FARGO: A City Of Functioning Alcoholics? What We Found In North Dakota's Biggest City

We visit North Dakota's biggest city, Fargo. A city low in crime, beautiful, and a great place to raise a family. It also lacks in natural beauty, and there can be little to do. The city has many fine bars and restaurants. How big is the drinking culture? Is the downtown vibrant? I explore the city and find out.
Travel Vlog 92

[@marcomcdowell8861]

I was stationed in SD for 8 years. My home was a double-wide trailer in a park. It was cheap, warm and well maintained. The park owner insisted on mown lawns or you could pay $35 to have his assistant do it. No more than two cars allowed, and no excess junk. You could rent an apartment or buy a home there, but I found that park a good middle ground. A yard, friendly neighbors and clean. Surprisingly, a lot of well-off folks opted to live there as well. Trailers don't really need to be lower-class, just like any neighborhood.

[@socalsal627]

A comment below was about how there are few homeless maybe because of the cold weather and I'd have to agree. I grew up in Fargo and we would sometimes get together to help provision up the homeless in the Fall and help them jump on boxcars heading south so they wouldn't get stuck in the cold. The police often would drive around on really cold nights to take homeless people to either a shelter or jail for the night if they were intoxicated. It helped make sure they wouldn't die. I always felt like despite some people thinking we're unfriendly we were very caring of others - just shy :)

[@katme8055]

I see homeless and mentally I’ll everywhere. Downtown and on the bus. Walking in the night cold and crazy

[@deborahschneider9424]

Nice to hear some one from outside of ND. Not bashing the city. Not everyone goes to bars to drink alcohol they go to be with friends and have fun, eat ,play games.

[@jeffwinters3808]

@@deborahschneider9424 majority do

[@yushaibrahim5884]

Ahh I disagree we have alot of homeless people

[@antifazisbonifaz6964]

What a nice comment 🙂🙂 You and Lord Spoda give me hope about your country (i'm from Europe) Seemingly there is a society in your country contrary to Margaret Tatcher believes (there is noch such thing as society, only individuals - Tacher dixit-) Is warmheartening to hear from one American of the deep deep America 👍👍👍

[@NostalgiaPicker]

I moved from Denver to this area in 2001 and haven't looked back. In fact I moved to an even smaller town close by that has one stoplight. It's not for everyone but it's perfect for me. There are many entrepreneurs and people living their best life up here. If you look for drinkers, you'll find them. If you search out ambitious individuals you'll find them as well. Birds of a feather, ya know.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

It is a really nice city. The drinking thing was a bit of a joke, btw. You have to put something with a little shock value in the title. :)

[@brettpanzer]

I grew up 60 miles north of Moorhead, moved away to other places and then came back. Fargo is at it's prime right now. An awesome place to be.

[@Google-McGoogle]

I used to live in Fargo moving back soon.

[@KelliAnnWinkler]

We travel somewhere every year. No matter what region of country or town we visit we always ,without fail, hear "nothing to do here", "the people aren't friendly", "people drink to much".... Spent a couple of weeks in the Fargo area a few years ago and remember the city being one of the better places we spent time. No matter where you are it IS what YOU make of it.

[@dbased1915]

Lol did you go there during the absolutely brutal winter? Cause that might change your opinion. Whole time i was there early 2015 for work it was negatives and windy. There Walmart closed on sunday mornings due to church which i've never seen anywhere else.

[@KelliAnnWinkler]

@@dbased1915 LOL! Kind of like a brutal hot humid summer in Florida changed our opinion of Florida. Funny how that works isn't it? Not being able to go to Walmart on a Sunday morning is so cruel and inhuman. Good thing they got rid of the blue laws. Unbelievable the things people will complain about.

[@michelegustafson6811]

Fargo was my home for 12 years. It is now one of my favorite cities in the US. I loved living there.

[@arcticap-238]

What are some of your other cities you enjoy ?

[@brentbraniff]

I'm one of those rare North Dakotans in that I don't drink. I live in Minot, about 4 hours away from Fargo but Minot is no different in it's alcohol consumption. As a non-drinker I have to admit that I feel kind of isolated but, thankfully I have my art and my music (and my job) to keep me occupied. So, why don't I drink? Well, for one thing I never had a taste for alcohol. I never understood why people thought it tasted good. Plus, I've seen the bad results of alcoholism. I also had to live with alcoholism in my family and with close friends. I understand why people use it for social reasons but for me I've seen too much of the dark side. I may be isolated but I'll take that over the pain I've experienced any day.

[@lonwaslien104]

I don’t believe people in ND who don’t drink are rare

[@brianbeecher3084]

Well, you could be the designated driver.

[@243wayne1]

Minot sucks.

[@mamaof3kids5keets28]

I live in Fargo and do not drink. I think the young college students do most of the drinking. Never been my thing.

[@honeyqueen4619]

Have seen the dark side of alcoholism. The spousal abuse. Yes I took the pain and did not cry much when he died. Felt isolated. Was a horrid feeling. I don’t understand why people say the liquor taste good. 🤔

[@jeremysteen7265]

FYI!! The power lines above Roberts Alley are now gone!! Downtown is popping!!

[@gvinnydog5500.]

The downtown has really improved it's appearance the last ten years. It is a lot easier to get around. Whoever is responsible for engineering and designing it the past 10 years has done an amazing job!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

It's really nice. I was impressed.

