As the fourth-largest city in North Dakota and home to both a large Air Force base and state university, Minot is the major urban hub of its region. Its parks, cultural institutions, annual festivals and opportunities for outdoor recreation create an array of enjoyable options for visitors. Stop in at Minot's Visitor Center—an attraction in and of itself—to discover what the city has in store for your family.
Long Winters and Short Summers
Minot has four distinct seasons, with temperatures extreme enough to dictate outdoor activities. Winters are long, cold and snowy, with average highs below 40 from November through March. The coldest month is January, with an average low of only 4 degrees so be sure to pack lots of warm clothes. The average annual snowfall is 47 inches, so you can expect plenty of the white stuff, at least eight months out of the year. Summers are warm, however, with highs in the 70s and low-80s from June to September.
Scandinavian Heritage and Outdoor Fun
Get acquainted with the city by taking a walk or bike ride along the 2.5-mile Minot Riverwalk. Fun places for kids include Roosevelt Park Zoo, with more than 200 animals, and the Scandinavian Heritage Park, the only park in the world to represent all five Nordic countries. See a 230-year-old house from Norway, a 27-foot Swedish Dala horse and a Danish windmill. Minot also celebrates its Scandinavian heritage during the fall with the annual Norsk Hostfest. Go back to the land of Vikings with live battles, blacksmith forging and lots of Nordic food. In July, Minot hosts the North Dakota State Fair. Enjoy the outdoors with a fishing or hunting trip, or play a round at one of Minot's two golf courses. Outdoor fun isn't off the table during the winter—Minot offers cross-country skiing and snowmobile trails, as well as a sledding area at Souris Valley Golf Course. Try your hand at ice fishing on the nearby lakes.
Air Force and Petroleum
Minot Air Force Base is the city's largest employer. In the private sector, Trinity Health dominates, with service/retail industries and construction companies also present. The petroleum industry has long played an important role in the local economy, and it's grown with the development of fracking technology. Public schools and Minot State University are also significant employers.
Getting There and Around
Three main highways connect Minot with major cities in the United States and Canada. U.S. 2 goes east to Grand Forks and west into Montana. U.S. 83 makes its way south to Bismarck, or north to the Air Force Base, then to the border of Manitoba. U.S. 52 merges with I-94, which travels east to Fargo, or northwest to the border of Saskatchewan. Minot International Airport is served by Allegiant, United and Delta airlines, through which you can fly to and from Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver and Minneapolis/St. Paul. Car rentals are available at the airport, but Minot also has an Amtrak Station served by the Empire Builder line.
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