Considered a hidden treasure for many Midwesterners, North Dakota is a spectacular combination of diverse wildlife, wide-open prairies, urban landscapes and an abundance of outdoor activities. Although the state is truly off the beaten path, it offers a brilliance all its own.

Cities such as Bismarck, Grand Forks and Fargo are filled with an array of meeting and event options, including the Dakota Zoo, Plains Art Museum, Fargo Air Museum, Empire Arts Center and North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum — all of which celebrate the state’s place in U.S. history.

In addition, each of the state’s large cities boast many hotel and resort options that are ideal for all kinds of gatherings.

When not gathering for a designated purpose, attendees can also enjoy some of the state’s must-see attractions, including the rugged Badlands, the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the International Peace Garden and the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site. Visitors can enjoy tracing the footsteps of Native American tribes, as well as early explorers like Captain Meriwether Lewis and his close friend Second Lieutenant William Clark, a.k.a. Lewis and Clark, and help to celebrate the welcoming spirit of this great state.

For more ideas, go to ndtourism.com.

6 Places to Check Out

  1. Bully Pulpit Golf Course, Medora
    This golf course is chiseled right out of the North Dakota Badlands in a site unlike any other. Your group will be fully immersed in the Badlands as you meander through meadows and woodlands, skirt along the Little Missouri River and tee off from one butte to another.
    medora.com/bullypulpit
  2. Rolling Plains Adventures, McKenzie
    Homesteaded in the plains in 1882, this outdoor destination treats guests and groups to memorable whitetail deer, coyote, pheasant, waterfowl or buffalo hunting experiences. With over 20,000 private acres to chase game on, custom lodges, gourmet meals, a fully stocked bar and its very own brewery, you may never want to leave.
    rollingplainsadventures.com
  3. Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, Mandan
    Step back in time to On-A-Slant Indian Village to learn about the Mandan tribe’s culture and what it took to thrive along the Missouri River. Groups can also tour the reconstructed Victorian home of the famous George Custer, Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and American Indian Wars.
    parkrec.nd.gov/fort-abraham-lincoln-state-park
  4. Laughing Sun Brewing Company, Bismarck
    Voted the Best Brewery in Bismarck, Laughing Sun’s taproom and restaurant are open daily. Come have fun at the Sun with live music, art installations, art classes, yoga classes, local markets, and award-winning barbecue and craft beer. Not only can you reserve a time for axe throwing on site, but you can also book the entire patio or restaurant for a private event.
    laughingsunbrewing.com
  5. The Arts Center, Jamestown
    The center features a 2000-square-foot exhibition space, a performance area, and classrooms used for all media and classes. Its art studio includes a ceramics area with a kiln and classroom. The center coordinates specialized and private classes — from making stained glass to painting, photography or cake decorating — for groups.
    jamestownarts.com
  6. Medora Riding Stables, Medora
    Saddle up for real western fun and experience the Badlands the way Theodore Roosevelt would have in 1883. Friendly trail guides will take you on a Badlands adventure along buttes and canyons that are sure to create unforgettable memories for your group outing.
    medora.com/trailrides