[@strvwbxrryy3232]

ong, I spent 10 years of my life there and moved like 4 years ago

[@jafo766]

It looks like $witzerland compared to the dump $teel town ( Hamilton Ont.) in the U.K's $tolen Land aka Canada. If it's a Republican region we will vi$it...OUi !

[@juliejulian]

I’ve lived in Fargo for the last 6 years, and I can assure you- there’s more to the culture than drinking., if you know where to look. Great place to raise my children, great schools too. Everyone knows everyone. I live in one of those old houses, you drove by it, and they are just as beautiful inside as they are outside (mine was built in 1925). I don’t drink much, so can’t say anything about the bars- but there’s so many good restaurants, and a lot of immigrants from literally everywhere in the world. I come from the Tropics, and winters are not so bad when you go out and do things- I go snowshoeing with my friends. As the locals told me, just wear more layers. I walk my children to school year round too. If I can do it, anyone can. And I never had any trouble finding friends. But again, I’m not a college kid.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Of course there’s more to it. The title was suggested to me by a local I was talking to at JL Beers. 😀

[@allie12212]

I moved to Fargo from Arkansas 4 years ago and I absolutely love it…. Those who say there’s nothing to do are just lazy and don’t want to do anything but drink Sad you didn’t go into West Fargo, it’s beautiful in that part of town with expensive homes and expensive apartments

[@mariayoung7659]

Born and raised here in Fargo. I'm super shocked to see this video of someone practically giving a review on my city. I'm actually kind of sad that I was out of country when you filmed this since I'm always walking around downtown. You walked down all the places I love to walk around! Even though Fargo is a decent place to live you can easily fall into the same o' same routine here. Like you said in the video many people say there isn't a whole lot to do here hence why there is a lot of drinking. It may suit some people's lifestyles but definitely isn't my cup of tea. Glad you got to see the city though. I hope you have safe travels as you explore other cities!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

The title was a bit of a joke, lol. Fargo was lovely, and we really liked it far more than we thought we would. I am a fan of the city.

[@lionelgarlow7270]

i was born in fargo

[@saphiregood2550]

Never expected to see the name of someone i know in a youtibe comment ever... Hope you're doing well girl 😂💕

[@o2bnov0307]

I tried to call up a current picture of Fargo, but the weather was first on my screen. It’s 2F in Fargo at 8pm Central time on 6 Jan 23.

[@YesmeTv]

😂

[@minnesotacoco5297]

What an awesome review of Fargo! I became acquainted with Fargo when my son played football for the NDSU Bison. BTW - they won the championship each year he played. The town really supports the Bison. After he graduated, he played in the Canadian League and went on to coach at Minnesota State in Moorehead. We are African Americans and have always been treated great in that area. In fact, he's somewhat of a celebrity!..smiling. There is not a big population of blacks, but I believe only due to the weather. I raised my boys in Minneapolis so they are used to the upper Midwest and the cold. After years of dealing with that, I now live in good ol' Texas and I love it. But, I still love the Upper Midwest too!.....Thanks for sharing all of your videos.

[@TransCanadaPhil]

The Red River is prone to flooding. I live just up the road in the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The same Red River flows through our city of approximately 800,000 but to prevent flooding, a huge man made floodway canal was built around the city to divert excess water during periods of flooding. I've visited Fargo often, it's about a 3 and a half hour drive south of here on I-29. Cheers!

[@davidlucasmachado2831]

Is it a safe drive to and fro ?

[@TransCanadaPhil]

@@davidlucasmachado2831 yeah pretty uneventful drive, dual-carriageway/Interstate the whole way.

[@burnthecandleatbothendz]

I live in Fargo and i want to visit but i didnt get the jab,am i still allowed to enter canada ?

[@flyinelvis69]

@@burnthecandleatbothendz no jabs. Just bring your passport

[@smallwonder866]

When you live in the city, your mindset changes as you get older. The more I deal with people, the more I realize that small towns and cities are the way to go. Cities are full of chaos and drama. The only thing I want in my life.....is peace.

[@elliebellie7816]

I ended up in rural Kansas for what I thought was a one-year temporary assignment at age 55 and thought for sure I'd die from lack of social stimulation. Ten years later and this is the best move I ever made. Peaceful, quiet, small town life suits me just fine.

[@marcb.9492]

I've lived in Fargo for 30 years and I love it here. I don't drink but there is plenty that you can do around here without alcohol, I think the drinking thing is an upper Midwest thing, not just specific to this town. Good choice for lunch, I was just there the other day, glad you enjoyed it

[@BigGator5]

"You betcha!" One of the best movies out there.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Definitely one of my all time favorites.

[@TheTallMan50]

​@@JoeandNicsRoadTripYaa

[@vikingbiker8435]

Fargo is a very nice city to live in. Lived on and operated a farm in western ND for most of my life and never thought I would move to or like living in Fargo, but the longer I'm here, the more I like it.

[@DJ-vf5gu]

I've never been to North Dakota but I moved to Sioux Falls,South Dakota this last year.This is the best state I've ever lived in.The crime rate is low the city is clean the cost of living is low and the people are very friendly!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Well, hold on - my Sioux Falls video will be up in the morning!

[@johnengland8619]

4.5% sales tax

[@michelletaylor5691]

and all consecutive government, I wouldn't live there if houses were 5k

[@tripleaoutdoors7353]

I find it awesome that I’m watching a video about Fargo, in my house in Fargo. North Dakota born & raised and wouldn’t change it for a thing!

