Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo is the largest city in the metro area and provides a great opportunity to discover a fun and different place to visit. Read on for a full list of things to do in Fargo and great places to eat, drink, and play throughout the city.
FOOD & DRINK
Even though Downtown Fargo restaurants and bars are known as some of the best restaurants in Fargo, there are tons of great spots throughout the city. With new restaurants in Fargo, ND, popping up nearly daily, it's hard to keep up. Order a free Dining Guide to see them all.
Restaurants in Fargo
There are tons of local options throughout the city. Plaza Azteca is a very popular Mexican restaurant with two locations in Fargo. JL Beers has a location downtown as well as one in South Fargo and touts the best burgers in town. Sickies Garage is another burger spot with nearly 40 inventive burgers on its menu. Duane’s House of Pizza is a staple pizza shop serving pies cut into squares in a no-frills setting. Luna is another favorite; its rotating menu and fantastic wine list are the perfect space to gather with friends.
For a special occasion or something a little higher end, head to Porter Creek, which roasts full chickens and other meats with pasta and sandwiches on the menu. CRAVE is another option with American choices as well as a full sushi menu. The Tavern is also great, with a large menu and great happy hour deals.
There are also tons of authentic and unexpected restaurants in Fargo. Cafe Aladdin serves authentic Greek dishes, while SOHO 23 is a Korean and Japanese spot with incredible hibachi and bulgogi dishes. Azteca Tacos is one of the most authentic fast-casual taco shops located at the International Market Plaza.
Dessert places in Fargo
Finding a place with gourmet ice cream or a cozy spot for dessert is easy in Fargo. Ice cream in Fargo can be found at Kones Kreamery, a spot that features handcrafted Italian ice cream with fun toppings to make your scoop look like a cute cat or unicorn. The Silver Lining Creamery is in Downtown Fargo, right across the street from Broadway Square, and specializes in fresh and unique flavors, all created in-house. Down the street, Tea & Crepe Cafe offers specialty Thai ice cream which you can watch being scraped into the rolls right in front of you. Last but not least, Scoop N Dough is an ice cream parlor where you can order one part ice cream and one part cookie dough, a delicious combination.
For more of a classic dessert option, Nichole’s Fine Pastry is a staple of the community, with tempting treats like pastries and cakes. Sandy’s Donuts is another classic choice with multiple locations all over town and serves tons of delicious donut choices like dirt & worms, birthday cake, Bavarian Bismarks, and more great donuts in Fargo. Two great spots for souvenir candies and treats are Sweet Dreams Confections and Yeobo Sweet Shop.
Coffee places in Fargo
Coffee is another thing that Fargo is not short on. Aside from the fantastic coffee shops in Downtown Fargo, there’s a whole list of Fargo coffee shops that are around town. Beans Coffee Bar is a popular choice, if not for the mini donut you get on each hot drink, then for their fantastic coffee. Bully Brew and Kreps Family Corner Coffee are also great, with unique menus and coffee choices. If you’d rather have a choice of teas, Steep Me a Cup of Tea has many options, from Matcha to Tisane herbal teas and much more.
SHOPPING
The shopping in Fargo is second to none for a small city in the north. From the region’s largest mall to tons of fantastic thrift stores and boutiques, Fargo is a great shopping destination.
Clothing stores in Fargo
West Acres Mall is the obvious option to start your shopping spree in Fargo. The Fargo mall is much different than you’d expect; there’s life and art at every turn between relevant and contemporary local and national brand stores. Just a hop, skip, and a jump away, there is the Blu Water Creek shopping district with trendy women’s boutiques, children’s clothing stores, and unique home decor.
Vintage & Antiques
For the best thrift stores in Fargo, take a walk around Downtown Fargo for Carmine & Hayworth and Revolver, or Reed & Taylors and Now & Then Shoppe for more art and thrifted home decor. Outside of downtown, the Fargo Antiques & Repurposed Market (FARM) is a huge market with 60+ vendors.
Home Decor & Plant Stores in Fargo
Again, Downtown Fargo is a great choice for many of the greatest plant stores like Botanical Brothers and Handpicked Goods. Outside the walkable downtown, The Plant Supply is located within Brewhalla and features fun plants and accessories alongside many other local stores. Other great options around town include Baker Garden and Gift, Holland’s, and Shotwell Floral, which all feature different varieties of floral choices. There are many options to help fill your home; check out our article for a full list of plant shops in Fargo.
Best Places for Souvenirs
Although Fargo doesn’t have classic souvenir shops with screen-printed t-shirts and cheap shot glasses, there are many local shops if you are visiting Fargo and looking for the perfect souvenir to bring back for your family. Minn Dak Market is a great place to start; located within the West Acres Mall, Pride of Dakota items from local vendors and suppliers line the chaulk full shelves. Vintage Point also features tons of high-quality Dakota-made products; plus, try their candied almonds; you won’t regret it. For another sweet treat, Sweet Dreams Confections fits the ticket with ice cream, old-fashioned candies, and other gift items within the shop. Unglued, Scribble Lady, and Zandbroz have other classic souvenir items, with books and items from local creators within each shop. Last but not least, the Visitors Center in Fargo has a great gift shop with locally made ornaments, coffee mugs, North of Normal gear, and more.
SIGHTSEEING & ATTRACTIONS
Even though Fargo is not a tourist destination that always comes to mind, some great attractions in Fargo, ND, are extremely affordable and interesting to visit.
Attractions in Fargo
The Woodchipper prop from the movie Fargo is located inside the Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center and is also free to see and take photos with. Other free options are the Roger Maris Museum in the West Acres Mall and the Plains Art Museum in Downtown Fargo, which are great affordable attractions to see.
For something a little more active, Suite Shots is a golf driving range that operates throughout the year with heated outdoor bays and indoor simulators. Next door, Kingpinz is an arcade. Laser tag and hyper bowling alley.
The Fargo Theatre is known for its awesome backdrop for photos, but it is also a full-blown movie theatre and also is a fantastic venue for live music and performances. Lastly, the Fargo Air Museum in Fargo, ND, is a unique museum with two hangars full of planes and aviation memorabilia.
NIGHTLIFE
Although some of the best nightlife in Fargo is in Downtown Fargo, other options exist outside of the downtown district. Find the best bars in Fargo, ND, below.
Best places for classy cocktails
Outside of the staples in Downtown Fargo, like The Toasted Frog, Rosewild, Prairie Kitchen, and Mezzaluna, there are some great spots for cocktails or mocktails in the greater Fargo area. The Tavern is the first top option, with a huge patio area outdoors and tons of booths indoors; the vibe is great for a delicious drink. Doolittles is another cozy option with a huge woodfire grill and a large wine list; it’s a great choice.
Relaxed hangouts & dive bars in Fargo
Dive bars and a more relaxed vibe are a top choice for the Fargo locals; try Herd and Horns, Labby’s, Bulldog Tap, SouthTown PourHouse, The Bison Turf, Woody’s, or Round Up for cheap drinks and American food.
Live music in Fargo
Fargo also has a ton of great local live music; check the events calendar for a full list
HOTELS IN FARGO
There are many fantastic hotels in Fargo, ND. From luxury stays to affordable motels, there’s something for all to enjoy. There’s also a large list of Airbnb options along with the Lindenwood Campground for alternative options.