20 Great (and Cheap) Things to Do in Dickinson, ND

A Long Weekend in Dickinson, ND

Welcome to the vibrant city of Dickinson, ND, where adventure and entertainment await at every corner! Nestled in the heart of the state’s Badlands region, Dickinson is a hidden gem that offers a delightful escape with many great and super-affordable things to do for a fun and memorable weekend. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a history buff, or simply seeking a unique getaway, this charming city has something for everyone.

The post is sponsored by North Dakota Tourism and the Dickinson, ND Visitors Bureau. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Day 1

Our starting point was the Twin Cities, which is about an eight-hour drive to Dickinson, ND or a quick one-hour flight from Minneapolis to Bismarck. We chose to fly to Bismarck, then grab a rental car and drive another 90 minutes across North Dakota to Dickinson.

1. Laughing Sun Brewing Co.

Once you land in Bismarck, head to Laughing Sun Brewing Co. for lunch. They brew freshly crafted American ales, display local art on the walls, and occasionally have live music. Their house-smoked BBQ is award-winning and the brewery has been voted “Best of the Best” for Bismarck’s Breweries! We loved the pulled pork with slaw, mac and cheese, and cornbread.

2. Copper Dog

Next, stop at Copper Dog, a certified women-owned family business. This is a great pit stop for fresh, delicious stroopwafels, Italian soda, and lattes. Enjoy the indoor seating with lots of natural light, or grab it to go.

3. Salem Sue

Salem Sue, the World’s Largest Holstein Cow, is likely the most popular roadside attraction in North Dakota. She stands high above Interstate 94 just outside the city of New Salem. You won’t miss it!

4. Assumption Abbey

Located in Richardton, ND, Assumption Abbey is a beautiful and free stop to make on your drive. Once you arrive, you might be greeted by a joyful monk! Assumption Abbey is a Benedictine Monastery founded in 1893. The Abbey Church, a Bavarian Romanesque structure, was completed in 1909 and recently renewed. You’ll enjoy 52 beautiful stained glass windows, 24 paintings of saints, and a large carved crucifix. The outside steeple design is made up of four diamond shapes, which is very rare to see in the United States.

5. Enchanted Highway

The Enchanted Highway is a collection of the world’s largest scrap metal sculptures that begins at Exit 72 on I-94 near Gladstone and runs 32 miles down to the small town of Regent. It’s a fun and totally free detour to take on your journey.

6. Fluffy Fields Winery

Fluffy Fields is a family-owned and operated winery featuring grapes and fruit grown in their vineyards, orchards, and gardens. Enjoy daily wine tastings, take a guided tour of their vineyard, or wander around on your own. And if you’re hungry, enjoy charcuterie boards, sandwiches, and pizza.

Day 2

For the second day of your trip, I recommend you spend the majority of it in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the city of Medora, North Dakota. This is about a 30-minute drive west of downtown Dickinson.

7. Dakota Diner

Start your day at the Dakota Diner in Dickinson, ND. You’ll find delicious homecooked classics, like omelets, fried eggs, bacon, and hash browns. The coffee is great too, which you can refill as much as you need since they leave the full coffee pot at your table.

8. Theodore Roosevelt National Park

The park is quite large and there are several scenic routes to drive and hike. I recommend you take the Scenic Highway Loop on the South Unit. This 36-mile out-and-back drive will take you past lookout points and short hikes. You’ll also likely see Hoodoo rocks, bison, prairie dogs, antelope, wild horses, and plenty of birds. If you’re looking to spend more time on your feet, check out the Wild Canyon Trail, a .4-mile steep climb with a spectacular view of the Little Missouri River, or the Ridgeline Trail Hike, a .6-mile walk exploring the Badlands.

9. Cowboy Cafe

Once you’ve worked up an appetite from time spent in the park, head over to Cowboy Cafe in downtown Medora for lunch. This cozy cafe serves American classics like tuna melts, burgers, and root beer floats. They don’t accept credit cards, so be sure to bring cash or a check.

