6 Affordable Summer Vacations for Fargo Families

With the cost of daycare, camps, and travel sports, sometimes it’s hard to budget for a summer vacation. But not all vacations have to break the bank! We’ve rounded up a list of affordable summer vacations that can be budget friendly, and fun.

6 Affordable Summer Vacations for Fargo Families

Storybook Land

Take a trip just three hours south to Aberdeen, SD and experience the wonders of Storybook Land! Storybook Land features The Land of Oz and kid-friendly rides like trains and a carousel. They even have a roller coaster – but don’t worry, at just 20 mph it’s still kid-friendly. Admission is free, with rides costing $3 per ride or $20 for a pack of 10 rides. After a day of exploring all the park has to offer, check out Wylie Campground for inexpensive accommodations (reservations required).

Henry Doorly Zoo (Omaha, NE)

Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is one of the top zoos in the nation, and is less than 6 hours from Fargo! Children ages 3-11 are $22.95, ages 12+ are $33.95, with options for visitor experience add-ons. Plus, if you have a Red River Zoo membership, you get 50% off admission! You’ll definitely get your dollars worth with a full day of exploring all the animals and attractions, including the aquarium, a train, carousel, and even a skyfari for a view from above the zoo. There are also plenty of other fun things to do in Omaha, so make a long weekend of it!

Winnipeg

Put those passports to use, and head north to Canada for a weekend in Winnipeg! Check out the Assiniboine Park Zoo (Red River Zoo members get 50% off!), and then head next door to The Leaf Botanical Gardens to see tropical biomes and even a butterfly garden. If the weather isn’t cooperating, enjoy some indoor fun at the Manitoba Museum (free admission for kids through September 7, 2026!), or the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada. Find details on all our favorite Winnipeg things to do in this guide.

Bismarck

Head just a few hours west on I-94, and you’ll find yourself in the capital city. The Bismarck-Mandan area is similar to the Fargo area in many ways, but does have a few extra fun activities we don’t have! The Raging Rivers Waterpark is the perfect place to spend a warm day with the family. A day pass for guests 48″ or taller is $17, $14 for guests under 48″, and free for children 3 and under! If the weather isn’t cooperating, head over to North Dakota’s Gateway to Science. Keep the whole family engaged with exhibits on weather and space, plus loads of hands-on activities. Admissions for adults is $15, children 3-17 is $11, and under 2 is free. And don’t miss the favorite Dakota Zoo – Red River Zoo members get free admission!

Detroit Lakes

The great thing about a visit to Detroit Lakes is that it can easily be a day trip! And because the beaches are public, they’re free to enjoy. Detroit Lakes has parks, playgrounds, and a recreation center with an indoor pool and play space. A great family-friendly spot to catch lunch is Zorbaz, a classic staple in lakes country. There’s also all kinds of shopping, including an old-fashioned candy store and weekly flea market on Saturdays and Sundays. Check out our guide on Detroit Lakes for more fun things to do!

Camping

Camping has always been one of the more budget-friendly options for a summer vacation. If you’ve never been camping it may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Even if you have littles, it can still be a lot of fun! And believe it or not, there are plenty of camping spots within 2 hours of Fargo.