What a great day to be heading west! The clouds and colors were amazing!
First stop Hidden Springs Java for an iced coffee, the White Chocolate Frappe with an extra shot of espresso was perfect for a pre-park pick-me-up!
 |
| Hidden Springs Java |
Theodore Roosevelt National Park - South Unit
 |
| Theodore Roosevelt National Park - South Unit |
Theodore Roosevelt National Park Visitors Center - a great place to learn more about Theodore Roosevelt AND about programs and safety (including Road Conditions) in the park. Our Interpreter was awesome - he practically bounced out of his chair to share stories!
Wildlife!
 |
| Bison by the Old East Entrance Trail |
 |
| Picnic with the Prairie Dogs! |
First museum - Chateau de Morse Interpretive Center - living history at its best. We love when Interpreters get into character! During the living history performance, we learned about the Marquis de Morse and how he named the town Medora for his wife, the marquise. Medora was an excellent huntress and horseback rider.
 |
| Rough Riders Hotel |
Rough Riders Hotel - expensive AND worth the splurge. AC, central location, comfy bed, nice shower, Theodore Roosevelt teddy bear, and book on Medora history - what more could you want?
 |
| Check out the room… our own Teddy! |
 |
| And the shower… with the Elkhorn and Chimney Butte Ranch branding iron signs! |
Around town…
 |
| Gotta Find the Theodore Roosevelt Statue! |
If you think this museum is just about cowboys, you would be wrong! True, the second level is dedicated to the Cowboy Hall of Fame inductees – which include several cowgirls, but the main level includes North Dakota, American Indian and the importance of the horse, and Rodeo history. Many of the components are interactive and children’s admission is FREE on Wednesdays and Sundays.
 |
| Little Missouri Saloon & Dining |
Found a great spot with a view for dinner - Little Missouri Saloon & Dining. Head upstairs to the second floor balcony for the view!
Medora Musical - a must see if you like country music and want to learn more about the history of Medora - plus most shops and some restaurants close before the musical starts at 7:30 pm.
 |
| Burning Hills Amphitheatre |
Dinner is pretty spendy but breakfast is reasonably priced at the Rough Rider Theodore’s Dining Room. Service was quick and the food was tasty! Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and the Farmers Bowl… yum!
 |
| Breakfast at Theodore's Dining Room |
Favorite stores...
Best stores for history bluffs and book lovers? Western Edge Books, Artwork, Music
 |
| Roosevelt's Outpost |
If you are looking for outdoor gear, books, postcards, AND information about Theodore Roosevelt, then this is the store for you!
Joe Farris General Store
 |
| Joe Farris General Store |
We could have spent way more time at the general store looking at the color by sticker books, cool socks, books, t-shirts, wooly slippers, souvenirs, post cards, quotes, AND learning about the town from the knowledgeable staff, but we were getting hungry!
Favorite place to hang out?
The Town Square Patio, sitting under the LARGE umbrellas, listening to FREE music, and grabbing a Maltese Burger and fries. Yum!
 |
| Town Square Patio |
 |
| Maltese Burger |
Tips:
If you need a doctor… go to Dickinson!
Musical Parking tip - book the $5 shuttle in advance, it fills up. If you are like us, terrified of waiting in line, leave a little early and watch the fireworks from the top.
Medora Bathroom tip - go to the museums! They all have nice bathrooms! There are public restrooms in downtown Medora, but we never had to use them because we stayed downtown and went to museums and one bar/restaurant.
 |
| The only doctor in town... is a chiropractor! |
Freebies:
Harold Schafer Heritage Center - FREE ADMISSION to the museum and art gallery dedicated to Harold's legacy and the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation. Harold purchased and rebuilt most of Medora and made it what it is today.
Where is the children’s park with the most spectacular backdrop? Medora Children’s Park – on the corner of Broadway and 5th Street!
If you know a fourth grader – check out the Every Kid in a Park program. Fourth graders who participate earn a FREE year long National Park Pass.
More photos of Medora and the Theodore Roosevelt National Park:
No comments:
Post a Comment