4 Must-Visit Downtowns in North Dakota
Find trendy, revitalized communities that house traces of their past.
Planning a day trip? Need date night ideas? Looking for the perfect place to relocate? Look no further than the downtowns in North Dakota. This state is full of communities where people can have fun and make memories – all without losing the ease and charm of small-town America. In fact, alongside decades-old diners, rolling fields and friendly, familiar faces, cities and towns across the state are focusing on trendy revitalizations that complement their cherished histories and traditions. Here are just four downtowns in North Dakota that you need to explore.
In This Article
1. Oakes, North Dakota
Over the years, Oakes, a city in the southeast part of the state, has transformed its quaint downtown into a social hub.
“In Oakes, we have a lot of business owners who really understand the power of aesthetics,” says resident Rebecca Undem, who takes great pride in each new business and amenity that joins the downtown area. Undem is also an established author and the founder of Growing Small Towns, a consultation and programming organization.
“A nice looking storefront and a nice looking main street is such a draw,” she says.
Oakes has a reputation for surprising and impressing visitors with its eclectic businesses. Within Oakes’ downtown district, you’ll find establishments like The Bakery Shoppe, Shadow Lanes bowling alley, a coworking space offered at Undem’s Growing Small Towns office, FitBar Gym and even a bookstore/espresso bar/eatery called Sweets ’n Stories.
“For a community of only 1,800 residents, people are often floored by what they can experience here,” Undem says.
The Bakery Shoppe is one of Oakes’ most recent successes. The community recruited Brittney Harty, a resident who left to attend culinary school, to revive the city’s bakery, which had closed in 2015. Since reopening in 2023, Harty continues to gain popularity for her menu of unique foods, like German bierocks (rolls stuffed with meat and other ingredients) and dozens of colorful soups.
2. Watford City, North Dakota
Located in the northwest part of the state is Watford City, a less than 6,000-person community known for its history, culture and outdoor beauty. Within the last decade, a catalog of innovative businesses has planted roots along the city’s Main Street, kicking off an era of exciting growth.
“Watford City is actually about an hour from where I live, and it’s where my boyfriend and I like to go for our nights out,” says Emma Cook, a North Dakota resident. “It’s a perfect place for a small-town date night. We love to go to Outlaws steakhouse.”
A fun evening in Watford City might, surprisingly, take you to First International Bank on Main Street. Aside from managing your finances, you can visit the multiuse building for Outlaws steakhouse as well as the city’s movie theater, Six Shooters’ Showhall & Cafe. This means you can enjoy a date night, family outing or friendly celebration all in a one-block radius. Other dining options in the area include Slow Ride Tequila Cocina and an American-style grill called JL Beers.
3. Minot, North Dakota
Vibrant is the first word Cook uses to describe Minot, one of North Dakota’s more urban areas that is home to approximately 48,000 people. Over the last decade, the community revitalized its downtown in a way that integrates the arts and encourages outdoor activity.
“They have an alleyway that they’ve turned into a winter-time skating rink so that people can come downtown, have a meal and go skating,” Cook says. “It was just an old alleyway, but now, it has beautiful murals, and in the summer, they put out turf and outdoor games.”
Minot does its best not to waste space in other ways too. Local artists have been commissioned to paint over 25 blank brick walls along downtown alleys.
Speaking of creativity, those who love the arts can explore the Taube Museum of Art on Main Street, which offers classes for adults and children, and those looking for more of a sportier activity can practice their aim at The Putt District, a mini-golf course that’s just a short walk away.
Minot’s Main Street (and its surrounding blocks) also offers a range of restaurants, including Charlie’s Main Street Cafe, an American-style diner that has been around for decades, and Prairie Sky Breads, a newly opened bakery and coffee shop.
4. Fargo, North Dakota
Yes, this urban community takes pride in the 1996 film Fargo, but over the years, this southeastern North Dakota city has proven that it has so much more to offer.
Fargo flourishes with entertainment options, like history and art museums, boutique stores and Art Deco hotels. With a population of about 130,000, Fargo embraces urban life. A catalog of food/drink establishments, like Twenty Below Coffee Co. and the Beer & Fish Co., have opened within the past decade, offering diverse menu options.
Plus, the vintage 1926 Fargo Theatre beckons visitors to watch a thoughtfully selected independent or foreign film. When evening falls, residents and visitors head to bars or live music venues like Brewhalla or the Aquarium to catch up with friends and unwind.
Fargo is also known for hosting some pretty exciting events. For three days each July, hundreds of vendors and thousands of visitors head to Broadway Square for the Downtown Fargo Street Fair.
This article was sponsored by the North Dakota Department of Commerce.