Fargo – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (2024)

For other places with the same name, see Fargo (disambiguation).

Fargo is a modern city of just over 100,000 in the Red River Valley of North Dakota. 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. Neighboring Moorhead, Minnesota is across the river from Fargo and the area is generally referred to as Fargo-Moorhead. Fargo is the seat of Cass County.

Understand[edit]

Climate[edit]

Fargo
Climate chart (explanation)
JFMAMJJASOND

0.6

15

−3

0.5

21

3

1

34

17

1.7

54

32

2.3

69

44

3.1

77

54

3.2

83

59

2.4

81

57

1.8

70

46

1.5

57

35

0.8

36

19

0.6

21

4

Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation+Snow totals in inches
See Fargo's 7 day forecast
Metric conversion
JFMAMJJASOND

15

−9

−19

13

−6

−16

25

1

−8

43

12

58

21

7

79

25

12

81

28

15

61

27

14

46

21

8

38

14

2

20

2

−7

15

−6

−16

Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation+Snow totals in mm

Get in[edit]

By plane[edit]

Fargo's 1 Hector International Airport (FAR IATA) is served by Allegiant, American, Delta, and United with flights to Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Orlando, Phoenix, and Dallas.

By train[edit]

See also: Rail travel in the United States
  • 2 Fargo railway station, 420 4th St N. The station is nearby downtown, with many restaurants and bars nearby. In the summertime, food trucks are found by the station. Fargo – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (2) Fargo – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (3) (updated May 2020)
    • Amtrak, +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates train service around the United States of America. Fargo – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (4) Fargo – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (5) (updated Mar 2022) Route stopping at Fargo:
      • Empire Builder operating daily between Seattle/Portland and Chicago including stops at Spokane, Glacier National Park, Fargo, Saint Paul, and Milwaukee. The trains split into separate branches between Seattle and Spokane, and between Portland and Spokane, while operating as trains consisting of train cars from both branches between Spokane and Chicago. Unfortunately, arrival time is in the middle of night, about 2:30AM, and delays are quite common on this route too.

By bus[edit]

  • 3 Jefferson Lines, 214 12th St NW, +1 701 293-1222. Jefferson Lines provides bus service to Fargo from cities in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana. (updated Feb 2018)

By car[edit]

Fargo is located at the intersection of Interstate Highways 29 and 94. It's about 230 miles northwest of the Twin Cities on I-94, about a three-hour and twenty minute drive.

Get around[edit]

Fargo – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (6)

Map of Fargo

Matbus Bus transportation is available to most parts of the city. Parking around Fargo is plentiful, even on the main thoroughfares in downtown areas.

See[edit]

Two interesting landmarks in the surrounding are the KVLY-TV mast and the KXJB-TV mast, which were the tallest towers on earth until the construction of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

  • 1 Fargodome, 1800 N University Dr, +1 701 241-9100. Offers athletic events (most notably North Dakota State football games), broadway shows, music concerts. During some concerts 1/4 of the population fits inside the Fargodome. Fargo – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (7) Fargo – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (8)
  • Roger Maris Museum, 3902 13th Ave (West Acres Mall (at I-29)). Open year-round. Admission is free. (updated Sep 2023)
  • 2 Fargo Theatre, 314 Broadway, +1 701 239-8385. The Fargo Theater show mostly independent films, on actual film, not digital. Inside the theatre there is a statue of Marge Olmstead Gunderson, of the movie Fargo carved out of wood, also inside on the stage is a functional Wurlitzer pipe organ that is occasionally used to score silent films. Fargo – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (9) Fargo – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (10)
  • 3 North Dakota State University. Fargo – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (11) Fargo – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (12)
    • North Dakota State Bison. The university's sports teams, competing in eight men's and eight women's sports, mostly in the Summit League. The most prominent program by far is the football team, a major power at the Division I FCS (second) level, including nine national championships in 11 seasons (2011–2015, 2017–2019, 2021); it plays in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Most Bison teams play on campus, including the football team (the Fargodome is owned by the city, but the underlying land is owned by the university and part of the campus). Football games frequently sell out, but tickets for other sports are easier to find. Tip to fit in with the locals: the "S" in "Bison" is locally pronounced with a "z" sound instead of the "s" sound found in most other American English dialects.
  • Plains Art Museum, 704 First Ave, +1 701 232-3821. 11:00 to 17:00 (11 AM to 5 PM). No food, smoking, chewing gum, or photography allowed. Free admission. (updated Sep 2023)
  • 4 Fargo Air Museum, 1609 19th Ave N, +1 701-293-8043, communication@fargoairmuseum.org. Closed Sunday and Monday. The rest of the week is 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.. Museum focused on avian history and machinery. Closed on all major holidays such as Easter, July 4, Christmas Eve and Day, and New Years Day. Some days may be booked for private events, so refer to the website in advance. Adult: $15. Student/Military/Veteran/Senior: $12. Child (5-11): $10. Children under 4: Free. Fargo – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (13) Fargo – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (14) (updated Sep 2023)
  • Children's Museum, 1201 28th Ave (Yunker Farm).
  • Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks (Newman Outdoor Field, NDSU campus). Minor league baseball. While you are there, check out the Maury Wills Museum.
  • 5 Horse Racing, 5180 19th Ave N (North Dakota Horse Park), +1 701 277-8027. Season is from early August to mid-September. Fargo – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (15) Fargo – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (16)
  • 6 Red River Zoo, 4220 21st Ave SW, +1 701 277-9240. Open daily May to October, weekends only rest of year. Has red pandas. Fargo – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (17) Fargo – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (18)
  • 7 Bonanzaville, USA Museum and Village, 1351 Main Avenue W, West Fargo, +1 701 282-2822. 36 buildings providing an insight into the earliest settlers, how they lived, what they possessed and the challenges they faced. Main museum, rotating gallery and village: adult $12, senior/collerge $10, student (6-16) $6, child (5 and under) or military with ID free. (updated Dec 2022)

