Scandinavian Heritage Park Is A Fascinating Spot in North Dakota That's Straight Out Of A Fairy Tale
By Melissa Mahoney|Published January 17, 2021
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
While North Dakota has several places that are magical in nature, there may be no other place in the state quite like the Scandinavian Heritage Park. A visit here will make you feel as though you’ve stepped right into the pages of a fairy tale.
Scandinavian Heritage Park is dedicated to the Scandinavian and Nordic countries of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. All are invited to learn a bit about the history and heritage of each country while enjoying the enchanting grounds of the park.
You will see Hans Christian Andersen, the famous Danish writer of fairy tales, prominently featured in the park. He is holding a bird as if he's about to speak to it, just like someone in a fairy tale would.
The Dala Horse may be a fine steed for a handsome Viking or lovely maiden to gallop across the land. Although at 25 feet in height, it is quite large, so it may be better for a giant!
Who lives in this house? Perhaps the three bears, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, or Hansel and Gretel? Actually, this is the Sigdal House, a 230-year-old house brought over to North Dakota from Sigdal, Norway.
A building at the park has a spinning wheel which may remind you of when Snow White pricked her finger and fell into a deep sleep, only to be woken up by a kiss from a handsome prince.
You may encounter a troll as you stroll through this enchanting park. Not only are trolls featured in many fairy tales, but they are also prominent characters throughout Norse mythology.
No other building at the park may look like it's out of a fairy tale more than the Gol Stave Church Museum, a prominent feature in the park. With intricate carved wood details, this structure is a full-scale replica of a church built in Norway in 1250.
