Scandinavian Heritage Park

Learn about Scandinavian culture and history.

There is a rich Scandinavian heritage in North Dakota. You can see a Finnish sauna, a Danish windmill, several statues, and a flag display at this heritage center. A large granite map is located at the entrance to the park with the 5 Scandinavian countries: Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. The most notable building within the park is the Gol Stave church museum. This is a full-size replica of a Norwegian church, and the intricate details of the building were handcrafted with the help of Wisconsin woodcarvers Philip Odden and Elsa Bigton. If you need a place to sit down outside, head to the Nordic Pavilion. The arts in the park summer concert series is held annually at this pavilion by the local Scandinavian community members.

The Scandinavian Heritage Park visitor center hours are seasonally open from mid-May to Labor Day. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 am to 4 pm, and Sunday from 12 pm to 4 pm. Be sure to stop by the massive Swedish Dala horse for a photo opportunity before you go. This is a unique place to visit if you're in Minot, North Dakota.