This gateway to the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park is very much tied to the history of the West. At the park's visitors center museum, you can relive that history through a collection of frontier artifacts and other memorabilia. The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame showcases the history of ranching, rodeo, Native Americans and the lifestyle of western ranchers.
For a lighter approach to history, you can attend a performance of the Medora Musical (held in an outdoor amphitheater early June to early September), which depicts the story of the state in dance and song, with special emphasis on Theodore Roosevelt's connection to the area and American patriotism.
The Pitchfork Steak Fondue restaurant is a great way to savor a steak while overlooking the badlands.
Visits to Chateau de Mores (the restored home of the town's founder, the Marquis de Mores, a French nobleman) and Sully Creek State Recreation Area (camping, hiking, canoeing and the trailhead for the 96-mi/155-km Maah Daah Hey) are recommended.
The Cowboy Poetry Gathering, an annual reunion of lariat lyricists, is held every Memorial Day weekend in Medora.
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