North Dakota & the Norsk Høstfest

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1: Monday, September 26
  Mpls/St. Paul—Fargo
  Arrive in Minneapolis/St. Paul per independent arrangements. Early morning departure for the Runestone Museum in Alexandria, MN to learn about the controversial and extensively researched Viking-era artifact discovered in 1898 on a Minnesota farm. View other interesting exhibits depicting Norse history and early pioneer life. Lunch. Continue to Fargo, North Dakota. Visit the Hjemkomst Interpretive Center to view the handcrafted Viking ship replica, which sailed to Norway in 1982, and the replica of the Hopperstad stave church. Evening free at West Acres Mall area to shop and enjoy a local restaurant. Overnight in Fargo.
• Day 2: Tuesday, September 27
  Fargo—Bismarck
  Depart for Bismarck. Stop in Jamestown to view the world’s largest buffalo statue. Tour the North Dakota Heritage Center, home to outstanding ethnic, archeological, Native American, and agricultural interpretive exhibits of North Dakota’s diverse history. Drive across the Missouri River to Ft. Abraham Lincoln. Tour the Custer House where legendary General George Custer headquartered prior to his “last stand.” Visit “On-A-Slant” Indian Village, a traditional Mandan Indian village with reconstructed earth lodges and other memorabilia. Dine in the Fort’s Commissary featuring entertainment depicting the Custer era. Overnight in Bismarck.
  [B, D]
• Day 3: Wednesday, September 28
  Excursion to Høstfest
  Depart for the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn, ND to learn about the explorers’ experiences with the Native American tribes during the winter of 1804-1805. Continue to Minot, North Dakota, home to the largest Scandinavian festival in the country. Enjoy the headliner concert and other scheduled entertainers, dine on traditional Scandinavian delicacies and view the varied crafts, clothing, and other items for sale. Overnight in Bismarck.
  [B]
• Day 4: Thursday, September 29
  Bismarck—Excursion to Høstfest—Grand Forks
  Depart for Minot to enjoy another day of the Høstfest celebration. Stop at the Scandinavian Heritage Park, where statues of Leif Ericson and Sondre Norheim (the father of modern skiing), as well as a replica of the Gol Stave Church, are displayed. Attend the day’s headliner concert and visit more of the Scandinavian pavilions that make each day at Høstfest a unique experience. Relax on the motor coach as group continues to Grand Forks, North Dakota.
  [B]
• Day 5: Friday, September 30
  Grand Forks—Mpls/St. Paul
  Learn about efforts to preserve and strengthen Scandinavian heritage in the U.S. through the “Nordic Initiative” committee and the University of North Dakota “Bygdebok” collection, recently named the “Arne G. Brekke Bygdebok Collection” in honor of Arne Brekke who was instrumental in assembling one of the most important Norwegian genealogy collections in the country. Continue to Minneapolis where the tour ends at central location to be announced.
  [B]