Outside of the big cities, the most known town in all of North Dakota is probably in this little corner of the state, the one that draws in thousands of tourists and is the state's top vacation destination. Everyone here has probably heard of it by now. You've seen the billboards and commercials, and you know the catchy "explore it, adore it" motto behind it.
And what is it exactly? Medora, of course! This little town with just 112 residents has become a staple of the Peace Garden State's tourism campaign and draws in tons of people from around the world. It's one of those "you have to experience it at least once" places. It didn't become the most popular small towns in the state for no reason. If you haven't been to this tiny town in North Dakota before, here is what you're missing out on:
This charming town brings back the old west while being surrounded by the natural rugged lands that shaped the era.
Speaking of the wild west, even the Cowboy Hall of Fame is located here, among many other notable attractions.
This is the place where the buffalo - well, bison - really roam, and don't be surprised if you come across some while exploring the area.
Medora was founded in 1883 right at the edge of what would later be the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and it is usually the gateway into the park for many visitors.
Within the park, you can visit Theodore Roosevelt's actual hunting cabin, perfectly preserved and exactly as he left it.
When in the town, you can spend the night at the Rough Riders Hotel. This beautiful historic hotel also has an amazing dining room that serves some of the best steak in the state.
That's not the only option for a meal, though. Places like the Little Missouri Dining Room, Maltese Burger, and even a pizza place are all great options, too. And for dessert, you must check out the Medora Fudge and Ice Cream Depot.
And to top it all off, you need to catch a show at the famous Medora Musical, an outdoor musical with the real badlands as its backdrop.
Everything you need to know about this town can be found on the Medora website.
As mentioned, this town borders the one and only national park in North Dakota. That place is an experience of its own, and you need to check it out.
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