Though it's diminutively referred to as the "Road to Nowhere" there's truly a plethora of things to enjoy along US-83. Not only will you witness firsthand the semi-arid steppes of America for most of the trip, you'll also discover the myriad of interesting, exciting, and curious attractions along the way. No matter what, you're sure to discover just how much awaits you along US-83's Road to Nowhere.
Beginning in Minot, North Dakota, visit the Gol Stave Church Museum. It's a replica of a famous Norwegian church that was built in the 1200s. The crazy building is located in the Scandinavian Heritage Park, where, you can also find a statue of Hans Christian Andersen, a Danish windmill, and 25-foot-tall Swedish Dala horse as well. With all of that, it does a pretty good job of paying tribute to all kinds of aspects of Scandinavian culture.
Also in Minot is Schatz Crossroads, a no-frills truck stop. This 24-hour diner serves up an amazing breakfast, but don't get too full on omelettes and hash browns, because this place is best known for their delectable pies, hand-baked by a longtime employee.
The Plains of North Dakota have a rich Native American history, and you can get a good taste of it at Fort Clark Historic Site. You'll find the archaeological remains of two settlements, built by the Arikara and Mandan tribes during the early 19th century. The site also touches on the history of Lewis and Clark.
Because the railroad has played such a huge role in the history of this part of the country, plan to stop at the North Dakota State Railroad in Mandan. Old buildings, vintage train cars, and all kinds of artifacts can be found at this little but well curated stop.
Once you reach Bismarck, head to the Peacock Alley American Grill and Bar. This classy joint is a Bismarck favorite, thanks to its delicious menu of rotating chef's specials, martinis and other craft cocktails, and its bacon grind burger, which has ground bacon added into the burger patty for a truly decadent meal.
If you need a hotel in Bismarck, Kays Bed and Breakfast is a great choice. This historic home has two guestrooms in it, both adorned with antiques and other interesting artifacts collected from Kay's travels. She also makes a great breakfast to send you off in a sunny mood!
If you've go a hankering for something sweet and homemade, stop in at Model Bakery in Linton, ND, where kuchen, donuts, bread, cookies, and other treats line the shelves of this small town bakery.
Whether or not you enjoy Lawrence Welk (or even know who he is, if you're a young 'un) there's no denying that he was an inspiring American who worked his way out of small-town North Dakota, with just an accordion and pure will. Welk was never supportive of the town restoring his birthplace (since he didn't have a very happy childhood), but the locals put a lot of love into this museum.
Next up: South Dakota! Get a sense for the culture of South Dakota by immersing yourself in the state's history, and all of the influences on it at the State Historical Society/Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. From Native Americans to early settlers, there's plenty to explore, and the museum's gorgeous displays do an excellent job of uncovering the rich history of the state.
The Plains states are known for being a great place to raise cattle, so you know that the steakhouses here not only have some of the best beef in the country, they also know how to cook it. Mad Mary's Steakhouse and Saloon in Pierre is an old-school joint that's renowned for their delicious prime rib and pork chops.
If you need a hotel in Fort Pierre, SD, Eagle's View Bed and Breakfast is an excellent choice. The location, on a bluff, offers great views of the rolling prairie and the Missouri River. The place was built fairly recently, so you don't have the creaky old floors and cramped shared bathrooms you get at most B&B's. It's definitely a quiet, relaxing place to spend the night.
In South Dakota, they have National Grasslands instead of National Forests! Part of Dances With Wolves was filmed at Fort Pierre National Grassland, so you can unleash your inner Kevin Costner here, or just spend a bit of time watching an adorable, bustling prairie dog town.
Even if you don't know a ton about cars, you'll be charmed by the Pioneer Auto Museum's collection of automobiles from the 1910's-1980's. And if that doesn't do it for you, they also have collections of old toys and other kitschy memorabilia, and a little recreation of a Wild West town for kids to explore.
Fried broccoli, funnel cake fries, and mac and cheese bites, as well as classics like shakes, burgers, and onion rings can be found on the menu of Murdo Drive-In, an old Murdo, SD roadside staple. Don't forget to finish off your meal with a swirl of soft serve!
Head down to Valentine, Nebraska's Smith Falls State Park for something to look at that isn't grassland! Take a canoe trip down the Niobrara River, or just enjoy the short hike to the rushing waterfall, the tallest in Nebraska. The canyon in which the falls are located has provided a good environment for trees to grow; not something you normally get to see in the Sand Hills of Nebraska.
Next up is North Platte, NE. Here you should stop at the Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center. Railroads might seem like a kind of outdated form of transportation, but a visit here will show you that trains are very much still running. This is the world's largest railroad classification yard, and tons of trains pass through here to be sorted or repaired as they make their way across the country. The Golden Spike Tower is the best place to view the organized chaos, and to learn about how the busy rail yard came to be.
Down the road is Penny's Diner. Located in a classic silver dining car, this retro diner still serves up really solid road food. You can't go wrong with the chicken fried steak or a breakfast special piled high with eggs, hash browns and sausage!
And if that's not enough for you, just over the border in Oberlin, Kansas is Frontier Restaurant. Home-cooked staples like biscuits and gravy and sandwiches make this place a reliably tasty place for a meal. If you can snag a peanut butter cinnamon roll, though, you'll definitely understand why the locals love this joint.
You're in Kansas, so why not spend the night in the Victorian West? The Landmark Inn at the Historic Bank of Oberlin has a special place in the town's past, and each room is not only done up in unique vintage charm, but they all have stories to them. Thankfully, amenities like wifi and TVs provide modern convenience.
Go back even further in time at the Fick Fossil and History Museum. It's free to check out their exhibits of fossils (seriously, when it comes to fossils, Kansas is super impressive: who knew you could find shark teeth here?), bones, folk art, and more.
The best time of year to take a road trip down America's Road to Nowhere is spring, summer and fall. Driving, particularly up north, is a bit precarious during winter, with unpredictable snowstorms hitting the plains. Summer time is high season for tourists, but luckily, the Road to Nowhere isn't particularly famous for its crowded motorists, so you're pretty safe whatever time of year you choose to travel down it.
