Don’tcha Know? Fun Things to do in Fargo in a Weekend
Oh yah, you’re gonna want to keep reading, hon.
Friendly folks? You betcha. A walkable downtown packed with great food, beer, boutiques, and art? Uh huh. And a place that leans into its connection to a certain woodchipper-filled cult classic cinematic masterpiece? You know it!
Fargo’s got everything you need for a quirky, fun, and cool weekend trip—especially if you like good food, local beer, and some of the friendliest people in the United States. Plus, you get bragging rights for visiting two states in one trip. Not bad, eh?
From the famous spots to hit up from the Cohen Brothers classic film to the coolest spots in town – here’s how to spend a weekend in Fargo, North Dakota with a sprinkle of fun activities in Moorhead, Minnesota!
Things to do in Fargo to fill a Weekend Itinerary
Fargo Theatre
One of the most iconic landmarks and things to do in downtown Fargo is the historic Fargo Theatre. This Art Deco beauty has a stunner of a marquee and was one of our favorite photo spots on our weekend in Fargo!
You will definitely see the theater as you’re exploring Fargo, perhaps multiple times. Each time of the day the giant sign stopped us in our tracks to take a photo, morning, midday, dusk, and at night.
Oh, and something I wish I knew before visiting is that you can add a personalized message on their marquee for $75! You betcha!
Okay, so a bit of background on this legendary landmark. Built in 1926 originally as a cinema and vaudeville theater, you can enjoy seeing some of the beautiful Art Deco details. Also, pay note to the pipe organ here, it’s known as The Mighty Wurlitzer. This pope organ provided sound to silent movies in real time before “talkies.”
And if you love going to the movies, you can still watch a movie here in the theater!
Oh, and for Fargo fans, you’ll want to see the “Wood Chip Marge,” statue on the upper level here! It was carved by a chainsaw!
See THE Wood Chipper
Want to see a movie star? If you’re truly a fan of the “Fargo” movie, you’ll want to stop at the Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center! This is going to require a car, but well worth it. And yes, it’s the actual wood chipper from the movie.
Located inside the Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center is the actual wood chipper signed by the Coen Brothers on display! And yes, they have some props so you can get a nice photo too.
Pay attention to the glass case next to the chipper, there’s all kinds of fun movie props and memorabilia. They also have a few great souvenirs you can buy here too. We walked away with a trapper hat with a wood chipper, a Christmas ornament, and a coffee mug. (We did say they leaned into the movie here right? We love it!)
So there’s a chance you might be visiting when the visitor center hours are closed. Don’t fret. There’s a great replica outside available for photo opportunities all hours of the day!
Also, there’s another fun thing to do in Fargo at the Visitors Center! For many people, apparently the final US state they visit is North Dakota. If that’s the case for you, you can join the “Best for Last” club and get a certificate and t-shirt to signify the moment you visited your final state!
Plains Art Museum
If you’re curious about what to do in Fargo for free, add the Plains Art Museum high to your priority list during your Fargo itinerary. This modern art museum is a beautiful stop for anyone who appreciates art.
The Plains Art Museum is a nonprofit organization and one of just a few accredited art museums in the United States.
The exhibits here were wonderful, they have some permanent collections and a few temporary collections on display.
The museum also offers Sensory Sundays on the first Sunday of the month from 2-5 PM, when they dim the lights and limit loud sounds.
You can also find out about workshops, classes, and special events. Or for even more of a deep dive into the work you see at the Plains Art Museum, you can sign up for hour-long guided tours for a small fee.
Spot all the Murals of Fargo
One thing that might surprise you is that there is street art all over downtown Fargo, but once you visit, you’ll always see it as an essential part of the city’s identity and understand its thriving arts scene!
If it wasn’t clear already that the city of Fargo has a particular love for the arts, they even have an official Arts and Culture Commission (ACC). This commission was created to encourage public access to art of all kinds, and it’s largely the reason that you’ll find beautifully preserved art murals all over downtown Fargo.
But beyond that, it just kind of happened! Some of the earliest pieces (which you can find a map of here), date back to 2011. And one of our favorite things to do in Fargo was when we walked around with artist Lesley Buegel, who is the actual artist of many of the works we saw.
