Fargo, North Dakota might not be the first destination that comes to mind for a girls’ weekend getaway—but it should be. As you might have noticed, I’ve been trying to find the best spots for unexpected girls’ trips across the country, and I just couldn’t leave North Dakota (my youngest son’s favorite state) out of the mix.
With a walkable downtown filled with cozy cocktail lounges, boutique shopping, delectable restaurants, and an impressive, vibrant arts scene, this small Midwestern city offers big personality.
For three days, we explored murals, hunted for vintage treasures, sipped craft cocktails with our Sip & Savor Passport, and even caught a Broadway-caliber performance under the stars.
Whether you’re planning your first trip, a return visit, or visiting your kids for the weekend at North Dakota State University, here’s what you need to know when planning a weekend itinerary in Fargo.
Start With the Sip & Savor Passport
Before you dive into Fargo’s food and drink scene, grab the Sip & Savor Passport, a mobile-exclusive tasting pass that offers up to six drink redemptions at some of the best bars and lounges in Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo. With no apps to download, it’s instantly delivered via text or email.
The two-day pass includes three drinks and is good for 48 hours after your first sip. If you’re staying longer or just want to ample more, the 30-day pass offers six cocktails and can be used over a whole month.
Participating stops include 701 Eateries, The Boiler Room, Starbird Lounge, Marge’s Bar, Wilde Terra Cider, and The Noble Hare. Each location offers a curated cocktail, cocktail of your choice, or cider to try—and the savings make it an easy yes for anyone looking to explore the local scene on a budget.
Friday: Check-In, Cocktails & Cozy Vibes
My friend Tawny and I met up in Fargo for the weekend and checked into The Jasper Hotel, a beautifully designed boutique property right in the heart of downtown Fargo. Our room was spacious and stylish, with two queen beds and a picture-perfect view of the iconic Fargo Theatre sign.
We could even see the playful Super Mario Brothers mural—a personal favorite of all of our kids, who’ve both visited Fargo on their own family adventures with us.
After a quick refresh from our flight, we headed downstairs to Rosewild, the hotel’s on-site restaurant. It was anything but your average hotel dining experience. The cocktail menu immediately caught our attention—creative and seasonal with plenty of personality. I ordered the Spring Sprang Sprung (Far North Solveig gin, falernum, fennel, pink peppercorn, butterfly pea flower) while Tawny sipped the Fargo Love (Crooked Furrow bourbon, maraschino, blackberry-thyme shrub, lemon).
We shared a fried chicken sandwich and a summer salad, along with some spicy Brussels sprouts. Like most North Dakota restaurants, walleye (one of the state’s native fish, which my youngest and I have fished for up on Devil’s Lake) was on the menu, but that chicken sandwich was calling our names.
I don’t regret it for one second, as it was probably one of the best fried chicken sandwiches I’ve ever had.
Not quite ready to call it a night, we walked across the street and into Roberts Alley, where Marge’s Bar (a Sip & Savor Passport stop) is tucked down a flight of stairs next to The Boiler Room. The entrance is unmarked and easy to miss, but thanks to a friendly local, we found it.
Inside, the bar felt like a cozy college dive, with quirky decor, welcoming bartenders, and a standard menu featuring a few creative cocktails. Tawny went for the huckleberry mule while I tried out the Butterfly Pea Punch.
Looking back, I would have gotten the Pornstar Martini or Old Fashioned, which a guy at the bar told me was excellent and would have suited my tastes better than the punch that first night, as it was a little too heavy on the sparkling wine.
Saturday: Caffeine, Art & Boutique Bliss
Time zones and long summer days had us waking up a little disoriented, but ready to explore. In case you didn’t know, it stays light out late into the evening in North Dakota, and the sun rises extra early since Fargo is so far north, similar to summer in Seattle.
Our first stop was to get caffeinated at Youngblood Coffee, which we quickly dubbed the best cup in town if you want an impeccable roast. Locals filtered in with dogs, kids, laptops, and friends to enjoy a solid cappuccino and toast, proving it was a favorite gathering spot.
