Family weekend in Fargo
This Fargo itinerary for families covers the perfect mix of quality time, fun activities, and plenty of things that will wear your kiddos out.
Want to customize this to suit your family’s travel style? Check out other things to do in Fargo and add whatever you’d like!
Day 1
Afternoon/Evening
Lindenwood Park and playground
Duration: 1 hour
After behaving like angels (insert laughing emoji here) during your travels to our community, your little ones are bound to have some energy to exert from their tiny bodies. A stop at Lindenwood Park is just what you need.
Take a walk… or skip or hop or chase your toddler… down the trail near the Red River, take advantage of the family-sized bike rentals right at the park or sit peacefully while your munchkins climb around on the Universal Playground, one of the largest in the region designed to accommodate children of all physical abilities.
1905 Roger Maris Drive, Fargo | (701) 499-6091
Space Aliens
After experiencing the sereneness of the park, your tiny humans should be ready for a little more stimulation. Enter Space Aliens under a giant spaceship and eat surrounded by out-of-this-world decor. Feast on one of their well-known BBQ entrees while the kiddos play games in their neon arcade.
Your minies should earn just enough tickets to win a small toy that will bring them hours of entertainment in the hotel and bring you fleeting moments of agony when they leave it on the floor and you step on it in the middle of the night.
1840 45th St S, Fargo | (701) 281-2033
Sip and Splash
After dinner, grab a bottle of your favorite libation from Happy Harry’s Bottle Shop and head back to your hotel to let your children splash around at the pool while you sip some suds and decompress after a long day of travel and fun.
Day 2
Morning
Sandy’s Donuts
Knowing that your usual healthy morning breakfast routine is out the window while on vacation, check out Sandy’s Donuts for breakfast. With two locations throughout the area, there is most likely one nearby. From their Dirt and Worms donut (yes, you read that right) to their Maple Bacon Long John, there is bound to be a donut suitable for every aged kid in your family… even the one whose name is daddy.
301 Main Ave W, West Fargo | (701) 281-0430
300 Broadway N, Fargo | (701) 478-1155
Red River Zoo
Duration: 45 minutes – 1.5 hours
Now that you are feeling sufficiently full and your littles are running around on a sugar high, head over to the Red River Zoo to burn off some calories and return your kids to their pre-sugar-comatose state. Whether you are in the mood to meander through the various exhibits from around the world or are simply jumping from one location to another in order to satiate the 5-second attention span of your tiniest tots, the zoo is the perfect size for you.
While it can be seen in under an hour if you are on a time crunch, you can also extend the trip by making a pit stop at the carousel and playground located in the heart of the facility.
Oh, and the Red River Zoo is a member of the Zoos and Aquariums Reciprocity Program so you may be able to get in free if you have a membership to your hometown zoo. Just check out the reciprocity list on their website to see if your zoo is a member as well.
4255 23rd Ave S, Fargo | (701) 277-9240
Sweet Dreams Confections
If you, like so many parents when traveling with their kids, spent the night in your hotel room trying to sleep with little limbs sprawled across your body, you are probably ready for another dose of caffeine. Therefore, it’s time to make a stop at Sweet Dreams Confections.
While you enjoy a hand-crafted coffee, you can peruse Pride of Dakota products to take home with you. In the meantime, your little ones will stay occupied by the fresh gelato ice cream, homemade fudge, and bushel basket, pay by the pound candies. If you are feeling generous, let them grab a bag and fill it to their heart’s content.
4101 13th Ave SW, Fargo | (701) 297-9338
Afternoon
Grand Junction
Although they’ve just run off some steam at the zoo, your kiddos probably aren’t quite ready to sit through a long meal at a restaurant. Grand Junction offers a yummy alternative. Their gourmet subs are made right in front of you and one serving of french fries is most likely enough to feed the entire family.
If your children aren’t fans of subs, they also have the trusty staple of chicken strips as well. They further cater to the young ones by offering Dippin’ Dots right in their store (genius!).
5050 13th Ave S, Fargo | (701) 373-0064
Clay Your Way
Duration: 1 hour
After a busy morning, you may be ready to slow the pace a bit. Check out Clay Your Way, our community’s very own paint your own pottery store. With pieces for every budget, both you and your kids can channel your inner artist and create your own pottery masterpiece. The staff will then clear glaze and fire each piece after you are done and if you won’t be in town when it’s ready, they’ll even ship it to you!
