Fall is a great time for NDSU students to enjoy the beauty of the community and try new things. The weather may be getting cooler, but there are lots of ways to be active outdoors and to stay cozy and have fun inside.
Fargo-Moorhead is often listed among the best college towns and best places to live in the country. There is plenty to see and do, and the community is warm and welcoming.
Check out 10 fun things to do this fall.
1. Walk or run the Fargo Mini Marathon
The Fargo Mini Marathon’s meandering route along the trails near the Red River is the perfect way to see Fargo’s beauty in the fall.
The event includes 5K, 10K and half-marathon races.
2. Take in the fall colors while hiking at Buffalo River State Park
Buffalo River State Park keeps its hiking trails open in the fall. The scenery at this time of year at this location is extraordinary. Leaves are bright brown, orange and yellow and you can hear the rush of the Buffalo River as you make your way around River View trail.
Prairie View Trail, a 2.2-mile loop near the edge of the park, has terrific views of wildlife and is one of Minnesota’s largest prairie preserves.
3. Buy locally-grown food at Red River Market
Check out Red River Market’s Fall Festival each October for fresh, locally-grown food and fun. The market, located in downtown Fargo, supports small and midsize farms in the surrounding area. The fall festival includes local produce, live music, cooking demonstrations and locally-made arts and crafts.
4. Paddle in the canoe parade
Decorate your canoe and paddle with friends in a procession down a scenic section of the Red River in Moorhead. The canoe voted as the best decorated receives the “Golden Paddle Award.”
There are several spots for spectators along the river parade route. You also can explore the scenic area on bike or on foot. Canoe Parade participants can register up to a week in advance and can sign up to borrow a canoe.
5. Investigate paranormal activity at Bonanzaville
Unexplainable and creepy things have been reported by visitors and Bonanzaville Museum in West Fargo. You can explore several of the grounds’ most haunted areas in total darkness in teams of six. Participants use EMF detectors and voice boxes to communicate with friends, just like on TV.
6. Visit the Haunted Farm
Visit the Haunted Farm 10 miles outside of Moorhead for a scary adventure filled with creepy clowns, scary screams and zombies. Bring a group of friends who love a good scare. The full haunted show includes a haunted house, several haunted rooms, a maze and a spine-tingling walk through a dark, wooded area.
7. Enjoy the music of Great Plains Harmony
This chorus of 50 sings barbershop, jazz, gospel and other choral arrangements in perfect harmony. Great Plains Harmony usually combines music and humor in a themed performance during their fall show.
8. See great local art at the FMVA Studio Crawl
Fargo Moorhead Visual Artists each year hosts a Studio Crawl, which gives the community access to several local artists and their work. Talk to artists, buy art and watch demonstrations on how pieces are made. This year, 38 studios will be opened to the public during a weekend in early October.
9. Celebrate cultural diversity at Pangea
Pangea: Cultivate our Cultures is a celebration of the region’s diversity. Sample the food, music, arts and crafts and stories of people from many different countries. The menu this year includes Haitian chicken creole, French-Canadian crepes, spiced Indian chai, German currywurst and Filipino lumpia.
10. Watch a movie at historic Fargo Theatre
The iconic Fargo Theatre was built as a cinema and vaudeville theatre in 1926. The beautifully-restored venue now hosts popular films, concerts and other live events. The rich sound of the theatre’s Mighty Wurlitzer organ playing before many Friday movies also adds to the charming atmosphere.