Feeling the need for something a little heartier, we made our way to Marge’s Diner and grabbed counter seats for breakfast. Between the cinnamon roll French toast, breakfast poutine, and classic scrambled eggs, we didn’t leave hungry.
The portions are massive—share when you can, especially if you are staying in a hotel where you have no way to heat leftovers.
Next up was some treasure hunting. We started at Fargo Antique Mall (Tawny and I lost each other a few times; we were so engrossed in our hunt in this ample space), and then crossed the street to the Dakota Boys & Girls Ranch Thrift Store, where I snagged some crystal champagne flutes for just a buck each.
From there, we headed back downtown to the Plains Art Museum, a free, multi-level gallery with rotating exhibits. Don’t let the size of the town fool you—this museum regularly features nationally recognized artists like Annie Labovitz (huge and interactive installation art pieces), and even work from masters like Hokusai (he created the famous woodblock print Great Wave off Kanagawa).
Lunch that day took us to Las Palmas—solid if you’re craving margaritas, guacamole, and chips, though if you’re from the Southwest, Texas, or California, you may want to adjust your expectations.
Other great lunch options include Wurst Bier Hall, a lively German-style beer hall with sausages, giant pretzels, and beer flights, or Beer & Fish Company, which features elevated fish and chips, oysters, and a nice beer selection in the heart of Roberts Alley.
In need of another caffeine hit, we popped into Revival Coffee Bar, attached to the eclectic 1st Ave Market. While the lattes were great, I fell in love with this dream shop packed with vintage finds, books, pantry goods, and plants. Every corner made me want to stop and explore more.
That afternoon, we crossed the river into Moorhead for a visit to the Rourke Art Museum, where we caught the Annual Midwestern Invitational Exhibition of Fine Art. We were even tempted to buy some pieces—many were surprisingly affordable for up-and-coming collectors.
Upstairs, we wandered through the museum’s permanent collection, soaking in the paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and prints.
We timed our visit to Moorhead perfectly so we could check out Starbird Lounge (another Sip & Savor stop) when it opened at 4pm. This tiki-inspired bar is known for house-made syrups and thoughtful moktail options, too.
I ordered the Saturn (gin, lemon, passion fruit, falernum and orgeat), Tawny went for the Iron Ranger (bourbon, pineapple, falernum, lemon, demerara syrup), and both were divine.
Back in downtown Fargo, we spent the rest of the afternoon shopping Main Street’s boutiques. While it’s not a long strip, it packs a punch with stylish shops like The Nines, Proper, and Primp-Fargo. Prices can feel big-city depending on what you’re looking for, but there are definitely some bargains to be found.
If you love antique wood furniture and random bits and bobbles you didn’t know you just HAD to have, do not miss a stop in O’Day Cache. The owner personally sources much of the furniture from India and local artisans.
For happy hour, we walked back to Roger’s Alley to check out the The Boiler Room for more drinks on the Sip & Savor trail. Their Cucumber Bliss (I subbed the tequila for gin!) and Tawny’s Elevated White Sangria were refreshing and a fun way to kick off our evening at a local staple downtown.
We headed back to The Jasper to freshen up before dinner at 701 Eateries, just a short ride away. While you can walk, we opted for a rideshare to avoid blisters in our cute shoes and dresses (don’t worry, the dress code ranges from t-shirts and shorts to business casual).
We were a little early, so we started with cocktails upstairs at Camp Lonetree while we waited for our table to be ready. I recommend the Rhubarb Spritz and Huckleberry Mule out on their gorgeous rooftop if it’s not raining. If the weather isn’t great, the inside is nice and cozy
Our cocktails finished, we headed downstairs for an unforgettable dinner at Prairie Kitchen. Our upstairs bartender had raved about the Truffle Mac & Cheese and 701 Brussels Sprouts—and he wasn’t wrong.
The savory lefse plate also impressed, but the standout was the Yellow Jacket cocktail. With whiskey, apple liqueur, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg served in a matte black coupe with a cooper interior, it looked and tasted like fall in a glass. I loved this drink so much I ordered the glassware on the spot (here) and even tracked down the recipe.
If you’re saving Prairie Kitchen for Sunday night, Mezzaluna in Roberts Alley or Rustica Eatery in Moorhead are great alternatives.
