Fargo-Moorhead I-94 Visitors Center

Happy fall, friends! While I’m definitely a lover of all things spring and summer I will say that the leaves changing colors is my favorite thing about fall. During a recent road trip from the Twins Cities to Fargo, ND I noticed the leaves slowly starting to change, and it definitely makes the Midwest look like a beautiful painting with all the different colors. Absolutely gorgeous!

I can only image what you thought when you saw the title of this blog! Visitors Center? Haha! Well, the Fargo-Moorhead I-94 Visitors Center isn’t just any Visitors Center – first of all it’s located in a grain elevator, which houses the Woodchipper from the movie “Fargo”, and has the Celebrity Walk of Fame, and one of the many painted bison statues. It is the neatest place! Come along as I share all the things about this fun Visitors Center.

The Fargo-Moorhead I-94 Visitors Center exists to tell all about the fun things to do in Fargo and West Fargo, ND and Moorhead, MN (right across the border). As stated above, the Fargo-Moorhead I-94 Visitors Center is in a grain elevator, which pays homage to Fargo’s agricultural roots. The Visitors Center is located at Exit 348 just off Interstate 94, and inside you will find information for both North Dakota and Minnesota, maps, brochures, a gift shop (to buy Fargo souvenirs!), and people to answer any questions. If you have an electric car, the Visitors Center installed a charger thanks in part to the Cass County Electric Cooperative as well as a grant from the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality that offsets some of the cost.

Although the film, “Fargo” wasn’t actually filmed in Fargo, ND, you can still visit this original movie prop, at the Fargo-Moorhead I-94 Visitors Center. The Fargo Woodchipper (which is signed by the Coen Brothers) sits just inside the Visitors Center. Take your picture as you pretend to push a fake leg into the Fargo Woodchipper. Haha! You will also find other memorabilia from the movie, including a signed copy of the original script. Located outside the Visitors Center is a “stunt double” of the Fargo Woodchipper to pose with as well.

The Celebrity Walk of Fame, founded in 1989 by Fargo printer, Mike Stevens, was originally located on the city sidewalks of Mike’s print shop, Express Press, in downtown Fargo. It was moved to the current site during the summer of 2000. The first inductee into the walk was jazz trumpeter, Al Hirt. Since then move stars, musicians, authors, athletes, religious leaders, and celebrities from all walks of life have joined the Celebrity Walk of Fame. Mike privately funded all expenses for the first 95 celebrities, and felt it was a small way he could repay a community that’s been so kind to him. The Celebrity Walk of Fame is located just outside the Fargo-Moorhead I-94 Visitors Center. There are over 100 celebrity signatures, handprints, and footprints in cement including Garth Brooks, Bert & Ernie, Bob Costas, Metallica, and more. The Celebrity Walk of Fame is open 24 hours a day.

Inside local businesses and on the streets of Fargo and its sister cities West Fargo and Moorhead live a herd of bison. Built to scale, these painted bison statues dot the city, drawing the attention of curious citizens and tourists alike. The Fargo-Moorhead I-94 Visitors Center holds one of the painted bison statues.

The “Herd About the Prairie: A Virtual Art Stampede” video was launched by The Arts Partnership (formerly the Lake Agassiz Arts Council) in 2005 and concluded with a public unveiling of the painted bison statues in 2006 at the Fargo Marathon. Since then, these 100-pound fiberglass statues have been dispersed throughout the community and enjoyed by thousands of people. Thirty-nine full-size bison and one calf were created in a minimum 90-day timeframe by different local artists selected by a jury. They are all so beautiful and have their own unique story.

On a side note, if you are unable to make it to the Fargo-Moorhead I-94 Visitors Center be sure to check out a second Visitors Center located in the heart of Downtown Fargo. Located inside Gallery4, a locally owned art gallery, you can get all the info you need to have a great trip and check out some amazing local art! Super cool!

I have so much more to share with you about my trip to Fargo, ND! I have to say though that Fargo-Moorhead I-94 Visitors Center was a big surprise – so much to check out! Give it a visit and enjoy!