[@charleskra]

I think the extremely cold winters account for a couple things: The low unemployment and the clean, tidy nature of the city. It's probably hard to coax people to relocate there for a job, and it's not a good place to be if you are homeless. I know there is a bumper sticker you see in the Dakotas that says: 40 below zero keeps out the riff-raff. Good job on the video. I really enjoy seeing these places that I am unlikely to ever get to.

[@jnolette1030]

The colder the weather the fatter the women, in general.

[@krakenwoodfloorservicemcma5975]

ND women are healthy and beautiful. Beautiful native women there too with lean muscular bodies. Problem is that there isn’t enough of them.

[@jnolette1030]

@@krakenwoodfloorservicemcma5975 I like what I'm hearing!

[@fredgervinm.p.3315]

@@krakenwoodfloorservicemcma5975 There will never be enough of them unless, your a happily married man. : )

[@Mark-yy2py]

-40 is a very good deterrent for committing crimes!

[@kimjohnson8471]

If you were a kid in the 70's and watched a PBS show entitled "The Electric Company" they had a character called Fargo North Decoder. He was a word detective

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I loved that show. I can still hear the theme song in my head. :)

[@josephengel2091]

Rasmussen only recently (since the start of Covid) rebranded itself as a university primarily because they are starting to introduce graduate programs. It’s more a business and technical college than a traditional university, in actuality. NDSU, MSUM, and Concordia College (my alma mater, fyi) are the three four year institutions that form the core of the Tri-College Consortium. Other members of the Tri-College system are NDSCS and MState. Interesting fact about Fargo-Moorhead is that we were something of a Wild West town in the beginning, but Fargo didn’t have any bars back then because ND had a prohibition law at the time, but Minnesota did not. So all the bars (aka BEER PALACES) were in Moorhead… and all the brothels were in Fargo 😉. However we quickly cleaned up our act. FYI, I’m a lifelong Fargo resident. If you ever come back to visit, I would be more than happy to fill you in more about what living here is like 🙂

[@LTJC70]

Hi, was wondering how the employment prospects are for tradesman?? I'm an electrician and my son is a residential/commercial painter... Thx

[@raybrensike42]

@@LTJC70 Traditionally there has always been work in Fargo. Just look at how it has grown in the last 40 years. I see no reason it would not continue to grow.

[@karlk6860]

Thanks for visiting our city! I have lived in Fargo for about 40 years now and in some ways your are correct in the drinking mind set, is it a lot more than any other city of its size probably doubtful in that respect. Is drinking a problem YES just like every other city it seems! I started my company in Fargo 35 years ago its a Tech company specializing in high end dataComm primarily for the financial industry. I will say that 90% of the workers I employeed were very hard dedicated employees my company employed around 100 people. I think I had it a lot easier than other areas of the country because of the peoples background, you are EXPECTED to have a job and be productive in our society. Boring, and not beautiful? Life in this area is exactly what YOU make of it and your ability to open your eyes and mind into being willing to try new things. I grew up in Minnesota and its completely trees there and when I got to ND it was completely different to me it was so open. Well one day I was flying back into Fargo and had contacted FGO Approach and a commercial pilot on a airliner called approach and after he told his intentions he commented on how incredibly beautiful this country was, it was in the spring all the crops were coming out and it was truly a beautiful picture out the window of my plane! That gave me the chance to actually see what I had been missing! Lets look at boring, there is virtually anything and everything here year round you just have to be willing to go out and do it, is it cold in the winter, YEP but it rarely ever stops me from doing what I want to do be it snowmobiling, hunting, trapping, going out for dinner with my wife, there are many opportunities, I do not drink so I do all of the things but bars are not to my liking. Fargo has provided me a fairly safe place to live and raise a daughter, we have good schools the people are very nice but cautious, give them a bit of time and you can usually do no better! Its a very good city!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for the great comment, Karl. The drinking thing is a bit of a joke, mostly from what locals post on Reddit. The city is beautiful and absolutely not boring.

[@thebenefactor6744]

Wow, Fargo looks pretty nice. As a Canadian, it's pretty much sub tropical. And as far as the drinking culture goes, that means everybody's on the scene and supporting the local bar/restaurant economy.

[@burnthecandleatbothendz]

There is a bar/restraunt every 500 feet throught the city pretty much

[@WizenedVariations1]

And Grand Forks is even closer to Winnepeg.

[@ViceCoin]

Alcoholism increase traffic deaths, assaults, domestic violence, diabetes, liver disease.

[@burnthecandleatbothendz]

@@ViceCoin north Dakota has 300% more duis than any other state .about 45% of traffic deaths are alcohol involved.i think it's bc other than the bigger cities there are no cabs or uber so people drive home

[@brentsutherland6385]

It's hardly subtropical, it's just as cold as Winnipeg.

