Downtown Fargo

Downtown Fargo is a must-see when visiting the Fargo area. It’s home to the iconic Fargo Theatre and other downtown attractions, dozens of novelties, and great local restaurants.

To make things a little more fun and convenient, Downtown Fargo now has gift cards available online from the Downtown Community Partnership that can be redeemed at many Downtown Fargo establishments.

If you’re unsure how to get here or where to go Downtown, just head to Main & Broadway to get to the heart of Downtown Fargo and go from there.

Food & Drink

Downtown Broadway has many local food and drink spots dotted along the main drag. If you’re looking for a fun atmosphere and great grub, this is part of town to hit up.

RESTAURANTS IN DOWNTOWN FARGO

Grab a bite to eat at one of the many locally-owned restaurants in Downtown Fargo. Oh, and if it’s lunchtime on a Thursday and you like pie, head to Sons of Norway. Thursdays are “Pie Day” at the Norwegian lodge, and they serve some of the best pies around.

Some great local options include Rosewild (in the Jasper Hotel) or Prairie Kitchen for an upscale dinner. JL Beers or Pounds will have what you need for a good burger and fries. Vinyl Taco has excellent street tacos, and Marge’s Diner is the newest place to get breakfast, lunch, and brunch.

For something a little more unexpected for a Midwestern city of its size, Thaikota has fantastic Thai food right on the edge of downtown. Beer & Fish Company serves fresh seafood right in Roberts Alley. Wurst Bier Hall houses traditional German favorites with a twist. Ishtar Mediterranean has some of the best gyros and falafel around, while BernBaum’s serves authentic Jewish deli food that tastes like it’s straight from NYC.

DESSERT PLACES

Two gourmet ice cream shops now exist in Downtown Fargo. Satisfy your sweet tooth with small-batch ice cream from The Silver Lining Creamery, or try Thai rolled ice cream at Tea & Crepe Cafe.

For non-ice cream desserts, the newest kid on the block is Black Coffee & Waffle Bar, where most sweet or savory waffles are served without syrup. Besides that, locals adore Nichole’s Fine Pastry for its European-style pastries and desserts (and delicious lunch specials!).

COFFEE PLACES IN DOWNTOWN FARGO

In Downtown Fargo, you’ll discover a surprisingly large craft coffee scene.

Sip your way through Downtown Fargo and stop at these spots for a cup of Joe: Twenty Below Coffee Co., Young Blood Coffee Co., Atomic Coffee, Babb’s Coffee House, Moonrise Cafe, and Black Coffee and Waffle Bar.

BEST PLACES FOR DRINKS DOWNTOWN

Looking for a place to have a drink and unwind? Try The Boiler Room, Dempsey’s, or Front Street Taproom, Rosewild, Blarney Stone at the Hotel Donaldson, and Teddy’s Eatery are also great spots for a cocktail and some apps.

Downtown Fargo is also home to a couple of breweries and a distillery. Sip some local beer at Drekker Brewing Company or Fargo Brewing Company, or have a handcrafted cocktail at Proof Artisan Distillers. Just down 1st Ave, you’ll find two more excellent craft beverage spots: Pixeled Brewing Company (the city’s first-ever arcade and brewery), and Wild Terra, the first urban cidery in the state.

Shopping

There are so many local Downtown Fargo stores, from local boutiques to vintage & antiques. There’s something for everyone within this six-block stretch.

CLOTHING STORES IN DOWNTOWN FARGO

There are so many shops Downtown. Starting on Main Ave, MINT + BASIL sells boutique clothing on 8th St S (known as SOMA); Alina Collective just down the way features artisan home goods and more; KITTSONA also has some great pieces.

It’s also worth wandering up Downtown Fargo’s main drag, Broadway, and stopping in many shops along the way. For clothing boutiques, your choices include Primp, Kindred People, Proper, Outermost Layer, O’Day Cache, and The Nines.

VINTAGE & ANTIQUES

Fargo’s first vintage clothing store, Revolver, is a must-stop for vintage clothing and accessories. Make sure you also check out Violet Vintage and Carmine + Hayworth. For furniture, art, and tons more, check out Reed & Taylor’s Antiques and the Now and Then Shoppe.

Special mention goes to The Clockwerks, where you can find any antique clock to suit your heart’s desire.

HOME DECOR AND PLANT STORES DOWNTOWN

MINT + BASIL specializes in modern and whimsical home items with loads of candles and cute pillows, all housed in a pretty storefront on Main Avenue. Scribble Lady features local artists’ work alongside art supplies. Prairie Petals, Handpicked Goods, and Botanical Brothers have huge plant selections.

BEST PLACES FOR SOUVENIRS

For cute gifts and souvenirs from Downtown Fargo, ND, head to STABO for Scandinavian-inspired goods, O’Day Cache for jewelry and great gift items, and Unglued for things all made by local artists. Handpicked Goods and Zandbroz Variety for everything from books to scented soaps to coffee mugs to wrapping paper.

