North Dakota has quite a few tourist attractions we've all heard of and likely seen. For example places like Medora, the wild west tourist town, or the World's Largest Buffalo in Jamestown, or the streets of the state's biggest city and movie star, Fargo. Popular places are cool in their own way - they became popular for a reason, after all - but sometimes it's nice to skip the busy spots and discover the lesser known.

While we could recommend all these places as great attractions to visit, you should give these other places a chance, and here's why:

1. Instead of Bonanzaville...

Try Bagg Bonanza Farm.

West Fargo's Bonanzaville is pretty neat. This mini made up town has brought in many old, historic buildings to one spot to emulate the kinds of towns we had around North Dakota during the bonanza days. There are also museums and plenty of neat antiques and artifacts. But what if you could go to an actual bonanza farm? Not only that, but one of the last remaining original bonanza farms in the entire region? The Bagg Bonanza Farm is only about 30 minutes south of Fargo just outside the tiny town of Mooreton. It is a beautifully preserved and well-kept bonanza farm, one of the biggest in its day, once owned by the Bagg family. There are many farm buildings and a gorgeous house on the property that are filled with items from their time that will make you feel like you're stepping back into the past.

The Bagg Bonanza Farm is located at 8025 169th Ave. SE, Mooreton, ND 58061.

2. Instead of the Chautauqua Park in Valley City...

Try the Medicine Wheel Park.

The Chautauqua Park in Valley City is a quiet, lovely little park that is well known for its iconic view of the Hi-Line Railroad Bridge. And while that's pretty cool, Valley City is also home to another totally awesome yet underrated park. The Medicine Wheel Park has a huge, actual medicine wheel, great paths and trails, and makes for an awesome spot to learn about the history of medicine wheels and their purpose as well as stop for a nice afternoon. The park has lots of signs and plaques with information to learn about and you can walk amongst the stones of the huge wheel yourself.

The Medicine Wheel Park is located at 101 College St. SW, Valley City, ND 58072.

3. Instead of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park...

Try the Sully Creek State Park.

The Theodore Roosevelt National Park is North Dakota's only national park and most visited attraction. While it is totally cool and has lots of interesting attributes, it isn't the only park in the area. Just south a little ways is the Sully Creek State Park. This park is located right in a valley between the badlands so you'll feel completely surrounded by the natural beauty of the landscape. The park has great campgrounds, trails, and you can spot the same great wild animals here as you can in the TRNP. Wild horses, bison, deer, prairie dogs, and even things like bighorn sheep.

Sully Creek State Park is located at 1465 36th St., Medora, ND 58645.

4. Instead of Fort Abraham Lincoln...

Try Buckstop Junction.

North Dakota's most well-known state park, Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, has all the right reasons to be. The historic and reconstructed fort buildings, Custer's house, a trolley, trails - you name it. But if you're feeling like experiencing North Dakota history, you can also try Buckstop Junction. This unique little "town" is located just across the river from Fort Abraham Lincoln, located in Mandan, in North Dakota's capital city of Bismarck. This is a lot more than a row of historic buildings to make a tourist trap; it really does feel like an entire town. Various streets with everything from a barber shop, schoolhouse, bank, hotel, and blacksmith to old trains and a station. Most of these buildings date to at least a hundred years old, if not older, and will give you an experience like no other. There's so much to see here we can't possibly even list it all, so you'll just have to visit it to see.

Buckstop Junction is located at 3805 E Bismarck Expy., Bismarck, ND 58501.

5. Instead of the International Peace Garden...

Try Lake Metigoshe State Park.

Of course we all know about the International Peace Garden - it's in the state's official nickname! And it is a place everyone should see once. But if you've been there already, you should head to the nearby state park that is more of a natural garden of pure North Dakota beauty than a carefully planted garden of symbolism. Lake Metigoshe State Park has trails that wind through heavily wooded areas surrounding the marshes, ponds, and lakes that make up a spectacular natural area. This place is gorgeous year round but it becomes especially pretty in the fall when the leaves change color. There are plenty of quiet cabins available at the park for a great weekend getaway in peace and quiet.

Lake Metigoshe State Park is located 14 miles northeast of Bottineau, ND.

Where is your favorite lesser-known place to visit in North Dakota? Instead of staying in a hotel when touring the state, you could even make it a little more special by staying at one of these great bed & breakfasts instead.