Fargo is the largest city in North Dakota. And while plenty of the country just associates us with the Coen Brothers movie (and its adapted TV series), those of us lucky enough to call Fargo home know that it’s a vibrant city teeming with activities.
Fargo has a rich history dating back to the early pioneer era. While it was once a small frontier town, it is now a thriving hub of industry and culture.
Whether you're a history buff, an art enthusiast, or even a sports fan, Fargo has something for everyone. Sometimes we forget to explore the historic sites and hidden gems that we stroll past each day.
So, we have compiled a few of our favorite places in Fargo-West Fargo-Moorhead for our Starion community and their families to check out.
We hope it helps reignite your love for this amazing city we’re so lucky to get to call home.
Fargo Air Museum
The Fargo Air Museum is two hangers full of airplanes and other aircraft from all eras. You can see everything from the modern MQ-1 Predator unmanned drone to the “most accurate recreation of a Wright Brothers’ flyer the Smithsonian Institute has ever seen.”
Ninety percent of the aircraft on display are in flying condition and unlike most air museums, many of the airplanes there actually take to the sky… occasionally.
In addition to the aircraft on display, the Fargo Air Museum also has an aviation library and hosts monthly educational day camps and seminars.
The museum has become one of Fargo’s must-see tourist attractions, but is also a must-see for any local residents who love history or planes… or both!
Learn more: fargoairmuseum.org
Plains Art Museum
The Plains Art Museum is the largest art museum in North Dakota, located in historic downtown Fargo.
It was originally called the Red River Art Center and housed in the former Moorhead post office. The museum changed its name in 1975 and moved to a renovated Fargo warehouse in 1997.
The Plains Art Museum has over 4,000 works of regional Native American, folk & contemporary art.
You can also attend a variety of community art programs, classes, and lectures at the museum’s attached Center for Creativity.
Learn more: plainsart.org
Roger Maris Museum
Sports fans, this one’s for you!
Roger Eugene Maris was an American professional baseball right fielder best known for setting a new MLB single-season home run record with 61 home runs in 1961 – breaking Babe Ruth’s 1927 single-season record. Though born in Minnesota, Maris grew up in Fargo and began playing for the minor league Fargo-Moorhead Twins in 1953. He then went on to the major leagues, where he spent the bulk of his career with the New York Yankees, including his home run record.
The glass-enclosed museum in Maris’ honor opened in 1984. At the Roger Maris Museum, you can watch historic footage from actual Yankee Stadium seats and check out displays and artifacts from Roger’s life.
Admission is always free!
Learn more: westacres.com/attractions/roger-maris-museum
Comstock House
This 11-room Victorian house is a true Moorhead landmark.
The home was built in 1882-1883 as the private residence of Solomon G. Comstock and his family. Comstock was one of Moorhead's first settlers and an important figure in local railroad and banking business, politics, and education.
The house was the most expensive and lavish building on the block at the time.
Comstock’s children eventually donated the home to the Minnesota Historical Society in 1965. The interior of the home remained mostly unaltered, and after some minor restoration back to its 1883 appearance, the Comstock House opened to tours in 1980.
Many rooms contain original furnishings and personal effects of the Comstock family.
Learn more: mnhs.org/comstock
Bonanzaville
Want to know what life was like for Fargo’s earliest settlers? Bonanzaville, USA is a pioneer village and history museum in West Fargo exploring the history of the Red River Valley.
The village is comprised of over 40 buildings moved there from around the region, including Fargo's first house, a schoolhouse, a saloon, a church, and a fully-stocked mercantile store.
Bonanzaville is a great site for any family to visit and even has interactive areas for kids.
Learn more: bonanzaville.org
What are you waiting for?
As residents of Fargo, we’re lucky to have a city rich in history with so many great family-friendly things to do. From exploring our city’s past through historic sites to immersing ourselves in the vibrant cultural scene, there is no shortage of interesting and exciting places to explore.
We highly recommend checking out a few – or all! – of these sites and taking the time to rediscover our amazing city.
