Day Trip from Fargo: Things to Do in Fergus Falls, MN

Fergus Falls
Photo credit: Ashlee Cournia

Looking for endless fun near Fargo? Then Fergus Falls is the community for you! Pack up the kids and head on a road trip for a day of adventure in Fergus Falls!

Things to Do in Fergus Falls

1. Otter Cove Children’s Museum

Location: 105 West Lincoln Ave, Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Photo credit: Ashlee Cournia

Otter Cove is a children’s play museum located downtown Fergus Falls. Kids can get their wiggles out on the Lake Region Otter Romp, which includes two slides, a wooden platform to crawl up, and monkey bars. Ride the school bus to the pretend cafe, where children can serve up sandwiches to their “guests,” put on a play at the Swan Lake Stage, and take care of animals at the Companion Animal Hospital. They can find out how produce makes its way to the grocery store, with their interactive garden to table center. And then can get creative in the Maker Shop at the back of the museum. With something for everyone ages 1-12, Otter Cove Children’s Museum is a great stop!

Admission is $7 per person and children under 12 months receive free admission. Children must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older. Check out their website for hours and events.

2. Uncle Eddie’s Ice Cream Shop

Fergus Falls
Photo credit: Ashlee Cournia

Location:  217 W Lincoln Ave, Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Uncle Eddie’s serves up over 40 ice cream flavors and has a 100 foot gum ball machine located throughout the shop! Uncle Eddie’s is sure to have a flavor of ice cream anyone in the family can enjoy.

3. Spies Riverfront Park and the Market Pavilion

Location: 117 S Union Ave, Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Spend some time strolling along the Otter Tail River at the newly revitalized Spies Riverfront Park. Children will love this open space to run, explore, and view riverfront wildlife! Keep an eye out for hidden, hand-painted animals along the path and be sure to also check out the artwork under the bridge. Enjoy the new community splash pad, additional walkways, and waterfall pools. Be aware of the fast running river and keep children on the walking path, away from the water.

Photo credit: Ashlee Cournia

4. Dr. Allen Magnuson Park

Location: 520 Cascade Street S, Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Fergus Falls
Photo credit: Ashlee Cournia

Completely renovated in 2022, this centrally located park spread out across 2.8 acres. It offers a green space, shelter area, and a playground for kids. The playground is made for all ages and its all-inclusive playground equipment includes large and small slides, a toddler area, and misters for hot days!

5. Noyes Park

Location: 1009 Broadway Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Noyes Park is home to larger than life butterfly sculpture, a small playground, and plenty of walking paths. This is the perfect sized park for toddlers, it’s easy to walk through, and boasts beautiful greenery and flowers in the summer months.

Photo credit: Ashlee Cournia

6. Otter Tail County Historical Museum

Location: 1110 Lincoln Avenue West, Fergus falls, MN 56537

The Otter Tail County Historical Museum is recognized as one of the best local history museums in Minnesota. Kids can learn local history as they view the authentically recreated dioramas and period rooms. The museum also offers creative hands-on activities and educational resources.

Admission is $6 for adults, $2 ages for ages 5-11, and kids under 5 are free. Check out their website for hours and upcoming events.

7. Dairyland

Location: 1220 Union Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Be transported back in time at this nostalgic drive-in burger restaurant. With both indoor and outdoor seating, Dairyland offers some of the best food Fergus Falls has to offer. End your meal with a delicious ice cream treat! Children will especially love the life-sized Charlie Brown and Snoopy sculpture next to the outside seating area.

8. Central Lakes Trail

Location: Fergus Falls trailhead, DeLagoon Park: 1921 Delagoon Park Drive, Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Fergus Falls
Photo credit: Ashlee Cournia
If you’re looking for a scenic family bike ride, try the Central Lakes Trail! This wide, paved bike path goes on for many miles. This trail was built on the original Burlington Northern Railway corridor and covers beautiful scenery. It winds past lakes, ponds, and old bridges, and you’re likely to see beautiful birds along the way.

9. Delagoon Park and Pebble Lake

Location: 1921 Delagoon Park Drive, Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Just a few miles out of city limits, Delagoon Park has fun for the whole family. It has a disc golf course, playground areas, picnic shelters, and a public swimming beach on Pebble Lake. This park is a perfect space to spend an afternoon as a family. Gather up some food for a family picnic and spend the day exploring all the amenities this park has to offer.

Photo credit: Ashlee Cournia

10. The Prairie Wetlands Learning Center Fergus Falls Wetland Management District

Location: 602 MN-210 East, Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Learn about environmental education and other outdoor opportunities for the public at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center. It’s the only residential environmental education facility in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Children will love searching for wildlife along the many hiking paths or going bird watching along the trails. The center also holds educational activities and interpretive programs.
Points of Interest: Explore 330 acres of rolling grassy hills and 28 wetlands via three and a half miles of hiking trails. Trails include an amphitheater, butterfly garden, floating bridge, floating dock, oak savanna, and lake.This truly is a hidden gem in the Fergus Falls area and bonus — admission is free!
Check out their website for hours and to keep up to date with events.
Whether you plan to spend a day or a few hours, Fergus Falls has many hidden treasures the whole family is sure to enjoy exploring!
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Ashlee Cournia
Ashlee is a wife, mother, teacher, and infertility awareness advocate. Born and raised on a farm in south central North Dakota, Ashlee grew up learning about the true meaning of hard work, love of family, and the importance of faith. After graduating from high school, she moved to Moorhead where she would meet the love of her life and future husband, Jay. She attended MSUM where she earned her degree in English Education and began teaching in 2014. In 2018, Ashlee earned her Masters in Education from The University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. After struggling through infertility for five years, Ashlee and Jay welcomed miracle twins, Hannah and Leo, to their family in 2019. They currently reside in Horace, ND, building their dream home in 2021. Ashlee’s love of reading and writing is manifested in her work as a full-time language arts teacher at Kindred High School in Kindred, ND and as a part time online adjunct professor at the University of Mary. She also works part time as a receptionist at Scheels. Ashlee credits her ability to juggle the demands of full-time work with her part time jobs to her parents, who have always showed her the value of hard work. Ashlee is blessed to have a hands-on husband and in-laws always willing to lend a helping hand. Ashlee has a passion for sharing her infertility journey in the hopes of helping others who are experiencing it themselves. She shares about infertility and motherhood on her Instagram page. Ashlee’s personal hobbies include baking, decorating, and shopping. She and her family enjoy summer road trips, weekends at the lake, and traveling to her parent’s farm. Ashlee wishes to share with her readers the joys and challenges of life as a working mother and her experience battling infertility in the hopes of inspiring them in their own lives.

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