Things to do in Fargo if you're under 21

If you love a little competition or want to get active in the sun (and inevitable wind), these outdoor activities should do the trick.

Sports leagues

While colleges host plenty of intramurals, they aren't year-round. On the other hand, Each of the park districts runs many sports leagues where you can meet people outside the college community.

Batting cages

Let off some steam and whack a few balls at the Thunder Road batting cages (helmets and bats provided, but open in summer only) or The Ball Yard for year-round slugging. You can also reserve the ATTIC even if you are not a member.

Sand volleyball

Grab a ball and some friends and head to Rabanus Park or Fargo Billiards & Gastropub* for a match. Or, join an adult Sand Volleyball league.

*Evenings at Fargo Billiards & Gastropub are league only, but their courts are available to rent. 

Skateboarding

Four skate parks in Fargo are free to the public: Dike West, Jefferson West Park, Village West Park, and Madison Park. The Hawks Nest is an indoor skate park with free skate nights and year-round skating. 

Need to buy a board? THIS Skate and Snow in Downtown Fargo can help.

Golf

Fargo has seven excellent public golf courses to play a few rounds. El Zagal is oriented toward beginners and rents clubs (so is Prairiewood!) if you don't have your own.

Footgolf

The foot version of regular golf, you can head to El Zagal with a soccer ball (or rent one there) and play nine holes of 'golf.' The course runs alongside the golf course, and you tee off from the same boxes, but they have different greens and holes.

Disc golf

Several parks across Fargo have disc golf courses. You can buy a Frolf (frisbee-golf) disc at Scheels or Play it Again Sports for $10-20 and hit the course with friends.

Thunder Road

Thunder Road isn't just for families and young kids—pretty much any group of friends can have fun at this outdoor adventure park. Mini golfing, batting cages, laser tag, and go-karts are some activities available here.

You can appreciate them from May to October, and then the arcade, laser tag, and indoor activities are open in the winter months.

Suite Shots

If you've ever tried Top Golf, you'd love Suite Shots. Although you can do it all year round, the summer is a great time to sit in the shade and practice your swing.

Bike ride

A bike ride is a fast and easy way to see the city or get adventurous. If you have your bike, take it for a spin on some of the bike trails that wind along the river.

Lindenwood Park rents regular road bikes and Surrey bikes if you have a group that wants to ride together.

Swimming

Swimming pools can be a fun day out, even if you're not a kid anymore. Entry tends to be cheap ($7 or less), and you can spend as long as you like lounging in the sun or swimming some laps.

Kayaking/canoeing

Don't overlook the Red River when you're choosing outdoor activities. Renting a kayak or canoe from Lindenwood Park or the River Keepers rental shack (located by the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead) costs about $10/hour.

Hiking

What Fargo lacks in mountains, it makes up for in fun hiking trails. Some of the best can be found just outside the city at Buffalo River State Park, Sheyenne National Grasslands, and Maplewood State Park, while relaxed walking trails are in city parks like M.B. Johnson Park, Island Park, Orchard Glen, and Lindenwood Park.

Obviously, this is North Dakota, and it can't always be summer (sigh). So, here are a few winter options to keep you outdoors (or help you hide from the cold inside).

Ice Skating

Outdoor skating rinks pop up around the city as soon as the temperatures allow (which is always pretty early). Several locations feature a staffed warming house during the season, which tends to be from December to very early March.

If you can't bring your own skates, head to Broadway Square or The Lights rinks, which have ice skate rentals.

Cross country skiing

From 1K to 3.7K, you can find cross-country ski trails in several of Fargo's parks. Because it's so flat, it's a great form of exercise and just a weird, fun winter sport to try.

P.S. You can also rent snowshoes if you'd rather try that over skiing.

Curling

Let's be honest; we've all watched curling during the Winter Olympics and wanted to try it ourselves. In Fargo, you can. The F-M Curling Club has leagues and learn-to-curl events at just $15 for 90 minutes on the ice sweeping or throwing stones!

Sky Zone

The first non-cold activity on our list, Sky Zone, is an indoor trampoline park. 'Glow' events involve jumping in the dark to lasers and music. The park also offers Ultimate Dodgeball on its trampolines and a Foam Zone for practicing tricks.

