I’m knowledgeable traveler, and many individuals like me have sure objectives — some admittedly foolish — in relation to journey. Some wish to go to all seven continents, or a sure variety of nations by a sure age. I turned 49 years outdated in September 2023, and I used to be decided to go to all 50 states earlier than turning 50. So, a number of months earlier than my birthday, I made a plan to go to Wisconsin as No. 49 and North Dakota as No. 50. Milwaukee was straightforward, however North Dakota proved to be logistically tougher.
I dwell in Orlando, Florida, and there are not any direct flights to Fargo, my chosen vacation spot and North Dakota’s largest metropolis. Technically, I may fly there with a layover, however that posed a few issues. First, air journey today is loopy. A layover means extra alternatives for my baggage to get misplaced, extra alternatives for delays and extra alternatives for me to get harm throughout transfers between my energy wheelchair, an airport aisle chair and an airplane seat. Plus, there are not any on-demand wheelchair-accessible taxis in Fargo and no public bus service between the airport and downtown, so I didn’t know the way I used to be going to get from the airport to a lodge.
I made a decision to do one thing off the crushed path and throw a bit journey into the combo. I might use Delta frequent flyer miles to fly nonstop from Orlando to Minneapolis. There I might spend one night time, take the Greyhound bus — my first — direct to Fargo, spend two nights there, and reverse the entire course of to get again residence. In each Minneapolis and Fargo, I discovered accommodations only some blocks away from the bus stations in order that I might be much less depending on native transportation.
Now I had to determine what I used to be going to do in Fargo. I reached out to the Fargo-Moorhead Conference and Guests Bureau for assist placing collectively an itinerary of greatest issues to do and locations to go to in a brief period of time. Listed below are the highlights of my 48 hours in my 50th state as a wheelchair person.
Day 1
Examine-in on the Jasper Lodge. As soon as I arrived on the downtown Fargo Greyhound station, I rolled a number of blocks north on Broadway and checked into the attractive Jasper Lodge. It’s ideally positioned in the midst of downtown with easy accessibility to dozens of retailers and eating places, and in 2022, was ranked by readers of Condé Nast Traveler journal as one of many prime 15 accommodations within the Midwest. The Jasper has an awesome restaurant and lounge downstairs, and the wheelchair accessibility in my ADA junior suite, Room 1419, was phenomenal.
Discover downtown Fargo and murals. North Dakota climate might be extraordinarily troublesome to foretell, so, after checking in, I took benefit of partly cloudy skies to spend the afternoon exploring downtown Fargo. The sidewalks are large, curb cuts are ample and most companies have push-button door openers. Being the artwork geek I’m, I used to be thrilled to find there are roughly two dozen stunning hand-painted murals across the downtown space, most of that are straightforward to {photograph} out of your wheelchair.
Dinner at Rosewild. After spending half a day on a bus and a number of other hours rolling round downtown Fargo, I used to be prepared for a great meal contained in the Jasper Lodge at an award-winning restaurant, Rosewild. The menu pays homage to the wealthy flavors of the area, drawing inspiration from native produce and North Dakota traditions. It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a menu that features burgers, steak, fish and pasta.
Day 2
Breakfast at BernBaum’s. I make some extent of asking locals the place they wish to eat in any metropolis I go to, and my lodge bartender was very emphatic that I’ve breakfast on the iconic BernBaum’s solely a block away. It’s a standard Jewish deli with Nordic influences, the place you could find favorites like do-it-yourself bagels, latkes and knishes. And as a substitute of a quantity to take again to your desk whereas ready in your order, they’ll offer you a cute plastic animal.
Fargo-Moorhead Guests Heart. It’s at all times a good suggestion to cease on the native customer’s heart for those who’re exploring a brand new metropolis, however this one simply west of downtown Fargo is a crucial cease for 2 causes. First, if North Dakota is your 50th state, you possibly can be part of its Finest for Final Membership. You’ll get a certificates in addition to a T-shirt congratulating you in your main accomplishment. Plus, you’ll see the notorious wooden chipper used within the film Fargo, autographed by the Coen brothers.
The Hjemkomst Heart. Positioned throughout the Pink River from downtown Fargo, this museum and cultural heart in Moorhead, Minnesota, proudly shows the area’s Scandinavian heritage. Within the late 1800s, one among each three Norwegians emigrated to this space, which is a part of the explanation for that particular North Dakota accent, you betcha! You possibly can see a Viking ship and the reproduction of a medieval Norwegian church, in addition to artifacts and native memorabilia.
Lunch at Kilos. If you happen to love an awesome burger and fries in a Eighties-themed atmosphere, then Kilos in downtown Fargo is a superb place for a late lunch.
Purchasing in downtown Fargo. I cherished so many issues in regards to the outlets and galleries right here. First, even when they’re in older buildings, most have push-button door openers and accessible entrances. Second, most are domestically owned, and it’s cool speaking to the gallery and retailer house owners whereas shopping. Third, there’s not a cheesy memento store in sight.
Plains Artwork Museum. I used to be thrilled to get a non-public guided tour of this small-but-impressive artwork museum a number of blocks from Broadway in downtown Fargo. The holdings lean towards fashionable and up to date artwork, however they prominently function North Dakota artists, indigenous themes and group collaborations.
Dinner at Spaghetti Western. A pleasant, huge Italian meal hits the spot after a busy day of sightseeing, and Spaghetti Western matches the invoice. They make the pasta in-house, and on the menu you’ll discover favorites like spaghetti with Grandma’s meat sauce, pasta carbonara and spinach ravioli. Don’t neglect to finish with their tiramisu or cannoli!
Day 3
Breakfast at Marge’s Diner. One other nice advice by my lodge bartender, Marge’s is an area establishment and a brief roll of two blocks from the Jasper. There’s Midwestern nostalgia in all places, and brunch, full with mimosas, is served every single day.
Taking the bus to NDSU campus. Whereas I really like the absence of cheesy memento outlets downtown, it does pose an issue if you end up looking for North Dakota-themed souvenirs to convey residence to family and friends. However inspiration struck and led me to take the very accessible public bus from my lodge a couple of mile-and-a-half north to the North Dakota State College campus bookstore, the place they’ve each sort of present you possibly can think about.
Gallery 4. A neighborhood artwork gallery proprietor noticed my real-time Instagram posts about Fargo and invited me to go to Gallery 4 downtown. Earlier than heading to the bus station, I had simply sufficient time to swing by this charming house and do one among my favourite issues: supporting native artists by shopping for one among their stunning items.
Whereas I really feel like I noticed most of what Fargo needed to provide in my 48 hours, I do want I had the possibility to remain a bit longer. The accessibility was phenomenal, the individuals have been so pleasant, and the autumn colours have been simply beginning to flip. This little nook of North Dakota really was the most effective for final.
