I went to Fargo, North Dakota, as a paid partnership, but all opinions in this article are my own. I hope to convince you to go and explore this amazing Midwest town.
You’re probably reading this article because you’re planning a weekend trip to Fargo, North Dakota – how fun! Let’s start with learning a little bit about Fargo-Moorehead! Fargo was originally made famous because of the movie “Fargo,” have you heard of it? It’s known as Fargo-Moorhead because the towns and states are simply divided by the Red River but act as a community of one. The Fargo-Moorehead area is an amazing spot for any and all ages, big groups, family trips or even solo travelers. Fargo has an incredibly walk-able downtown with events, bars, restaurants, hidden gems and fun shops – there’s truly something for everyone. Here’s what you’re going to do for a weekend in Fargo, North Dakota!
Ways to get to Fargo:
- Fly into Hector International Airport (non stop flights available!)
- Take a greyhound bus from various locations (I’ve done this a few times from Minneapolis, they have WiFi and comfortable seats)
- Fly into Minneapolis Saint Paul Airport, and rent a car to drive (car rentals at the airport)
- Or drive from wherever you are, if you’re local!
Once you get to your hotel and the downtown locations of Fargo, you won’t need your car much for most of these activities, because they’re easily walk-able.
Where to Stay:
Jasper Hotel – located in Downtown Fargo. Perks of staying here:
- stunning luxury rooms with great views
- great lounge area in the lobby and on various floors
- bar and restaurant on site and room service
- sauna and workout room with clean bathrooms to shower
- they also have event areas for hosting here, too!
Weekend in Fargo, ND – Day 1:
Once you arrive into town, you should head over to Moon Rise Cafe for a coffee pick me up, while you enjoy the ambiance and people watching out the large windows downtown. Don’t forget to try one of their treats, but their soup is truly to die for!
Across the street, is Teaberry, where you can get amazing boba tea. This looked like a great place to get some work done, I saw lots of students and business people at the various tables!
After, head over the Red River, less than a mile away, into Moorehead, Minnesota, to the Hjemkomst Center. This is home to an iconic Viking Ship, that first set sail in Duluth, Minnesota. It eventually sailed all the way to Norway. There’s lots to discover here! Outside of the museum is a church that is an exact replica of one in Volk, Norway, talk about stunning! They do offer tours but check ahead!
During the Frostival Festival, they offer candle light walks and museum tours. With complimentary hot chocolate, s’mores and hot dogs around the fire!
Once you’ve explored the ground of the Hjemkomst Center, and got your education fix, head back downtown to the Boiler Room. This is a basement bar that is accessed from an alley way called Roberts Alley. The scotch eggs here were incredible, I’m still thinking about them to this day! The drinks and beer are made perfectly, and the vibes inside are perfect for anyone!
Next door, is a hidden bar, not a speakeasy but a local hidden gem, called Margie’s Bar. This is a bar that has no theme, but currently had Christmas and Halloween decorations with comfortable cozy decor. The drinks were delicious and this is for sure a spot I’d take some friends or family for a unique drink spot!
Weekend in Fargo, ND – Day 2:
The next day, wake up and enjoy the amenities of Jasper Hotel. Between working out in the amazing workout room, or relaxing and enjoying the calming sauna.
After, you get ready and feel refreshed, walk over to Bernbaums for some breakfast. They’re known for their bagels, and they did not disappoint. I love a hot chocolate with my breakfast, so I recommend that! I’ve heard they have great sandwiches, too, so maybe grab some lunch, if you aren’t hungry in the mornings!
Walk a few blocks to Young Blood Coffee, for a good cup to start your day. I got the Nitro Oat Latte that they have on tap, and I wish I had it on tap at my house! This coffee shop has a cool chill vibe in here.
Have you ever heard of a brew hall like this? Brewhalla is home to Drekker Brewing, with their taproom, plus 2 other bars where you can grab a drink and sit and sip or walk around and shop. This is a 4-story event space that has restaurants, shops and even a hotel on site, that you can book here! This place is kid friendly, but kids must be supervised or you will be asked to leave. This is such a cool spot to explore, especially in a state that has four seasons!
For dinner, head over to 701 Eateries, they often have themed dinners, while I visited they had a Viking Themed dinner. This was a multi course dinner with drinks to pair. There was ribs, parsnips, salmon, lamb soup, and much more! This was one of the highlights of my stay in Fargo. During the dinner, the head chief would discuss why they choose the foods, flavors and drinks together and the theory behind each entree. You can book the Viking dinner here.
You don’t need to leave 701 Eateries yet, because they have a roof top bar, called Camp Lone Tree. During the winter months, they have igloos up there, which are so cute! This is a fun spot to hangout!
If you’re up for some more fun and don’t want to settle in for the night, a few bars that are good dive bar vibes are: Dempsey’s, Rooter’s Bar (karoke), and JL beers.
Weekend in Fargo, ND – Day 3:
On your last morning, check out of your hotel and head to Marge’s diner, which is a funky colorful breakfast spot. If you get the pancake here, be warned, they’re huge! They have endless mimosas, too, who doesn’t love a good mimosa?
Next, walk all over downtown checking out the cool murals. Fargo has a complete guide here. I really loved the post card and train one! You may even see Bob Dylan somewhere!
After that, head over to the famous Fargo Brewing, for a great tap room, snacks and food from Nova Eateries. Plus, they also have a barber shop called Nice Barber Company in there. The outdoor patio is super cute and the summer vibes are just as good as the winter ones here.
On your way out of town, don’t forget to stop at Carol Widman’s Candy Co for some delicious candies to go. Carol’s is a fourth generation candy maker company. I highly recommend their iconic “chippers” which are chocolate cover potato chips. Plus, you can try free samples!
Some other fun things to do in town that I receieved recommendations but weren’t able to visit were:
- Red River Zoo
- Plains Art Museum
- Red River Market
- The Fargo Theatre
I hope I convinced you to discover and fall in love with the Fargo-Moorehead area. The downtown here is really a great spot to explore, and indulge in good food, delicious drinks and history! Enjoy your weekend in Fargo, North Dakota!
If you’re more of a visual person, you can check out my TikTok of the weekend, here!
Check out more travel blogs, cabin stays and more on my website and socials!
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