Take a "Fargo"-Themed Tour of Minnesota
For many fans, "Fargo" immortalized Minnesota as the land of funny accents, snow-swept landscapes, shady car dealers and duck stamp artists. It also helped put two Minnesota natives — co-directors/writers Joel and Ethan Coen — on the map, setting the stage for the future success of films like “No Country for Old Men,” “True Grit,” and “The Big Lebowski.” Not to mention five seasons of the “Fargo” TV series, which place Minnesota towns and cities like Duluth, Luverne and Bemidji in prominent roles.
Since "Fargo” celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026, we thought we’d take a closer look at some of the local spots that were featured in, or inspired by, the beloved film.
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Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Chanhassen
The view from Chanhassen Dinner Theatres' main room / InsideOut StudiosChanhassen Dinner Theatres is the nation’s largest professional dinner theatre (it seats 540!) and has been putting on shows since 1968. It’s featured as the “Celebrity Room” in the film, with a performance by José Feliciano.
Located just 30 minutes from downtown Minneapolis and near Prince’s Paisley Park, visitors can still see Broadway-style shows like “Guys & Dolls,” “Annie,” and “White Christmas” here while dining on pasta, steak, and their famous Chicken Chanhassen (roasted chicken with Hollandaise sauce and wild rice stuffing).
Find more things to do in Chanhassen.
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The Minneapolis Club, Minneapolis
The top of the Minneapolis Club parking ramp / Credit: Riley HallawayThe Minneapolis Club is a private, members-only club, but its nearby six-level, covered parking ramp is open to all and especially popular with Vikings and Twins fans and concertgoers at U.S. Bank Stadium, Target Center, The Armory and the internationally known icon First Avenue.
The skyline looks a little different than the mid-1990’s, but you can still catch views of downtown Minneapolis.
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Square Lake, Stillwater
Behind the scenes of a Square Lake video shootSquare Lake near Stillwater served as the frozen backdrop for many scenes, including the kidnapper’s hideout, the infamous wood-chipper scene, and more.
Nearby Square Lake Park has a 950-foot sand beach, picnic tables, restrooms, and grills for lake life. It’s located along a county bike route and has outstanding fishing (even trout), a pier and a boat launch. It’s especially popular in the winter for ice fishing.
Check out 10 things to do in Stillwater.
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Stockmen's Truck Stop, St. Paul
Stockmen's Truck Stop / Credit: Riley HallawayDepicted as The Blue Ox in "Fargo," Stockmen’s Truck Stop welcomes road warriors and locals into its xDiner for hearty breakfasts and lunches like omelets, pancakes, burgers, and sandwiches.
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Tinucci's, Newport
Tinucci'sThis family-owned restaurant in Newport — just outside St. Paul — has served guests for nearly 70 years. Known for classic comfort food dishes, their prime rib night and popular salad bar can’t be missed. Reservations are recommended due to their popularity.
The dining room hasn’t changed much since its time in the film, with its beautiful wood beams and vintage supper-club vibes.
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Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center
The wood chipper is the star of one of the film’s most infamous scenes. Although the film wasn’t filmed in Fargo, North Dakota, fans can snap a photo with the original movie prop at the Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center, just over the border.
The wood chipper is signed by the Coen brothers and has other film memorabilia, including a signed copy of the original script. A replica also sits outside the center.
Brainerd Lakes Area
The film was shot in many locations throughout the state, including Brainerd. In fact, the Coen Brothers even considered naming the film “Brainerd.”
The small resort towns of the Brainerd Lakes Area are a haven for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy everything from golfing and canoeing to snowmobiling and skiing. It also features year-round fishing on many of its 465 lakes.
Marge's Diner
"Fargo" super fans should also consider driving towards Ottertail — a town about 70 miles west of Brainerd — and Marge's Diner, a local favorite named after Frances McDormand's iconic police chief. It serves up classics like omelets, French toast, giant pancakes, sandwiches and soups, and has a popular salad bar.
Nearly everything on the menu is made from scratch, and it's open for breakfast and lunch.
Paul Bunyan
The legendary lumberjack has a cameo in the film and can be seen across Minnesota. You can find Paul and his best friend, Babe the Blue Ox, in Akeley, Brainerd, Bemidji, and more.
Discover more movies that were made in Minnesota or take the ultimate pop culture tours of Minnesota inspired by Prince, Bob Dylan and "The Mighty Ducks."
