Fargo's Best: Self-Guided Driving Tour of Main Sites & Iconic Landmarks
Places: 19 POIs
Distance: 21.77 mi
Duration: 2h:29m
GPS-guided narration through
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Tour #2638
About this English self-guided 2h:29m driving tour in Fargo
Welcome to Fargo, North Dakota! You’re about to explore one of America’s most surprising and spirited cities — a place where prairie history, creativity, and good old Midwestern warmth come together in a way you won’t find anywhere else.
Fargo began humbly in the 1870s as a railroad town on the edge of the Red River. Back then, it was all wooden sidewalks, muddy streets, and saloons filled with railway workers and farmers from the nearby bonanza farms — the enormous wheat operations that helped build the region’s economy. But over time, this small frontier outpost grew into the largest city in North Dakota — a cultural hub filled with universities, festivals, and a growing art and tech scene.
The city’s identity has always been shaped by its environment — wide-open skies, endless prairie, and the Red River that flows north right along the Minnesota border. The river brought trade, connection, and a few floods along the way, but it also gave Fargo its name and its heart.
Today, you’ll see how the city blends old and new — from historic downtown buildings and iconic landmarks like the Fargo Theatre, to innovative projects like the Fargo Air Museum, NDSU’s research campus, and The Fargo Project, where art and nature meet. You’ll even discover the lighter side of the city — yes, including the famous movie woodchipper that made Fargo a household name.
As we drive, you’ll notice that Fargo is more than just a dot on the map — it’s a city that celebrates community, creativity, and resilience. Whether you’re here for the history, the art, the food, or just a friendly smile, you’ll find all of it here on the prairie.
So get comfortable, follow the navigation, and let’s start our journey right here — by the Riverside Gardens and the Red River, where Fargo’s story began.
- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
![UCPlaces AI Bot Icon]()
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
Route Preview
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Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
![Map Pin]()
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.00mi
203 4th Ave N, Fargo, ND 58102, USA
Welcome to Fargo!
On your left, you’ll spot the peaceful Riverside Gardens, a lovely green stretch framed by a stone wall and just beyond it, the Red River. That river marks not only the natural edge of the city but also the border with Minnesota, just on the other side of the water.
As you continue, look to your right for the Fargo City Hall, the heart of local government and a symbol of the city’s forward-thinking spirit. It’s here where many of Fargo’s community projects and civic celebrations begin.
Take a deep breath — you’re right at the meeting point of two states, two histories, and one welcoming Midwestern vibe. Let’s get started exploring Fargo!
As you continue, look to your right for the Fargo City Hall, the heart of local government and a symbol of the city’s forward-thinking spirit. It’s here where many of Fargo’s community projects and civic celebrations begin.
Take a deep breath — you’re right at the meeting point of two states, two histories, and one welcoming Midwestern vibe. Let’s get started exploring Fargo!
Place #2
![Map Pin]()
Distance: 0.56mi
100 2nd St S, Fargo, ND 58103, USA
The Red River — A Natural Border and Lifeline
Flowing quietly on your left is the Red River, one of the most important waterways in this part of the country. It forms the natural border between North Dakota and Minnesota, carving its way north toward Canada, where it eventually empties into Lake Winnipeg. Unlike most rivers in the U.S., the Red River flows northward, which makes it especially prone to spring flooding — a challenge the region has battled for over a century.
The river’s name comes from the reddish-brown silt it carries, rich with clay and minerals left behind by ancient glaciers that once covered this entire valley. Early fur traders and settlers used it as a vital transportation route, linking communities and trading posts long before roads or railways arrived.
Today, it’s more peaceful — a scenic backdrop for parks, trails, and fishing spots that stretch along both sides of the border. As you drive through Fargo, the Red River is a constant companion — a reminder of the natural beauty and resilience that define life here on the plains.
The river’s name comes from the reddish-brown silt it carries, rich with clay and minerals left behind by ancient glaciers that once covered this entire valley. Early fur traders and settlers used it as a vital transportation route, linking communities and trading posts long before roads or railways arrived.
Today, it’s more peaceful — a scenic backdrop for parks, trails, and fishing spots that stretch along both sides of the border. As you drive through Fargo, the Red River is a constant companion — a reminder of the natural beauty and resilience that define life here on the plains.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1
Welcome to Fargo!
Place 2
The Red River — A Natural Border and Lifeline
Place 3
Historic Island Park
Place 4
The Gregg Shorthand School and the BNSF Railway — Where Words and Wheels Built a City
Place 5
Plains Art Museum — Where Creativity Meets the Prairie
Place 6
The Hotel Donaldson — Fargo’s Artsy Landmark
Place 7
Fargo Public Library — Knowledge on the Prairie
Place 8
Vibrant Broadway Square
Place 9
Historic Fargo Theatre
Place 10
Fun Facts About Fargo — The Surprising Side of the Plains
Place 11
North Dakota State University (NDSU)
Place 12
NDSU Old Main
Place 13
The Bison Statue — Strength of the Plains
Place 14
Albrecht Boulevard - The heart of North Dakota State University
Place 15
Fargodome — Where Fargo Roars
Place 16
Fargo Air Museum
Place 17
Bonanzaville, U.S.A. — A Walk Through Pioneer History
Place 18
The Iconic Woodchipper — Fargo’s Most Famous Movie Prop
Place 19
Red River Zoo — A Wild Farewell from Fargo
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Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 2 to 3 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 19 stops, covering top attractions such as Welcome to Fargo!, The Red River — A Natural Border and Lifeline, Historic Island Park, The Gregg Shorthand School and the BNSF Railway — Where Words and Wheels Built a City, Plains Art Museum — Where Creativity Meets the Prairie.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Welcome to Fargo! (Address: 203 4th Ave N, Fargo, ND 58102, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - 1. A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). 2. A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!