Do[edit]

  • 1 Thunder Road Family Fun Park. Go-kart racing, batting cages, adventure golf. Open May–September.,
  • 2 Sky Zone Fargo. - located in Fargo
  • Celebrity Walk of Fame, 2001 44th St. SW (Exit 348 Interstate 94), +1 701 282-3653. The walk where more than 100 celebrities have left their marks in cement. Stars from music, the arts, politics, and sports, like: Garth Brooks, Neil Diamond, KISS, Maury Wills, Debbie Reynolds, and Governor Jesse Ventura, have left their signatures, handprints and footprints. No fee.
  • Vietnam Week, 1609 19th Avenue North. dedicated to Vietnam era.
  • Scheels Fargo Marathon (Civic Center).

Buy[edit]

Fargo has many interesting boutique and specialty style shops downtown.

  • West Acres. Fargo shopping means the million square foot West Acres, featuring Sears, JC Penney and Macy's plus a hundred other stores. During and post construction West Acres was colloquially referred to by residents as "Wasted Acres" as it was built on farm land.
  • Zandbroz Variety. Has an eclectic collection of books and trinkets, including Fargo memorabilia.

Eat[edit]

Budget[edit]

  • Grand Junction. 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.
  • Boppa's Bagels, 3051 25th St S # O, +1 701 241-7800. Boppa's Bagels makes wonderful bagels, of note are their speciality bagels, that are also available at some coffee shops around the city.

Mid-range[edit]

  • Passage to India, 855 45th St, +1 701-281-0277. An excellent Indian buffet place. A flavourful and delightful selection from soup to dessert is available.
  • Himalayan Yak, 1109 38th St S, +1 701-251-4939. Offers excellent Greek and Italian food.

Splurge[edit]

Drink[edit]

  • Babb's Seattle Coffee House. A fantastic independent coffee shop located across the street from the Fargo Theater downtown. Credit cards are accepted for a $0.25 surcharge.
  • Bismarck Tavern, 6th Ave. and Broadway. The PBR is always cold, all the whiskey drinks are doubles, and pull tabs litter the dirty floor that is inexplicably emblazoned with the New York Yankees logo. This downtown Fargo watering hole is Fargo's best dive bar. Black jack tables, off-sale liquor, and pinball are available.
  • Dempsey's Public House, 226 Broadway. Traditional Irish pub. Upstairs of Dempsey's is The Aquarium, a live music venue featuring bands of every musical style.
  • Blarney Irish Pub. Irish pub inside the Hotel Donaldson bar featuring pub food as well as beers and ales on tap.

Sleep[edit]

Great variety of hotels and motels ranging from budget to luxury. Major national chains like Motel 6, Comfort Inn, Best Western, Howard Johnson's, Ramada, Radisson, Courtyard by Marriott, and Travelodge all have Fargo locations.

In addition, you may rent rooms from $300 per month or less. There are signs everywhere and some interesting residential hotels scattered about.

Budget[edit]

Mid-range[edit]

Splurge[edit]

  • Hotel Donaldson, 101 Broadway, +1 701-478-1000. A beautiful experience. The Donaldson has only 17 rooms, each featuring original works by a Plains artist. It was immaculately renovated in 2003. Room decor is modern. Amenities include flat screen cable TV, rooftop spa and high speed internet access. Outstanding personal service includes complimentary gourmet breakfast bar in the morning and wine and cheese bar in the early evening.
  • La Maison des Papillons B&B, +1 701 232-2041, toll-free: +1-888-273-3380.
  • Radisson Blu Fargo, 201 5th St N, +1 701 232-7363, toll-free: +1-800-333-3333. (updated Aug 2023)
  • Delta Hotels by Marriott Fargo, 1635 42nd St SW, +1 701 277-9000.

