Not only is Thanksgiving one of the biggest travel weekends of the year, it’s also one of the biggest retail weekends.  You can’t turn on the radio or TV, or open a newspaper without hearing about sales, deals and doorbusters.  How can a visitor connect with the shopping options in North Dakota?  The best way is through the convention and visitor bureaus (CVBs) in major cities.  North Dakota Tourism links to all CVBs and Chambers on the official travel website, but to make it one-click easier – here are the major cities.  Don’t forget to check out travel specials and packages!

• Bismarck-Mandan
• Dickinson
• Fargo
• Grand Forks
• Jamestown
• Minot
• Williston

North Dakota Tourism is in the news today locally, nationally and internationally.  It all stems from a press conference held in Fargo yesterday, announcing that North Dakota tourism growth is outpacing the nation.  While visitation has been falling to many destinations in the U.S., in North Dakota we had an increase of visitors in 2008 led by our Canadian brothers and sisters who took advantage of great city experiences and shopping while our currency was at par.  Domestic visitors also sought out North Dakota for outdoors experiences, special events, touring and business trips.  We’ve heard from numerous visitors who’ve fallen in love with North Dakota’s hospitality, with unexpected scenery, and with the great value found in a vacation here.  Visitors find all these and more in North Dakota.  We have the tools – and personal travel counseling – to make your trip planning a breeze.  Make your plans to visit North Dakota.

AAA ranks North Dakota the most affordable state vacation destination and Cambridge University reported North Dakota as the friendliest state.

Excitement is building for fans of the Twilight series.  On November 20th, the second installation of the blockbuster books/movies hits the big screen and with it comes another opportunity to see North Dakota native Kellen Lutz.  Lutz, from Dickinson, plays Emmett Cullen in the world of Twilight.  Lutz got his start modeling as a teenager and emerged as an actor in 2004.  He’s starred in a number of television and film roles … and even a couple of music videos.

In an interview with the Dickinson Press, Lutz remarked on growing up in North Dakota:  ” . . . there was something about being in that small town. I don’t know what it was. It just made me happy. The air is clean; the people are always so nice.”  And we’re excited to see the rise of this handsome, young North Dakota star!

Everybody’s workin’ for the weekend – and the weekend is here.  Have big plans?  Or are you planning?  North Dakota has some FUN concerts and shows coming up.

Tickets are still available for ZZ Top tomorrow night at 4 Bears Casino, near New Town.  November 19th Rodney Carrington will be performing at the Dakota Magic Casino, south of Wahpeton.  Sawyer Brown plays Prairie Knights Casino, south of Mandan, on November 21.

November 24th in Fargo and 25th in Bismarck, catch dazzling performances of Cirque Dreams  Illumination.

And don’t forget – tickets for the March 13th Bon Jovi concert (at the Fargodome) go on sale Monday, November 16.

We all have those people who are difficult to shop for – so we propose a theme these holidays.  Give gifts that represent unique and special places – like North Dakota!  From organic spa products to all-natural makeup and chokecherry-sweet wine – countless North Dakota products are available from Pride of Dakota businesses.  Holiday Showcase shows are taking place in the coming weeks in Fargo, Bismarck and Minot.  And if you can’t make it to a show, consider shopping online.  You can even give someone who’s been naughty this year a lump of coal – or rather, a buffalo handcrafted out of North Dakota coal!

Seven enormous metal sculptures (standing four to five stories high) decorate the 32-mile stretch between the towns of Gladstone and Regent, North Dakota.  This is the Enchanted Highway.  The awesome sculptures and the vision and resolve of artist Gary Greff, have been heralded from Nickelodeon to People Magazine.  Most recently, the Enchanted Highway was featured in American Road magazine.  The largest sculpture, Geese in Flight, is noted in the Guinness World Records as the largest metal sculpture in the world.  It weighs 78.8 tons and measures 110 feet in height and 154 feet in width.  The Enchanted Highway is a fun, free addition to your North Dakota road trip.

The Peace Garden State, and her sister-state to the south, are celebrating their 120th birthdays today!  President Benjamin Harrison signed the statehood proclamations of North Dakota and South Dakota on November 2, 1889.  Here are some fun facts about this fabulous state:  The state beverage is milk.  Enough wheat is annually produced here to make 15.5 billion loaves of bread; soybeans to make 212 billion crayons; and potatoes for 171 million servings of french fries.  Italy continues to be the largest importer of North Dakota durum wheat.  The largest museum in the state – the Heritage Center - has free admission.  And the top attraction in North Dakota is Theodore Roosevelt National Park.  Happy birthday North Dakota!  For more fun facts, visit ND Tourism.

North Dakota has plenty of treats for visitors (and residents) this weekend!  Tonight, a Halloween Party and Haunted Walk is taking place in Marmarth.  Tomorrow, visit the Frontier Village in Jamestown when it gets a spooky makeover for trick-or-treaters.  The state’s largest museum, the Heritage Center in Bismarck, invites guests of all ages for a History Haunt.  And in Grand Forks, guests can tour the “Legends of Terror Haunted House and Half Pint Haunt for Kids.”  Take a walk on the wild side in Washburn, or check locally for other fun and inviting things to do.

When we say “get lost” it’s an invitation!  This is the last week to challenge your directional skills at the Amazing Corn Maize south of Mandan.  This year’s maze literally honors the Lincoln penny - with the penny carved out of acres of corn.  Plan ahead to conquer the maze – this Friday, Saturday or Sunday.  Otherwise … you’ll have to wait until next year!

So who’s up for some fright nights?!  This weekend, Fort Abraham Lincoln, south of Mandan, lets its ghostly history out of the closet.  “Haunted Fort” is an event that celebrates the mysteries surrounding the Fort’s remains.

Remember the Blair Witch Project?  The fun folks at Fort Abraham Lincoln have recorded their own little movie:

Other season-fitting events coming up include the annual Fort Buford Cemetery Walk on October 24, the Cavalier Halloween Parade, also on October 24, and the Night Eyes Howloween event at the Red River Zoo in Fargo, October 24-25.  There are a lot more Halloween events on the ND Tourism calendar.  Have a howling good time!