If you’re looking for a unique Midwest getaway full of history, small-town charm, and bison, add Jamestown, North Dakota to your travel list. Nicknamed the “Buffalo City,” Jamestown offers a blend of wild prairie life, a great Bison museum (and tour!), and yummy local eats that make it a perfect road trip stop or weekend destination.
Here’s everything we did on our visit to Jamestown—including can’t-miss attractions, eats, and local gems.
Start with a Bison Tour at the North American Bison Discovery Center
Our first stop? The North American Bison Discovery Center. This isn’t your average museum—here, you can book a guided bison tour and ride out into the prairie to see a herd up close. The guides were so nice and informative and you always keep a safe distance from the Bison! I learned so much about bison just on this little tour alone! They also bring along bison treats so you can feed them too! You can book a tour on Fridays or Saturdays, so it’s smart to plan ahead!
After the tour, we explored the museum at the North American Bison Discovery Center. I highly recommend visiting and wandering through. The museum delves deeper into the story of the American bison, featuring artifacts, art, and even a full-size taxidermied bison. One of the bison on display is their unique albino bison, named White Cloud, which called Jamestown its home for nearly its whole life. It’s fascinating to learn about this unique bison’s story and how its legacy endures!
Step Back in Time at Frontier Village
Right next to the museum is Frontier Village, a collection of original and reconstructed buildings from the pioneer era—including a saloon, jailhouse, barbershop, and church. Take some time to stroll through – you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a Western film set. You can peek into most of the buildings, too. Some are now turned into souvenir shops, art galleries, and some are displayed just how they might have be back in the pioneer era. There are so many fun photo ops here, so bring your camera!
Snap a Photo with the World’s Largest Buffalo
You can’t leave Jamestown without a photo in front of the World’s Largest Buffalo Monument —a 26-foot-tall and 60-ton concrete sculpture that’s been watching over the prairie since 1959. You’ll find it just at the end of Frontier Village (but you can also see it from the interstate!). It’s quirky, iconic, and just the right amount of roadside Americana. It’s been one of the most popular Midwest roadside attractions for over 50 years!
Try Traditional Kuchen at the General Store
After exploring Frontier Village and the Buffalo Museum, take a break and grab a treat. I loved the General Store inside Frontier Village, and it has just the thing to satisfy a sweet tooth: kuchen. It is a traditional German-Russian pastry that’s a North Dakota specialty. I tried the chocolate and it was buttery, sweet, and paired nicely with ice cream too! If you’re not in the mood for kuchen, they have several flavors of ice cream to choose from and other sweet treats! The shop inside has some great local North Dakota souvenirs as well.
Grab a Bison Burger at Buffalo Grill
For lunch, we doubled down on the bison theme and ordered bison burgers at Buffalo Grill in town. It was one of the most recommended spots to grab lunch or dinner, so it made our choice even easier! Leaner than beef but packed with flavor, they serve their bison burger with jalapeño jam, candied bacon and pepper jack cheese. Yum!
Coffee Break at Babbs Coffee House
To keep the energy going, we grabbed an afternoon latte from Babbs Coffee House, a cozy local café with eclectic decor and friendly staff. I loved this spot so much that I could have hung out here all day! We enjoyed it so much we came back the next day and tried their food and wow, everything was delicious and so fresh! I had the acai bowl and Eric had a panini – both were so good. This place is definitely my top recommendation in Jamestown.
Vintage Finds at Junk in the Trunk
I love shopping locally wherever we travel, so this was no different, and lately, I’ve been seeking out antique stores. One of my favorite surprises in Jamestown was Junk in the Trunk. It’s a vintage and antique store with some serious treasure-hunting potential – I was shocked at how big the store is! Since we travel full-time, we don’t have a ton of room for many treasures, but I’ve been collecting vintage postcards of places we’ve visited or places we are going! It’s fun to see the changes from the past to the present. If that’s not your thing, don’t fret, this shop has everything! From signage to funky glassware, this place is a must-visit for anyone who loves thrifting.
Local Beer at Drift Prairie Brewing
We wrapped up the day with a craft beer at Drift Prairie Brewing. I loved the vibe here and we also met the nice people! It’s a fun and relaxed space with quite a menu of food offerings, too. We tried the wings and they were very good so I recommend those! The tap list featured everything from hoppy IPAs to wheat beers— and even some fun seasonal summer beers too – perfect after a full day of exploring. Check their calendar as they have some fun events throughout the week and/or season!
Don’t Miss the Interactive Food Mural
Before heading out of town, we stopped by the local grocery store, Hugo’s Family Marketplace, known for its colorful interactive food mural—a playful, community-driven art installation that celebrates North Dakota. It’s a not-so-hidden gem at 250 feet long but makes you smile (and is great for Instagram, too). Take a photo feeding an ice cream cone to a bison, roasting a marshmallow, or even holding up a fruit-inspired umbrella. It’s super cute!
Why Visit Jamestown, North Dakota?
Jamestown may be small, but it packs in a lot of heart, history, and hometown pride. Whether you’re interested in wildlife, frontier stories, quirky art, or local eats, there’s something in Jamestown to make your trip unforgettable.
✨ Quick Guide to Jamestown, ND:
- 📍 Where to Go: North American Bison Discovery Center, Frontier Village, World’s Largest Buffalo
- 🥘 Where to Eat: General Store (kuchen), Buffalo Grill (bison burger), Babs Coffee House
- 🛍️ Where to Shop: Junk in the Trunk
- 🍻 Where to Drink: Drift Prairie Brewing
- 🎨 Hidden Gem: Interactive food mural at Hugo’s Family Marketplace
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If you’re traveling through North Dakota, make sure Jamestown is on your route. It’s a town that knows how to preserve the past, celebrate the present, and welcome you with open arms (and a giant bison).