Hotel Blog

1. You can Attend North America’s Largest Scandinavian Festival

Now in its 40th year, Norsk Høstfest in September is a celebration of authentic Scandinavian cuisine, culture, music, art and style. Each Nordic nation has its own hall at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds in Minot. In each hall you’ll discover the distinct style and heritage of each country's cuisine, fashion, art and jewelry. You can indulge in Scandinavian culinary favorites like Swedish meatballs, Norwegian waffles, Danish aebleskivers, rømmegrøt and lefse. Or try a ‘Spud Hog’ – a Cloverdale sausage baked inside a potato that’s then topped with cheddar, bacon, sour cream or onions.
 

2. You can Celebrate Five Scandinavian Countries in One Place

Minot’s Scandinavian Heritage Park is the only park in the world that represents all five Scandinavian countries: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland.
 

3. You can Celebrate ‘Midsommer Natt’

Join thousands of Scandinavia-lovers on Midsummer’s Night as they revel in their love of all things Nordic at Minot’s Scandinavian Heritage Park on June 22.
 

4. You can Check out the Danish Windmill

The park’s Danish windmill was built in 1928 to pump water on Carl Olaf Olsen’s farm in Powers Lake, North Dakota. After his death in 1965 it was moved to Minot’s Roosevelt Park. In 1992 the windmill found its permanent home at the Scandinavian Heritage Park.
 

5. You can Play Norsk Monopoly

If you’re visiting Norsk Høstfest make sure you pick up a 40th anniversary edition of Høstfest-Opoly!
 

6. You can Visit the Vikings

Each year Norsk Høstfest hosts its very own Viking Village. Watch a battle, meet warriors, test your archery skills or see hot iron forged into traditional Viking items by the village’s blacksmiths. 
 

7. You can see a 30-Foot-Tall Horse

Minot’s Scandinavian Heritage Park is the proud owner of the 30-foot-tall Dala horse. These brightly colored horses take their name from the province of Dalarna in Sweden, where they’ve been lovingly carving them since the 1840s.
 

8. You can Meet Thorvold the Troll

Minot’s Visitor Center is housed in a beautiful Norwegian-style building in the Scandinavian Heritage Park, which is also the home of Thorvold the ‘Office Troll’. Stop by to meet Thorvold, pick up some maps or buy some authentic Scandinavian gifts. The Scandinavian Heritage Association, the Norsk Høstfest office and the Sons of Norway Thor Lodge are also located in the building.
 
The Astoria Minot is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking for a hotel close to the Scandinavian Heritage Park. Between the thriving arts scene and the city’s gorgeous parks, there is no shortage of fun things to do during your stay in Minot.