Minot
Discover Minot
Minot is a city in the Lakes and Gardens region of North Dakota with an estimated 48,000 inhabitants in 2020. Known as the Magic City, it's a significant rail hub (for freight, anyway). However, its location deep within North America and off the Interstate System generally means you don't see Minot if you don't plan on it. The Souris River goes through the middle of town, carving a valley in the middle of flat prairie. The town arose in 1880s as a stop along the Great Northern railway. During Prohibition the city became a nexus for alcohol smuggling. After World War II the city settled down into quiet suburbanation. Today Minot is best known for the US Air Force base north of town. You can drive to Canada in just over an hour.
What to Experience in Minot
Taste of Minot...
Food is pretty cheap in Minot. You're looking at $10 tops per person in most cases, maybe $20 at some of the nicer sit-down restaurants. If you really want to pull out on the stops, it is theoretically possible to spend $50 a plate at a handful of places in town... if you care to. You will not need a reservation for any restaurant in town. Some restaurants do have private rooms that can be reserved, which are generally for business or political meetings. National and global fast food chains are present in Minot. Accommodations are easy to find in Minot -- except during the State Fair and Høstfest. Be sure to reserve your rooms well in advance if you're planning to stay during late July and early October. There is little crime in Minot. Most residents do lock their doors, but in wintertime many people leave their cars running in parking lots as they run their errands. Probably the most significant danger comes from city traffic. Pedestrians should yield to oncoming traffic -- most people will not stop to let you by, even at crosswalks. Also, drunk and exhibition driving is a risk late on weekends. Stay alert on the roads at those times. Minot has excellent telecommunications infrastructure; the telephone system is modern, internet access is ubiquitous, and cellular coverage within the city is excellent. Analog and digital PCS, CDMA and GSM networks are available. Coverage in the city and along the roads is excellent.
Climate
While North Dakota is typically associated with a cold climate, the weather actually has its extremes, and Minot reaches temperatures of 90s F (sometimes even 100s) in the summer months. 48.259444-101.2802781 Minot International Airport (MOT ), 305 N Airport Rd (2 miles north of downtown Minot on Broadway (US 83), at northside of town). The airport is served by Allegiant (Las Vegas, Orlando Sanford Airport, Phoenix-Mesa Airport), Delta/Delta Connection (Minneapolis-St Paul) and United/United Express (Denver and Houston). There are taxis, rideshare (Lyft & Uber), and hotel shuttles to bring you into town locally. There are also car rentals available from the airport which is the preferred method for greater flexibility in getting around to the surrounding areas. See this Link for a list of ground transport options. Minot's location towards the center of the continent places it well off the beaten path for travelers. Most commonly, visitors are passing by.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple Options48.259444-101.2802781 Minot International Airport (MOT ), 305 N Airport Rd (2 miles north of downtown Minot on Broadway (US 83), at northside of town). The airport is served by Allegiant (Las Vegas, Orlando Sanford Airport, Phoenix-Mesa Airport), Delta/Delta Connection (Minneapolis-St Paul) and United/United Express (Denver and Houston). There are taxis, rideshare (Lyft & Uber), and hotel shuttles to bring you into town locally. There are also car rentals available from the airport which is the preferred method for greater flexibility in getting around to the surrounding areas. See this Link for a list of ground transport options. Minot's location towards the center of the continent places it well off the beaten path for travelers. Most commonly, visitors are passing by. Often they are taking the scenic route west through Montana (or coming from that direction). Also, many Canadian tour buses bound for points east (Minneapolis, Chicago, etc....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Unless you've brought a bicycle and happen to be in good shape, you aren't getting anywhere in Minot without a car. Some public transit is available at certain times, but for visitors it's more trouble than it's worth. Avis (+1 701 838-7665), Hertz (+1 701 852-0104), and National (+1 701 852-5115) are at the airport. There is a Rent-a-Wreck (838-0098) at a Sinclair gas station three (hilly) blocks south of the Amtrak station. There is an Enterprise location (+1 701 838-3800) on the south end of town. Enterprise and Rent-a-Wreck will pick you up; Avis, Hertz, and National are oriented primarily towards airline travelers. Minot City Transit provides service. There is no bus stop at the Amtrak station. Also, there is no common transfer stop between routes. Buses run every hour between 9AM and 5PM, Monday through Friday. Two trips run between 6:55AM to 8:30AM on school days and again between 2:55PM and 4:30PM Fare is $1.25. Children under 6 pay no fare. Monthly passes for adults are $34.
Where to Stay
Accommodations are easy to find in Minot -- except during the State Fair and Høstfest. Be sure to reserve your rooms well in advance if you're planning to stay during late July and early October. There is little crime in Minot. Most residents do lock their doors, but in wintertime many people leave their cars running in parking lots as they run their errands. Probably the most significant danger comes from city traffic. Pedestrians should yield to oncoming traffic -- most people will not stop to let you by, even at crosswalks. Also, drunk and exhibition driving is a risk late on weekends. Stay alert on the roads at those times. Minot has excellent telecommunications infrastructure; the telephone system is modern, internet access is ubiquitous, and cellular coverage within the city is excellent. Analog and digital PCS, CDMA and GSM networks are available. Coverage in the city and along the roads is excellent. Coverage gaps deep in rural territory are quickly being filled.
Money & Budget
Shopping opportunities are ample in Minot. Downtown Minot, northeast of the intersection of Burdick Expressway and Broadway, has small shops and restaurants, particularly along Main Street and Central Avenue. Souvenirs are available at the airport. Food is pretty cheap in Minot. You're looking at $10 tops per person in most cases, maybe $20 at some of the nicer sit-down restaurants. If you really want to pull out on the stops, it is theoretically possible to spend $50 a plate at a handful of places in town... if you care to. You will not need a reservation for any restaurant in town. Some restaurants do have private rooms that can be reserved, which are generally for business or political meetings. National and global fast food chains are present in Minot.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
There is little crime in Minot. Most residents do lock their doors, but in wintertime many people leave their cars running in parking lots as they run their errands. Probably the most significant danger comes from city traffic. Pedestrians should yield to oncoming traffic -- most people will not stop to let you by, even at crosswalks. Also, drunk and exhibition driving is a risk late on weekends. Stay alert on the roads at those times. Minot has excellent telecommunications infrastructure; the telephone system is modern, internet access is ubiquitous, and cellular coverage within the city is excellent. Analog and digital PCS, CDMA and GSM networks are available. Coverage in the city and along the roads is excellent. Coverage gaps deep in rural territory are quickly being filled. Local telephone provider SRT is a partner with Sprint and Verizon Wireless, among others.
Glimpses of Minot
Sunset in flat land
a car with the front end smashed in
a car with a broken front end
a car with a smashed front end
A lensball in the middle of the street shows the rest of the road with an upside-down view.
silhouette of plant
Sunset in flat land
a car with the front end smashed in
a car with a broken front end
a car with a smashed front end
A lensball in the middle of the street shows the rest of the road with an upside-down view.
silhouette of plant
Sunset in flat land