The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is opening on July 4 in Medora, North Dakota. I know a lot about the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library because I’m a North Dakotan and it’s big news around here (my Godmother, one of the Library’s donors, sent me an article detailing the opening week festivities, which will include, in small part, 1,776 drones and “extra toilets”…and let me tell you, those “extra toilets” are important because the Library is on the edge of a national park where there are large swaths of land without anything but nature’s bathroom on it). I also know A LOT about the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library because I work for the Architect-of Record, but that’s not my story to tell.
The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library – henceforth TRPL – is big news because the expectation is that it will attract more tourists to the state who will be looking for things like activities, restaurants, and extra toilets. Over the past handful of months, I’ve sat through a dozen or more presentations by various corporate, research, marketing, and non-profit groups about various corporate, research, marketing, and non-profit things related to “Doing good with the TRPL.” These presentations have made me a little nervous.
These presentations have made me a little nervous because Number One Numero Uno Firstly and Foremost, no one loves North Dakota more than I. I love North Dakota so much that this whole thing feels like I’m sitting in the audience at a school talent show waiting for my quiet, beloved niece to take the stage and show the world she is a beautiful butterfly.
These presentations have also made me little nervous because no one has been asked questions like, “Do you have electricity or Costco in North Dakota?” by non-North Dakotans more than I.
Here’s the deal: North Dakotans are not great at bragging. What’s something that’s really useful for tourism? Bragging. We have so many really awesome things to do and see in North Dakota – I mean, several states wanted the TRPL and the reason why it was built in North Dakota is because President Roosevelt was wholly transformed by simply *arms waving enthusiastically* here – and we struggle with an “Aw, shucks, it just is what it is” attitude when it comes to telling people about our awesome stuff.
One of the presentations I attended discussed the current characteristics of the stereotypical visitor to North Dakota – they usually day trip, for example, due to the lack of bragging (and therefore not knowing what to do) which is wild because I can think of at least two weeks’ worth of stuff to do in western North Dakota alone – and it gave me the itch to search the recent questions people were ChatGPT-ing about vacationing in North Dakota. Here are some of the questions, with my answers:
1. Is North Dakota a state? Yes. While one could say that the relaxed, casually kind experience of North Dakota is a state of mind, North Dakota is also one of the literal 50 states in the United States. Contrary to popular assumptions, North Dakota and South Dakota (another literal state in the United States) do not call ourselves “The Dakotas” because we are different states that do not like being confused for one another.
2. Should I wear a cowboy hat in North Dakota? I don’t know if you *should* wear a cowboy hat, but you certainly can. You can wear any kind of hat you want. You can also go hat-less. Do what feels good.
3. Is Mount Rushmore in North Dakota? No. Mount Rushmore is in South Dakota, which is a different state than North Dakota.
The question I found most interesting was, “Why should I visit North Dakota?” When I first read it, my instinct was to think, “Because it’s awesome, duh.” (Amanda = Good at bragging!). But like a sign without an arrow, that’s not really very helpful, is it; for example, my little sister loves winter camping and I can’t think of anything I’d like to do less, meaning “awesome” is subjective.
After thinking more about that question, I decided I would do my part in the “Doing good with the TRPL” situation by answering it here in the best way I can. So, if you live in North Dakota and/or also agree North Dakota is awesome, you can stop reading and go eat some lefse.
For everyone else, if you are considering a visit to North Dakota, here is what I’d say to you:
If you aren’t charmed by miles upon miles of green and gold farms dotted by cows and horses under the fluffiest, whitest clouds as far as the eye can see, for goodness’ sake, don’t come here.
Same if you’ve ever said, “If you’ve seen one blade of grass or one star in the sky, you’ve seen them all.” We gotta lotta grass and a lotta stars.
However, if you’ve ever wanted to stand alone in the middle of Mother Nature’s majesty, arms spread wide, the wind blowing away whatever thoughts you have inside you (and any scarves you have attached to you), and if you want to spend time in a place where people will leave you be if you want to be left been and will care that you exist even if your interaction together is only “Can I get one scoop of ice cream, please?” then North Dakota may be worth a try.
