Thinking of planning a trip through North Dakota? Make a quick pit stop to check out the best things to do in Fargo, ND. The largest city in North Dakota surprises travelers with its slate of urban amenities, soaked in a small-town vibe.
Home to museums, sports legacies, and a whole host of amazing colleges, Fargo, ND, is chock-full of exciting tourist attractions. From the FARGODOME to Lindenwood Park to the Red River Zoo, you’re bound to find something to suit your travel vibe.
Not sure what to do in Fargo, North Dakota? We’ve got you covered with our complete guide to the best places to visit in Fargo, ND.
Got more travel plans on the horizon? Check out all our other attractions guides and our United States Travel Guide for more ideas on where to go, when to visit & what to do!
Why Treksplorer? Founded in 2011 by Ryan O’Rourke, Treksplorer provides travel recommendations and advice to millions of readers every year. Our content is rooted in our writers’ firsthand experiences, in-depth research, and/or collaborations with other experts and locals. Read more about our editorial policy.
Red River Zoo
Love all things animal-related or traveling with kiddos in tow? Check out the Red River Zoo during your visit to Fargo, ND.
The Red River Zoo specializes in the breeding and preservation of rare, cold climate species. Here, you’ll get up close and personal with animals that you’re unlikely to see anywhere else! With interesting and educational exhibits—including the Chinese Red Panda Exhibit, Pallas Cat Exhibit, and the new Scheels Pride of the Prairie—you’ll find a lot to love.
Covering 33 acres and home to over 600 animals, the Red River Zoo is a great day out for visitors of all ages to enjoy on a Fargo trip.
Fargo Air Museum
Consider yourself an aircraft expert? Put your knowledge to the test at the Fargo Air Museum, one of the top points of interest in Fargo, ND.
Housed at Hector International Airport, the Fargo Air Museum has many historical and important aircrafts for you to look around and learn about. The best part? Around 90% of the aircraft in the niche museum are still functional and in operation. (And that’s quite remarkable considering many are from World War II!)
Admission to the Fargo Air Museum is only $10 per person, with discounts for veterans, military, students, seniors, and children. Also, the parking is completely free!
Remember, the Fargo Air Museum is closed on Mondays; be sure to factor this into your trip plans.
Plains Art Museum
Looking to hit up some local and regional Native American art on your trip to Fargo? Slide over to the Plains Art Museum, centrally located in downtown Fargo.
With the eclectic and interesting mix of contemporary and folk art at the Plains Art Museum, you’ll find yourself wandering through the exhibits, not knowing what’s around the next corner. Add into the mix a selection of programs and lectures aiming to educate and inspire, and this top-rated Fargo tourist attraction is a must-visit!
The Plains Art Museum is the largest art museum in North Dakota, so grab your family and friends and head downtown to this gorgeous institution!
Northern Plains Botanic Garden
Want to spend some time breathing in that beautiful North Dakotan air? Get back in touch with nature at the Northern Plains Botanic Garden.
Wander through the many greenhouses, conservatories, and rows upon rows of plants, learning more about each species and varietal. Looking for something a little bit different? Check out the Northern Plains Botanic Garden’s arboretum and butterfly garden; they’re sure to delight visitors of all ages!
What’s interesting about the Northern Plains Botanic Garden is that it’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and admission is completely free. You and your family or friends can enjoy it any time—as much as you like!
Roger Maris Museum
Huge fan of baseball? Celebrate America’s favorite pastime at the Roger Maris Museum. Located in West Acres Shopping Center, the 70-foot-long niche museum is named and dedicated to the legendary Major League Baseball player, Roger Maris, still considered by many as the Home Run King.
If you’re wandering around the shopping center, take a moment to have a gander at this small cabinet of baseball memorabilia and history.
It was Roger Maris’ wish that this mini-museum in his hometown was visible, accessible, and free—and that’s exactly what it is. It’s not the biggest attraction around Fargo, North Dakota, but well worth stopping by and checking out if you’re a sports fan.
Bonanzaville USA
Looking to head back to the pioneer era? Explore the history and culture of North Dakota with a visit to Bonanzaville, USA.
Spread over 12 acres, this recreated pioneer town has over 40 historic buildings. At Bonanzaville, USA, visitors can walk around, explore, and see how people used to live back in the day. You’ll also find a wealth of history lessons about the Red River Valley and the Native Americans who lived there.
You’ll find Bonanzaville, USA, on the outskirts of West Fargo, ND; it’s a great place to spend the day with the entire family, giving a hands-on insight into pioneer life in the plains!
Lindenwood Park
Traveling with kiddos and looking to tire them out in the open air? Grab the troops and head to Lindenwood Park.
Located on Roger Maris Drive, Lindenwood Park is the largest multi-use park in Fargo. Whether you climb up on the jungle gym, rent bikes or kayaks, or cascade down the many slides, Lindenwood Park is great for visitors of all ages.
When your little ones are starting to flag, reunite at one of the many picnic shelters and share a feast. Once you’re all fuelled up, run off for round two of fun, exercise, and excitement!
Thunder Road
Got a need for speed? Well, put the pedal to the metal at the thrilling Thunder Road go-karting track in Fargo.
Thunder road is home to a 1,100-foot go-karting track that features an exhilarating nine turns, twisting and testing your high-speed driving skills. Grab your friends and pit yourself against each other to see who is the ultimate go-karting champion!
Looking for something a little bit slower? Thunder Road also has an amazing 18-hole mini golf course designed to get the whole family involved. Test your nerves when it comes to those trick shots or those clutch moments. (Competitive streaks are entirely optional but advised at Thunder Road!)
