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Daytime

A Quiet Afternoon at the Fairgrounds

The North Dakota State Fairgrounds are usually buzzing with concerts and crowds, but on a weekday afternoon, they offer a rare chance to wander the vast grounds in peace.

Best time: noneAbout 105 min

Timeline

  1. 14:00

    The North Dakota State Fair

    Arrive at the State Fairgrounds. Since the fair runs for only nine days in July, the rest of the year the grounds are open for quiet exploration. Use this time to stretch your legs and get a feel for the scale of the venue without the usual noise.

  2. 14:20

    Roosevelt Park and Zoo

    Walk west to Roosevelt Park and Zoo. This is the city's largest park and sits just fifteen minutes from the fairgrounds. It is a great place to pause and see the zoo and the miniature railroad before heading to your next stop.

  3. 14:55

    Planet Pizza

    Head to Planet Pizza for a snack. Located near Scandinavian Heritage Park, this is a solid spot for pizza and video games. It is a friendly place to grab a bite and recharge after your walk through the park.

  4. 15:25

    Roosevelt Park and Zoo

    End your trip back at Roosevelt Park. You can sit by the gardens or take a ride on the 2/5ths scale railroad to cap off a relaxed afternoon away from the fair's main events.

Local tip

The fairgrounds are largest in July. If you visit outside those nine days, you will have the place to yourself.

Check before you go

  • Roosevelt Park and Zoo hours vary by season. Check the official city website for the current zoo opening times before you go.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Minot (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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