Kingpinz Social

This Family Entertainment center has bowling, an arcade, escape rooms, and laser tag. Kingpinz is the perfect spot for an indoor winter activity for the whole family.

Bowling

A tried and true option, bowling alleys in Fargo are always a cheap, fun night out (even if you don't like bowling). There are multiple bowling alleys in the FM area.

Roller skating

Pretend you work in a 50's cafe, strap on a pair of roller skates, and hit the rink at Skate City. Rent skates for $3.50, then pay $9-10 for a 2-hour session (or go on Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. for a discounted $6 entry).

Racquetball

Lock yourself in a white box with a friend and smack a blue ball at each other – that's the premise of racquetball.

The Fercho YMCA in Downtown Fargo has racquetball courts available to rent. Other options are at Courts Plus, Family Wellness, and NDSU Wellness Center.

Rock climbing

If you want to climb in Fargo, you have two options. First is the other branch of the YMCA, located just off 45th St. The other is the MSUM Wellness Center in Moorhead.

Fargo Climbing is another excellent option, with an entire space dedicated to rock climbing.

Make sure you call ahead for prices and see if you need any special training before you can tackle the rock walls.

Ax Throwing

Release your inner Lumberjack at Rough Cut Social or United States Axe. Pick up the ax and throw it at the bulls-eye on the wall. We promise it's fun (and a great way to release pent-up anger). 

Indoor Nerf and Laser Tag

Grab a group of your most fun friends and head to TAG (Tactical Action Gaming) for some Nerf and Laser Tag.

This indoor sports arena is perfect for a battle. You can use Nerf guns or Laser Tag to tag your opponents and win the mission. 

Explore the arts and culture side of the Fargo-Moorhead area. We promise there's a lot to see.

Art Museums

If you want to get inspired before you create something, visit the Plains Art Museum in Downtown Fargo or the Rourke Art Museum, just across the bridge in Moorhead. Both are free to enter and full of exciting pieces.

Bonanzaville, USA

Another way to transport back in time is to walk through the 43 historic pioneer buildings, which are chock full of artifacts and tidbits about the history of this area from the past.

Comstock House

Step back in time in this Victorian home. Even if you're not a history or museum person, pretend you lived in the era and play a little game: in each room, choose one item you'd keep in your own house and one you'd throw away immediately.

It's open Friday-Saturday from 10-4 from May through September. 

Fargo Air Museum

The Fargo Air Museum is home to aircraft of all eras, from the modern Global Hawk unmanned reconnaissance drone to the "most accurate recreation of a Wright Brothers' Flyer the Smithsonian Institute has ever seen." 

The Air Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10-5; admission is $15. 

Hjemkomst Center

The distinct tent-like structure sits right by the Red River on the Minnesota side. What's up with the shape, you ask? The Hjemkomst (pronounced YUM-kumst) houses a replica of a 9th-century Viking ship, so the peaks you see are where the mainsail resides.

This local heritage center showcases the history and culture of the people of this area. In addition to the Viking ship, you can also walk through the Stave Church, located right next to the museum in a beautiful park near the river, or peruse the many exhibits.

MSUM Planetarium

Few people know about this hidden gem in the area. You don't have to be a science nerd to appreciate the fantastic night sky simulations and total immersion experiences at the Planetarium.

Sit back in the theater, look up, and journey through the stars. The website has the most updated list of public shows.

Red River Zoo

22-acres, 89 species, and 1 antique carousel = a great day out. The adorable Chinese red panda and river otters are worth the $14.95 entry alone (SNAP/EBT for discounted admission).

The Red River Zoo is open year-round and houses some of the world's rarest cold climate species.

Artistic

Let your right brain go wild with these creative endeavors.

Art alleys

First stop: Downtown Fargo. Nearly every side street you find will have street art practically begging you to take photos with it. Below are just some of the street murals to discover.

The Art Bar

A second painting option, The Art Bar in West Fargo, hosts canvas painting events. Just check out their calendar for a painting that interests you (or attend any class and paint whatever you want!).

