Fargo is Not the Place the Movie Portrayed

North Dakota's Largest City Offers Culture, Attractions and More

Apr 9, 2009 Connie Emerson

The film, Fargo, intimated that this city of 100,000 is full of country bumpkins. In fact, it's a vibrant metropolitan area with more culture than most cities its size

Few places have suffered at the hands of Hollywood as Fargo, North Dakota. The1996 movie, replete with graphic sex and violence, gave viewers the idea that the citizens of North Dakota’s biggest town speak a strange language consisting mostly of the words “ya” and ”you betcha.”

The truth is that Fargo and its across-the-river neighbor Moorhead are home to three universities. A Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra had its beginnings in 1912. There are little theater groups, art galleries and a performing arts program for children and teenagers. Top entertainers, such as Elton John and Billy Joel on their Face-2-Face 2009 Tour, perform at the Fargodome.

Bonanzaville USA

As far as attractions are concerned, Bonanzaville is the region’s largest historic attraction. Two historic depots, a pioneer telephone museum ,a sod house a general store and a one-room schoolhouse are among the 42 buildings that have been relocated to the 12-acre site. There are also a 1881 steam Northern Pacific locomotive, vintage tractors and a fire station containing trucks and other firefighting memorabilia from the 1880s. Bonanzaville’s more than 400,000 artifacts also include military memorabilia from Civil War to WW2, a museum full of model railroad items and Native American treasures owned by Lakota Chief Sitting Bull (1351 W. Main Avenue, West Fargo; $8, adults; Memorial Day- September 30, Monday- Wednesday, Friday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thursday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sunday, noon – 5 p.m.; October, Friday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday, noon – 5 p.m.).

The Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm

Recognized as one of the top 25 in the United States, the Children’s Museum occupies an 1876 red brick house, the first brick house built in Dakota Territory. The museum, which opened in 1989, features more than 50 hands-on exhibits. Located on the 55 acres surrounding the museum are additional enticements, such as a miniature train, a carousel, Pipi Longstockings Playhouse and a miniature golf course. (Adults/Children $4; Yunkie Express Train, $.50, Carousel, $.25, Golf, $3;Hours vary with the day and season).

The Red River Zoo

The Red River Zoo specializes in animals and plants native to areas that are similar to Eastern North Dakota's extreme climate. More than 300 individual animals represent species that live in natural habitat exhibits. The collection focuses primarily on animals of northern Asia and North America. Thirteen outdoor exhibit complexes feature animals and plants from eastern Asia and North American Great Plains. The zoo also celebrates the biodiversity of the planet with several endangered species including the bactrian camel, meerkat, Chinese red panda, Eurasian wild boar, white-lipped deer and Persian onager. (4220 21st Ave SW; $7, Adults; Open daily from 10am to 8pm, ­­­­Memorial Day through Labor Day; daily, noon - 4 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays rest of year).

Fargo Air Museum

The Fargo Air Museum opened in July 2001. The historical flyable airplnes in the 150-foot-by-150-foot facility include the only flying F2G Super Corsair in the world, one of four flying Japanese Zero's and a P-51 Mustang. Displays of planes in the museum’s collection, such as a TEM Avenger,a F4U Corsair, PT-19, rotate throughout the year. These displays are augmented by special displays such as NASA traveling Exhibits and the May, 2009, Vietnam Memorial Exhibit, which features airplanes, helicopters, weapons, photos, uniforms and other memorabilia from the Vietnam conflict (1609 19th Avenue N.; $7, adults Tue-Sat 9am-5p.m.; Sun 12 p.m.-4p.m.).

The Roger Maris Museum

Though Hall of Famer Roger Maris was born in Hibbing, Minnesota, he grew up in Fargo. The New York Yankee outfielder made baseball history when he shattered Babe Ruth’s 1927 home run record by hitting 61 homers in a single season. More than 150 artifacts, including uniforms, bats and balls are displayed in the museum that honors his memory. Among the most impressive of them are his Golden Glove award, 1967 World Series Ring and other trophies. The museum’s Video Room contains actual seats from Yankee Stadium. Maris is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery at 32nd Avenue N and University Drive in Fargo. (Free admission; West Acres Center. Open during shopping center hours).

Heritage Hjemkomst Interpretive Center

The most visible attraction in Moorhead is Hjemkomst. The building’s design, which celebrates the modern-day Viking Ship, Hjemkomst (Norse for Homecoming) that crossed the Atlantic in 1984 and is housed inside. The museum also contains a replica of the Hopperstad Stave Church in Vik, Norway. A 7,000-square foot exhibit hall is the venue for traveling shows, which have included everything from NASA exhibits and juried folk art to performances during Scandinavian festivals (202 1st Avenue N., Moorhead; $7, adults; Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.. Tuesday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday, noon - 5:00 p.m.).

The copyright of the article Fargo is Not the Place the Movie Portrayed in NE U.S. Travel is owned by Connie Emerson. Permission to republish Fargo is Not the Place the Movie Portrayed in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Carriage rides are part of a Bonanzaville visit.

Children's Museum at Yunker Farm is excellent.

Indoor Ferris Wheel at Scheels Sports Store