Stay safe[edit]

Fargo is a safe city, with little violent crime, however, use common sense especially when it comes to personal property, just as you would anywhere else. 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 an unpredictable experience.

Occasionally, 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.

Connect[edit]

There is free wireless internet access in the food court at the West Acres Shopping Center.

Most coffee shops and even a few bars also offer free wireless internet access.

  • High Plains Reader The source for what is happening in the city, an alternative newspaper that from the start was doomed to fail due to the small population of the city, but has since lasted over 10 years and remains as strong as ever. Free.
  • KNDS Radio for Everyone. A collaborative university and community radio station, that thanks to the extreme flatness of Fargo can broadcast about the whole metro area on a Low Power FM Dial.

Go next[edit]

Routes through Fargo

MinotGrand ForksWEDetroit LakesSt. Paul
Grand ForksArgusvilleNFargo – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (20)Fargo – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (21)S→ Jct W EHankinsonSioux Falls
Bismarck/MinotWest FargoWFargo – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (23)Fargo – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (24)EMoorheadMinneapolis
ENDWest FargoWFargo – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (25)EMoorheadSt. Paul
This city travel guide to Fargo is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
Fargo – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (2024)

FAQs

What is Fargo, North Dakota best known for? ›

Fargo is the home of the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra and the Fargo-Moorhead Civic Opera. The Plains Art Museum houses regional folk and Native American art.

What was Fargo, ND originally called? ›

Fargo's original name was Centralia, but was renamed after the Northern Pacific Railway director and Wells Fargo Express Company founder William G. Fargo.

What is the sister city of Fargo? ›

Fargo, North Dakota, and Moorhead, Minnesota are sister cities of the Red River Valley.

Why is the TV series called Fargo? ›

Production. In 2012, it was announced that FX, with the Coen brothers as executive producers, was developing a new television series based on the 1996 Academy Award-winning film Fargo.

Is Fargo, North Dakota worth visiting? ›

Explore Fargo

For a weekend of fun and relaxation, you don't have far to go. North Dakota's largest city gained a certain measure of modern fame with its 1996 movie namesake. But Fargo is more than a city of friendly folks and flat accents. Local museums will please art lovers, children and baseball enthusiasts.

What is North Dakota number 1 in? ›

North Dakota leads the nation in production of spring wheat, durum wheat, dry edible peas, dry edible beans, honey, flaxseed and canola. North Dakota is the No. 1 producer of honey in the nation.

What is special about Fargo? ›

The Fargo of today is a vibrant downtown of unique lodging, eating establishments and entertainment venues. It's the largest city in North Dakota and the home of Football Championship Subdivision national powerhouse North Dakota State University.

Where is the Fargo accent from? ›

It just wouldn't be a season of Fargo without a fresh set of Minnesota accents, would it? (Oh yah, you betcha.) FX's Emmy-winning anthology returns for Season 5 this Tuesday at 10/9c, and TVLine got a chance to talk with the cast about how they developed the distinctive Fargo accent.

Why was Fargo named Fargo? ›

A Brief Glimpse into Fargo's Early History

Railroads played a major role in the development of Fargo. In fact, the city was named for William G. Fargo, a director of the Northern Pacific Railroad, and co-founder of Wells Fargo Express Company.

What is the cost of living in Fargo? ›

The cost of living in Fargo, ND is 4% higher than the state average and 2% lower than the national average. Fargo, ND housing is 15% cheaper than the U.S average, while utilities are about 1% less pricey.

Does Fargo have a downtown? ›

Downtown Fargo is a must-see when visiting the Fargo area.

What true story is Fargo based on? ›

The Coen Brothers' 'Fargo' Is Not Really Based on a True Story. Well, one thing we can say for certain is that, despite what they want you to believe, the Coens were definitely not dramatizing any real-life event "exactly as it occurred." Fargo tells the story of Jerry Lundegaard (William H.

Where was Fargo filmed? ›

Fargo was filmed during the winter of 1995, mainly in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and around Pembina County, North Dakota.

Why is Fargo so popular? ›

Each actor in Fargo gives a career-best performance, pulling off the movie's weird balance of dark comedy flawlessly. Every character in Fargo has at least one quotable line, and the chemistry between every actor (especially Buscemi and Peter Stormare) makes the film so much fun to watch.

What is the most famous thing about North Dakota? ›

North Dakota is known for its Badlands, now part of the 70,000-acre Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Roosevelt's journey to the Dakota Territory in 1883 to hunt bison was among his Western ventures that instilled in him a fervor for preservation of natural lands, and ultimately the first national parks.

What is the race population in Fargo North Dakota? ›

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Fargo, ND are White (Non-Hispanic) (80.2%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (8.48%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (4.02%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.76%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (1.29%).

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