[@NateOnThe-Radio]

Best part of the Fargo-Moorhead area (I live in Moorhead, MN as well) is during the summer, we don’t have a professional baseball team… but we’ve got an independent baseball team, the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks! So if the Minnesota Twins aren’t doing good later on in the season, we’ve got the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at Newman Outdoor Field that we can enjoy! RedHawks are currently celebrating their 27th anniversary this year which is amazing… during the winter, we don’t have a professional hockey team. But we’ve got a USHL hockey team… the Fargo Force hockey team! The rest are collegiate sports, NDSU Football is a big one around here in the winter, NDSU Basketball is another big one as well in the winter. Then we’ve got Valley Con in the fall, Comic Con in late April, then Core Con late May… so there’s something that locals can find, we’ve also got the lakes country in Minnesota

[@daltonbruce2053]

Larks for life 😉

[@sundinfamforlife4129]

I live in Michigan and while I don't think I could do the cold in this state there plenty of people who'd never live in Michigan due to the cold.. It looks like a safe family friendly city. Those are the people moving to this town probably. As a mom of 3 I can contend to the fact that a "boring little town" is sometimes the perfect place to raise a family.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Many agree with you, including myself.

[@keyup2626]

The Dakotas have to be some of the nicest places I’ve visited. I look forward to being able to show my wife all these places now that she’s retired.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

That's awesome, key. When are you going to do that? Maybe we'll run into each other. :)

[@keyup2626]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip it won’t be this year unfortunately. We have a couple of other trips planned first. However it would have been so cool to meet up. Hey you never know what can happen in the future. Safe travels.

[@tbcoachniblick1208]

Boyhood home of my boyhood hero... Roger Maris... tremendous HS athlete... was supposed to go to Oklahoma to play football but his visit to Norman Ok went bad when a coach forgot to pick him up at the bus station.

[@kathihubbell6666]

My 45 yr old son just moved to Fargo last week. He got a nuclear pharmacy job in town. I don’t think he knows what he’s getting into as far as weather. He’s coming from Idaho, which is a far cry from Fargo. He loves the cold. This is a very informative video for a worried parent. Lol thank you.

[@coltmeyer4590]

North Dakotan here... winters are brutal, lots of snow and BONE CHILLING temperatures.

[@Dallanpilch]

Thanks for coming and checking out my city, although I live in West Fargo. Moving here from France was definitely a big jump in trying to get friends but it's nice to walk by the river and head into some shops Downtown. It's one of the few great Downtowns.

[@jmc5577]

France? I’ll trade you places.

[@elliottadams6773]

I live in Florida I'm black by the way is fargo pretty open to people like me?

[@Dallanpilch]

@@elliottadams6773 yes definitely

[@Dallanpilch]

@@elliottadams6773 people would be happy to meet you. They are nice here, for me it took a long time to meet any real friends and still kind of don't have any just friends I talk to once in a while

[@Dallanpilch]

Maybe that's everywhere you go, I am also an introvert and shy so it is hard to go and approach people I don't really know to hang out

[@risinbison1106]

Been a Fargo resident most of my 54 years. Glad you enjoyed your time here. Wurst beer hall is excellent, come back soon.

[@johnconnell9836]

Fargo is a great city. I have family living there. The wind is one of those things I remember most! It's been 10 years since my last visit. It hasn't changed much.

[@kathleens.laroche754]

I've been curious about Fargo for years because of airport postings for flights there. It's so heartening to see such a beautiful, well-kept city. Many thanks for the tour!

[@ReaJean420]

My hometown! Proud to live here. We say the cold keeps the riff raff out 😆 We recently got an arcade called Kingpinz & there's an old school arcade downtown as well. Sometimes during the winters we don't want to venture out so that could be why people think it's boring. The winters get pretty long. I think we have lots to do here but that's just my opinion. We also get some awesome musicians that come through here! As far as passive aggressive- it's definitely that way in the older generations. Thanks for visiting! 😊

[@brianbeecher3084]

But Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago have plenty of cold as well as riff-raff.

[@ReaJean420]

@@brianbeecher3084 not cold enough then 😉

[@jackbedient]

I passed through Fargo on a Greyhound in 1991 when I was 20-years old during a raging blizzard and it was past midnight and the whole town was shut down but for the Greyhound station and a 24-hour diner a block away and the mystique of the town has always stuck with me. I remember everybody in the diner was all talking to each other. I was with a small group of travelers from my bud and we all had a great time eating and chatting during our little layover. Different world back then… Mainly true about the trains….

[@AsiaUnscripted]

I also passed through on a Greyhound in the early 90's, had the same feelings and experiences during that time. I thought it was cool that the buses drove inside the building to drop off and pick up people.

[@ravenm6443]

People are nice and will small talk with you or even have short but full conversations but people like to keep to themselves. People aren’t instantly trusting and it takes time to build relationships. Most relationships will probably be built at work. For myself, I have social anxiety, I know I definitely come off as disinterested when people try to small talk with me but I’m not trying to be rude. I’m the same way with train lol. It’s my favorite mode of transportation. Wust Bier is amazing! We do love our city. Glad you enjoyed your visit here. One last thing, if you or your SO like to cook/bake, be sure to go to the mall. In our food court, each pillar has tiles with local recipes printed on them. It’s kinda neat. If you go to the store Creative Kitchen, you can get a cookbook with all those recipes in it.

[@mamaof3kids5keets28]

From Fargo. What some newcomers view as passive aggressive nice, I just view as being cautious. I observe and make my assessment of people. I am an introvert, so I don't do the drinking scene. My family mostly spends our time with video games, as that is an easy pastime in the winter. The entire North side of town is more the low income/near the NDSU homes. The more South you go the higher the home values. Edit to add: the accent in the movie was making fun of Scandinavian/Norwegian heritage of many people here. I do use Uffda and have heard you betcha from some people.