Clay Your Way

A fun way to pass an afternoon (or a whole day), Clay Your Way lets you choose a ceramic item and paint it however you'd like. Mugs, plates, jars, coasters... you name it, and Clay Your Way will let you paint it.

Choose your item and your paint colors and get to work. Don't worry if you don't finish – they'll store the piece for you so you can return to it another day!

Painted Bison

Across Fargo and its sister cities, Moorhead & West Fargo, are 20+ painted, life-sized bison statues. One is disguised as a tiger, another has a mohawk, and a third is cleverly named after a Van Gogh painting. They're all different, and you can make a day of hunting down all of them (and getting picture proof).

Unglued classes

If you want to do more than paint, Unglued Market within Brewhalla hosts workshops where you can make planters, tote bags, string art, serving dishes, beeswax candles, and more.

For a longer list of all-ages bars and restaurants, check out our guide to Fargo-Moorhead for College Students.

Boba Tea

Teaberry is the late-night hangout for those over 18 but under 21. Its comfy couches, relaxed setting, delicious smoothies, and interesting Thai Boba teas make it a cheap and fun place to spend a few hours. Bobaholic Tea House and Yum Tea are the new kids on the block when it comes to boba tea, so try those out as well. 

Late Night Spots

Black Coffee and Waffle Bar is a fun late-night spot (open until 11 p.m.). If you haven't figured it out, they serve black coffee and waffles. Boss's Chicken & Pizza is another option, with their hours ranging from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily. 

Ice cream treats

In the summer, Moorhead Dairy Queen opens and constantly seems to have a line around the block. It's worth the wait for a refreshing Blizzard or signature Dilly Bar. You can also take a picture by the massive Dilly Bar statue, an ode to the original Dilly Bar made in Moorhead.

The hottest (but actually coolest) new spots in town for ice cream should also make your must-visit list. These include The Silver Lining Creamery for interesting and rotating ice cream flavors like basil or orange creamsicle, Tea & Crepe for Thai rolled ice cream (don't know what that is? Check out Instagram), and Scoop N Dough Candy Co for a combo of delicious ice cream and a scoop of cookie dough (they have extra-large portions, so come with your sweet tooth prepared). Another option is Kones Kreamery, which is in South Fargo.

Coffee

All the gourmet coffee shops allow underage patrons, so pop into one for a great cup of Joe, a coffee drink, or a baked good.

See a show

For the most up-to-date events happening in Fargo, check out our Events Calendar.

Root for the home team

Fargo has a sports team for every season. In the summer, RedHawks baseball takes over the Newman Outdoor Field, and tickets cost $5 in advance.

Many people don't realize that Fargo also has a semi-pro football team called the Fargo Invaders. Their season starts in April and runs through August.

When February rolls around, the F-M Derby Girls roll in. If you've never been to a roller derby but watched that one movie with Jennifer Lawrence (or even if you haven't), you should really experience it.

Finally, when the ground freezes over, it's time for some Fargo Force hockey... they consistently have draft picks on the roster, so you could say they're worth watching. Their season goes from October through April, so you'll be hard-pressed to find a month of the year without some local sports to watch.

Catch a movie

Remember when a movie night didn't cost $20 a person? Those days still exist, and we call them Tuesdays. On Tuesdays, the main theaters—Marcus Century and West Acres Cinema—offer $7 movie tickets, even for the newest releases.

The Fargo Theatre is more than a great photo backdrop – nightly movie showings (at $10 with a student ID) and interesting live events are always on here.

Live Music

As the largest event space in Fargo, the FARGODOME tends to host the most significant events in the city. Bison football games in the fall, concerts as big as Ed Sheeran and Justin Timberlake, and various other musical, trade shows, and sporting events are always happening here.

Bluestem opens its outdoor amphitheater to crowds looking for concerts and local theater productions throughout the summer and early fall. Trollwood Performing Arts School also always puts on a great show at a reasonable price for general admission tickets.

The TAK Music Venue is another all-ages event venue in Dilworth, MN. They tend to bring fun bands that everyone is down to dance to, so grab your friends and head to the TAK for a packed dance floor and some fun tunes.