is the opposite of most mini golf courses. No matter, my kids still had a blast with me and their dad.
Naturally, we had to reward ourselves for an excellent round of golf with huckleberry ice cream at the Fudge & Ice Cream depot.
Oh, and in case you are wondering, there is the Bully Pulpit Golf Course in Medora, ND as well. Book your tee time and go have fun!
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Go Mini Golfing At Bully Pulpit Golf Course
Bully Pulpit Golf Course is a fun, North Dakota-themed miniature golf course in the heart of Medora. Each of the 18 holes represents a different aspect of the state. From the grasslands to the Badlands, to the bison and the original indigenous settlers, the golf course pays honor to the many unique aspects that make North Dakota great.
Its a fun place to spend an hour or so, give the kids a break from sightseeing, and enjoy a fun round of mini golf.
Check Out The Medora Musical
- 3422 Chateau Rd, Medora, ND 58645
- Runs June 6 September 11, 2021
- 6 days a week Tuesday Sunday
- Grab tickets HERE
- $39.95 for adults, $18.95 for students 7-17, Kids 6 and under are free
Americana at its finest, this musical is a celebration of the pioneer and cowboy history that made Medora what it is today. Its an ode to Teddy Roosevelt and the Great American West.
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See The Medora Musical
Pull out your cowboy boots because youll be tapping your feet to the music at the Medora Musical. With live country music, singing, dancing, and even fireworks, the Medora Musical is the perfect way to bring a day of hiking to an end.
Youll get so much more than just singing and dancing at this stage performance. The Medora Musical even has a Theodore Roosevelt impersonator who will take you through the pages of the history books.
Its a really fun way to learn about the area, North Dakota, the National Park and of course, Teddy Roosevelt and his time spent in the area.
Do An Amateur Photo Shoot In The Tiny Towns Quaint Streets
The town of Medora looks like a postcard straight out of the Wild West. With wooden facades designed to look like old western buildings, it is the ideal place for an impromptu photo shoot. Wander the streets and explore the tiny town, stop into shops, and take lots of photos while you roam around Medora.
For the best photo opportunity, wake up early and hit the streets before the town gets busy with visitors making their way to the national park.
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Race Down A Point To Point Zipline
The Manitou Point to Point Zipline is located near the Bully Pulpit Mini Golf course. Unlike the zip lining course in Costa Rica that we did, this thrill ride in Medora takes you up one zip line then drops you back down. You are in a seat rather than a harness, and can go two at a time, so it may be less intimidating for people zip-lining for the first time.
There are some height restrictions, so this activity might not be suitable for young children, and like many businesses in Medora, the point to point zip line is not open year round.
Stop At The Harold Schafer Heritage Center
Businessman and philanthropist Harold Schafer helped shape the state we now know as North Dakota. With profits made from products such as Mr. Bubble and Snowy Bleach, Schafer pumped his money back into his community.
You can learn all about this local hero through exhibits and film at the Harold Schafer Heritage Center. Brought to life with living historians, this is a sight you wont want to miss.
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Pay A Visit To The Billings County Courthouse Museum
Discover what it was like back in the pioneer days to sit in a courtroom on trial and end off in jail at the Billings Country Courthouse Museum. This historical museum features an amazing courtroom, jail, a collection of western firearms, and other pioneer artifacts.
Learn about the various past issues with law enforcement along with local gunslingers who called Medora home. A stroll through this museum will help you understand what the settlers of North Dakota had to go through just to survive.
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North Dakota Cowboy Hall Of Fame
If inside activities are more your thing, stop by the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame for a fun history lesson. This small museum does a fabulous job of showcasing the history and culture of cowboys, cowgirls, ranching and Native Americans.
Start your visit by watching a short film to learn more about the history of Medora and the surrounding area. Then follow the exhibits on Native Americans and the cowboy life. Finally, check out rodeo highlights and memorabilia from around the state.
The museum is open 9:00-6:00 daily, in the summer. Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors, $6 for students. We spent about an hour at the museum but you can move through at your own pace.
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