OTHER GREAT SHOPPING

Other honorable mentions in the Downtown Fargo shopping scene include Vinyl Giant and Orange Records for those vinyl record lovers in your life, Game Giant for board games, and Paradox Comics-N-Cards for comic fans. The newest addition is Brewhalla, an indoor market and hotel attached to Drekker Brewing Co. on 1st Ave N. There you can find the new and improved Unglued, The Plant Supply, Red River Refillery, Livin’ The Dream Pottery, and Bark’N Biscuits. There’s no shortage of fun places downtown to find whatever you’re looking for.

Sightseeing & Attractions

You’ll see plenty of fine sights just strolling around Downtown, but a few noteworthy things are the Plains Art Museum and, of course, the Historic Fargo Theatre. If you’re into street art, definitely check out all the murals in the downtown area.

Looking for things to do in Downtown Fargo on a Sunday? Check out our one-day itinerary on spending Sunday in Downtown Fargo.

Historic Tours

Explore and learn more about the history of downtown Fargo with these self-guided tours:

• Fargo In Flames
• Island Park: Fargo’s First Park
• A Look Around Downtown Fargo
• Discover Scandinavian Heritage

Nightlife

With all the Downtown Fargo bars and nightlife, finding your crowd won’t be hard. For some downtown fun, check out this guide to find your crowd in Downtown Fargo’s bars.

BEST PLACES FOR CLASSY COCKTAILS

Some of the city’s best cocktails are mixed at Mezzaluna, the #1 restaurant in the state.

Several others, including The Toasted Frog, Teddy’s Eatery & Parlor, Rosewild, Blarney Stone at the Hotel Donaldson, and 84 Italian Steakhouse, also pour great cocktails in cool settings.

WHERE TO GO DANCING DOWNTOWN

The Spirit Room hosts swing dancing classes. The Downtown VFW has a large dance floor in front of the stage. Live bands play at Dempsey’s and The Aquarium. For a dance club night, check out The OB, Cowboy Jack’s, or District 64.

BEST PLACES FOR LOCAL BEER DOWNTOWN

Wurst Bier Hall pours from 40+ taps, Sidestreet from 50, while Front Street Taproom serves only beers made in North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota.

Beyond that, JL Beers has been voted the top craft beer stop in the state, and Rhombus Guys serve their Grand Forks-based brews (among others). If that’s not enough, finish with a local craft beer at Drekker Brewing or Fargo Brewing.

RELAXED HANGOUTS

Dempsey’s is an Irish-style pub with nightly live music and Guinness on tap. Sidestreet has an industrial interior, live music, and 50+ beers on tap. For a more intimate feel in an underground setting, check out The Boiler Room. The huge copper tanks and incredible cocktails at Proof Artisan Distillers make for some pretty cool vibes.

DIVE BARS IN DOWNTOWN FARGO

Stop at Bismarck Tavern for Grain Belt on tap, Blackjack tables, and some of the nicest, no-nonsense type folks around. As one of the oldest bars in town, the Empire Tavern makes a notoriously stiff drink and welcomes all.

Duffy’s, Fargo’s genuine, original Irish bar, has been a staple for 50+ years. Need live music? Add the VFW to your list of Fargo’s favorite dive bars.

BEST SPOTS FOR THE FRESHLY 21-YEAR-OLDS

A notorious bar crawl weaves through downtown Fargo, dominated by newly legal drinkers. Start at The OB, then cross the street to Sports Bar and NoBull. Drop into Fort Noks and knock one back before heading across the parking lot to District 64 and Broadway to Rooters.

Parking & Transportation Downtown Fargo

Street parking in Downtown Fargo is free. On weekdays, you can park for up to 90 minutes between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm. After 5:00 pm and all day on Saturdays and Sundays, there are no time restrictions.

Parking garages:

• Roberts Commons Parking Garage: Free for the first 2 hours and free after 5 pm. After the first 2 hours, rates range from $3-8, depending on how long you park.
• Civic Center Parking Ramp: $1.75 an hour and $8.75 daily. Free after 5 pm and on weekends.
• Block 9 Parking Garage: $3-8 depending on how long you park. Free after 6 pm and on weekends.
• Mercantile Ramp: First two hours free. $3-8, depending on how long you stay. Free after 5 pm and on weekends.

Parking lots:

• 4th Street Surface Lot: Contract parking only on weekdays. Free after 5 pm and on weekends.
• 3rd Street Surface Lot: Contract parking only on weekdays. Free after 5 pm and on weekends.

Broadway Rickshaw

Fargo-Moorhead’s first and only pedicab service. If you need a ride after checking out the bars downtown, are here for a Bison game, or have a private party, book Broadway Rickshaw. The average wait is less than ten minutes, and each pedicab can fit up to six guests.

Hotels In Downtown Fargo

Several Downtown Fargo hotels and AirBnb's will put you within walking distance of all the action. The Jasper Hotel is adjacent to Broadway Square and is the newest of them all. This is a boutique, upscale hotel with great local touches and a luxurious feel. The Radisson Blu has been recently renovated with gorgeous rooms and a new upscale restaurant to match. Lastly, The Hotel Donaldson is a unique choice, with just 17 rooms, all decorated by a different local artist.