Hjemkomst Center
Do you have an interest in all things Viking in origin? Well then, no visit to Fargo will be complete without a visit to the Hjemkomst Center.
Fully known as The Heritage Hjemkomst Interpretive Center, the Hjemkomst Center is located just across the river from Fargo in neighboring Moorhead, Minnesota. You’ll be wowed by the rich and vibrant Viking history on show, from the Hjemkomst Viking ship to the replica Hopperstad church. The site truly brings Scandinavian history and culture to life!
At Hjemkomst Center, you’ll also be able to check out a whole host of exciting and educational exhibitions and archives detailing the Viking legacy in Minnesota.
FARGODOME
Big fan of college football? A trip to the FARGODOME should be at the top of your list of where to go in Fargo, ND—especially if you’re visiting during the football season!
Home to the North Dakota State University Bison football team, the FARGODOME is jam-packed full of 19,000 fans on game days. And out of the season, there’s so much more than just football games to enjoy at this expansive indoor stadium.
The FARGODOME is also one of North Dakota’s biggest event venues, hosting music concerts, trade and craft shows, career fairs, and more. If you want to catch a special event during your time in Fargo, it’ll likely go down at the FARGODOME.
Rourke Art Museum
Looking to enjoy some culture on your visit to Fargo? Jump over the river to Moorhead, MN, and check out the Rourke Art Museum.
Housed in an old federal courthouse and post office that was built in 1915, the Rourke Art Museum features amazing examples of fine art and neoclassical architecture.
The Rourke Art Museum also doubles as a local art gallery. Yes, that’s right: Local makers and artists can sell their pieces just steps away from some of the best artists of contemporary times. (Why don’t you start your own art collection right here?)
Island Park
Want to have some fun out in the Minnesotan sun? Head to Fargo’s oldest park, Island Park, for a day of outdoor fun with friends and family.
Located in the downtown area, Island Park lets you choose from tennis courts, playgrounds, basketball courts, and more to run around and play with friends or family. Not interested in dryland activities? Take the plunge at Island Park’s pool and rack up a few laps before drying off in the sunshine.
After all the fun and excitement, gather around one of the many picnic tables or grills and enjoy a meal outdoors. Once you’ve done all that, the kiddos will be fast asleep in the back of the car before you even get onto the main road; now, that’s how you spend a holiday in Fargo!
Fargo Theatre
Looking to escape the sometimes unpredictable Fargo weather and head indoors? There’s no better place to spend a couple of hours than at the Fargo Theatre. This beautiful Art Deco movie theater in downtown Fargo has a long history stretching all the way back to 1925.
As well as being a cinema, the Fargo Theatre was also a vaudeville theater showing an eclectic mix of performances. Restored and reopened in 1999, the theater now shows a mix of popular movies and foreign films.
If you love beautiful theaters or just want to support local, independent art houses when you’re on holiday, the Fargo Theatre is a great option for your Fargo itinerary.
Doolittles Woodfire Grill
All this exploration and vacation fun got you working up an appetite? Head to Doolittles Woodfire Grill and eat until you can’t eat anymore!
It’s worth noting from the outset that Doolittles Woodfire Grill isn’t exactly vegetarian-friendly; if you don’t eat meat, look away now! Their specialty is huge pieces of rotisserie-style meat, grilled low and slow on a wood-fired spit. You can smell those beautiful aromas right now, can’t you?
Choose an option from their lengthy wine list, sit back in the huge, industrial-style restaurant and relax. Dolittles is a Fargo staple and should be on your must-visit list! (Mouthwatering, right?)
Drekker Brewing Company
Love craft beer and searching for a local brew to try? Spend an afternoon tasting some of the area’s finest local craft beers at the Drekker Brewing Company.
You’re not going to find your usual popular beers and lagers here. Drekker Brewery specializes in small-batch brewing that’s a tad bit different; you can find something here that you won’t find anywhere else! Impress your friends with your unique beer selections.
You’ll find their Viking-inspired beer hall in downtown Fargo. Drekker Brewery is a giant beer-lovers paradise; make sure you eat plenty of carbs before you visit.
Not sure what to try first? Ask one of their friendly and knowledgeable staff members—they’ll hook you up!
West Acres Shopping Center
In need of some serious retail therapy during your trip to Fargo? Loosen the purse strings and let it rain Benjamins at the West Acres Shopping Center.
Located on 13th Avenue South, the West Acres Shopping Center is the largest shopping mall in North Dakota. You’ll find all your national favorites, like Best Buy and Macy’s, alongside some more local and unique boutiques. Stock up on reliable favorites, or find something new and exciting to take home with you!
Left famished after shopping until you drop? Head to West Acres Shopping Center’s 750-seater food court to refuel and chow down on something delicious. There’s something for even the fussiest of eaters!
Fargo-Moorhead Opera
Looking to indulge in some local arts and culture? Or perhaps you’ve been intrigued by opera but haven’t checked it out yet? Either way, add a visit to the Fargo-Moorhead Opera to your Fargo itinerary.
Featuring a wide variety of opera performances throughout the season, this locally-based opera company helps to entertain and enlighten visitors from across the world. The Fargo-Moorhead Opera Company has been putting on shows for over fifty years; needless to say, they know what they’re doing!
Throughout the year, you’ll be able to watch one of three fully-staged operas that the Fargo-Moorhead Opera Company put on each year. Check out their site to see what’s on while you’re in Fargo.
