Free Things to do in Fargo, North Dakota

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You may recognize the city of Fargo from the movie “Fargo,” but it also features various year-round activities. From outdoor markets to indoor art galleries, there are plenty of free things to do in Fargo, North Dakota.

Fargo is a city in North Dakota that’s located across the Red River from Minnesota. Although perhaps best known as a film location for the movie “Fargo,” the city also has many fun things to do. For example, aviation fans can see vintage airplanes at the Fargo Air Museum. At the Red River Zoo, check out red pandas, gray wolves and a fully-restored 1928 Allen Herschell carousel. The Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm has mini golf, nature trails and a train ride. Active families can enjoy go-karts, batting cages, laser tag, and mini golf at Thunder Road. And Bonanzaville, USA, has 41 historic buildings and over 400,000 artifacts on 12 acres. However, these family fun activities will cost you.

But the good news is there are also many free things to do in Fargo, North Dakota that won’t break your budget.

Indoor Free Things to do in Fargo

The Fargo area gets quite cold and snowy in winter, so keep these free indoor activities in mind.

Admire the Art Warehouse

The Plains Art Museum exhibits Native American, contemporary and Midwest art in a reclaimed turn-of-the-century warehouse in Downtown Fargo. Featuring over  4,000 works of art, it is the largest – and only accredited art museum – in North Dakota. Plus, self-guided tours are free.

Scope out Sports Stuff

Located inside the West Acres Mall, the Roger Maris Museum celebrates local hero and professional baseball player Roger Maris. See some of his memorabilia and learn interesting facts about his career. For example, the New York Yankee Hall of Famer held the record for the most home runs in a single season for 37 years.

Stop by the Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center

The Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center represents three cities – Fargo, West Fargo, and Moorhead, Minnesota. So, it makes sense that it has two locations. Situated in a grain elevator, this original location is home to the Celebrity Walk Of Fame.  Located outside the center, it has over 110 celebrity signatures, hand-prints and footprints in cement. The second location is in Downtown Fargo. You’ll find it inside Gallery4, a locally-owned art gallery.

Visit the Minnesota Art Gallery

The Rourke Art Gallery + Museum, in Moorhead,,MN, is in a fully restored 1915 post office building. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to contemporary art, it has permanent exhibits featuring ceramics, American pop art, and Pre-Columbian Art.

Take a Brewery Tour

Celebrating the Fargo area’s Viking heritage, the Drekker Brewing Company offers free tours with four beer tastings. It’s open only to those over age 21. The brewery and taproom are in a renovated railroad shop, built in 1883. Tours are paused due to Covid-19.

See the Woodchipper From Fargo

Who says Midwesterners don’t have a sense of humor? The actual Woodchipper from the movie “Fargo,” is in the Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center. The Fargo exhibit includes other memorabilia from the movie. Fargo’s motto is “North of Normal” so maybe residents do have a quirky sense of humor.

Enjoy Campus Art

North Dakota State University has an art gallery open to all in Memorial Union. Artists in the NDSU Collections include Andy Warhol, Judy Chicago, Pablo Picasso and Jasper Johns.

Outdoor Free Things to do in Fargo

Learn About the Defiant Gardens

The artist-inspired Defiant Gardens were developed with the Plains Art Museum. They currently comprise two gardens. Located near a decommissioned power plant along the Red River, the Heritage Garden & Amphitheater incorporate elements from the power plant into garden beds and sculptures. The Pollinator Garden in Downtown Fargo helps sustain species of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Stroll Through Botanic Gardens

Situated in Yunker Park, the six-acre Northern Plains Botanic Garden Society has several gardens. They include an Edible Forest, Woodlands, and a Butterfly Garden. In addition, the Children’s Garden has a unique alphabet garden, with plants segregated by the letter of the alphabet. A Kid’s Activity Zone has a balance beam and crawl- through tunnel.

Shop at Red River Market

The Red River Market, in downtown Fargo, is North Dakota’s largest farmers market. In addition to featuring over 90 local farmers and artisans, the weekly Red River Market has free live music and cultural performances. In addition, the market has educational cooking demonstrations, and children’s activities. Plus, there’s free parking.

See the Historic Movie Theater

Show the kids the 1926 Fargo Theatre, built as an art house cinema and vaudeville theatre. You have to pay for a ticket to see the restored, art deco interior but the historic marquee is also cool.

Walk the Planks

The Lindenwood Walking Bridge, a pedestrian and biking bridge, separates North Dakota from Minnesota. A plaque at the middle tells you which state you are in, so take a picture with one foot (or one kid) in each state.

Buy Local at an Outdoor Market

The Market at West Acres is operated by the Northern Plains Botanic Garden Society and West Acres. It showcases regionally grown produce, fresh bread, artisanal products, flowers and plants. The farmers market operates in the west parking lot on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays June through October.

Baseball Fans in Your Family?

Buy budget-friendly tickets to see a game at the Newman Outdoor Field, a baseball stadium located at the North Dakota State University. The stadium is the home of the independent American Association’s Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks and the North Dakota State Bison baseball team.