60 days in Minnesota, North Dakota & Montana Itinerary

Created using Inspirock United States tour itinerary planner
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Make it your trip
Fly
1
Minneapolis
— 8 nights
Fly
2
Duluth
— 7 nights
Drive
3
Grand Forks
— 4 nights
Drive
4
Fargo
— 6 nights
Drive
5
Bismarck
— 6 nights
Drive
6
Medora
— 6 nights
Drive to Glendive, Fly to Gardiner
7
Gardiner
— 2 nights
Drive
8
West Yellowstone
— 3 nights
Drive
9
Bozeman
— 6 nights
Drive
10
Helena
— 5 nights
Drive
11
Glacier National Park
— 6 nights
Fly

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Minneapolis — 8 nights

The City of Lakes

Minneapolis is known for fun & games, museums, and nature. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: browse the different shops at Mall of America, explore the world behind art at Minneapolis Institute of Art, take in the spiritual surroundings of Cathedral of Saint Paul, and walk around Minnehaha Park.

To find traveler tips, ratings, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Minneapolis trip planner.

Atlanta to Minneapolis is an approximately 4.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. You'll gain 1 hour traveling from Atlanta to Minneapolis due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Atlanta in November, plan for colder days in Minneapolis, with highs around 43°F, while nights are slightly colder with lows around 28°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Fri) to allow time to fly to Duluth.
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Parks · Museums · Zoos & Aquariums · Historic Sites
Side Trips
Find places to stay Nov 21 — 29:

Duluth — 7 nights

Zenith City of the Unsalted Seas

Explore Duluth's surroundings by going to Palisade Head (in Beaver Bay) and Two Harbors (Iona's Beach Scientific and Natural Area, Split Rock Lighthouse, &more). There's lots more to do: test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, relax and rejuvenate at Eagles Nest Massage Therapy, tour the pleasant surroundings at Canal Park, and contemplate the long history of Glensheen - The Historic Congdon Estate.

To see other places to visit, ratings, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Duluth holiday tool.

You can fly from Minneapolis to Duluth in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. In November in Duluth, expect temperatures between 40°F during the day and 28°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 6th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Grand Forks.
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Parks · Outdoors · Museums · Nature
Side Trips
Find places to stay Nov 29 — Dec 6:

Grand Forks — 4 nights

Venture out of the city with trips to Bemidji (Headwaters Science Center, Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, &more).

For traveler tips, where to stay, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Grand Forks itinerary builder tool.

Drive from Duluth to Grand Forks in 5 hours. Expect a bit cooler temperatures when traveling from Duluth in December; daily highs in Grand Forks reach 21°F and lows reach 5°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Fargo.
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Museums · Childrens Museums · Parks · Theme Parks
Side Trip
Find places to stay Dec 6 — 10:

Fargo — 6 nights

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Fargo: Maple River Winery (in Casselton), Fort Abercrombie State Historic Site (in Abercrombie) and Detroit Lakes (The Spa Within & Shady Hollow Flea Market).

For other places to visit, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Fargo attractions planning app.

Traveling by car from Grand Forks to Fargo takes 1.5 hours. In December, daily temperatures in Fargo can reach 24°F, while at night they dip to 9°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Mon) to allow time to drive to Bismarck.
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Museums · Shopping · Parks · Historic Sites
Side Trips
Find places to stay Dec 10 — 16:

Bismarck — 6 nights

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Bismarck: Scandinavian Heritage Park (in Minot), Washburn (Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center (LCIC) & Fort Mandan State Historic Site) and Huff Hills Ski Area (in Mandan).

To see traveler tips, more things to do, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Bismarck trip itinerary maker website.

Getting from Fargo to Bismarck by car takes about 3 hours. In December in Bismarck, expect temperatures between 26°F during the day and 7°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 22nd (Sun) early enough to go by car to Medora.
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Parks · Nature · Museums · Historic Sites
Side Trips
Find places to stay Dec 16 — 22:

Medora — 6 nights

Explore Medora's surroundings by going to Theodore Roosevelt National Park (Oxbow Overlook, Buckhorn Trail, &more) and Watford City (Longhorn Pullout, River Bend Overlook, &more). Spend the 26th (Thu) exploring nature at South Unit. Spend the 25th (Wed) exploring nature at Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

To find reviews, more things to do, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Medora itinerary planner.

Drive from Bismarck to Medora in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and car. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Bismarck to Medora. In December, plan for daily highs up to 28°F, and evening lows to 11°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Sat) early enough to travel to Gardiner.
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Parks · Nature · Historic Sites · Outdoors
Side Trips
Find places to stay Dec 22 — 28:

Gardiner — 2 nights

Start off your visit on the 29th (Sun): stroll through Wilderness Connection and then test the waters at Yellowstone Hot Springs. On the 30th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback and then hit the best photo ops around with an inspiring photography tour.

