Romantic winter weekend in Fargo
If you’re looking for a romantic winter getaway, you’ve found it.
Before we jump into the itinerary, let’s discuss Fargo in winter. Is it cold? Yes, but that’s all the more reason to cuddle (and pack proper clothing!). Is it snowy? Usually, but snow-dusted trees and sparkling streets just make it all the more beautiful. Is it barren? No! Fargo is packed with people and things to do in winter with your special someone.
This itinerary covers an entire weekend, from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. Mix and match as you see fit to suit you and your significant other!
Full romantic weekend itinerary
Want to customize this to suit your travel style? Check out other things to do in Fargo and add whatever you’d like!
Day 1
Afternoon/Evening
Rustica Eatery & Tavern
If you’re getting to the city after work or late in the afternoon, you’ll probably need dinner. Head to Rustica for a menu designed by one of the area’s top chefs, where Spanish and Italian influences swirl with delicious American flavors. The ambiance feels like an Old World hangout, with exposed brick and a wood-burning pizza oven. Excellent happy hour deals to boot!
315 Main Ave, Moorhead | (218) 227-5388
Cooking class or art night
If you’d rather have a hands-on approach to dinner, skip eating out and sign-up for a cooking class at Square One Kitchen. Experienced chefs will walk you through how to make tasty dishes, and you’ll end the night by eating your creations. It’s like a mini date night, rolled into a great weekend trip (if we do say so ourselves).
Square One Kitchen | 1407 1st Ave N, Fargo | (701) 388-1137
For those who would rather eat out and then head to an event, look to The Art Bar or Creatively Uncorked for a painting night. The themes change, so make sure to check ahead of time to know what you’ll be painting. Adult art nights also mean you can drink wine together as you paint!
Creatively Uncorked | 409 Broadway N, Fargo | (218) 422-5753
The Art Bar | 18 1st St, West Fargo | (701) 793-8835
Winter stroll through Island Park
Located just off the main stretch of Downtown Fargo, Island Park is one of locals’ favorite spots to get out and take a romantic walk through the snow. Stroll on cleared paths through trees glistening in lamplight , find the beautiful gazebo, and enjoy each other’s company (plus work off your meal).
598, 1st Ave S, Fargo | (701) 499-7788
Pixeled Brewing Company & Wild Terra Cider Bar
Finish your first night with some fun (and adult beverages!). Fargo’s Pixeled Brewing doubles as the city’s first-ever barcade! More than 50 arcade games line the walls from classic games like Bubble Hockey, Frogger, Space Invaders, and Ms. Pacman, to the newest kid on the block: Killer Queen. Even if you’re not into games, it’s fun to simply try a few and compete with each other.
The first urban cidery in the state, Wild Terra is a great alternative if you want a craft beverage that isn’t beer. They make their own ciders in-house and include regional varieties on their menu. Housed in a converted horse barn, head upstairs to the comfy mismatched couches and curl up together under the peaked ceilings and hang out, play games, or just chat.
Pixeled Brewing | 1100 NP Ave #101, Fargo | (701) 532-0915
Wild Terra | 6 12th St N, Fargo | (701) 639-6273
Day 2
MORNING
Nichole’s Fine Pastry
Nichole’s is a breakfast date favorite. Dainty European décor and delicious drinks are inviting, but the food is what really keeps people coming back.
You’ll find plenty of European-inspired dishes and drinks inside this cozy cafe. Pick up a French press coffee with a croissant, scone, or variety of pastries to start your day together.
13 8th St S, Fargo | (701) 232-6430
Wander through an art museum
After breakfast is a great time to take in some local art for FREE. Fargo’s main art museums have free entry, so even if you’re not “art people”, you can simply walk through the various exhibits (and have a good excuse to be indoors if it’s cold outside). Read about them below.
Plains Art Museum
Duration: 2 hours
This is the largest art museum in the entire state. Take a guided, 60-minute tour for $4 per person, led by an experienced guide. Reservations are required for the tours, but you can also take a free self-guided gander through Plains Art Museum‘s three main exhibitions.
704 1st Ave N, Fargo | (701) 551-6011
Rourke Art Museum
After the Plains, cross the river from North Dakota into Minnesota and wander through The Rourke Art Gallery and Museum‘s exhibits. Regional artists’ works and permanent collections adorn the walls of a historic, converted courthouse, so even the building is beautiful and romantic.
521 Main Ave, Moorhead | (218) 236-8861
Black Coffee & Waffle Bar
For a mid-morning pick-me-up and relaxed break, pop into Black Coffee & Waffle Bar for a hand-ground coffee and a delectable waffle.
