Best Underrated Cities to Visit in the US in 2025
Medora, North Dakota
– Closest major airport: Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport (DIK)
– Alternate route: Fly into Bismarck (BIS) and drive two hours to Medora
Medora is a tiny town situated in western North Dakota, about a 30-minute drive from the border with Montana. With a population of about 300 to 400 people during the summer and just under 200 in the winter, it can be speculated that Medora is home to more bison than people. But that’s exactly what makes Medora special: the tightly knit local community welcomes tourists and seasonal workers alike to share the wonder of the town and the land that surrounds it.
Those looking for a taste of life in the Old West will certainly find it here. The town has only two or three bars and saloons, and it’s not uncommon for patrons to ride up on their horses and tie them outside while they head in for a drink. Medora is also home to the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame as well as Chimney Park, where the ruins of the Marquis de Mores’s meat packing plant still stand. A visit to the Chateau de Mores State Historic Site will tell you more about Medora’s resident influential French politician and his doings in the area.
Medora’s culture and natural landscape also greatly influenced the life and mindset of Theodore Roosevelt. To teach locals and visitors about the former president’s role in the community, Joe Wiegand, the world’s premier Theodore Roosevelt repriser, frequently takes up residence in Medora during summer. It was also the landscape in and around Medora that inspired Roosevelt to draw up the conservation policy surrounding national parks – but more on that later.
In the summer, Medora is largely run by the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, the nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the history and natural landscape of the area. The foundation puts on a nightly musical, known as the Medora Musical, during summer at the Burning Hills Amphitheatre. The musical features performances that pay homage to the story of this town and the characters that made it great. For dinner before the show, head to the Pitchfork Steak Fondue, where New York Strip Steaks are prepared on pitchforks.
My Personal Favorite in Medora
Perhaps the most notable thing about Medora is the outdoor activities it offers. The Maah Daah Hey bike trail is open year round, while the Bully Pulpit Golf Course has been ranked as one of the most beautiful in the country. The true gem of the surrounding landscape, though, is Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This park is home to an incredible badlands landscape as well as plenty of bison, prairie dogs, elk and more. The views are incredible, whether you’re driving the Scenic Loop or headed out to Painted Canyon.
LITTLE PICTURES. BIG MOMENTS.