10. Downtown Medora Shopping and Bars

Enjoy the afternoon walking around historic downtown Medora. You can easily spend a few hours checking out the gift shops, having a drink at one of the saloons, or visiting the Taffy Shop for some sweet treats!

11. Phat Fish Brewing

Head back to Dickinson for dinner and grab a meal at Phat Fish Brewing in Dickinson. It’s family-friendly and features a brewpub, taproom, and delicious pizza! They have a spacious indoor seating area and a sunny patio. We enjoyed sampling a few flights while munching on the pepperoni and garlic margarita pizzas.

12. Players Sports Bar & Grill

Players Sports Bar & Grill is a great gathering spot for locals and visitors for an evening nightcap or dessert. Grab a seat at the bar with a cold beer and watch the game!

Day 3

The third day of your trip will be spent at museums and learning more about the history of Dickinson and the Badlands region as a whole!

13. The Brew

Kick off the morning with breakfast at The Brew, an Episcopalian church turned coffee shop. This building is the oldest chapel in the city and was regularly visited by Theodore Roosevelt during his time in North Dakota. Enjoy freshly baked pastries and paninis alongside original stained glass windows while seated in original pews.

14. Ukrainian Cultural Institute

The Ukrainian Cultural Institute is free and features folk art cultural exhibits, religious displays, and a research library. The beautiful handcrafted “Psyanky” eggs showcased feature an individually created theme and story.

15. Theodore Roosevelt Center

This center is located on the Dickinson State University campus. Here you’ll learn about Theodore Roosevelt’s time in North Dakota and the work he did with photographer Edward S. Curtis to preserve and promote the stories and culture of Native Americans.

This exhibition is free and located inside Lowman Walton Hall, which can be tricky to find. The best thing to do is find parking on campus, then walk around as you look for the right building. It’s a small campus and you should be able to find a student to ask for directions if you need help.

16. Dickinson Museum Center

The Dickinson Museum Center’s 12-acre campus features the Badlands Dinosaur Museum, Joachim Regional History Museum, the Pioneer Machinery Hall, and Prairie Outpost Park. Enjoy 11 full-scale dinosaur skeletons, fossilized skeletons excavated from the region, and one of the world’s finest Triceratops skulls! Admission is $6/adults.

17. Blue 42

Located in historic downtown Dickinson, Blue 42 features burgers, chicken wings, pasta, sandwiches, and great beer on tap. It’s a casual place to grab lunch and watch the game.

18. JD’s BBQ

JD’s BBQ is a great spot for delicious BBQ! Enjoy pulled pork, smoked chicken, and brisket. And don’t miss out on the sides, like cornbread, slaw, and baked beans. They have both indoor and outdoor seating and are a family-friendly spot.

19. Roughrider Days Fair & Expo

The Roughrider Days Fair & Expo were happening during our time in Dickinson. There were many events like the demolition derby, fireworks and concerts to celebrate the Fourth of July. We enjoyed seeing country singer Dustin Lynch perform at the Stark County Fairgrounds. He put on a great show!

Day 4

On day four, you’ll likely pack up and head back to the Bismarck airport. Before you go, grab coffee and snacks, then enjoy the scenic drive as you head out of town.

20. Market Press Coffee

Market Press Coffee is a great spot to visit before you leave Dickinson and head home. It’s a locally owned coffee shop offering chia seed pudding, smoothies, Greek yogurt bowls, muffins, lattes, and sandwiches!

Plan Your Trip to Dickinson, ND

We had a great time visiting Dickinson, ND, and learned so much about the Badlands region. From arts and museums to a National park and so much history, Dickinson is a great place to visit! Looking for more unique travel ideas? Check out my blog posts on Fargo, ND, Rapid City, SD and 20 Must-See Stops Along Minnesota’s North Shore.