At first glance (or Google search), Fargo might not necessarily knock your socks off. It’s a fairly quiet, unassuming town that someone might just drive through without stopping if they didn’t know any better. But we’re here to tell you… Don’t make that mistake! Fargo is a surprisingly diverse city with deep Scandinavian roots that has so much more to offer than just being the namesake of the 1990’s comedy crime thriller movie. The food is excellent, the sites are , and the people… Well, the people are absolute treasures. We only had one day to explore the city, so we crammed in as much as we possibly could and were able to put together what we think is the perfect day in Fargo.
*Check out our “North Dakota: One Day in Fargo” travel vlog for a closer look at our time in North Dakota.
8:30 am: Coffee/Breakfast
Twenty Below Coffee Co. (14 Roberts St N) - Where we went
This cozy coffee shop has two locations and is Fargo's only independent coffee roaster and was ranked the top coffee shop in North Dakota by Food Network. They offer all sorts of coffee and espresso drinks like Drip, Pour Over, Aeropress, Cortado, Cappuccino, Americano, and more. They also have a great selection of non-coffee drinks like Chai Latte, London Fog, Hot Chocolate, Soda and others
Babb's Coffee House (604 Main Ave)
Atomic Coffee (222 Broadway N #100)
9:30 am: eBike Tour with Nature of the North (814 Center Ave Suite 3)
Nature of the North is best described as an outdoor concierge. Their goal is to connect the Fargo community with nature. They do this by hosting outdoor centric events, workshops, and gatherings year round. That’s right, they don’t let the cold stop them! We happened to visit during the summer, so it was the perfect opportunity to rent some eBikes and get a tour of the area! While their eBike rentals and tours schedule are VERY limited we highly recommend giving them a call and seeing what availability they have. We learned about and saw so much more of Fargo than we ever could have on our own!
12:30 pm: Lunch
Brew Bird (30 N University Dr) - Where we went
Brew Bird is the go-to lunch spot in Fargo! Housed in a retro tow truck station, they’re cooking up some of the best fried chicken in the state! Their focus is on bringing classic items but kicking it up a notch by using the freshest, quality ingredients, throwing in some flavor twists, and not taking any short-cuts. And guess what?! It’s all gluten free. . .but you would never know it!
Cracked Pepper (4955 17th Ave S #124)
JL Beers (518 1st Ave N)
2:00 pm: Explore Fargo
Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center
Plains Art Museum
Fargo Air Museum
Fargo Theater
… And the many shops along Broadway
4:00 pm: Freshen up at hotel
There are lots of lodging options in and around Fargo, but if you want to be in the middle of the action and have an amazing stay, we highly recommend the Radisson Blu Fargo (201 5th St N). With modern decor, a friendly staff, and an onsite bar/restaurant, you can’t go wrong with a stay at Radisson Blu Fargo!
5:30 pm: Happy Hour/Brewery Tour at Drekker Brewing Co. (1666 1st Ave N)
Housed in a renovated railroad shop that was built in 1883 (that’s six years before North Dakota became a state) Drekker Brewing Co. is rewriting the rule book when it comes to beer. With unique brews like the S’mores Porter and the Key Lime Pie Sour (along with countless other delicious offerings) and an incredible taproom, or as they refer to it, Brewhalla, Drekker is an absolute MUST if you’re in Fargo.
7:30 pm: Dinner
Prairie Kitchen (701 N University Dr) - Where we went
Prairie kitchen occupies a beautiful space that was originally built in 1919 as Fargo’s Acme Dairy. The Scandinavian roots are evident in the decor and the menu reflects the same… With a little midwest comfort food thrown in the mix! The atmosphere is the perfect mix of casual and elegance so you can comfortably come in jeans and a t-shirt, but won’t feel out of place dressed up for a special occasion. We really enjoyed the Swedish Meatballs, and we heard great things about the Smorgasbord (a Nordic inspired board with assorted meats, cheeses, lefse, trout dip, and pickled herring).
Würst Bier Hall (630 1st Ave N)
Mezzaluna (309 Roberts St N)
And just like that your day in Fargo has come to an end! We hope that this blog has helped you plan your time in the Peace Garden State, and if it has, we hope you’ll consider following us on Instagram (@AdventuresofMattandNat) and subscribing to our YouTube Channel for more travel tips!