[@kryssgeray1050]

Very true. I know quite a few people from the south who moved here. Several had this odd notion we didn't like them. Apparently, some states don't have tough love humor or top notch sarcasm. ND is great at both. And I really wish they would have shown N Fargo. It's pretty much its own little town. They should have at least gone to the Shack. I'm surprised it wasn't even mentioned. Hopefully, next time.

[@chiconian49]

My family lived in Fargo for 6 years in the 1940's. Mom said the people in the town were genuinely friendly. She said it may have had something to do with our German last name as most of their neighbors were Germans and Swedes. My dad's employer offered him a transfer to northern California in 1947. He did not hesitate. He said the blizzards were horrific. One day when I was little, I complained about how hot it was in California, Mom went to the desk and read a letter from a former Fargo friend along with some newspaper clippings. A few months before a tornado had tore through our neighborhood and destroyed our old house, killing the family who bought our home, along with several other homes and people. I never complained about the heat again. I've seen on the news that Fargo has also experienced some bad floods. As far as the excessive consumption of alcohol goes, you stated that there were three colleges nearby. I believe that would account for the drinking. It does in my town.

[@shanelockwood6049]

Very nice video. This city makes me proud. I was born in Moorhead and moved away for many years, I couldn't wait to come back!! I do love this place!! Thank you for the great vid. ❤️❤️

[@raymondalequin9189]

Wonderful video as usual by you. Interesting and beautiful sites of Fargo N.D. Thanks for sharing another beautiful part of our country. Take care.

[@dankartes]

Great video. I lived just south of downtown from 2007 to 2013. My old apartment was just out of frame when you were driving north on 10th street to have lunch at the Beir Hall. I have just moved to Moorhead from Grand Forks to be closer to my son and his family and I'm excited to be back. Fargo is a very bike friendly city and as an avid cyclist I explored every part of Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo when I lived there earlier. I never felt threatened or in danger at anytime of the day or night. Bad things happen everywhere but you're correct that statistically this area safer than most. I worked on Broadway for 4 years and ate lunch at JL Beers all the time. We would walk out the back door in the alley and past the clinic to JL. Once the Pro Life protestors thought we were coming out of the clinic and they were, let's just say, they were less than 'nice'. Winter does not last for 7 to 8 months however. There can be several weeks in February though that can be 'bitterly' cold. Anything above 15 degrees F is fine weather in my opinion.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

It is a great town.

[@roberte5269]

Thanks for the video of a city I experienced back in my student days across the river in Moorhead, MN. I hope you didn't miss the ACTUAL woodchipper from the movie Fargo. It is at the visitor center, the one as you are coming into Fargo from Bismarck. (Correct me, anyone, if that's inaccurate.) By the way, the movie Fargo is definitely a Minnesota-based movie using Minnesota, not North Dakota, accents. I have lived in both states, and the difference is noticeable, don't you know? Ya, you betcha. Also, Rasmussen is not one of the big three colleges. It is a for-profit chain, and one of many smaller colleges in the area. The big three are NDSU, MSU-Moorhead, and Concordia College (Moorhead). All three are excellent.

[@kryssgeray1050]

Thank you for pointing out the college thing. Not sure why, but that really bugged me. Lol

[@sanjuanamartinez623]

Thank you for the video. I grew up in ND; most of my time was in Grand Forks.. I've lived in Fargo/West Fargo for the past five years. I do love the tree lined streets, how homeowners take care of their property and their lawns. I love the low crime rate which is why I stay in ND. I know a lot of people say there isn't a lot to do here but if you really look you can find something to do, without drinking. My daughter lives in Grand Forks , ND and she likes coming to Fargo because she can always find something to do. I think the long winters do contribute to the drinking but you can still find things to do in the winter. I know I don't like to go out too much in the winter. Most people are friendly and if you talk to them, they will continue a conversation with you. Just what I observed in my five years here.

[@user-cy6lm3oi7w]

What about the telly programmes I've been watching? Called Fargo, they portray extreme violence and loads of murders and each episode begins with 'this is a true story.'

[@sanjuanamartinez623]

@@user-cy6lm3oi7w it's a big city, there is crime. We have our share of bad apples. Random murders do happen but for the size of the city I feel it's still pretty safe. Yes, some officer's were shot recently, that's not the norm, thankfully. It's all over the news. I'm sure those families' may feel differently,. BCI lists us with 30 murders in 2022, it is a lot but the city still feels safe. Yes, I wish there were less, is it increasing, probably but I think for the size I will stay here.

[@kirsikka1029]

11:52 The boilerroom is a great stop, lovely patio in the summer, great food & spirits in a beautiful historic building.

[@wendyphillips5002]

I grew up in northeastern Wisconsin and the winters were wonderful and brutal as I grew up. It was a wonderful place to grow up. We did not even lock our home doors at night back in the 1950s and 1960s there was no need. There were alcoholics and many more that were not alcoholics. The abusers of alcohol seemed to stand out due to drunk driving and other foolish acts. Maybe it is and was a serious problem. But, there are many people that did not abuse alcohol. I am assuming the winters are even more brutal in Fargo. But, it is not as bad a place as portrayed on TV or the movies. People know their neighbors and others for a life time.

[@joelbeyer6352]

The the three major college/universities in Fargo/Moorhead would be NDSU, Minnesota State-Moorhead and Concordia College. Rasmussen would be somewhere down the higher ed list. Other than that, nice job of filming and presenting Fargo. Most people from the outside come to Fargo and North Dakota with no interest in talking about or showing anything other than snow and cold. Yep they they exist but so does real civilization.

