Fargo: Gateway to the West
Nestled on the borders of the states of North Dakota and Minnesota, the city of Fargo has emerged as one of the region’s principle travel destinations. Long been considered the ‘Gateway to the West’, today Fargo, ND welcomes all manner of visitors, from family vacationers and university students to business travellers and medical patients. Once in the city, these travellers are often surprised to learn that there’s more to offer here than those images of a sleepy little town would lead you to believe.
Exploring the City
For motorists, Fargo is readily accessible using I-29 (north-south) and I-94 (east-west), as well as U.S. Routes 10, 52 and 81. If you plan on visiting by air, Hector International Airport serves a limited number of U.S. cities, so expect a changeover in Minneapolis-St. Paul or Chicago.
Once you’re in the city, you’ll find plenty of hotel options downtown, with everything from large chain hotels to smaller boutique accommodations available. Motels and roadside hotels can also be found close to either Interstate route.
Downtown Fargo features the typical trappings of a small-to-medium sized U.S. city. You’ll find a good selection of restaurants and eateries downtown, as well as lively bars and the occasional nightclub. Locals are known for being friendly, so grabbing a beer or cocktail is generally a pleasant affair. You’ll also discover a decent standard of shopping in the city, including several good-sized shopping malls.
Indulge in the Arts
When it comes to entertainment in the city, Fargo is quite the hub of culture. Many visitors enjoy a trip to the Fargo Theatre, a retro, Art Deco-style building showcasing the latest films. Alternatively, Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre offers live performances, while both ballet and opera are performed in the city.
Art lovers should make a beeline for the Plains Art Museum. Home to works by the likes of Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali and James Rosenquist, the museum is well worth an afternoon of your time. It features permanent and temporary exhibits, with plenty of local flare for your perusal. For something a little different, Fargo Air Museum displays a range of airplanes and other aircraft, offering the chance to get hand’s on with some impressive flying machines.
Fargo for Families
Families looking to enjoy a pleasant getaway in Fargo are well accommodated. The up-and-coming Red River Zoo is a good choice. Here you’ll find a wide range of wildlife on display, including wolves and red pandas. It also houses a fully-restored and impressive-looking carousel from the 1920s.
Thunder Road Family Park is ideal for those families looking for a little more excitement. Offering go karts, laser tag, mini-golf and more, it’s easy to spend an exciting afternoon here. For something a little more low-key, Bonanzaville, USA is a museum with a difference. Here you’ll find a collection of historic buildings that recreate the history of the region. Stop by the general store, visit the old schoolhouse or see what it’s like to look out from behind bars in the old jail.
Other popular family-friendly attractions in and around Fargo include the Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm and Davies Recreational Waterpark and pool.
Baseball Stars and Sporting Events
Although the nearest Major League ballpark may be some 240 miles away, Fargo enjoys something of a baseball pedigree. The city is home to two small museums dedicated to a pair of baseball greats. Located in the West Acres Shopping Center, the Roger Maris Museum celebrates the life and achievements of the New York Yankees slugger. Maris, who hit a then-record 61 homeruns in 1961, spent his high school years in Fargo, where he’s fondly remembered. Another star of the sixties is celebrated at Newman Outdoor Field. Here a small museum is dedicated to former Los Angeles Dodgers star Maury Wills, three-time World Series winner and base stealer extraordinaire. After his playing career, Wills coached the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks and undertook announcing duties.
During the summer, you can catch a RedHawks game at Newman Outdoor Field. You can also see the World’s Largest Wooden Baseball Bat. This behemoth of a bat is some 13.5 feet in length! Elsewhere in the city, the John E. Carlson Coliseum and Scheels Arena both regularly host ice hockey, which is practically a religion in this part of the world.
North Dakota State University
Located just north of downtown Fargo, North Dakota State University (NDSU) is one of the city’s biggest attractions. In addition to the thousands of students that take classes every year, the university welcomes noted speakers, renowned researchers, event attendees and, of course, doting parents. A number of hotels can be found close to the university campus, while downtown hotels and roadside motels offer easy access to the academic institution.
Located on-site, the Fargodome is one of the university’s top draws. This large arena/stadium hosts the university’s highly-successful American football team, the NDSU Bison. It also holds other sporting events, as well as trade shows and concerts.