Fargo Explore Local With RVshare

Fargo is the largest city in North Dakota and is well-known for its vibrant downtown featuring unique lodging, eating establishments, and entertainment venues. With popular attractions such as the Plains Art Museum, Fargodome, Red River Zoo, and Fargo Air Museum (just to name a few!), one cannot deny that there are plenty of things to see and do within the area. 

In fact, even those who have lived in the city for a decade would agree they haven’t experienced all that Fargo has to offer, while for those new to the region – well, they’ve got a lot to look forward to as well.

Ready to discover the best of Fargo, North Dakota? Let’s get started!

*Note: Some of the suggestions may not be doable due to coronavirus closures, but keep this list handy for when things start opening back up more! Be sure to check individual pages for specific operation details.

Fargo is home to plenty of state parks and national parks both within and surrounding the area, all of which provide a tranquil escape for those looking to surround themselves by nature.

Buffalo River State Park

Just a 25-minute drive from the center of the city is the Buffalo River State Park, which features a beautiful and native prairie landscape, as well as a swimming beach, which includes a man-made and chlorinated swimming pond. Take the Picnic Area Trail to some great fishing spots, then cast a line into the Buffalo River for a variety of fish such as white sucker, river redhorse, and goldeye.

Maplewood State Park

Just over an hour’s drive will take you to Maplewood State Park, which is a great destination for camping, hiking, fishing, and horseback trails. Hike up Hallaway Hill for impressive overlooks that are not to be missed or take a scenic 5-mile drive through the park, known as the Prairie Restoration Auto Tour. There’s also a beach at South Lida Lake if the weather calls for a cooling off!

Itasca State Park

Under a 2 hour’s drive from Fargo is the popular Itasca State Park, which is home to a number of educational and historic attractions, including the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center (which is the gateway to the Headwaters of the Mississippi River), an Outdoor Interpretive Center, Mary Gibbs Café, Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center, Douglas Lodge, and more. Enjoy outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, hiking, geocaching, and more.

Glendalough State Park

Another nearby state park is the Glendalough State Park, which offers year-round camping opportunities and outdoor recreational activities. Swim, canoe, kayak or cast a line for legendary pan fish on clear Annie Battle Lake or visit the historic Glendalough Lodge for displays that explore the park's fascinating history. Other activities include hiking, biking, and wildlife observation.

Still need to get your nature fix? If you’re craving seeing even more of the beautiful scenery that surrounds Fargo, then there are also plenty of hiking and walking trails for you and your family to enjoy.

Red River Trail

Located within Lindenwood Park is the popular Red River Trail, which is just under 8 kilometers in length and is good for all skill levels. As its name suggests, the trail follows the Red River, providing scenic views for the entire trip. It’s best used from April until October and is particularly popular amongst bird watchers, due to the wide variety of bird life within the region.

Downtown Fargo River Walk

The Downtown Fargo River Walk is another popular trail within the area, and it too is perfect for all skill levels. It’s just 3.7 kilometers on length, making it a great hike for those wanting a quick adventure. It contains a neat, paved path with river views in most parts and goes under a few bridges. You’ll also get to enjoy views of historic downtown from the trail. It’s also a popular destination for bikers, so ensure you stay to one side.

Little Yellowstone Campsite Trail

Located 80 miles from Fargo, just south of Valley City, is the much-loved Little Yellowstone Campsite Trail. Known for its hundreds of ‘mini waterfalls’, the trail features a small creek that rushes through it and creates a tranquil soundtrack for your hike. Some of the streams are shallow enough to wade through, so bring a change of shoes if you’d prefer.

Fargo is home to a bustling and trendy dining scene, so there’s sure to be a restaurant, café, or diner to satisfy your cravings. If you’ve worked up an appetite after a long hike, or simply feel like treating yourself to a delicacy, then you’re in luck. Here are our top restaurant recommendations!

GP’s Greek Kitchen

If your tastebuds are craving some traditional Greek food, then a visit toGP’s Greek Kitchen is in order. Famous appetizers include the Eggplant Bruschetta and Stuffed Grape Leaves, while mouth-watering mains such as the Gyro Bowls, Gyros on Pita, and Classic Sandwiches have got locals lining up for a taste!

