July 21-27, 2013

North Dakota is often the last state Americans click off their Bucket List in their quest to visit all 50 states, and that’s a shame, because so much history happened here.  Many American icons passed this way, some on their way to destiny, like George Armstrong Custer; some who changed history like Lewis & Clark and Sacagawea; and at least one of whom claimed he would never have been President if it hadn’t been for the time he spent in western Dakota.   This seven-day program offers hospitality, diversity and American history in one affordable package.

Begins and ends in Fargo, ND

Included in Fees: 6 nights’ lodging, deluxe motorcoach, professional tour director/historian, 3 evening meals, 1 luncheon, 7 breakfasts, park entrance fees, admission fees as noted, airport transfers, group photo, baggage handling (1 bag per pax)

 $1052 (Double) | $1480 (Single)

Tour highlights:

• International Peace Garden
• Hjemkomst Center / Viking ship reproduction
• National Buffalo Museum
• buffalo herd with three genuine white buffalo
• Fort Union Trading Post
• Medora Musical
• pitchfork fondue
• Theodore Roosevelt National Park
• Knife River Indian Villages
• Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
• Fort Mandan
• Fort Abraham Lincoln
• Custer House interpretive tour
• North Dakota Heritage Center
• Missouri River dinner cruise

Tour Itinerary:

Day # 1 – Arrivals – Fargo

Welcome to Legendary North Dakota! You will be met today at the Fargo, ND airport and transported to our hotel. Ourjourney begins at the Sons of Norway lodge – the largest in the world – for some authentic Norwegian fare and entertainment (yah, sure!). Overnight in Fargo. (D)

Day # 2 – Legendary Scandinavians and Bison

This morning we’ll visit the Hjemkomst Center, which houses the 76-foot, hand-built Viking ship, Hjemkomst. In 1982 Robert Asp sailed this very ship 6,000 miles to Norway, the land of his ancestors. From Fargo, we’ll travel to Jamestown where we will visit the Frontier Village & National Buffalo Museum, where in addition to a live buffalo herd containing not one but three albino buffalo, we’ll learn how the bison helped shape the West. Also located here is a recreated and restored authentic pioneer town, including a jail, post office, barber shop, and Louis L’Amour’s cabin complete with his original writing desk. Overnight: Spirit Lake Casino & Resort on the Devil’s Lake Indian Reservation. (B)

Day # 3 – International Peace Garden

It’s just a short drive to today’s highlight: the world’s only International Peace Garden. Devoted to World Peace since 1932, and located on the U.S. and Canadian borders of North Dakota and Manitoba, the 2,339 acre Botanical Garden is a symbol of friendship as it straddles the world’s longest unfortified border. We’ll explore the Formal Gardens, terraced walkways, reflecting pools and dazzling colorful floral displays of over 150,000 flowers, and enjoy lunch before moving on to the latter-day oil boom-town of Williston, on the western border of the state. (B, L)

Day # 4 – Teddy Roosevelt’s Dakota

This morning we’ll tour nearby Fort Union, the beautifully restored fur trading post established by John Jacob Astor’s American Fur Company in 1822. Now a National Historic Site, this fort was the most important fur trading post on the Missouri River between 1822 and 1867. From the fur trade to cattle ranching, our next stop is Medora, where Teddy Roosevelt formulated many of his conservation ideas and rugged personal qualities. We’ll enjoy a unique pitchfork fondue and cap the day off with the much-acclaimed Medora Musical. Overnight in Medora. (B, D)

Day # 5 – Legendary Sacagawea / Lewis & Clark

This morning we’ll visit the national park named for the “bully” president and tour his cabin home. Next we’ll travel to the only park in the National Park System commemorating the Plains Indian: Knife River Indian Villages. It was here that Lewis & Clark first met Sacagawea, who played such a pivotal role in their expedition to the western sea. The outstanding interpretive center and model earth lodge shed light on the people who continually inhabited this site for as long as 500-600 years ago to 1845. Next we’ll move on to the site where the Corps of Discovery wintered under the watchful eyes of the Mandan and Hidatsa. We’ll tour the Fort Mandan replica and the newly expanded Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center which features fascinating interactive displays highlighting the Lewis & Clark Expedition in North Dakota. Overnight: Country Inn & Suites, Bismarck. (B)

Day # 6 – Legendary Custer

Fort Abraham Lincoln was Lt. Col G.A. Custer’s last assignment before riding off into history. The Custer home and many of the post’s original buildings have been painstakingly reconstructed here. We’ll tour the rebuilt Custer House and learn what life was like at a remote frontier army post. This afternoon we’ll tour the excellent North Dakota Heritage Center and have our group photo taken at the Sacagawea statue. Tonight we’ll enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise on the Lewis & Clark Riverboat as the sun sets over the Missouri River. Overnight again at the Country Inn & Suites in Bismarck. (B,D)

Day # 7 – Farewells

Our exploration of North Dakota’s legends is nearly over. Today we’ll reflect on the influence of these legends had on America’s history as we return to Fargo for afternoon departures. Airport transfers included. (B)