10 Dog Friendly Things to Do in Fargo

This post was written by our friend Kristen with Expedition Kristen. The original source of the article below is on her blog – you can check it out HERE.

Fargo, More than Just a Movie Set

If you’re looking to take a weekend getaway from the Twin Cities, Fargo will surprise you. Located less than four hours from Minneapolis, Fargo offers more than just the setting for the 1996 film, Fargo, with thick Midwestern accents, barren white landscape, and the infamous woodchipper. While the accents are mildly accurate and the landscape is flat, everything else will surprise you. With several Minnesota State Parks along the drive to Fargo, breweries, cideries, museums, parks, and farmers’ markets in downtown Fargo it’s a lively, and dog friendly city! Read on for the 10 best dog friendly things to do in Fargo.

1. Air Space Museum

The Fargo Air Museum is a must-do for anyone who loves history and planes. Walk around the large and spacious museum as you look at aircraft from all eras including WWII, the modern MQ-1 Predator unmanned drone, and U.S. Air Force aircraft.

2. Wild Terra Cider

Wild Terra Cider was our favorite stop in Fargo. The small yet open space is vibrant and colorful, and there are so many beautiful plants, and a wide variety of refreshing hard ciders. They focus on experimental ciders that use unique ingredients like plums, honey, and apples. My husband and I both loved the Boozy Rosé the most!

3. Restaurants with Patios and Water Bowls

Fargo has a ton of dog friendly restaurants with big patios and even water bowls! Some of the best dog friendly restaurants in Fargo are 46 North Pints & Provision, Brewtus’ Brickhouse, JL Beers, Twenty Below Coffee, and Vinyl Taco. For a full list of dog friendly restaurants, click here.

4. Parks and Trails

While Fargo is indeed a city and has an urban feel, there are a few great parks where you’ll find tall trees, colorful flowers, and epic views of the Red River. Several dog friendly parks are Riverfront Park, Island Park, and Lindenwood Park. Click here for the full list of dog friendly parks. Be sure to keep your pup on a leash and don’t forget the poop bags.

5. Two Great Breweries

Fargo has two great breweries and both are dog friendly! Drekker Brewery is located in one of Fargo’s oldest buildings. This brewery sits inside what was once a railroad shop built in 1883. Drekker Brewery specializes in small-batch beers with unique flavor profiles. Fargo Brewery is near downtown Fargo, and they focus on traditional beers brewed in a traditional way.

6. Self-Guided Mural Walk

The streets of downtown Fargo are filled with large and colorful murals. Click here to learn more about the artists and where each mural is located. Plan out a self-guided walking tour and see how many you can find.

7. Statues and Sculptures

Fargo has a lot of beautiful sculptures and statues around town, including many beautiful bison statues. Be sure to visit the Fargo-Moorhead Visitor Center where you’ll find several woodchippers used in the 1996 movie, Fargo.

8. Red River Farmers’ Market

This market is North Dakota’s largest farmers’ market with over 90 local farmers and makers represented. It’s grown into a weekly community tradition that includes live music and performances, cooking demonstrations, children’s activities, and a wide variety of produce, jewelry, and woodwork for sale. Click here to learn more about vendors and market hours.

9. Dog Bakery

When you’re ready to spoil your pup, head over to Three Dog Bakery, which offers a wide variety of freshly-baked cupcakes and cookies made by pastry chefs. They use simple, healthy, and wholesome ingredients to flavor and dye the treats including beets and honey. Click here and scroll down to “treats” to find a full list of places to get dog friendly coffee, ice cream, and cookies around Fargo.

10. Silver Lining Creamery

If you’re looking for a sweet treat, stop by Silver Lining Creamery for an ice cream cone. While the creamery does not offer dog friendly ice cream, it’s located next to Broadway Square which is a great place to eat your ice cream as your dog plays. There is a large grassy area as well as a splash pad, which is fun if your dog likes to play in the water as much as Ole does.

Where We Stayed

During our trip, we stayed at Element in West Fargo. This dog friendly hotel was very clean and quiet, and our room was on the first floor which made it so easy to pop outside when Ole needed the bathroom. Our room had a King bed, desk, large couch, and full kitchen. Element has an indoor pool, gym, and large outdoor patio with string lights and fire pits. They also offer free breakfast every morning which includes eggs, pancakes, yogurt, fruit, coffee, and tea. Click here for a full list of dog friendly hotels in Fargo.

Plan Your Trip to Fargo

Fargo is a great city and there’s so much to do! We had a great time and we know Ole did too. For more travel ideas around North Dakota, check out the North Dakota Tourism website. And for more ideas around the midwest, check out my blog posts on 13 Quirky Things to Do in Wisconsin Dells, 9 Must-Do Things in Madison, and the Ultimate 7-Day Midwest Road Trip.

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