Fargo Off The Beaten Path

Handicapped people can also ride the the boat - both the boat and boat ramp are easily accessible.

S.S. Ruby is a custom designed, Coast Guard inspected, 18-passenger pontoon tour boat that operates on the Red during weekends as weather and river conditions permit. River Keepers owns the pontoon, and American Sports Outfitters lends operational support. S.S. Ruby operators are U.S. Coast Guard licensed. Passengers board the pontoon under the First Avenue North Bridge adjacent to the Hjemkomst Center.

S.S. Ruby tours several miles of the Red River, while a knowledgeable captain or deckhand shares stories of the history, geography and wildlife that live in and along the River. Learn about Moorhead's old saloon district, an old swivel bridge, birds, deer, different trees and plants, storm drain outlets, rubble from the turn of the century downtown Fargo fire and more. The ride is not only recreational, but also educational.

Beginning May 17, tours run from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday. The schedule is subject to change based upon weather and river conditions.

Passengers are free to bring food and beverages aboard S.S. Ruby. Group rates are available. The entire boat may also be reserved by the hour.

To make reservations, for current charges, or for more information, call 701-581-RUBY (7829).

Spend a lazy afternoon on the Red.

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Any town I travel to I try to find some unique expressions away from the local tourist trade. The Fargo-Moorhead does not really have a tourist trade and is usually bypassed on the road between Minneapolis-St.Paul and the National Parks like Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. I suppose I could make a joke about the use of 2 towns to project an area image like the 2 combination cities above. Something like they need to huddle together to stay warm in winter or something like that.

Instead, hopefully with these normal and far from normal pictures that I took on my 6 day business trip to the area will entice you to get off the highway as you pass and come on in and take a look around.

This is after all the home of my most favorite restaurant in the world. Sarello's in Moorhead.

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The Northern Pacific Depot has been a Fargo landmark since its construction in 1898. In 1971 Burlington Northern, successor to the Northern Pacific Railroad, deeded the depot and its grounds to the city of Fargo. Momentum to preserve the historic landmark began to gather steam. In 1975 it became the first Fargo building entered on the National Register of Historic Places, and a campaign was begun to restore its interior. Presently owned by the Fargo Park District, the depot also houses the Fargo Senior Commission and the Senior Center.

The movement to renovate the park, gardens and fountain began in 1981. A novel plan was developed to fund the project: Volunteers would “sell” the bricks to be used to pave the area. Some 9,000 bricks were purchased by families, businesses and organizations at $20 each. Now incorporated throughout the courtyard, each is engraved with its supporter’s name or slogan. Local businesses and individuals contributed services and furnishings to complete the plaza, from its distinctive clock and fountain to the gazebo, globe lights wrought-iron tables and chairs, benches flagpoles and flowerpots.

Completed at a cost of nearly half a million dollars-none of it tax money-Depot Plaza was dedicated on September 8, 1984, a symbol of pleasure and pride in Fargo’s heritage.

The depot was also the site where General Grant and General Sheridan stopped on Sept. 4th, 1883 on their way to drive the golden spike which would complete the Northern Pacific Railroad. The spot is marked by a plaque near the fountain.

The Northern Pacific Depot is Located at 701 Main Ave.

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The river front area of Fargo is a great place to get out and walk, hike, bike, or run. There is an extensive network of bike paths along the river on both the Fargo, and Moorhead sides. The path network also boasts several pedestrian/bike only bridges for easier crossing between Fargo and Moorhead. These bridges are located at Oak Grove, Dike West, and Lindenwood Park. Here is a link for bike paths in the FM area: http://www.fargomoorhead.org/fm/FM_Bikeways.pdf

After the completion of the new Main Ave bridge between Fargo and Moorhead, many historical markers were erected detailing the history of that area. Most of these markers include photos as well.

In the summer months, there are also river tours offered near the Hjemkomst center. Here, you can also rent kayaks.

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The river front area of Fargo is a great place to get out and walk, hike, bike, or run. There is an extensive network of bike paths along the river on both the Fargo, and Moorhead sides. The path network also boasts several pedestrian/bike only bridges for easier crossing between Fargo and Moorhead. These bridges are located at Oak Grove, Dike West, and Lindenwood Park.

After the completion of the new Main Ave bridge between Fargo and Moorhead, many historical markers were erected detailing the history of that area. Most of these markers include photos as well.

In the summer months, there are also river tours offered near the Hjemkomst center. Here, you can also rent kayaks.

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Northland Airsoft was formed early in 2008 by combining several airsoft groups from around North Dakota and Minnesota. We hope that by consolidating our resources we will become a more cohesive airsoft presence as well as get more players, bigger and more frequent and improved events. Events are held almost every weekend and rotate between fields. Larger operations are held during the spring, summer, and fall.

Northland Airsoft is home of the Operation Overlord series which is a recreation of the June 6, 1944 D-Day landings at Normandy, France. This event averages 50 players and is the largest airsoft event in North Dakota, Montana, South Dakota, and parts of Minnesota.

Northland Airsoft has fields near Bismarck/Mandan, ND; Fargo, ND/Moorhead, MN; Grand Forks, ND; Duluth, MN just to name a few.

Located at the Fargo Visitors Center, the "Grain Elevator", located at exit 348 of Interstate 94.

The "Celebrity Walk of Fame" outside the Visitors Center with star signatures, hand and foot prints in cement .

Walk the Walk and see celebrities from movies, music, politics and literature like Neil Diamond, The Moody Blues, Trisha Yearwood, Dr. Ruth, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale and George W. Bush.

Fargo Walk Of Fame

Stop and stretch your legs on our on your way to go shopping at the West Acres Mall - It doesn't take long to walk the "Walk of Fame".

Fargo’s largest and most popular park will attract up to 15,000 users on a summer weekend.

The park is the largest multi-use park in Fargo with five picnic shelters, six softball diamonds, a baseball diamond, beautifully landscaped campground, two tot playgrounds, restrooms and six sand volleyball courts, which are available for public play during summer months.

My children enjoy stopping here to play in the modern playgrounds.

At the enterence to the park is a water fountain that we always have to stop in and see -

There is a bike rental place inside the park where you can rent many different styles and seaters of bikes.

We like to go as a family and rent a surrey bike and stroll along the river bike trail.

If your looking for something a little different to do not to expensive and enjoy some fresh air pop on over to the Lindenwood park.