normanbates

hi. we are 3 people from norway, who are going to minneapolis to visit family in april. after 4 days in minneapolis we are driveing up to fargo, where we will stay for 2 nights. after that we are planning to drive down to omaha where we will stay for 2 nights and end our trip in iowa where we also have 2 days to spend.on our way down from fargo to omaha,we have planned to stay one night in a small town, where we can go out for a beer and something to eat. any suggestions,any must see sights?
thanks...

Fishbraynez

I'm not sure about what to do along the way, but if you're going to be in Omaha for a couple of days, you should definitely go to the Henry Doorly Zoo!! I've been born and raised in Omaha, and that is definitely one of our must-see attractions! It can easily take the majority of a day (4-6 hrs to see the entire park) and even if the weather is bad, there's plenty to do inside (aquarium, IMAX, Lied Jungle, Desert Dome, etc). Then you could go downtown to the Old Market and checkout some of the shops/bars/restaurants there.

Keith

In my opinion, the two attractions that stand out are the Henry Doorly Zoo and the Strategic Air & Space Museum.

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo is the finest zoo of the 50 or so that I have visited in the US and Canada.

The Strategic Air & Space Museum was orignally the Strategic Air Command (SAC) Museum at Offutt Air Force Base. The museum was moved to its own 300,000 square foot building midway between Omaha and Lincoln 10 years ago. It has over 30 aircraft, from the tiny Goblin to the enormous B-1, B-52 and B-36.

Keith

Cassandra

If rail history interests you at all -- and it has a lot to do with how the US developed from 1850 to about 1940 -- there are several rail museums in Omaha and the Union Pacific museum across the river in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The UP museum has the "Golden Spike" that was used to join the eastern half of the country with the western half.

NorthwestMale

I can't wait to hear that trip report!

Immerse yourself in Minneapolis during the time you have there... and then, maybe, opt out of "one night in a small town" over the rest of your trip, because even the cities you've mentioned probably won't overwhelm you.

On the other hand, few from Norway will be able to say they've been there and done those.

happytourist

From Fargo to Omaha is only about 400 miles, so you could easily do it in one day. You would be taking I-29 down through Sioux Falls and Sioux City and, to be honest, I can't think of any towns on the way that would be interesting enough for an overnight stop. Spend more time in Omaha. Absolutely do the Henry Doorly Zoo.

normanbates

thanks..looks like we are going for 3 nights in omaha, if nobody of you people have any suggestions for 1 night in south dakota. there must be something to see on the way down from fargo to omaha.. but thanks again for all the replys.

Keith

There are some great places in SD, and NE that we would recomend if you were traveling through the western portions of those states.

But adding them to your route would more than tripple your drive.

Keith

bbqboy

I would head from Fargo to Le Mars for ice cream,
then on to Winterset and the Bridges of Madison County and John Wayne Museum for your small town fun.
http://www.madisoncounty.com/
http://www.johnwaynebirthplace.org/
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2...the-ice-cream/
http://www.lemarsiowa.com/
I think you would enjoy the American Prairie, coming from Watery Norway.
If you have that much time, take the "Blue Highways" instead of the Interstates and you'll see a different America.
http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Highways-...5050377&sr=8-1

bbqboy

Here you go. You've Got to have a Pork Tenderloin too.
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/travel/t...topstory17.asp

normanbates

thanks for all the help. think we have to see the birthplace of john wayne.
any more suggestions??

LHS

The Terry Redlin Art Center is just off I 29 near Watertown SD.

http://www.redlinart.com/planningavisit/directions.php

normanbates

more suggestions?

soccr

I think maybe you flummoxed us when you said John Wayne's birthplace would be a priority. Hard to guess what else would appeal to you. The Corn Palace? (Mitchell S. Dak.)

http://www.roadsidephotos.com/sd/sd3.htm

specs

Will the grain on the Corn Palace be frizzled up by April? I think they harvest in the fall, and winters in the Dakotas are fierce.

Will you be visiting Omaha in early April? My memories of that time of year are of "spitting snow", snow that doesn't stick, but is a nuisance. Drab gray skies, wind, and lawns just beginning to green up.

My front yard was planted with large beds of tulips. The tulips came up, blossomed for a half hour, and were wiped out by foul weather. Same story the following year.

Warm days in the Spring also produce a funky smell in Omaha, and much of the Midwest. Locals think of this as an earthy smell, but it smelled like cow poop to this city girl.

There really isn't much to see along your route, no beautiful scenery, or interesting spots to stop. Many people vacation at Lake Okoboji, Iowa in the summer, but things might be closed up in April.
Former President Gerald Ford was born in Omaha, but I wouldn't go out of my way to see his house.

Here's a helpful travel tip, Norman.
Don't stay at the Bates Motel.

bbqboy

So I guess you don't like the midwest much, specs.
Some of us appreciate the fact that not everywhere is or wants to be NYC or LA.
They are coming from Norway
and you must think they HAVE to see Disneyworld or Las Vegas or some other fake American place/mostrosity.
Blecch.

HotWheels

As I have personally made this exact trip several times, with no disrespect to the Midwest, there reallly isn't much to see along the way, other than natural prairie. Also, with the "iffy" weather in April, I-29 is probably the best bet for better road conditions. It could be sunny & nice, but it also could be icy & slushy.
Sioux Falls, SD is approximately 3-4 hrs from Fargo. This would be a good place to stop for lunch. Omaha is about 3-4 hrs from there, so this trip could easily be made from Fargo in a day.
When staying in Fargo, visit the Hjomkost Center across the river in Moorhead, MN for a connection to your country - it houses a Viking ship built exactly to old standards, that was sailed between the two countries. You could also visit "Bonanzaville" in Fargo (if open)to view oldtime frontier buildings. Go to Old Broadway downtown for lunch - go to discovernd.com for ND information.
In Mitchell, SD the Terry Redlin art museum has numerous prairie paintings (right along I-29)- takes an about an hour. If you were visiting in the summer/fall, there would be numerous festivals to attend, but in Spring's "iffy" weather, not too much is planned. But enjoy the trip, whatever you do!

specs

I didn't say I didn't like the midwest. I just don't think Nebraska and the Dakotas are the best of the midwest. I think Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana offer more in the way of scenery and things to do. If the Norwegians weren't visiting family, I'd say head to these states.

You assume I'd send these folks to Disneyland or Las Vegas. That's funny. Just last week there was a posting asking "Where would you refuse to go?" My reply: Las Vegas and Disneyland.

normanbates

hi been to disneyworld and vegas. had fun.done new england, but 2 years ago a had a great trip to the south, started out in new orleans, drove up to wicksburg mississippi, and from there to memphis and nashville and ended our 3 weeks trip in lexington, kentucky before we headed to new york where we stayed for 3 nights. (kentucky was great). on this trip we planned to something very different..so thats why we are gonig to fargo, omaha and des moines.and we are looking forward to do the trip, and we wont stay at bates motel. (read some bad things about that motel)

bbqboy

If you are fluid as to plans, consider heading down to KC from Omaha for a day or two. Only 170 miles more and lots to see, do, and eat.