Looking for a day of fun and a break from your normal routine? Get out there and have an adventure not too far from home with these day trips from Fargo! Here are some nearby options.
Day Trips from Fargo
1. Detroit Lakes, MN
Drive Time: 50 minutes
Lakes country is beautiful in the winter, too!
For outdoor excitement, snowmobile in and around the city. Check out this Detroit Lakes city snowmobile map and Becker County snowmobile map for trail information.
And Detroit Mountain offers adventure in the form of skiing, snowboarding, and tubing! Hit the slopes and then warm up with food and drinks in the lodge
Or, work up a sweat cross-country skiing at Mountain View Recreation Area.
And if you’re in town in February, be sure to stop by Polar Fest for some frosty fun!
Looking to learn? The Becker County Museum is a history, science, and children’s museum. It has 14,000 photographs and 20,000 artifacts along with the “World’s Smallest Gas Station.” Bonus, kids are free!
Also, Detroit Lakes has lots of places to eat including Zorbaz, the classic family-friendly spot for pizza and Mexican food.
For a full itinerary, check out our article on things to do in Detroit Lakes!
2. Fergus Falls, MN
Drive Time: 1 hour
Fergus Falls is a great spot for educational fun and also has a vibrant downtown area with unique shops and restaurants.
Looking for some local flavor? Try the Viking Cafe.
Learn about early settlers, Otter Tail County wildlife, and farming practices at the Otter Tail County Historical Museum.
View the work of local artists at the Lakes Region Arts Council Gallery and Kaddatz Art Gallery.
And Otter Cove Children’s Museum offers lots of creative space to play and learn with an indoor playground, maker shop, stage, and miniature downtown Fergus Falls. Encouraging the use physical play, art, and imagination, kids are able to touch and climb on interactive exhibits.
Read this post for more details on an Otter Cove day trip!
3. Grand Forks, ND
Drive Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Venture up north on I-29 to Grand Forks!
The CanadInn is a great place for family fun! It has the Splasher’s of the South Seas Waterpark, an arcade, and several onsite dining options.
Looking to expend some of that endless kid energy? Hit Northern Air for their trampoline park, laser tag, arcade, and ax throwing.
If you’re a family of sports fans, cheer for the UND hockey team at the Ralph Englestad arena.
For a little culture, explore the North Dakota Museum of Art, a hidden gem on the University of North Dakota campus. It also has a great cafe.
4. Fort Ransom, ND
Drive Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Go west to Fort Ransom, ND for winter recreation.
Thrill Hills provides skiing, snowboarding, and tubing fun! Check their Facebook page for more information regarding conditions and hours.
5. Alexandria, MN
Drive Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
There’s an abundance of outdoor adventure in Alexandria!
Travel to Andes Tower Hills for snowboarding, skiing, and snow tubing, or try snowshoeing at Lake Carlos State Park.
Looking to try ice fishing? Rent an ice house and or an ice fishing package.
Arrowwood Resort
The Arrowwood Resort Snow Center provides the opportunity to rent snowmobiles, mini snowmobiles for kids, and ice fishing houses. They also have recreational activities like broomball, ice skating, sledding, and cross-country skiing. See their Winter Activities Brochure for more information.
And for indoor activities, go to the Arrowwood Water Park. It features three four-story-tall waterslides, a lazy river, whirlpool spa, basketball shootout, lily pad water walk, and more.
Also, the Legacy of the Lakes Museum features exhibits that celebrate life at the lake. Learn about the grand hotels and resorts of the past. And see how fishing technology has evolved since the late 1800s. Check out some amazing catches and view their boat displays, including some made in Minnesota.
Alexandria boasts many dining options, with both local favorites and chain restaurants.
Looking to travel beyond just a day trip? Check out our post 6 Fun Weekend Trips from Fargo with Kids.