[@gregkerr725]

Even the trailer parks kept nice and neat.

[@busybeenature9092]

Fargo is very neat and clean and beautiful place. Fargo is good and Wells Fargo the best. 😍😍😀😀Thanks

[@frederickmuhlbauer9477]

Wells Fargo is the best at stealing depositors money only

[@vtbiker7246]

There is also Concordia College in Moorhead!

[@briannazenner4143]

This is a great video! I'm a Fargo transplant from Minnesota. I've lived here for 5 years, and I enjoy the city. There are always new things popping up, so I never get tired of the same things. I am not a huge drinker myself, so I don't fit in with much of that crowd. Thanks for visiting!

[@tumbleweed57]

I have not been to Fargo but have been in the western side of ND and loved it. Went to Teddy Roosevelt NP and it was amazing. Stayed in Bowman, ND and found the people there to be very nice. The Bowman Inn was a great place to stay, very clean.

[@LDM662]

I love the comments from the locals sticking up for their cities and towns. I grew up in a very small town of about 150 people, depending on whose in jail or prison at the time.

[@moman-pm7wy]

I lived here from 1995-2013....I went through the Fargo school system and attended NDSU. While watching this video it brought back a lot of fond memories for me....especially during my college years. Broadway has changed so much since I left. I have a buddy who lives in West Fargo still and he tells me from time to time how much it continues to grow. I currently live in Iowa so not terribly far from my old stomping grounds. Thanks for posting this video......it was neat to see all the changes and what has remained the same.

[@noodle_boy]

Hey moman2004, I’m currently a freshman at NDSU. Any advice you recommend for someone in my position?

[@ztl2505]

Fargo is pretty cosmopolitan by ND standards with a ton of work transplants and that partially explains the lack of the accent. Nowhere is extreme as the movie made it seem, but you can definitely find people who sound at least similar if you talk with older people in some of the way out, isolated small towns in the region.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

That's kind of the feel I got, that it's the cosmopolitan city of the area.

[@Drewzker]

7 to 8 month winters is an exaggeration. It's more like 5 or 6 months depending on how nice April is. This year we had a very cold April so 6 month winter.

[@janesmith9968]

You missed a lot of Fargo' s best features. The mall, wealthy neighborhoods, Fargo Dome, new state of the art hospital, new city hall, elaborate schools, Microsoft, Marvin Windows, and so much more....oh, Red Hawks, we have everything Minneapolis has just on a smaller scale, and much less crime, could go on and on, There is actually plenty to do here.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

First of all, I simply can't go everywhere. The video was already 30 minutes long. And for the record, people watching videos on KZbin have absolutely no interest in watching videos of malls, hospitals, schools or any kind of building housing places like Microsoft. You can see those places in every city.

[@marcoparada6652]

.....meh...the mall is not great. The Fargo Dome is unimpressive. The neighborhoods are nice, and the businesses are plentiful.

[@giftedbuthumble]

The mall is not great at all lol

[@johnclay14]

Lol fargo sucks. I lived there for 5 years and ran out of things to do in the first 2. You people also try and preach that -40 weather is just “normal.” 😂

[@lunarbones7957]

these are arguably all of the worst places to visit in fargo

[@thomfrost4636]

TY for the vid! I was born and raised in north Fargo and wouldn't have changed a thing. When they built the mall (aka Wasted Acres) in the 70s, downtown took a complete dump. It never gave up and now I look forward to coming home and hanging out downtown. The Real Fargo!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

It's really nice there. :)

[@thomfrost4636]

Thanks for not showing the suburban sprawl but what the Real Fargo looks like bud! It is a great town

[@lyndi9719]

I remember when West Acres was new. It was out in the middle of a farm field, and the road going out to the mall was still dirt.

[@Soupy_loopy]

Looks nice. Never seen train tracks look so clean

[@sabriyahsmith346]

Thank you! I love learning about different places! Love from Buffalo, NY❤

[@honinakecheta601]

As a chicagoan seeing this is interesting, would love to live there someday

[@jonathanbraski]

I live in Moorhead, MN and work in downtown Fargo. It would've been cool to meet you. Hope you had a great time! :)

[@NateOnThe-Radio]

I also live in Moorhead, MN as well

[@Koolej98]

Do you pay Minnesota state income taxes?

[@jonathanbraski]

@@Koolej98 Yes, I do

[@dejaunajackson7666]

Been in Fargo for 12 years now and I love it.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

It's a great town.

[@americansoldier7776]

Fargo is one of the nicest towns I’ve ever been in. The people there are amazing. Definitely a great city.

[@nfcolby]

You missed Concordia College…a prestigious private university. Also, at 9:59…that building is currently under renovations to be turned into mixed use…restaurant at the bottom and condos above it.

[@duster8373]

i cracked a cold one for this

[@ZaneF2k]

This is my hometown born and raised but now I live in Colorado and I don’t miss the cold.

[@MesserMorfeo]

A little irrelevant comment here: I'm working on a novel set in Fargo. I've never been there, nor in the US, but the final scene takes place on the bridge between Fargo and Moorhead, so the intro of this video was really dreamlike.

[@MikeyBfromND]

The Rassmusen thing.. ooof lol poor MSUM and Concordia are like wtf. Excellent golf courses, air museum, Fargo Dome, Tony Hawk Foundation Skatepark, Hjemkomst Center , etc.. can't cover it all but missed so much.