It was fun to see all of the interactive pieces that you can take pictures with! We especially loved the Fargo Mario Wall (and it’s a must for Super Mario fans) and taking a stroll down the colorful Fargo Art Alley. There’s even a Bob Dylan mural on the side of the Bison Hotel you should check out (he actually lived here and went by the name of Elston Gunnn at the time!).
Hjemkomst Center
One of the most fascinating stops to add to your Fargo itinerary is the Hejmkomst Center. You’ll find this striking museum on the Moorhead side of the Red River, right on the border between North Dakota and Minnesota.
When you visit, you can see the Hjemkomst, an incredibly accurate replication of a Viking ship with a fascinating story. A local man, a creator and builder by the name of Robert Asp built the Viking ship for it it to then be sailed it from Minnesota to Norway in 1982!
The museum does an incredible job sharing Asp’s inspiring story and the Viking ship that moved the entire community. He sadly passed away during the construction of the ship – but his legend lives on as he single-handedly inspired an entire movement of people who helped see his vision through on its voyage.
The voyage itself wasn’t without its own trials and tribulations. It really is a remarkable story and the photographs and videos that go along with the Hjemkomst are worth taking the time to fully enjoy.
Another great reason to visit the Hjemkomst Center on your weekend in Fargo is to see the gorgeous replica Stave Church here, too, overlooking the Red River.
There are only a handful of authentic Stave Churches left in Scandinavia and only a few replicas even available to witness within the US, another one being at the Scandinavian Heritage Center in Minot, North Dakota (that we visited a few years back).
And beyond those two cultural and historic treasures, there are also some great exhibits on display. During our visit, they had a fascinating exhibit about the local Kurdish-American population, as well as one about the anniversary of the city through the Native American perspective.
Moorhead Dairy Queen
Fans of Dairy Queen (or golden age nostalgia in general), this one’s for you! While you’re in Moorhead, take the opportunity to visit the Moorhead Dairy Queen on 8th Street South.
This is one of the very first Dairy Queen locations, opened by a husband and wife duo in 1949! The seasonal walk-up window and patio dining have barely changed over the years and it feels almost like you’ve stepped back in time.
The Moorhead Dairy Queen is also famously the home of the Dilly Bar! It was first created here in 1955. We missed getting Dilly Bar here by one day since they’re open seasonally! It’s a big “to do” when they open on March 1, cars and people line up for one, even if there’s a blizzard out!
Visit March 1 through the end of October, and you can still try a Dilly Bar where it was first made. And make sure you take a picture with the “world’s largest Dilly Bar” next to the eatery that you can’t miss outside.
Have a Blast at Brewhalla
Brewehalla is a blast, even if you’re NOT a fan of beer! It’s the brainchild of the creators of Drekker Brewing Company, a really great brewery you’ll find here – and a must for any zythophile! They have incredibly good hazy IPAs for anyone who loves those as much as we do!
But as we said, Brewhalla is more than just a beer hall – it’s an expansive complex with a hotel, shops, and a great food hall.
The space is a whole experience, with a warm and casual atmosphere, edgy art, and lots of places to gather. Have fun shopping or grab one of Drekker Brewery’s unique beers and place some pinball!
Come for the night and stay in one of their custom-designed industrial hotel rooms or just head over for the evening for some of the best things to do in Fargo at night.
They also host several events here – we attended a fun Halloween party and festival here where everyone was dressed up in costume. It honestly felt like we were in a movie. We couldn’t believe how into it everyone got with their costumes. It matched the level of costumes we saw when we spent Halloween in Salem – a FAMOUS Halloween destination.
That example is just meant to illustrate that the events here are pretty cool and you get a good bite to eat and have great options to drink, shop, and listen to music while you’re at it.
So, you say it’s famous for the food? What did we eat? We loved the smash burgers from Unicorn Park (they even do their own version of Happy Meals for kids with a toy).
Shop Til You Drop in Downtown Fargo
Besides arts, history, and fabulous food, Downtown Fargo has some great shopping! Starting along N Broadway and then turning along Main Avenue, shopping was one of our favorite things to do in Fargo.
You’ll find several vintage, antique, and thrift stores in the downtown area. One that stood out to us was CUL DE SAC, which specializes in curating high-quality and trendy vintage clothing and accessories.
