North Dakota museums play an integral role in promoting the state and its intriguing history. Tourist draw a deeper understanding of state history through thousands of carefully arranged and managed exhibits and artifacts. Museums in North Dakota highlight facts from the past that shed light on life before we knew it. A closer look at these facts paints a better picture of what the Plains lifestyle must have been like. Historic house museums in Bismarck, Medora, and Grand Forks are of particular interest, and there are several other outstanding museums in North Dakota that shouldn't be missed. Whether you're a history buff or are just interested in a certain subject, there are North Dakota museums covering plenty of topics, including old-style farming, magnificent art, and fascinating wildlife.

Fargo Air Museum

Anyone interested in aviation should make a visit to Fargo a priority to see the Fargo Air Museum, one of the best city attractions in North Dakota. The Fargo Air Museum is one of many North Dakota museums that takes restoration, preservation, and education to a high level. The aircraft on display cover a wide variety of planes that rotate on a regular basis, giving an overview of different flight models. Many of the planes featured are from World War II, the Korean War and the Sino-Japanese War. Kids love the interactive cockpit, which they can climb into and pretend to fly their own plane.

National Buffalo Museum

Jamestown is home to the National Buffalo Museum, which supports and manages its own herd of bison at nearby Frontier Village. The main attractions focus on the culture of the plains and the history of bison, Plains Native Indian artifacts, an extensive artwork collection, and nineteenth-century firearms. Little ones love the children's area at the National Buffalo Museum, where the rich wildlife of North Dakota is displayed.

North Dakota Map

North Dakota Museum of Art

Art enthusiasts should plan a visit to Grand Forks to explore the impressive North Dakota Museum of Art. Promoting international, national, and regional artwork, the museum strives to offer a variety of contemporary art and to enhance the cultural lives of both natives and visitors. Established in the 1970s, the North Dakota Museum of Art features both touring and permanent exhibits. The museum also hosts special events such as literary readings, show openings, and a Sunday afternoon concert series.

Dakota Dinosaur Museum

The North Dakota Dinosaur Museum preserves and displays a vast number of fossils for the public's benefit. It is one of the most-visited museums in North Dakota. More than 13,000 square feet of museum space, funded by the city of Dickinson, contains eleven exceptional, full-scale dinosaurs and three outdoors. This enthralling exhibit at the Dakota Dinosaur Museum includes a real triceratops skull considered to be one of the best specimens ever discovered, as well as a full triceratops skeleton.