Approx. 1 hour from metro

from Summer Fun 2021

SUMMER FUN? ready for some

FRONTIER VILLAGE/NATIONAL BUFFALO MUSEUM/FORT SEWARD (JAMESTOWN)

When the world’s largest anything is just down the road and a travel mug of coffee away, folks should probably check it out. This is a place that boasts the “world’s largest buffalo monument”, standing tall in a recreated prairie town known as the Frontier Village. Real buffalo graze nearby, from a herd originally located in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The museum not only features old buffalo artifacts but also promotes an understanding of the bison industry of today. While you’re in Jamestown, a 70-stop talking audio tour of the city tells the old stories that make up the area’s history. discoverjamestownnd.com

CHAHINKAPA ZOO (WAHPETON)

Only about 45 miles down the road from the metro, Wahpeton is home to a zoo that features roughly 200 animals of 70 different kinds of species from six continents, all waiting for visitors. Not only is the zoo open for those just wanting a leisurely stroll through its expansive property, it also features extra perks for the curious animal lover, with various classes and an invitation to watch how they train the animals. Check out a “wild” game show called “Friendly Feud”, dart tournaments and other family-friendly events. www.chahinkapazoo.org

BUFFALO RIVER, TURTLE RIVER, ITASCA, MAPLEWOOD, ICELANDIC STATE PARKS

Camping, fishing, hiking, biking...it’s all just a hop, skip and a jump away on both sides of the Red River. Good for a day trip or a weekend getaway, these parks are an inexpensive way to soak in Mother Nature’s finest creations in both Minnesota and North Dakota. The Buffalo River State Park, a few miles east of Glyndon, Minnesota, is a prairie lover’s dream with trails, the park’s adjoining Bluestem Prairie Scientific and Natural Area, a swimming hole, campsite and picnic area. Itasca State Park, home to the Headwaters of the Mississippi River, is about 20 miles north of Park Rapids, Minnesota, and often leaves its visitors in awe of the grandeur of the tall, old pine trees, historic cabins, pristine lake and expansive biking and hiking trails. Maplewood State Park, outside of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, is known for its mature, gorgeous maple trees and colorful array of vegetation sprinkled throughout the picturesque landscape.

On the North Dakota side, the Turtle River State Park is just west of Grand Forks and features trails for biking and hiking, a camping area, large, stone picnic areas and camping. And if homesteading heritage is your thing, the Icelandic State Park in northeast North Dakota near Cavalier is your place. With 2,300 acres of gardens, a pioneer heritage center, a nature reserve and beach, the park is the perfect getaway for folks wanting a little piece of the state’s historic beauty.

Looking for more?

Check out:

• Vining, Minn., sculpture park

• Bagg Bonanza Farm

Approx. 2-3 hour drive

STORYBOOK LAND IN ABERDEEN

Aberdeen’s Storybook Land is a theme park inspired by nursery rhymes and other familiar tales. Take a walk down the yellow brick road in the Land of Oz to Dorothy’s house for a simulated tornado experience, visit Old MacDonald’s farm, see Humpty Dumpty, Goldilocks and more. Check out the castle - complete with moat! - and take a ride on the Storybook Express miniature train as well as other rides like a rollercoaster, carousel, spinning cups and more. Storybook Land is also adjacent to Wypile Park, which offers camping amenities, a man-made lake, plus Thunder Road. Don’t forget about the Aberdeen Aquatic Center with its water slides, zero-depth area and lazy river. www.facebook.com/storybookaberdeen

Gateway To Science In Bismarck

Looking for a hands-on learning experience? Don’t miss Bismarck’s Gateway to Science to engage kids of all in fun and wacky science exhibits. The interactive experiences teach kids about magnetism, air pressure, electricity, light, color and more. Little brains and bodies are sure to get a fun workout in this educational and entertaining environment. Check the website for information on special events and for descriptions of exhibits that may cause sensory issues for some kids (blowing air, loud noises, sudden movements) so you can plan your visit. gatewaytoscience.org

HEMKER PARK AND ZOO IN FREEPORT, MINNESOTA

This zoo was designed to be as family friendly as possible, with more than 100 animals to visit. You can see greater one-horned rhino Tio, as well as giraffes, zebras, monkeys, puffins, kangaroos, meerkats and more as you wander this family-owned zoo. There are also options for close encounters including feeding some of the animals and holding a boa constrictor. hemkerzoo.com

Safari North Wildlife Park In Brainerd

This private zoo and conservation center offers an up-close-and-personal safari experience. Ride a train around the 10acre safari area and see wildlife from five continents. Animals include lions, ostrich, monkeys, hyenas, wildebeest, camels, tigers and more. Kids can feed giraffes, ride camels, visit the petting zoo, dig for dinosaurs and more.

www.safarinorth.com

The Navy Blue Angel Flight Team will headline the Fargo Air Sho on Saturday and Sunday, July 24th & 25th at Hector International Airport. This is a special year for the Blues as they celebrate their 75th anniversary season.

The Team is flying a newer FA-18E “Super Hornet”. It will mark the first time in over 30 years that the Blue Angels have changed aircraft. The Flight Leader and Commanding Officer is Brian Kesselring, a Fargo native. Brian is a Fargo South High and Concordia College graduate.

The Fargo Air Sho will also feature other military aircraft displays such as the F-16 “Viper” Demonstration Team. On static display, a Marine F-35 Fighter Jet plus other current planes and vintage warbirds from the Fargo Air Museum.

The Fargo Air Sho has a unique first time Demonstration Team from RAD Aerosports of Valley City, ND. Jarrod Lindemann is piloting a 1939 Jet Powered Waco aircraft. He will team up with Jeff Boerboon, flying a modified twin engine Yak 110 aircraft sporting a Lear 24 jet engine into one very strange looking but innovative aerobatic aircraft.

The Fargo Air Sho has a variety of civilian aerobatic airplanes that will thrill the crowds with their loops and unique aerial stunts. Two exciting ground shows are

“Shockwave”, a Jet Powered Semi, that will attain speeds of 200 miles per hour, plus “Blessed FMX”, a Motorcycle Stunt Act flying over farm tractors at heights reaching 30 plus feet above the ground. Tickets for the Fargo Air Sho are available online at www.fargoairsho.com

New this year is the “Family Pass” at $49.00 for 2 Adults- 18 years+ & 2 youth, ages 11-17 & ticket processing fees. Family Pass available through advanced tickets sale only.

Gates open at 9:30 AM. Show starts at 11 AM. Visit fargoairsho.com for all details.