4600 17th Ave S, Fargo | (701) 356-9229
Snacks at Scoop N Dough and meandering the murals
Although it’s probably only been a few hours since you ate lunch, somehow those little tummies are most likely already aching for a snack. Head to Roberts Alley in downtown Fargo for a quick bite. Pick your favorite ice cream or edible cookie dough (or both) in a cone for an eclectic treat experience at Scoop N Dough Candy Co.
Afterward, stroll the downtown corridor and visit the many murals that have popped up over recent years. Many were created with tiny humans in mind so you can capture unique photos to remember us by once you get home!
206 Roberts Alley, Fargo | (701) 639-0910
Evening
Rhombus Guys
Pizza is a pretty safe meal for even the pickiest members of the family, so make a trip over to Rhombus Guys. Situated on Main Avenue, their rooftop offers beautiful views of the downtown landscape. The kids can indulge in one of their 30+ pizza options and you can enjoy one of the many local brews on tap or a handcrafted cocktail. For dessert, try out their famous s’mores pizza (because your kids haven’t had enough sugar today).
606 Main Ave, Fargo | (701) 540-4534
Catch up on some ZZZs or Facebook
After a busy day and children who are most likely approaching the meltdown zone, head back to the hotel and put the overly exhausted kiddos to bed. You’ll probably be ready for sleep too, but if not, you can take the opportunity to catch up on Facebook and Instagram while you hide under the covers so the light from your phone doesn’t keep the munchkins awake (c’mon… you know you’ve done it!).
Day 3
Morning
CJ’s Kitchen
Give the kids a small town cafe experience by eating breakfast at CJ’s Kitchen. Plopped in the middle of town, the cafe boasts caramel rolls the size of a dinner plate and good ol’ fashioned egg bake. Their made-from-scratch baked goods change often so you may need to order a few to take with you.
1601 University Dr S, Fargo | (701) 237-4656
Splash Pad – for the younger kiddos
Duration: 1 hour
The Shadow Wood Splash Pad is an excellent place to wear out those tiny souls before commencing the journey home. Zero depth water features mean you don’t have to worry about even the smallest members of your family. You can either join in on the fun or watch from the grassy sidelines while they run off energy along with any hopes of staying awake while you travel.
3545 4th St E, West Fargo | (701) 433-5360
Thunder Road – for the older, almost too cool for you tweens
Duration: 1.5 hours
If some of your family members fall into the tween category, you may find Thunder Road is a bit more their speed. Laser tag, go-karts, bumper cars, mini golf (or putt putt as you may call it), and an arcade yield hours of fun for everyone.
2902 Thunder Rd, Fargo | (701) 282-5151
Rainy Day alternatives
If you find yourself in town when the weather has decided not to cooperate, you may need an indoor alternative to all the outdoor activities you had planned. Check out a few below…
Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm
Duration: 2 hours
The Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm is one of the top 25 children’s museums in the nation. The late 1800s era farmhouse offers more than 50 hands-on exhibits designed to engage children and parents alike. Explore the cow milking station or dress up theater, or let the music flow in the instrument room. Careful, though, you may discover you have just as much fun as your kiddos!
1201 28th Ave N, Fargo | (701) 232-6102
Courts Plus Indoor Playground
Duration: 1.5 hours
If you need to get your babies moving, head over to Courts Plus and take advantage of the seven levels of slides, climbing structures and never-ending obstacles. For less than the cost of a Starbucks coffee, you can sneakily wear off some of the seemingly inexhaustible energy children seem to conjure out of thin air. They even have a Pirate’s Playground designed for the tiniest of tots.
3491 South University, Fargo | (701) 237-4805
Scheels
Although it is mostly known as a sporting goods store, the Fargo Scheels is a destination all on its own. It’s easy to lose a few hours of your day while exploring the INDOOR 45-foot Ferris wheel along with a walk-through aquarium, golf simulator, and multiple arcade shooting games. If you find yourself there for longer than you anticipated, you can replenish your energy with homemade fudge, Bavarian almonds, or coffee from Ginna’s Cafe and Fudge Shop.
1551 45th St S, Fargo | (701) 289-2918
There are tons of things to do with the family in Fargo, this itinerary is just the beginning! If you’re looking for a good time to come visit the area with your kids, check our events calendar and filter by “Family Friendly” for an idea of what’s going on in Fargo.