[@danielschear556]

This is a GREAT travel log! Possibly better & more fascinating than the 1996 Coen Brothers movie, "Fargo."👏👍

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you Daniel. You just made my day! :)

[@danielschear556]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip I call them as I see them...Btw, I just watched your episode on Cincinnati which was my birthplace & hometown for my first 22 years on this planet. I happily left there for keeps in May 2002 and never looked back! The only two things I truly miss are Skyline Chili & Frisch's Big Boy Tartar Sauce...Also of note to you as a native of Salt Lake City, from June 1977-July 1978, I was the Technical Operations Manager/10 PM Associate Producer of KSL-TV's "Channel 5 Eyewitness News." That was the heyday "We're Number One" era of Dick Nourse, Bob Welti & Paul James. After that stint ended in July 1978, I got hired at KPIX-TV San Francisco as a newstape video editor and tripled my pay! Salt Lake City to San Francisco...Talk about MASSIVE CULTURE SHOCK😱, LOL!🤣🤣🤣

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, that would be a culture shock! SLC and San Fran couldn't be more different. Sounds like you're doing well! Glad to hear that. :)

[@kerry2520]

The woodchipper can be found outside at the visitors center, off 94 and 45th st. Makes for fun family photos and the such. ;)

[@acmund]

A few things as a native North Dakotan living right outside of Fargo. Heavy flood waters this spring...the area under water you filmed is a designed flood plane to handle excess water. People are nice in Fargo...just highly skeptical of outsiders. Our city is generally safe and low in crime as mentioned...we'd rather not become Minneapolis with "outsiders" migrating. Everyone is welcome, as long as you nice to everyone else...lol We actually have several Colleges and Universities. NDSU, Concordia, and MSU are the big ones...but there are a few smaller colleges in the area.

[@craigj5403]

I was born in Fargo 64 years ago, my family been in the area over 100 years. I lived away from here about 2 years in 1980 -81. A lot has changed, as most places do. One thing about growing up here most of my family/friends have a lake cabin or home 45 minutes east of here in Minnesota. That has been our playground. Also hunting and fishing was always a good way to enjoy the seasons. The Wurst bier hall; good stuff.

[@DANKSIES]

I’m glad you two enjoyed our city! This was a very nice video. Thank you.

[@tommysalami5268]

Im an alcoholic in 49 states but in ND I'm par for the course

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

LOL! 😀

[@jeremybaumgartner867]

Being from and still in ND, we would just call you a regular! 🥃🍺! Not so much par for the course…… 👍

[@breezefreeze868]

Thankyou for visiting Fargo . I was born here in 1966 . I’m a rare bird that don’t drink . Many say there isn’t much to do here but we have events going on all the time ! My favoriate events would be all the car shows and craft shows . In winter it can get long but there is always something going on at the dome and lots of people love sledding at the dike . We have art and clay classes and tons of parks to skate , walk or skateboard in and dog parks and even indoor dog park . Food trucks and sports events especially for Fargo it would be NDSU Bison 🦬! Scheels sports store has camping gear , clothes , bikes everything including a Ferris wheel 🎡! Skating to bowling 🎳… people are active ! There’s no shortage of restraunts , great schools and healthcare . Gyms and a diversity of people , good health care ,education , arts /acting , sitting by the River and fair events /concerts . Endless activities . Being born here some catch an accent but it’s not to obvious til we draw out the o”s and yah you betcha ! ☕️we love our coffee and many love there beer 🍺. One thing we all agree on February we get a little cranky and itchy for spring. I enjoy all your videos across the USA !! Thankyou !!

[@ageoflove1980]

On and off Broadway only says something about the seat capacity of the theatre rather than on which street its on, at least in NYC. You even have the description "off off Broadway" for the smallest rooms. It probably used to be the case back in the day that the largest ones were on Broadway, so with the passing of the years a Broadway theatre just changed meaning to simply being a place with lots of seats.

[@proteus8535]

Another great video Joe and Nic, Fargo looks pretty I wonder if the city's Norwegian and German settlers kind of give the people a friendly but cold and reserved vibe. Hope you all are doing well, I still have a lot more of your videos to watch.

[@lonwaslien104]

I happily live here. Enjoyed your video and I hope you also enjoyed your short stay in Fargo! 😊

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Lon. We did enjoy the city. It was much nicer than I thought it would be.

[@marieshanahan5276]

Thank you for this video. I will be relocating to Fargo from New Hampshire in August. I am so excited! Can not wait to see downtown in person. 😊👍

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

It's really nice. :)

[@marieshanahan5276]

👍😊

[@barewithhippie]

I live in a very small town in North Dakota. Won’t say because like I said it’s very small and everyone knows each other, and i prefer to stay anonymous. With that being said, living here for the past three months I’ve noticed how frequently people use vices to continue their everyday lives. My co-workers are constantly going outside to get a hit of a cigarette, a vape, a weed pen, or even take shots just to keep working, and I completely understand why. In North Dakota, and this town specifically, there’s nothing to do. All folks have is work and going home, which going home can be unbearable at times with it being boring and lonesome. The small amount of bars and restaurants that we DO have, are constantly filled up especially during nights where people are getting off of work. The town is miserable, and it worries me that my teenager co-workers are falling right into the same footsteps my adult co-workers are going through. Hell, I spoke to a seventeen year old girl that I work with just the other night, she was telling me that she was smoking cigarettes since she was twelve! I couldn’t believe it. Now I understand why the police here are anal about pulling people over, it’s despairing up here. It’s unfortunate that half the time people decide to move here are expecting a better life- to make more money to support themselves and their families. Then they get hit with the harsh weather and unfulfilled lifestyle. Think twice before you join the oil field in North Dakota.