Mezzaluna

Located just behind the historic Fargo Theatre in downtown Fargo isMezzaluna, an upscale eatery.  Executive chef and co-owner Joseph Brunner develops seasonal inspired menus influenced by European techniques and standards, while a diverse wine list has been created to complement the cuisine. We’ve heard wonderful things about their House-Ground Burger, Duck Breast, and Limoncello Panna Cotta.

Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews

With their slogan “50 burgers, 50 brews”,Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews is the go-to place within Fargo for those who love all things burger or beer related. The hallmark of Sickies Garage restaurant is a mouth-watering, supercharged burger and sandwich menu, which features award-winning favorites such as the Sickies Burger, Turbocharged Twin Cam, and Glazed Doughnut burgers. Don’t miss it!

Doolittles Woodfire Grill

Featuring woodfired rotisserie cooking,Doolittles Woodfire Grill is an experience that ignites all of your senses! Come here for juicy and succulent meats such as Spit-Roasted Chicken, Rotisserie Steak with Red Wine Demi, and Woodfired Pork Chop with Cherry Demi Glace. They also have an impressive wine list boasting over 60 wines by the bottle and 40 selections by the glass. It’s the perfect place for a delicious dining out experience!

The Boiler Room

The Boiler Room has quickly become Fargo’s latest and greatest hot-spot downtown, and after a single visit here, it isn’t hard to see why. From their award-winning Scotch Eggs to a lengthy craft cocktail list – there’s something for everyone here. They’re open for brunch, lunch, dinner, and late-night dining (up to 10 P.M.) and are conveniently located in the heart of downtown Fargo.

After feasting and enjoying all that the hiking trails and state parks have to offer, you may be wondering: “what next?” Well, when it comes to Fargo’s attractions and activities, you’re only just getting started. Here are some of the most fun things on offer in and around the city!

For kids and families

Looking to entertain some little ones? Or perhaps you’ve got some teenagers in-tow who are starting to get a little bored? Either way, these attractions will entertain both children, teens, and adults alike!

Red River Zoo

Is there anything better than a family day out at the zoo?Red River Zoo is the perfect attraction for all ages and admission is affordable too, ranging from just $8.75 - $11.25. The zoo features exotic and native animals from areas around the world with similar climates to the Red River Valley and specializes in the care and breeding of some of the world rarest cold climate species.

Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm

TheChildren’s Museum at Yunker Farm features over 50 hands-on interactive exhibits and is recognized as one of the top 25 children’s museums nationwide. Everything here has been designed to engage, educate, and stimulate creativity, and it’s a unique place where parents can interact and learn with their children. The 55-acre property is home to a miniature train, carousel, playground, pumpkin patch, nature trails, miniature golf course, and so much more.

At night

What should you do in Fargo once the sun goes down? We’re glad you asked! Here are our suggested night-time attractions.

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

With attractions such as a freestyle jump, ultimate dodgeball, parkour blox, drop zone, skyline, and more,Sky Zone Trampoline Park is a must-visit place for those who like to jump high in the sky. The facility is open as late as 10 P.M. on Friday and Saturday night, making it the perfect place to enjoy some trampoline action late into the night.

Fargodome

Looking for the latest event in Fargo?Fargodome is the place to go, as it hosts everything from world-famous musical act’s concerts, such as Guns n’ Roses and Elton John, as well as local interest shows, such as those on boating or sports. Check out their schedule to see if anything takes your fancy, then purchase your tickets to ensure you don’t miss out!

Cheap Things to Do in Fargo

What can you do in or around Fargo that won’t cost anything more than a few dollars? The answer: plenty! Here are just two of our favorite attractions within the area that can be enjoyed on the cheap.

Bonanzaville USA

For nor more than $12 per person, you can visitBonanzaville USA, which is owned and operated by the Cass County, ND, Historical Society. Sprawling across 12 acres, Bonanzaville is North Dakota's must-see historic attraction and offers tours, special events, and programming year-round, Come and see 41 historic buildings and more than 400,000 artifacts - right here!

