I recently visited Fargo, North Dakota and I was beyond impressed with the city and everything that Fargo offers. From a blossoming wine scene, to funky street art, and impressive restaurants; Fargo is a small city that shouldn’t be overlooked. As North Dakota’s most populous city, it makes sense that there’s enough things to see and do in Fargo to please just about everyone. Below you’ll find my top 10 things in Fargo, that you just can’t miss.
10 Things to See and Do in Fargo, North Dakota
1. Discover the Red River Wine Trek
-
- Bear Creek Winery
-
- Bear Creek Winery
-
- Bear Creek Winery
One of the things that I was most impressed with when I visited Fargo was my visit to Bear Creek Winery. Not only was the wine good (really good), but the property was absolutely breathtaking. There were tons of indoor and outdoor spaces to sit, a golf course, ponds, and a plethora of games to play while sitting around drinking wine.
While I didn’t have time to visit any of the other wineries around Fargo, there is a Red River Wine Trek that was started in 2019 with the goal to encourage guests to visit the wineries, cideries, and meaderies in the Red River Valley. You can pick up a “passport” from the Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center and when you get each place stamped, you’ll earn a prize.
The places that make up the Red River Wine Trek are Bear Creek, Cottonwood Cider House, Dakota Vines, Maple River, Prairie Rose Meadery, Red Trail, Rookery Rock, and 4e Winery.
2. Learn About Pioneer History at Bonanzaville USA
Located in West Fargo, this impressive museum teaches about the history of North Dakota and the life and history of Pioneers. With 36 buildings on 12 acres of land, Bonanzaville gives a complete picture of life as a pioneer, how pioneers lived at the time, and challenges they faced. The cost to visit (for adults) is $12 and I recommend planning to spend at least two hours exploring.
This is a mostly outdoor museum so plan accordingly for the weather!
3. Cheer on the Redhawks at Newman Outdoor Field
With a minor league team located right in town, it would be a shame to miss a game while you’re visiting! (Browse the schedule here). And even if you aren’t a big baseball fan, I was very impressed with the food selection at the game.
Cost of entry (for the cheapest tickets) are $10/person and you can buy tickets at the door.
4. Browse Unique Cars & Motorcycles at West Fargo Cruise Night
West Fargo Cruise Night is one of the more fun and unique activities I’ve experienced while traveling. During Cruise Night (held on the third Thursday of June-September from 4:30-9 pm), hundreds of unique cars and motorcycles line up on Sheyenne Street from Main Avenue W to 7th Avenue West. Not only can you browse the unique cars, but you can also stop into boutique stores and there are food vendors set up outside too!
Pro tip: Don’t miss stopping in at Cookie Krums for ice cream and cookies!
5. Discover the Murals Around Downtown Fargo
Downtown Fargo is a fun and colorful area with tons of unique murals scattered on buildings throughout the area. It seems that you can’t walk a few blocks without a mural popping out at you! Below you’ll find my favorite murals and where to find them…
- Art Alley – 1st Ave N between 4th St & 5th St
- Fargo Train Car – Corner of Main & Broadway
- Greetings from Fargo – 641 1st Ave N
- Native Prairie Mural – 19 8th St S
6. Shop the Boutique Stores in Downtown Fargo
Botanical Brothers
Downtown Fargo has boutique stores galore! And you can find anything you could possibly need from local North Dakota gifts, to handmade goods, and cute clothes. Below you’ll find my favorite boutique shops in Fargo…
- Botanical Brothers
- Handpicked Goods
- Mason Jar Boutique
- Mint + Basil
- Proper
- The Nines Fargo
7. Have a Picnic in Lindenwood Park
On a nice day, head to Lindenwood Park where you can have a picnic or explore the many walking and biking trails. Lindenwood is the largest park in Fargo, stretching for 92 acres and also crossing into Minnesota. You can also rent bikes in Lindenwood or rent kayaks to kayak the Red River!
8. Kayak Down the Red River
The Red River of the North is 550 miles starting in Breckenridge, Minnesota and ending in Lake Winnipeg in Canada. It forms most of the border between North Dakota and Minnesota, and what better way to experience the river than by kayak?
You can rent kayaks (or canoes) for $10/hour. There are two places to rent from: Lindenwood Park Kayak Rentals (1905 Roger Maris Dr, 701-356-2106) or River Keepers Rental Shack (202 1st Ave N, Moorhead). Rentals are available on a first come first serve basis and only operate seasonally.
9. Get a Taste of Fargo at Brewhalla
-
- Mangata
-
- Duchessa
For a complete look at Fargo head to Brewhalla where you can experience the food scene, brewery scene, and boutique shops all under one roof. Brewhalla is a food and entertainment wonderland with everything from games for kids to a wine bar for adults.
Pro tip: Don’t miss oysters at Mangata and gelato at Duchessa.
10. Catch a Movie at the Historic Fargo Theatre
When you’re in downtown Fargo, you can’t miss passing by the historic Fargo Theatre built in 1926. This independent movie theatre plays mainstream, independent, and foreign films.
You can see what’s playing at the theatre here.
FAQ About Fargo
“Do I need a car to get around?”
- Yes, I highly recommend renting a car to get around Fargo. It isn’t the most walkable city and public transportation is lacking. (If you plan to only stick to downtown Fargo, you won’t need a car).
“Where should I stay in Fargo?”
- I recommend the Jasper Hotel in downtown Fargo. If this doesn’t suit you, I prefer to use Expedia, Booking.com, and VRBO to search for hotels/rentals.
“Should I bring anything ‘special’ to Fargo?”
- Aside from what you normally would pack, no! However, I always travel with a reusable water bottle and would highly recommend bringing one.
“Is Fargo worth visiting?”
- I hope that after reading this post, not only have I convinced you to visit, but also that my enthusiasm for Fargo has shined through. I truly loved my time in Fargo and would highly recommend it to anyone considering a visit!
“When’s the best time to visit Fargo?”
- Fargo experiences hot summers and cold winters. I visited in the summertime and couldn’t recommend it more! However, there are still plenty of things to see and do in Fargo in the winter.
“How long should I spend in Fargo?”
- To see Fargo in its entirety, I recommend staying for at least two days.
“Is Fargo safe?”
- While I can only speak to my own experience, I felt very safe in Fargo. The locals were more than friendly, everyone was helpful, and I was never once in a situation that I felt uncomfortable in. However, I also didn’t stay out late in Fargo or walk alone at night.
As you can see, there are tons of things to see and do when you visit Fargo. It’s truly a hidden gem in America and I hope that you get a chance to visit! If you have any questions about Fargo, let me know in the comments below.
If you’re planning on visiting Fargo, don’t miss checking out my Instagram page/highlight reel for more ideas and insider tips by searching “#ppinnorthdakota” and finding my highlight reel “Fargo-Moorhead”
Pin Me!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase through my link, at no cost to you.
Kylee is a Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) nurse passionate about making travel affordable and accessible to nurses. Inspiring nurses to travel both near and far, Kylee began Passports and Preemies in 2017 while volunteering in Skopje, North Macedonia as a way to reach nurses and advocate for the prevention of nurse burnout by traveling. Kylee is the original creator of the “8 Day Vacay” – a vacation geared towards nurses who aim to take advantage of the potentially 8 days off between work weeks with no need to use PTO.