[@medic2807]

I've lived in ND all my life. Everybody is nice, but you have to prove yourself. We are skeptical. But if you work hard and are a decent neighbor, you'll get along.

[@terrijom9227]

Winters aren't 7-8 months. Snow usually middle to end of Nov and spring March or Apr (about 4-5 months) with worst in Jan/Feb. 😉😀

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Others disagree with you.

[@markbajek2541]

The actual heating season is a bit longer than Nov to April , like in Michigan it's cold enough this year in June to crank up the heat on the colder days and certainly mid to late october is cold enough .

[@positiveshiftchannel]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Fargo Average Temps in Coldest Months Month High / Low(°F) January 16° / -1° February 23° / 5° March 37° / 19° Average Annual Snowfall 51 inches Only 3 more inches than Boston MA at 48 inches. FYI.

[@lordhegamonster6931]

107 degrees today brrrr 🤦‍♂️

[@allfasten]

Came across this while looking to see if anyone came through Fargo lately...then wound up watching the rest of your vids around the States. Excellent job, fella. I don't think there's anybody else on YT that did what you did with 'around 50 Sates' travel series. Good commentary and off the beaten path. I left Fargo in 2012 after 17 years of bone-braking work and liver-liquifying drinking.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for watching, allfasten! :)

[@douglassullivan3717]

Thanks for the video/ insight. My wife & I are considering moving to Fargo/ Morehead in August or maybe next summer... We have lots of family there...

[@abathens]

Alleys are always interesting. I like the one you showcased there.

[@jimmyjoseph51]

The big difference between Fargo, ND and Camden NJ is the people. People in Fargo respect themselves, their neighbors and their environment. In Camden, NJ, the exact opposite is true. Your videos are both entertaining and educational. Thanks for the tour of Fargo and please keep the great videos coming!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Jimmy. And, you’re totally right.

[@wesleyhelm7208]

Thanks for the Video..It was well done I live in Fargo.. I grew up in Fargo.. and I am still here in Fargo.. 61 years of age ... Others already mentioned that the 3 collages ..so no need to go into that..

[@honinakecheta601]

wow so clean!

[@johnnyhensler]

Thank You For Sharing 🇺🇸

[@eve70ish]

You should of explored 8th Street South, it’s the oldest street with wonderfully businesses ( I own Rozas sewing and alterations and I DO Bridal boutique )and our famous Nocholes pastry shop with European pastry and homemade lunch selection. There is beautiful Dakota Art Gallery with local artists , Vintage clothing store, antique jewelry store and antique store with everything you ever wanted!

[@MrMARTIMOO]

I live on 8th. It is charming and beautiful.

[@marcusguttilla3530]

Awesome video man! I'll need to check out that beer hall one of these days. Just moved to Fargo last month from SoCal and it's been a trip to say the least. I'm really digging it so far. Regarding the accent thing, I've heard a slightly watered down version of that here and there, but nothing quite as over the top as what you hear in the movie.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Marcus!

[@connieharris932]

JL Beers...best hamburgers 🍔!

[@peggypasson8794]

I've been in minnesota ehh an they use the accent alot

[@Mariel_Moon]

This is so addicted. I feel so relaxed to see this videos. All the way from Sweden. 😊❤

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@user-xn3nk3px1w]

Thanks for this vid

[@noahb4225]

Great video, 👍 lived there for 14 years

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for the kind words, Noah!!

[@klm82006]

3.3 months Average Temperature in Fargo The cold season lasts for 3.3 months, from November 27 to March 5, with an average daily high temperature below 31°F. The coldest month of the year in Fargo is January, with an average low of 3°F and high of 19°F.

[@bcdave91]

Great video. Thanks a lot. Fargo looks like a nice city. I have friends in Manitoba and they go down regularly to Fargo for shopping and a change of scenery. I've never been there, but I've heard that it's a nice town and the people are friendly.

[@StormGallade]

Born and raised in Fargo, moved over to Moorhead just this past week. Your video's pretty much summed up the city, lol. I will note that over the past few years there have been a few more attractions in town, mainly on the south side. If you revisit, I also would reccomend the West Acres Mall as another spot. And adding on to the drinks, Drunconrath Brewing is another reccomended place, it's actually right near Wurst!

[@grnman86]

I love Fargo ! It’s such a laid back place. Cheap living is nice and plenty of jobs. The people are generally friendly, aside the bits of passive aggression and no one uses blinkers. I’ve lived in the south and missed the season changes we get here. The areas becoming more diverse for ethnic restaurants and grocery stores which is nice but it has a long ways to go.

[@connieharris932]

Oh, coming Karl.....

[@connieharris932]

C'mon, not coming.dang auto correct.

[@duduonyu5810]

I have always loved Fargo and North Dakota. It's one of the better places to live and work(!) Just learn about the harsh winters.

[@terrehautetaylor]

Thank you for visiting my home town ❤

[@anels7138]

I can’t believe I just sat and watched and entire tour of the city I live in