Fargo: Recreation
Sightseeing
A visit to Fargo might begin with a stop at the Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau's Visitors Center, where the Walk of Fame has been providing a little bit of Hollywood in the Midwest since 1989 with hand prints or footprints of more than 80 musicians, athletes, movie stars and dignitaries, including Neil Diamond, Bob Costas, Garth Brooks, President George W. Bush, and the Eagles.
One of downtown Fargo's more recent attractions is the Plains Art Museum; it offers regional art, guided tours, and facilities for receptions. Included in the museum's permanent collection are pieces by Mary Cassatt, Luis Jimenez, and William Wegman. Bonanzaville USA is a recreated pioneer village of 40 restored buildings on a 15-acre site; the
The Solomon G. Comstock Historic House in Moorhead is the former home of this prominent Fargo-Moorhead figure who was a financier and political and cultural force in the community. The authentically restored Victorian house contains its original furnishings. The Roger Maris Museum in the West Acres Shopping Center pays tribute to the city's most famous athlete, who broke Babe Ruth's single-season home run record in 1961 when he hit 61 home runs. Maris donated all of his trophies and sports memorabilia to the museum as a tribute to the city in which he grew up. The Children's Museum at Yunker Farm, a century-old farm house, presents participatory learning exhibits in the physical, natural, and social sciences.
Arts and Culture
The Fargo Theatre, a landmark movie theater built in 1926, has been fully restored and is the site of film showings as well as live theater, music, and dance performances. On weekends, the Mighty Wurlitzer organ performs intermission music during each show at the theater. The Fargo-Moorhead Community Theater group stages 12 annual productions at the Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre. Other local performing groups are the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra, the Fargo-Moorhead Opera, and the Red River Dance and Performing Company. The Trollwood Performing Arts School provides arts education, entertainment, and activities for children.
Festivals and Holidays
The Fargo Film Festival, in March, screens the best in independent filmmaking at the Fargo Theatre and other downtown locations. In July, the Downtown Street Fair features craft booths, food, and entertainment. Bonanzaville USA holds Pioneer Days in August, when more than 100 demonstrators revive the skills and crafts of the past. The Fargo Blues Festival, in August, is a two-day event that features world class bands; more than 20 Grammy winners or nominees have performed at the event, which has been called one of "America's Best" by actor Dan Aykroyd. A Winter Blues Fest is held in February. The Big Iron Farm Show fills the Red River Valley Fairgrounds on the second weekend in September, bringing the latest farm products and services from 400 agribusiness exhibitors. The holiday season brings Christmas on the Prairie at Bonanzaville USA and the annual Santa Village at Rheault Farm, with opportunities to feed deer, meet Santa, and enjoy a sleigh ride.
Sports for the Spectator
Although Fargo does not field any major league sports teams, it is home to other professional and collegiate teams. The Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks of the Northern League play baseball at Newman Outdoor Field. The Fargo-Moorhead Jets are a Junior A developmental league hockey team for 17- to 20-year-olds making the transition from high school to college; they play a 54-game season from September through March at the John E. Carson Coliseum.
The North Dakota State University Bison have won 20 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II national championships, including the 2002 women's indoor track and field championship. The university fields men's and women's teams in 10 sports, including football, basketball, baseball, and softball. The Moorhead State University Dragons, and the Concordia College Cobbers also present a complete schedule of men's and women's major and minor sports. The Red River Valley Speedway presents stock car racing.
Sports for the Participant
The Fargo Park District sponsors an extensive program of sports for all age groups. Recreational facilities include 73 public parks, 12 public golf courses, 38 public tennis courts, and 4 public swimming pools. Winter sports are particularly popular with ice skating, figure skating, and youth and adult hockey available at both indoor and outdoor facilities; outdoor rinks are equipped with warming houses. Other recreational pursuits include volleyball, basketball, track, soccer, walking, cross-country skiing, ballroom dancing, table tennis, and broom ball. The Scheels Fargo Marathon is held in May.
Charitable and cultural organizations sponsor gaming operations at 39 casinos in Fargo-Moorhead's public establishments. Profits benefit the programs of the sponsoring organizations, and fraternal groups allocate profits to public causes. Games include blackjack, paper slot machines, bingo, and tri-wheel.
Shopping and Dining
The Fargo shopping scene is a mix of unique local establishments and national retailers. The Crafters Mall, open year round, has more than 250 display areas featuring crafts from around the country. The Fargo Antique Mall is one of the largest in the state, with more than 7,000 square feet of antiques, books, and collectibles. Gordmans is a local department store selling name brand clothing and shoes, fragrances, furniture, and home accessories. West Acres Shopping Center, the largest mall in the region with more than 120 stores and restaurants, is anchored by Marshall Field's, JC Penney, Sears, and Herberger's.
Fargo restaurants offer a range of choices. Ethnic options include Asian, Indian, Italian, Mediterranean, and Mexican. Dining in historic settings is offered at Runck Chateau Ranch, a working cattle ranch, and at The White House, District 31—Victoria's, and The Conservatory.
Visitor Information: Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau, 2001 44th Street SW, Fargo, ND 58103; telephone (701)282-3653; toll-free (800)235-7654