Fargo Air Museum

TheFargo Air Museum aims to promote aviation through education, preservation and restoration. They feature revolving exhibits and host educational day-camps, speakers, seminars and tours for flight fans of all ages to enjoy. Additionally, they  house one of the midwest’s largest Aviation libraries, making it a must-visit attraction for airplane lovers. Admission costs just $6 - $10 per person.

Free Things to Do in Fargo

Looking to get the most out of your time spent within the city of Fargo? Whether you want a fun way to waste away a Sunday afternoon or a date idea that won’t break the budget – here are our most recommended things to do in Fargo that won’t cost you a cent.

Plains Art Museum

Plains Art Museum connects art, artists, and audiences to foster creative, resilient, and welcoming communities. The Museum offers approximately 12 special exhibitions along with smaller exhibitions each year, while its permanent collection contains approximately 4,000 works including national, international, regional fine art, and ethnographic objects. The best part? General admission is free!

Rendezvous Park

Rendezvous Park is filled to the brim with things to see and do, including playground equipment, a sand volleyball court, four baseball fields, a basketball court, two disc golf courses, a skate park and two soccer fields with walking/biking paths throughout the entire park. It’s always free to visit, and is the perfect place to spend a few hours, or an entire day, enjoying the sunshine.

Best spas

Alright, by now you’ve probably been on your feet all day exploring the sights and delights that Fargo has to offer. If you’re craving some rest and relaxation, or even a bit of pampering, these are two of the best spas in the region.

Ellie Therapeutic Massage & Health Partners

With well over 600 5-star reviews from locals, it’s hard to ignoreEllie Therapeutic Massage & Health Partners. These qualified therapists have been serving the community for over 19 years now and are showing no signs of slowing down! They specialize in Deep Tissue Massage, Sport Massage, Couples Massage, Relaxation Massage and Corporate Chair Massage, but their long list of services seemingly goes on forever.

Affiniti Day Spa & Salon

Affiniti Day Spa & Salon create an atmosphere where you can relax and rejuvenate. They offer a variety of pampering spa services, including massage, skin treatments, and body treatments. We hear their 30-minute Swedish massage is unrivalled, as is the Eight Greens Hormonal Aging Facial and Arctic Berry Peel & Peptide Illuminating System. 

Best gyms and yoga studios

If rejuvenation for you is less about deep relaxation and more about sweating it out, then you’re in luck. Fargo is home to some of the highest-rated gyms and yoga studios within the region.

Family Wellness

The mission ofFamily Wellness is to inspire healthy lifestyles by connecting people in a fun environment. They offer everything from group fitness classes and training, to lifestyle programs, aquatics, youth and family workshops, healthy cooking education, and so much more. They’re open 7 days per week, so drop in on a day that suits your schedule.

Haute Yogis

Haute Yogis is a Hot Yoga, Barre, and Spin studio. Their main goal is to provide everyone with a quality workout at an affordable price, so expect classes to be fun, yet challenging! Just some of their most popular classes include Vinyasa Power Yoga, Haute Yoga Sculpt & Shred, and Haute Yoga Barre.  

Looking to fulfill your wanderlust by heading outside of the region for a day? You could spend decades within Fargo without barely scratching the surface of all there is to do in this city, but consider these day trips next time you fancy a new adventure.

Grand Forks, ND

Around a 1.5-hour drive from Fargo is Grand Forks, which sits on the Minnesota border. It’s the perfect place to spend an entire day at, particularly for attractions such as the North Dakota Museum of Art, Splashers of the South Seas water park, the Grand Forks County Historical Society, Sherlock Park, and more. There’s something for everybody here!

St. Cloud, MN

For a less than 3-hour drive across the Minnesota border, you’ll find yourself at St. Cloud, which is located at the junction of the Mississippi and Sauk rivers, in a dairy-farming and grain region. Don’t let the region fool you, however, as there are plenty of incredible things to see and do here. Our recommendations? If you’ve only got a day to spare, check out the Munsinger Gardens, Quarry Park and Nature Preserve, Stearns History Museum, and Summerland Family Fun Park.

As a final reminder, some of these activities may need to wait until businesses fully reopen from coronavirus closures. However, there is still much to see and experience in Fargo that you can enjoy today! What are your favorite spots in Fargo? Send them our way to [email protected] or by tagging us on Instagram @rvshare and using the hashtag #rvsharelocal.