Fargo, North Dakota may not be the first destination that comes to mind when planning a vacation, but an opportunity popped up to see my favorite band play at a brewery in a new (to me) state– so the ticket was booked. After our three night stay, I can confidently vouch for it to be on your list of weekend getaways. This charming city has so much to offer, from its delicious cuisine to its vibrant walkable downtown filled with friendly locals. I was surprised by the nods to the local’s Scandinavian heritage spread throughout the city and by the robust beer scene in an area that doesn’t scream hype beer to the outsider. Fargo exceeded all of my expectations and left me with unforgettable memories.

We flew into Hector International Airport (FAR), which is about 5 miles from downtown Fargo, and easily got an Uber to our hotel. We stayed at the Radisson Blu Downtown, which was the perfect space for exploring. The hotel had an onsite Italian steakhouse, bar, coffee shop, and little convenience shop in case we needed anything extra.

Let’s Eat

I’m not sure if it’s the cold winters or the proximity to the surrounding farms, but Fargo knows how to eat. Whether you’re in the mood for a Scandinavian/Jewish hybrid deli, a good old-fashioned burger, or some funky fried chicken, you’ll find it in Fargo.

Located on the main drag, Broadway, BernBaum’s is a great spot for breakfast/brunch/lunch. Their menu is hard to describe but I like to think of it as Jewish, American, and European fusion. We had a late night at the Troll Lounge, so I opted for the carb + grease filled brisket latke, while David went for a schnitzel sandwich. They also feature local beer, a nice wine selection, and craft sodas (+ coffee, if that’s your jam).

I found myself in JL Beers one afternoon while David was finishing up some work calls (he works from wherever we have internet and phone service). I came in for a beer but wound up giving in to the overwhelming smell of fried potatoes and ordering fries alongside my Summit Brewing Czech Pilsner. The burgers looked great, so I made a note to bring David on over the next day for lunch and I did! The burgers were as good as they looked, the service was great, and the beer selection was mostly local and extensive.

While in town, we hit a couple other local spots for meals, including Brew Bird and Würst Bier Hall. Both spots were great, had good beer lists, and are highly recommended by your trusty friends who live to eat.

The Troll Toll

One of the highlights of my trip was discovering the Scandinavian heritage that is so deeply ingrained in Fargo’s culture. From the Hjemkomst Center, which features a full-size replica of a Viking ship and a recreated Stave Church, to the Sons of Norway Lodge, I felt like I was transported to another time and place.

While wandering downtown one evening, we came across The Sons of Norway Lodge. I read the posted fliers outside and they had a bar, called the Troll Lounge, we were immediately sold. They had a good selection of local beer, a wide aquavit selection, and a very friendly staff. The bar is in the shape of the bow of a ship and the seat-backs are shaped like shields. There are also original troll carvings littering the walls of this fine establishment. They even have a throne reserved for only the king of Norway himself. There had been a function at the lodge earlier in the day and they shared some of the leftovers: deep fried lefsa and lingonberry salsa. We enjoyed our afternoon here so much that we came back that evening for karaoke sing-a-long (with the lyrics projected and everyone singing), and the next day for pre-concert drinks.

The Hjemkomst Center is a really cool place to visit if you’re interested in history and culture. It’s located in Moorhead, Minnesota and it’s home to a full-scale replica of a Viking ship called the Hjemkomst. The museum has exhibits on Norwegian heritage and culture, and there are even opportunities to learn some of the language and try traditional crafts like weaving. The museum is $10 for adults and also includes a guided tour of the Stave Church located on the surrounding grounds. Moorhead is a just quick walk from downtown Fargo over a bridge spanning the Red River, how often do you get to walk to another state?!

The Hjemkomst is a meticulously crafted replica of a Viking ship that was built by a man named Robert Asp in the late 1970s. Asp, who was of Norwegian descent, had a dream of sailing the ship to Norway, and he worked tirelessly to make that dream a reality. Sadly, Asp passed away before he could make the voyage, but his family and friends took up the challenge and successfully sailed the Hjemkomst across the Atlantic in 1982.

The Stave Church outside the Hjemkomst Center is a beautiful and authentic replica of a traditional Norwegian stave church. It was built using traditional methods and materials, and it’s a great example of the stunning architecture and intricate woodwork that’s typical of these structures. Visitors can explore the inside of the church, which is filled with beautiful religious art and artifacts, and learn about the history and significance of stave churches in Norwegian culture.

Skål!

Fargo has a growing beer scene that is worth exploring. There are several local breweries in the area, each with its own unique vibe and selection of craft beers. Some popular breweries include Fargo Brewing Company, Drekker Brewing Company, and Wild Terra Cider

The purpose of this trip was to catch a concert by my favorite band (Hanson) at Fargo Brewing Company. The brewery has a beautiful tasting room (with a barber shop) but my time was spent outside in the beer garden and concert space. They had food and beer vendors set up all around the concert space, with tables spaced out for those who weren’t standing for the show. I really enjoyed the Fargo Original (who doesn’t love sipping on a lager during an outdoor concert?!) and the Woodchipper IPA (very on the nose for Fargo). Also, I’m definitely not opposed to more sunsets, with a beer in hand, watching a great show.

Drekker Brewing Company is hype. I typically don’t seek out breweries or beers specifically because of their popularity but we were in Fargo and I had to know what was up. The tasting room leaned in to the Norse heritage of Fargo, with long tables and rustic fixtures. They had beer that spanned the rainbow, ranging from west coast IPAs to imperial stouts, with some smoothie sours thrown in for good measure. I also saw a few fruited hard seltzers on the floating around, which while not my speed, looked gorgeous.

We stumbled upon Wild Terra Cider while looking for a used book store, BDS Books. We found the bookstore and then took our newly acquired reading material down the street to enjoy with a cider. Wild Terra Cider’s mission is to use their “good times cider” to promote positivity and connection. I can say that I left the cider bar with a full heart and a happy palate. They had ciders ranging from sweet to dry, the staff was amazing, and the bathrooms were super groovy. The whole place felt very welcoming and full of good intent.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Chub’s Pub & Package Place. You see, we enjoy doing nice things, fancy dinners, pretty cocktails, craft beer, wine tastings, you name it, but we also love a dive bar. While walking back to the hotel from Fargo Brewing Company, a neon sign beckoned to us and we answered that call. Chub’s is very near the North Dakota State University campus and as such, has all the nightly drink specials that a college kid could want. We each ordered a $3 domestic pint, served ourselves some popcorn from their self-serve machine and watched the second best show of the night– college kids trying to keep their composure on a Saturday night.

What Are You Waiting For?

Our trip to Fargo, North Dakota was unexpectedly amazing. I never would have guessed that this unassuming city could offer so much. From the delicious food to the welcoming locals, the vibrant downtown, and the charming nod to Scandinavian roots, Fargo exceeded all of my expectations. If a reason pops up to visit this northern gem, take the trip.