Planning your first trip to Fargo, North Dakota? This 3-day Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo itinerary covers local restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, shopping, outdoor activities, arts and culture, and must-see attractions across the Fargo metro.

From downtown Fargo murals and rooftop patios to Scandinavian history, Red River adventures, and local food favorites, this guide highlights the best things to do and ways experience the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo community on a first visit.

 

Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo at a Glance

Best for: Weekend getaways, Midwest road trips, foodies, brewery lovers, and arts and culture travelers (see: Arts Capital of the North).

Known for: Craft breweries, public art, Scandinavian heritage, local restaurants, shopping, and Midwest hospitality.

Best time to visit: Summer and early fall.

Ideal trip length: 2 to 3 days.

Most walkable areas: Downtown Fargo, Broadway, Brewhalla district.

Morning

Twenty Below Coffee Co.

Start your first morning in the Fargo-Moorhead community at Twenty Below Coffee Co., one of the most popular local coffee shops in the metro.

Known for roasting its beans in-house, Twenty Below is a favorite for specialty coffee drinks, cozy seating, and community atmosphere. Visitors can relax with board games inside the downtown Fargo location or stop at the Moorhead location for fresh bread and pastries.

14 Roberts St N, Fargo
600 8th St S, Moorhead

Best Shopping in Downtown Fargo

Downtown Fargo is packed with locally owned boutiques, gift shops, vintage hubs, and artisan markets.

Popular shopping stops include:

Broadway and Main Avenue are especially great for exploring Fargo's local shopping scene while discovering murals, restaurants, and coffee shops along the way.

Afternoon

Brewhalla

Brewhalla is one of the most unique attractions in Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo, combining local restaurants, shopping, bars, and Drekker Brewing Company into one massive community gathering space. Grab lunch at one of the many local restaurants within this food hall, and then stroll around the shops to find some great souvenirs. Plus, multiple bars serve Drekker beer, as does the Drekker Brewery. 

1702 1st Ave N, Fargo

Best Murals and Public Art in Fargo

Downtown Fargo is known for colorful murals, public art installations, and even painted bison throughout the metro.

From large-scale building murals to painted electrical boxes and alleyway art, the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo community has transformed downtown into an open-air art gallery. Exploring Fargo's murals is one of the best free things to do in the region.

Evening

Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks Baseball Game

Even if you are not a baseball fan, a Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks game is one of the best summer experiences in the metro.

Grab a local beer, enjoy classic ballpark food, and spend the evening with passionate local fans at Newman Outdoor Field. Some nights even end with fireworks.

Besides baseball, the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo community is home to college athletics, hockey, football, curling, roller derby, and horse racing events throughout the year.

Newman Outdoor Field
1515 15th Ave N, Fargo

 

Day 2: Outdoor Adventures and Scandinavian Culture

Morning

Nichole's Fine Pastry

Nichole's Fine Pastry is a Fargo favorite known for European-inspired pastries, cakes, coups, sandwiches, and baked goods. This cozy downtown bakery is perfect for breakfast or brunch before a day of exploring the community. They also serve lunch and dinner.

13 8th St S, Fargo

Kayaking the Red River

One of the best outdoor activities in Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo is kayaking or canoeing on the Red River of the North. Rent kayaks or canoes at Lindenwood Park and spend a relaxing afternoon on the water, immersed in nature.

In winter, visitors can rent showshoes or cross-country skis for snowy riverfront experiences.

Lindenwood Park Kayak Rentals, Fargo
River Keepers Rental Shack, Moorhead
Edgewood Chalet, Fargo (Snowshoes and skis)

Afternoon

Pounds

Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Pounds is a local favorite known for comfort food, creative burgers, mac and cheese, and a lively downtown vibe. The pet-friendly patio and late-night menu make it a popular stop for all.

6 Broadway N, Fargo

Original Moorhead Dairy Queen

The Original Moorhead Dairy Queen is a historic roadside stop famous for inventing the Dilly Bar and for remaining independently owned to keep fan favorites on its menu. Open seasonally from March through October, this iconic walk-up ice cream spot is a top attraction.

If you are visiting in winter, stop by Silver Lining Creamery or Tea & Crepe Cafe instead.

24 8th St S, Moorhead

Hjemkomst Center and Scandinavian Heritage

The area has deep Scandinavian roots, with many residents tracing their ancestry to Norway and Sweden. The Hjemkomst Center highlights this history through:

  • a replica Viking ship
  • The Hopperstad Stave Church replica
  • regional history exhibits
  • local art collections

202 1st Ave N, Moorhead

Evening

Fargo Patios and Food Trucks

During summer, patios and food trucks are a major part of the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo experience. The metro has dozens of local food trucks parked throughout breweries, patios, and community events. You can find anything from barbecue and tacos to Indian cuisine and handcrafted desserts.

Bluestem Amphitheater

Live music thrives year-round here, but in the summer, you have to experience Bluestem Amphitheater. See concerts and Trollwood Performing Arts productions.

801 50th Ave S, Moorhead

 

Day 3: Art, History, Breweries, and Local Favorites

Morning

Marge's Diner

Paying homage to Marge from the Coen Brothers' iconic film, Marge's Diner is best known for its oversized pancakes, comforting Midwest breakfast dishes, and retro diner vibes, complete with a salt-and-pepper shaker collection that rivals your grandmother's.

220 Broadway N, Fargo

Plains Art Museum

The Plains Art Museum in Fargo is the largest art museum and the first and only Smithsonian Affiliate located in North Dakota. It's a renovated International Harvester warehouse in the city's downtown district. If you're all you're finding local art, this is the place to see it. This free art museum's permanent collection has over 4,000 local, regional, and national works, including Native American art.

704 1st Ave N, Fargo

Afternoon

Wurst Bier Hall

Wurst Bier Hall celebrates the German heritage found throughout the Red River Valley with sausages, pretzels, and knoephla soup. With over 41 beers on tap, gather your group and ask for your beer to be served in a "das boot" to participate in a German drinking game.

630 1st Ave N, Fargo
3179 Bluestem Dr, West Fargo

Fargo Woodchipper

Did you know the original woodchipper from the movie Fargo is on display at the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Visitors Center? Stop by to get your picture taken by this quirky roadside attraction that's signed by the Coen Brothers, and see the original screenplay, promotional snow globes, and more.

2001 44th St S, Fargo

Bonanzaville, USA

Bonanzaville, USA, is a pioneer village and museum featuring historic prairie buildings, artifacts, and exhibits about early life in North Dakota and Minnesota. Visitors can tour original homes, a saloon, a church, a schoolhouse, a mercantile store, and railroad exhibits in the pioneer village.

1351 Main Ave W, West Fargo

West Acres Mall

West Acres combines shopping with one of the region's largest public art collections. As the largest mall in North Dakota, visitors can browse local stores, regional artisan goods, and rotating art exhibits while exploring Fargo's largest shopping destination.

6902 13th Ave S, Fargo

Evening

Camp Lonetree

Camp Lonetrees' four-season patio is filled with entertainment, campfires, games, curling, and has a casual hunting/camping menu like hot dogs, burgers, and homemade French onion dip. Try one of their cocktails, such as camp mules and flights, sure to encourage dancing and singing.

701 N University Dr, Fargo

Breweries

The Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo community has a thriving craft beer scene with breweries offering patios, live music, food trucks, trivia nights, and seasonal beer releases. Try Drekker's sours, Junkyard's experimental brews, or Wild Terra's ciders. Beer lovers can also complete the Fargo-Moorhead Crafts & Drafts Pass while exploring the region.

 

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