Around the corner, Carmine & Hayworth Vintage has a completely different feel and an impressive inventory of vintage clothes, jewelry, knick-knacks, and more.
Also on Main Avenue is Orange Records, which is the perfect stop if you love an old-school record store. They maintain a great collection of new and vintage vinyl records, as well as all kinds of posters and vintage tees. And make sure you say hi to Clyde, the store dog!
If you need to pick up some gifts to take home, Stabo Scandinavian Imports is the cutest gift shop selling all things Scandinavian! They sell everything from Norwegian candy and Viking hats to handblown glass and gorgeous home goods.
Dining Around Fargo
Fargo’s food scene is also impressively robust and worth checking out. Here are just a few of our favorite spots to add to your Fargo itinerary:
Wurst Bier Hall – This place is the perfect stop, especially on a cold night! Enjoy the casual vibe, great beer, and German comfort food. Try the bacon flight!
Pounds – A classic American diner with a twist. It’s a great stop with creative and gourmet takes on classics like hamburgers and fries and Bloody Marys. It has a great vibe and ambiance in here too! Love that they have a wide range of hot sauces to try too.
Marge’s Diner – A cute place that’s very Fargo and very Midwest. If you’re craving a typical, cozy diner with a warm atmosphere and large portions, you’ll love it. Look for the framed photos of our sweet Margie.
Mezzaluna & The Drawing Room – Perfect for a date night or simply a dinner that’s more elevated. They serve American cuisine and boutique cocktails, all with a stunning presentation and amazing flavor.
Sol Ave. Kitchen – Great for a beautiful evening out, Sol Ave. Kitchen is a fun, casual eatery offering tasty dishes made with local ingredients. Grab a pint from Junkyard Brewing Co. next door and head over!
Fargo’s Nightlife
A small town as hip and trendy as Fargo, of course, has top-notch nightlife!
First up is the bar scene at Marge’s Bar. Head around back to the entrance on Roberts Alley for this low-key basement bar with great vibes that draw you in for a night of great drinks and table games. You may even spot a Marge or two around the place.
Anyone who loves a vintage arcade game, visit Pixeled Arcade Bar, one of the best things to do in Fargo at night! The set-up is perfect, with a room full of old-school arcade and video games for only a quarter per game all night, plus draft beer.
Dempsey’s is a laid-back tavern in the heart of Fargo that’s great for a drink, pub grub, and a game of pool or a night on the town with live music or karaoke! Which energy level you get really depends on the time of day you come.
With tons of outdoor seating and great tacos right next door, Junkyard Brewing Company is the answer to what to do in Fargo on a warm night. They’re popular for their IPAS and Sours but offer a wide range with something sure to fit your taste.
And then there’s Starbird Lounge. This place will not disappoint! It’s as over the top as it is timeless, with creative drinks and a memorable vibe. This was the best spot for cocktails we went to. Stop by after dinner for the perfect end to your day.
Catch a Game at the FARGODOME!
If you’re here in the fall through winter, one of the essential things to do in Fargo is to go to a game at FARGODOME. During the regular season, the stadium is home to the NDSU Bison. We had so much fun tailgating here and then seeing a game!
But throughout the year, the stadium also hosts all kinds of concerts and special events that you can attend. It’s completely enclosed, so the weather is never a concern.
Scheel’s Arena
Sports fans will also appreciate seeing the UHSL Fargo Force play at Scheel’s Arena in West Fargo. If you’ve never been to a hockey game, this is the place to experience one!
The stadium seats more than 5,000 people and hosts all kinds of events all year long, including concerts, craft fairs, food & wine festivals, and more. We went to the Pride of Dakota holiday showcase.
Where to Stay in Fargo
While you’re planning your Fargo itinerary, we recommend the Jasper Hotel in the heart of downtown. This stylish, modern hotel is walking distance to most of the things we mention in this guide.
Guests can choose from rooms and suites, with access to a variety of top-notch amenities, including a steam room, yoga classes, and more.
There’s also a great restaurant, bar, and cafe on site too. We also loved that the rooms and common areas featured local artists!
Our room had a great view of downtown and you really can’t beat this location when visiting Fargo!
Looking for more North Dakota destinations? Check out our 4-day road trip through Northwest North Dakota itinerary!
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