550 2nd Ave N, Fargo | (701) 566-8749
AFTERNOON
BernBaum’s
For a light lunch, head to this cozy Nordic-Jewish deli in Downtown Fargo. BernBaum’s whips up New York-style bagels (with schmear, of course) while also integrating the local Scandinavian flare into dishes. Try the Iceland bagel plate, the raved-about bagel with lox, or Myron’s chicken matzo ball soup.
402 Broadway N, Fargo | (701) 306-4131
Snowshoeing
After lunch it should be the warmest part of the day – so it’s time to take to the outdoor trails. If there’s snow on the ground (which is pretty likely in a Fargo winter), you can rent snowshoes at M.B. Johnson Park, and walk along the river for some great views and an even better workout… snowshoeing burns between 420 and 1000 calories per hour.
3601 11th St N, Moorhead | (218) 299-5340
Junkyard Brewery/ Sol Ave Kitchen
After snowshoeing, regroup with an experimental beer from Junkyard Brewing, or refuel with small plates designed to make your taste buds smile at Sol Ave (they’re neighbors).
Junkyard | 1416 1st Ave N, Moorhead MN 56560 | (701) 936-5545
Sol Ave. | 1408 1st Ave N, Moorhead MN 56560 | (218) 284-6753
Recharge and Refresh
Time to head back to your hotel, grab a catnap, and prepare for a romantic night on the town.
EVENING
Mezzaluna or Maxwells
Two of the best date spots in town for a fantastic meal and chic ambiance are Mezzaluna, in Downtown Fargo, and Maxwells, in West Fargo.
If you want the best fine dining ND has to offer, it’s among the modern, shell-like booths, intimate lighting, and chic high top tables of Mezzaluna’s interior. The menu constantly changes with the season, so your tastebuds are always in for an unexpected delight.
Meanwhile, at Maxwells, the atmosphere is intimate and upscale – perfect for a special meal out. You’ll find interesting flavor combinations, artisan ingredients, and impressive entrees, including a dry-aged, 30-day, bone-in Wagyu beef ribeye.
Mezzaluna | 309 Roberts St N, Fargo | (701) 364-9479
Maxwells | 1380 9th St E, West Fargo | (701) 277-9463
After-dinner drinks at Rosewild
Class up dessert and drinks tonight and head to Rosewild. Huge windows line the outer walls, giving you a great view of Downtown Fargo’s main drag, and you’ll often find a live band or musician playing.
Rosewild | 215 Broadway N, Fargo | (701) 532-5170
After-dinner entertainment
Fargo always has some sort of event or show happening. So after dinner and drinks, you have a few entertainment options – we recommend you research them beforehand (our Facebook page is a great place to start!).
Attend a show at the art deco Fargo Theatre, which regularly shows classic and current movies and live entertainment in its restored interior (talk about romantic).
If you and your sweetheart are more the live music types, look to The Aquarium for local and regional touring bands, or to The Sanctuary (pictured below) for larger musical acts and shows. Meanwhile, The Cellar is the city’s only dedicated comedy club if you’d like some late-night laughs, or you can find karaoke, trivia nights, open mic events, and special events across the city.
Day 3
MORNING
Coffee
Good morning, lovebirds! Wake up like a local, step into the light, and grab a strong cup of joe from one of Fargo’s most instagrammable coffee shops: Young Blood Coffee Co. The beans are roasted and the bread is baked on-site, it’s too bad you can’t share smells on your insta-story.
623 2nd Ave N, Fargo | (218) 770-4728
Murals
Shake off the rest of your night with a hunt for some of Fargo’s coolest street art. Most of Fargo’s murals are within easy walking distance of each other so you can take a romantic stroll and get some cute pics while you’re at it.
Find the full Fargo-Moorhead mural map here.
AFTERNOON
Ice skating
Finish your winter weekend in Fargo with one of the most romantic winter activities of them all: ice skating!
If you brought your own skates, Fargo and its sister cities Moorhead and West Fargo have over 30 outdoor rinks to choose from. Looking to rent skates? Every Sunday from 2:15 to 4:15 p.m., Moorhead Sports Center holds indoor open skating ($3 entry) and has plenty of rental sizes available for just $1!
2400 4th Ave S, Moorhead | (218) 299-5354
Like what you see? Find other Fargo itineraries. If you’re looking for things to do on Valentine’s Day in Fargo, check out this Valentine’s blog post.