Fargo is a charming western city of just over 100,000 in the Red River Valley of North Dakota. As the biggest city for more than 200 miles (350 km) in any direction, it's a cultural hub for the region, and its lively, walkable downtown is full of old-fashioned architecture and friendly cafes. Many people relate Fargo to the eponymous 1996 Coen Brothers movie starring Oscar-winner Frances McDormand and William H. Macy, though none of the movie was filmed in Fargo.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Fargo is named after William G. Fargo, one of the founders of American Express and Wells Fargo. Fargo has an extreme humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters, and warm to hot, humid summers. Average summer heat indices factoring in humidity are around 84 °F (29 °C) for daytime highs and around 62 °F (17 °C) for overnight lows. Some exceptionally hot, sweltering summer days can see heat indices climb upwards to around or even exceeding 95 °F (35 °C), and not go below 71 °F (22 °C) at night. The 1 Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center features the original woodchipper from the notorious scene in the movie Fargo, as well as an exact replica.
Fargo has maintained a charming and very walkable downtown area, which is also within tolerable walking distance of downtown Moorhead across the river. Matbus bus transportation is available Monday–Saturday to most parts of the city and to Moorhead, but not to the airport. Parking around Fargo is plentiful, even on the main thoroughfares in downtown areas. Uber and Lyft operate in the area.
1 Roger Maris Museum, 3902 13th Ave (West Acres Mall (at I-29)). open year-round. Museum of the baseball player Roger Maris, who went to high school in Fargo and went on to play for the New York Yankees. Free. (updated Sep 2023) 2 North Dakota State University, 1401 Administration Ave, ☏ +1 701 231-8241. 7 AM - 11 PM M-F. A nice campus to walk around and see Midwest college life in all its glory. They also have tours. It's a decent size campus with lots to see like the Memorial garden and the creek. (updated Apr 2025) 3 Germans from Russia Heritage Collection, 1201 Albrecht Blvd, ☏ +1 701 231-6596. M-F: 8AM-4PM.
1 Horse Racing, 5180 19th Ave N (North Dakota Horse Park), ☏ +1 701 277-8027. Season is from early August to mid-September. 2 Thunder Road Family Fun Park, 2902 Thunder Rd S, ☏ +1 701 282-5151. Go-kart racing, bumper cars, laser tag, batting cages, mini golf, and an arcade. Open May–September. Inside usually opens in April. Free entry. , 3 Sky Zone Fargo. 4 Bill's Gun Shop & Range, 1040 35th St N, ☏ +1 701-353-8748. M–Sa 10AM–8PM, Su 10AM–5PM. Indoor gun range with a huge variety of firearms available to rent for target shooting. The staff is friendly, helpful, and happy to teach beginners, so even if you've never touched a gun before, you'll be welcomed.
1 Grand Junction, 3051 25th St S, ☏ +1 701 364 9421. Daily 11AM-8PM. East Coast Style Subs serves hot subs grilled fresh right in front of you. A local favorite. Try the Chicken Cordon Bleu sandwich, very delicious. (updated Jul 2024) 2 Boppa's Bagels, 3051 25th St S, ☏ +1 701 241-7800. M-F 8AM-3PM, Sa Su 8AM-2PM. Boppa's Bagels makes wonderful bagels, of note are their speciality bagels, that are also available at some coffee shops around the city. (updated Jul 2024) 3 Brewhalla, 1702 1st Ave N. 10AM–8PM daily. Indoor market with several food stalls. Also has an attached hotel. (updated Aug 2024) 4 Los Vaqueros Taqueria, 3001 13th Ave S, ☏ +1 701 232-0645. 11AM-9PM.
While you're in the area, see if you can try the local soft drink Flannel Fizz, sold in several unique flavors at the Red River Market and some local restaurants. A few of the bars (such as The Bison Turf, Herd & Horns, and Chub's Pub) will have mug night once a week, where you can buy a large mug which you can then get filled with beer or booze at a discount. This makes them very crowded with students that night! 1 Bismarck Tavern, 522 Broadway N, ☏ +1 701 235 6607. 9AM-2AM. The PBR is always cold, all the whiskey drinks are doubles, and pull tabs litter the dirty floor. This downtown Fargo watering hole is Fargo's best dive bar.
Fargo is a safe city, with little violent crime. The only area in which a person would need to be on the look-out is downtown on the weekends, especially during the school year. With the many colleges and bars it makes for a rowdy atmosphere. Uncommonly, crimes such as carjackings and assault happen around the NDSU campus, but these events are few and far between. Be wary of your surroundings like anywhere else. The region is known for bitterly cold winters. Be sure to have appropriate attire, and know the forecast ahead of time for the day. If you need to drive, learn how to drive in snowy and icy road conditions, and follow weather warnings. It will save you a lot of headaches.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Jul, Fargo typically sees ~28°C daytime highs and 14 rainy days.
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