Fascinating Fargo

North Dakota is a Midwestern state dominated by the Great Plains. The Great Plains lead to the rugged Badlands located near the border with Montana.

Fargo is the most populous city in the state.

The Plains Art Museum is a fine arts museum that has found its home in the restored International Harvester Warehouse. The museum has a permanent collection of 3,000 works of art by local and national artists. Artworks include traditional folk art, Native American art, and contemporary art. You can relax at the River Goose Cafe on the ground floor.

The Children's Museum at Tunker Farm has hands-on exhibits and attractions for children to entertain and educate. The museum is housed in the Newton Whitman House built in 1876. The museum was founded in 1985 with many different hands-on exhibits so that children would have a place to play, enjoy, and learn. There are other things to enjoy as well like a carousel, a miniature train, and a butterfly garden.

The Red River Zoo opened in 1999. It is situated on lovely rolling hills with several ponds and landscaped plant exhibits. The zoo has over five hundred trees and shrubs. You'll find 300 animals of 75 species who live in enclosures similar to their natural habitats. There are also several endangered species and exotic animals from different parts of the world that come from climates that are similar to that of the Red River Valley.

The North Dakota State University (pictured above) campus is home to the Fargodome. This is an indoor sports stadium that is home to the North Dakota State University Bison football team. The stadium was opened in 1992 and also hosts special events like music concerts and trade shows.

North Dakota State University is a public university. Its full name is the North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. The main campus has more than 100 major buildings. The popular meeting place here is the Babbling Brook.

Mezzaluna is an elegant restaurant in downtown Fargo. It is located in the historic loft of the Roberts Street Building dating from 1917. Many of the original features remain like a corbelled brick, pressed metal ceiling, tall windows, original stone trim, and wooden beams. The cuisine is modern American using local and seasonal ingredients. Chef Eric Watson serves up some very delicious food. The bar is a popular place for traditional cocktails and new creations.

The Roger Marris Museum is dedicated to the baseball great who was the outfielder for the New York Yankees. He grew up in Fargo and Great Forks, In the 1961 season Mariris hit a record 61 home runs and became the first to surpass the 60 home runs hit by Babe Ruth in 1927. The museum highlights his career and achievements.

The Fargo Theater was built as a vaudeville theater and cinema in the 1920s. It is an impressive Art Deco theater that presents independent and foreign films. It also hosts live entertainment and plays. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. In March it hosts the Fargo Film Festival. The theater can be booked for special events.

The Fargo-Moorehead Visitors Center was constructed to look like a grain elevator. Visitors can find information about what to see and do. You can have your photo taken with the famous woodchipper prop from the movie "Fargo". On the grounds is a colorful bison statue and the Celebrity Walk of Fame which includes over 100 different celebrity signatures and handprints.

Bonanzaville has over 40 historical buildings. It is one of the region's largest historical attractions, You can learn about the culture, history, and people of the Red River Valley. There is the Cass County Museum, Pioneer Village, Dahl Car Museum, and Telephone Museum.

The Hjemkomst Center is located across state lines in Moorhead, Minnesota about a mile from downtown Fargo. It is home to the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County.

The highlights here are the Hopperstad Stave Church replica and the Hjemkomst Viking ship. They also host special events.