Overview
Jamestown is a city of 15,527 residents in the Coteaus and Plains area of North Dakota.
5 sights · 3 things to do · 3 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 12 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Jamestown
University of Jamestown
North Dakota State Hospital Museum
Frontier Village
Jamestown is home to "The World’s Largest Buffalo", named Dakota Thunder, a 60-ton cement sculpture that stands 26 feet (8 m) tall and stretches 46 feet (14 m) long. It was built in 1959. A number of old buildings were m…
North American Bison Discovery Center
See a buffalo herd and three albino buffalo, White Cloud, her son Dakota Miracle, and another albino calf, Dakota Legend. White buffalo are sacred to the Lakota people.
Fort Steward Historic Site
Disc Golf
See the Map of Course.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about -6°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and Jul. (climate data from nearby New Rockford)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- JMS Jamestown Regional Airport, Jamestown — 2 mi away. Directions
- DVL Devils Lake Regional Airport, Devils Lake — 84 mi away. Directions
- MSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field, Minneapolis — 298 mi away (major hub). Directions
Exits 256, 258, or 260 off I-94, about midway between Fargo and Bismarck
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $10–$20 a night (typical $16), from 4 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$50, mid-range ~$90, comfortable ~$190.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Frontier Village, North American Bison Discovery Center
- Lunch Paradiso
- Afternoon North Dakota State Hospital Museum, Disc Golf
- Dinner 1883
- Evening Buff Bar & Lounge
Day 2
- Morning Fort Steward Historic Site, Klaus Park Disc Golf Course
- Lunch Emma's Kuchen, LLC'
- Afternoon University of Jamestown, Island Course Disc Golf Course
- Evening Shady's
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Jamestown, "The Buffalo City", was originally named for the James river. It was first settled in 1872.
Peggy Lee, the jazz singer, Louis L'Amour, the western novelist, and Darin Erstad, the professional baseball player for the 2002 World Champion Anaheim Angels, are natives of Jamestown.
Get in
By car
Exits 256, 258, or 260 off I-94, about midway between Fargo and Bismarck
By plane
Go Jamestown Regional Airport (JMS)
Skywest as United Express operates nonstop service to Denver and to Devils Lake from Jamestown. The rest of the airport serves as a general aviation airport.
Get around
Go Jamestown Taxi Service
See
See Frontier Village
Jamestown is home to "The World’s Largest Buffalo", named Dakota Thunder, a 60-ton cement sculpture that stands 26 feet (8 m) tall and stretches 46 feet (14 m) long. It was built in 1959. A number of old buildings were moved in around it to create the Frontier Village, which today attracts over 100,000 people annually.
See Fort Steward Historic Site
Do
Do Klaus Park Disc Golf Course
An 18-hole recreational course with Innova Discatchers and cement tees.
Buy
Shop Buffalo Mall
Eat
Eat Emma's Kuchen, LLC'
Offers delicious, freshly-made foods.
Drink
Sleep
Stay Days Inn
Stay Jamestown Motel
Stay RiverSide Motel
Stay Super 8 Motel
Stay Frontier Fort Campground
Open: April thru November. 70 RV sites with full hookups, bar and grill, wildlife museum.
Stay Lakeside Marina Campground
Scenic Lakeside Grounds with cabins and RV as well as tent pads. Open May–October with full service hookups, bathing facilities, Marina Cafe and boat launch, swimming area, frisby golf, boat rental, and more.
Nearby
Dazey
City / town · 4 listings · 31 mi away
Valley City
City / town · 25 listings · 33 mi away
Edgeley
City / town · 8 listings · 38 mi away
Carrington
City / town · 32 listings · 42 mi away
Cooperstown
City / town · 15 listings · 46 mi away
Binford
City / town · 8 listings · 48 mi away
Dawson
City / town · 6 listings · 50 mi away
Buffalo
City / town · 4 listings · 54 mi away
My experience
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