To find photos, where to stay, and tourist information, read Gardiner day trip website.

You can do a combination of car and flight from Medora to Gardiner in 4.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of car and bus. Plan for little chillier temperatures traveling from Medora in December, with highs in Gardiner at 21°F and lows at -1°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Mon) so you can drive to West Yellowstone.
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Outdoors · Tours · Wildlife · Spas
Find places to stay Dec 28 — 30:

West Yellowstone — 3 nights

Step out of West Yellowstone with an excursion to Lone Peak in Big Sky--about 1 hour away. There's still lots to do: explore the activities along Yellowstone River, take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback, head outdoors with Outdoor Activities, and see the world from above with a helicopter tour.

For reviews, other places to visit, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the West Yellowstone trip planner.

You can drive from Gardiner to West Yellowstone in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. December in West Yellowstone sees daily highs of 21°F and lows of -1°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Bozeman.
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Parks · Nature · Tours · Wildlife
Side Trip
Find places to stay Dec 30 — Jan 2:

Bozeman — 6 nights

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Bozeman: Yellowstone Guidelines (in Livingston), Virginia City (J.Spencer Watkins Memorial Museum & Cousin's Candy Shop) and Big Sky (Big Sky Resort, Ousel Falls Trail, &more).

To find other places to visit, photos, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Bozeman trip itinerary website.

Drive from West Yellowstone to Bozeman in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of shuttle and bus. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from West Yellowstone in January, with highs in Bozeman at 31°F and lows at 10°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 8th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Helena.
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Tours · Outdoors · Museums · Breweries & Distilleries
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jan 2 — 8:

Helena — 5 nights

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Helena: Butte (Granite Mountain Memorial Overlook, Headframe Spirits, &more), Great Falls (C.M. Russell Museum, Feather Your Nest, &more) and Missoula (Dragon Hollow Play Area & A Carousel for Missoula).

To find maps, more things to do, photos, and more tourist information, use the Helena trip planner.

You can drive from Bozeman to Helena in 2.5 hours. Another option is to do a combination of bus and car. Expect a daytime high around 32°F in January, and nighttime lows around 13°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 13th (Mon) so you can go by car to Glacier National Park.
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Parks · Trails · Breweries & Distilleries · Historic Sites
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jan 8 — 13:

Glacier National Park — 6 nights

Crown of the Continent

On the 16th (Thu), hike the day away at Highline Trail. There's still lots to do: explore the activities along Lake McDonald, admire all the interesting features of Going-to-the-Sun Road, tour the pleasant surroundings at Swiftcurrent Falls, and trek along Avalanche Lake.

To see reviews, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Glacier National Park trip planning site.

You can drive from Helena to Glacier National Park in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or do a combination of bus and car. January in Glacier National Park sees daily highs of 31°F and lows of 16°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Sun) early enough to fly back home.
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Parks · Outdoors · Trails · Nature
Find places to stay Jan 13 — 19:

Minnesota travel guide

4.5
Room Escape Games · Shopping Malls · Entertainment Centers
The Land of 10,000 Lakes
Deriving its name from the Dakota word for "land of sky-tinted water," Minnesota is a land of pristine lakes, pockets of dense green forests, and sprawling prairieland. Spend your vacation exploring the state's diverse landscape for endless outdoor activity and a chance to see some of the area's national monuments, or take a trip to the bustling St. Paul-Minneapolis area, a network of commerce and cultural attractions, including the famous Mall of America.
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North Dakota travel guide

4.6
National Parks · History Museums · Historic Sites
Geographic Center of the North American Continent
A primarily rural state, North Dakota is the ancient home of the Lakota tribe. Norwegian settlers once made up the European population, and one of the state's major attractions is the Norsk Høstfest, the largest Norwegian festival in the United States. The vast plains and never-ending sky inspire the many orchestras that call the state home. The spirituality of the music is second only to the spirituality of the people, as the state has the nation's highest percentage of churchgoing residents. The state's open fields are conducive to fishing, hunting, and winter activities.
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Montana travel guide

4.8
River Rafting & Tubing · Bodies of Water · Wildlife Areas
The Crown of the Continent
With a population of only one million, Montana remains an untouched natural paradise of snowcapped peaks, expansive forests, and alpine lakes, dotted with Old West ghost towns, Indian reservations, and progressive urban communities. Appreciate the state's unique charm and beauty with a trip to Glacier National Park, where you can come face-to-face with Montana wildlife among its high peaks. Head to the state's largest cities, Billings and Missoula, for an array of historical attractions and cultural sightseeing.
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