And why does anyone go anywhere? If you are considering North Dakota, it is because you want to check off all 50 states (so many people leave North Dakota for last that we have an actual club for it and you get a free t-shirt!) or you want to experience something new – because the Badlands are an incomparable experience.
I’m actually writing this from Medora. When I arrived, I pulled off at a rest stop near the entrance to the Theodore Roosevelt State Park (named as such because TR created the national park system). I was standing at the edge of the bluff thinking…I don’t know, the indescribable things a person thinks when their mind is wrapped around a place… and I realized a teenage boy had walked up next to me. He started to lift his phone to take a picture, looked up and realized what was around him, and very slowly put his phone in his pocket and just stared out.
Anyways, should you visit North Dakota? Sure, if you want. Here’s what I would recommend if you want to spend 3 days in and around Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library:
Pick your dates in June, July, August, or early September. Even if you’re like my sister and love winter camping, if you’ve never been to North Dakota in winter, I would highly advise against it for your first trip. If you are adamant that you want to see the Northern Lights – well, pack warmly. Also, stop reading because everything after this is for the warm weather.
If you want to get to the Theodore Roosevelt State Park as quickly as possible, fly into Dickinson, take in a Big Sticks game, and then drive to Medora. If you want to do a little sightseeing, fly into Bismarck and spend a couple of hours at the North Dakota Heritage Center. If you have more time, hike to the top of the Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park and swing over to the Fort Mandan State Historic Site. End your evening with a river boat cruise. Stay overnight in Bismarck.
The next morning, wake up and drive to Medora – but not before making a few pitstops (and do not drive more than 82 if you don’t want to get a ticket). Stop and say hello to New Salem Sue, and then take a pass along the Enchanted Highway. You get onto the Enchanted Highway at Gladstone, and you will know you were there when you see the “Geese in Flight” sculpture (and there’s a sign! Yay, signs!). If you are willing to extend your stay an extra day, stop and have dinner at the Enchanted Castle and meet the artist of the Highway, Gary Greff.
If you aren’t able to extend your stay, git on your way. If you can, time your arrival so that you can check into your hotel or camping spot, and then drive or take the trolley up to the Pitchfork Fondue for dinner and the Medora Musical (they are next to each other) for the evening’s entertainment.
The next day, tour the TRPL. They suggest 2-4 hours to take it all in, but as a person who has seen the exhibits and the building and has heard how good the chef is, I would lean more towards the 4-hour plan. Spend the rest of the day at either/both the Chateau de Mores or the Cowboy Hall of Fame, and then celebrate the evening with dinner and ice cream in town.
The next morning, wake up the early and take in the Park. You can ride horses, you can ride bikes, or you can ride on your own two feet. Stay as long as it takes to be transformed like TR, or until you need to get on the road back to the airport. Remember, there is a time change between Bismarck and Medora.
I hope you have a wonderful time; we are glad to have you!
The photo above is of me on the TRPL boardwalk. I was thinking about making a video about what you can see and do in Medora; if I do, I’ll put that up on TikTok over the weekend. If you go to the TRPL take a look at the rocks around the parking canopies. My friend Jena works for the landscape architect and let her 8-year-old nephew pick out a favorite boulder and decide how it should be placed. His choice was to set it vertically, and the contractor complied. I believe his name is Luke; if you see a vertical boulder, that’s Luke’s.
This week on North Dakota Today, we talked about Mandy Smestad, my Nice Person of the Week, as well as an awesome program for grandparents and grandparents at heart. (Valley News Live)
Paislee Price walked the final half-mile of the Fargo Marathon. (KFYR)
Meet Lander, North Dakota’s latest meteorologist. (KX News)
Here’s the first paragraph of my most recent column in the Grand Forks Herald; click here to read the rest (Grand Forks Herald):
Great news — you have been invited to a graduation party! This is your official opportunity to celebrate a young person’s hard work and growth as they step off the well-trod path of one era and onto the shiny, uncharted path of another. It’s also your opportunity to honor the parents and guardians who nurtured, supported, empowered and sometimes dragged those young people to this moment; parents who would like to sit with you for a few hours in their garage before they have to take a deep breath and nudge their child into the future. Plus, there’s cake!
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