We ended the night at The Drawing Room, a speakeasy-style bar tucked underneath Mezzaluna. No password needed—you just have to figure out the correct door to go in.
If the menu doesn’t inspire you for whatever reason, just ask your waiter to have the bartender surprise you. They will only ask for allergies, so be ready for anything. I was pleasantly surprised with a mango strawberry gin cocktail that hit the spot.
Sunday: Yoga, Pop-Tarts & the Best of Broadway
We kicked off Sunday with Moonrise Café and their legendary homemade pop-tarts. Flavors like rose raspberry, cinnamon apple, and their flavored lattes kept us coming back more than once on our trip.
I still wish we had gotten one of their tiny cakes. Even if we couldn’t finish it all and had to share with everyone else in the cafe, these cakes looked more than worth it. One cake was offered each day by the slice, but those other cake flavors were always calling my name.
Next up, we went to the fifth-floor rooftop of The Jasper for a yoga session with Allison Grippe. The class was the perfect reset after two days of indulgence, and it came with a coupon for a refreshing mocktail at Rosewild, which was like sipping a spa in a glass (cucumber, mint, simple syrup, and soda water).
After yoga and showers, we drove over to Brewhalla, a combo food hall, brewery, boutique shopping space, and funky hotel. While we stayed downtown this trip, Brewhalla would be a great option for families (a friend of mine just stayed there and she said her girls loved it) looking to stay just outside of downtown Fargo.
We grabbed lunch at Unicorn Park Fine Foodery—the smash burger and loaded fries were perfect—and browsed local makers at Unglued, one of our favorite shops of the weekend.
Then it was off to Wild Terra Cider, another Sip & Savor location, for a cider tasting flight, which was an easy walk from Brewhalla. Tawny prefers sweet, and I lean dry, so the variety worked perfectly for us to each find a favorite.
We made one last loop through the antique shops and Main Street boutiques before driving over to The Noble Hare in West Fargo. This was our favorite stop on the Sip & Savor trail.
The head bartender, Jonathon, is an absolute artist behind the bar. As it turns out, he also created the Yellow Jacket cocktail we’d fallen in love with at Prairie Kitchen. We chatted about spirits, technique, and flavor profiles—his passion was contagious, and every drink was a masterpiece, inspiring me to continue my experiments over on TwistCocktailRecipes.com.
That evening, we had tickets for a performance of Newsies at The Lights in West Fargo. We grabbed dinner beforehand at Smoke & Iron, conveniently located across the street. A salad, burrata appetizer, and comforting mac and cheese fueled us for the evening.
I couldn’t resist a s’mores ice cream in a waffle bowl from Lundy’s Ice Cream before the show. I mean, what is a show without a little dessert?
The performance blew us away. We had assumed this would be a charming local production—and it was, but with Broadway-quality talent. The singing, choreography, and staging in the outdoor courtyard, set against the summer breeze, made for a magical evening.
Families sprawled out on blankets behind us in the general admission section, while we enjoyed the comfort of reserved seats and pick up snacks from the nearby concession stand.
Monday: Murals & Goodbyes
With our trip coming to a close, we grabbed lattes from Twenty Below Coffee Co. and embarked on a self-guided mural tour. Fargo has a thriving public art scene, and we couldn’t get enough.
From the prairie skyline to Mario Brothers scenes and cow prints, plus the unforgettable “Greetings from Fargo” mural, we snapped photos at every stop.
You can create your own mural walk with the Fargo-Moorhead Mural Guide.
Before heading to the airport, we made one final pop-tart stop at Moonrise Café. I may need to beg them for the recipe because that flaky, buttery goodness still haunts my dreams.
With bags full of vintage glassware, new clothes, and more cocktail props than I’ll ever admit, we breezed through the Fargo airport and headed home, already planning our return.
Would We Go Back to Fargo?
In a heartbeat. The cocktail scene alone is worth the trip, but there’s so much more—from boutique shopping and thrifting to rooftop yoga, art museums, and live theater. Fargo knows how to surprise you in all the best ways. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, this little city has big weekend fun, and we can’t wait to fly back for more.
