U.S. Route 12 Road Trip

Once you take Route 12 into Eau Claire, pose for pictures with the statue of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Big Blue Ox (since you're in one of the legendary giant's supposed hometowns), and learn about what it was like to be a logger like ol' Paul Bunyan at the Paul Bunyan Logging Camp Museum.

The Covington Inn is easily the coolest and most unique hotel in Minnesota. There aren't many floating B&Bs in the country, you know! The 1946 tugboat has four rooms, all adorned with nautical antiques. The views of downtown from the water are great, especially at night, and the hosts are super accommodating.

The 11-acre Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is run by the Walker Art Museum, and it has nearly 40 sculptures for you to see, including the iconic "Spoonbridge and Cherry." The garden is beautiful, and it's always fascinating to see art outside the gallery, so take some time to explore.

There are tons of incredibly restaurants in Minneapolis and St. Paul; the Twin Cities are foodie destinations. Whether you visit Eat Street Social for brunch or dinner, you're sure to leave stuffed. Their offerings are imaginative, the space is cool, and the drinks are awesome, so you can't exactly go wrong with anything here!

Okay, who wouldn't want to at least grab one drink at Donny Dirk's Zombie Den, a psychobilly/dive bar-themed craft cocktail lounge? This place is low key but serves some really outstanding beverages. It's the kind of place you'll wish you lived nearby so that you could make it your regular hangout.

The Runestone Museum in Alexandria, MN is a local gem that will take you on a journey through time. From displays on Native Americans in the region, to ancient Vikings, to Norwegian immigrants, to a recreation historical village, there's a surprising amount to see and do here. Plus, you'll learn about the mysterious Kensington Runestone, a stone tablet discovered nearby in 1898 that appears to somehow date back to the 1300's. Definitely a fun stop off Route 12!

The "booming" at the World's Largest "Booming" Prairie Chicken refers to the chicken's puffed-out cheeks, a sure sign in prairie chickens that they're ready to attack. It helps to keep in mind that while prairie chickens could once be found all across the region, they're way more scarce now, so study the statue and keep your eyes peeled for these suckers, because they're not something you see every day. Plus, no road trip is complete without checking out at least one massive roadside sculpture.

There's more Scandinavian-themed fun to be had in Moorhead, MN at the Hjemkomst Center. Here, you'll find a beautiful replica of the Hopperstad Stave Church in Vic Norway, as well as a working replica of a Viking ship called the Hjemkomst, which is from the Norwegian word for "homecoming".

The Hotel Donaldson in Fargo, ND is a boutique hotel so cool, you might not want to leave. And with the suites all decorated by different local artists, the cozy beds, and the hip rooftop bar, you don't exactly have to!

Beer halls are always a good time, and Wurst Bier Hall in Fargo is a place that does everything right, with German fusion food (Philly cheesesteak sausage, flights of bacon, poutine and more are great for soaking up the booze). They also have a massive selection of beers, of course. If you're feeling brave, go for Das Boot!

If you've ever seen the movie Fargo, you'll want to stop by the Fargo-Moorehead Visitor Center, not too far off Route 12, because they have the woodchipper used in the film on display, along with other memorabilia from the movie. There's even a replica of the woodchipper outside in case you stop by when they're closed, which is really super of them.

North Dakota was once covered in herds of majestic buffalo, and you can still find them across the state to this day. The North American Bison has played a massively important role in the state's history and culture, though, and you can learn all about them at the Frontier Village and National Buffalo Museum in Jamestown, ND.

When you're hungry, head to the Blarney Stone Pub in Bismarck. This Irish pub really nails it: the classic food (think bangers and mash and burgers), the Guinness and huge selection of beers (go for something local, though), and the incredibly friendly atmosphere make this a fun place to grab a meal and a pint.

Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park in Mandan is where Custer and his men rode out from right before their infamous Last Stand. This old fort has that bit of history going for it, but the park also has some really awesome recreations of the kinds of earthworks built by the Mandan tribe who also lived in the area. Plus, it's a great place to appreciate the rolling plains that make up the North Dakota landscape.

Since you're in North Dakota, why not stay in a gorgeously restored historic log cabin? The Diamond Bar Bed and Breakfast in Medora has every modern convenience, but they'll still make you a home-cooked, ranch-style breakfast, and offer "guitar-pickin and story-tellin' upon request".

Grab a bite to eat at Boots Bar and Grill. This is the best place to chat with the locals over an elk burger and a local craft brew.

While you're in Medora, explore North Dakota's rugged badlands at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It's not hard to see why Teddy Roosevelt fell in love with this part of the country and the Wild West lifestyle in general. It really is beautiful, and there's something so exhilarating about the untamed landscape.

Over in Worden, Montana, you can climb to the top of Pompeys Pillar National Monument and take in the outstanding views, but the natural feature probably best known for the Native American pictographs and the signatures from pioneers passing by. You can even find some famous names here- like that of William Clark, from the famed Lewis and Clark expedition.

Relax with a glass of wine and some charcuterie at The Fieldhouse Cafe in Billings. Or stop by for a fresh, locally-sourced dinner or a boozy brunch. There aren't many places in Montana where you can get a kale salad with quinoa dressing, but this is one of them.