Movie Locations Guide
1996
City Locations
Brainerd and Saint Paul, MN
Location Types
House, Hotels/Motels, Retail, Buildings/Offices, Clubs/Bars
Location Styles
Motel, Americana/Anywhere, Dilapidated/Neglected
About Fargo
Fargo's captivating charm lies in its intriguing ambiguity, oscillating between an absurdist comedy and a stylized crime drama and miraculously succeeding at being both. Fargo is a black comedy-crime film from 1996, masterfully written, produced, and directed by the renowned Coen brothers. The movie features Frances McDormand portraying the role of Marge Gunderson, a pregnant Minnesotan police chief whose friendly and down-to-earth manner conceals her sharp intellect. Also starring is William H. Macy as Jerry Lundegaard, a car salesman who, due to severe financial troubles, devises a doomed kidnapping plot. The two crooks enlisted for the ill-conceived abduction are Carl Showalter, portrayed by Steve Buscemi, and Gaear Grimsrud, portrayed by Peter Stormare.
The story follows Chief Gunderson's investigation into the murders of two motorists found slain by a state trooper not far from Jerry's home. Through her conversations with Jerry and other witnesses, she unravels the desperate attempt of Jerry to raise money through illegal means to save his failing finances after Wade (Harve Presnell) sours a business deal that could have helped him out. Things go awry when the plan involving Carl and Gaear goes wrong, leading to several murders that Chief Gunderson must solve with her wits and investigative skills.
Fargo was released on April 8th, 1996, to critical acclaim and was universally praised for its dark humor, performances (particularly that of McDormand), direction, atmosphere, and screenplay. The Coen brothers, Joel and Ethan, both celebrated and humorously mocked their heritage from Minnesota through the film, which garnered seven Oscar nominations and won Best Actress and Best Original Screenplay. Despite the assertion in Fargo's credits that the movie is vaguely based on actual events, this is merely a tongue-in-cheek jest from the Coen brothers, as the plot is entirely fictitious.
Fargo Locations
A trip to the locations for the Coen Brothers’ 1996 classic would be a unique and entertaining experience. Most scenes were shot in Brainerd, Minnesota, with some shots taking place north in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The backdrop for this region was the picturesque plains and grasslands that define much of the Midwest. There are many historical landmarks and areas of interest in both Brainerd and Grand Forks.
Many locations from Fargo have since been demolished or renovated. However, some recognizable spots from the film are still intact. For instance, the Hitching Post Motel, where the police finally apprehend Jerry in a scene set "outside of Bismarck," is located at 23855 Forest Boulevard North, north of Minneapolis. The Blue Ox truck stop, where the kidnappers are seen enjoying some time with a pair of escorts, is the real-life Stockmen's Truck Stop at 501 Farwell Avenue, St Paul. Excitingly, it remains one of the few film locations that still exists and continues to be a popular spot for a hearty meal.
In Brainerd, tourists would find a variety of museums, such as the Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post, as well as the Northland Arboretum. Other attractions include Minnesota’s largest lake, where visitors can enjoy fishing or take boat tours. In addition to these attractions, Grand Forks also offers a vivid landscape full of history and culture, including sites such as Fort Abercrombie State Park and Turtle River State Park. Visitors can also enjoy outdoor activities such as camping or horseback riding.
Overall, a visit to any of these locations would be worthwhile for any fan of this classic film. The breathtaking landscapes and exciting outdoor activities make it an ideal destination for any traveler exploring this region's unique beauty.
Jerry returns to his house scene in Fargo
6358 Ginger Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55346, USA
Jerry makes his way back to his Minneapolis home, offering us a peek into his unemotional household situation. He greets his wife, Jean (Kristin Rudrüd), with noticeable awkwardness upon his arrival. His discomfort is further heightened by the presence of his father-in-law, Wade, who is casually sprawled on the couch engrossed in a hockey game on TV. As they all dine, Jerry and Jean's adolescent son, Scotty (Tony Denman), departs early for McDonald's. This sparks a disagreement between Jerry and Wade; Wade criticizes Jerry for indulging Scotty too much, letting him do as he pleases, and not enforcing sufficient discipline.
The location is a typical mid-western home with a kitchen, living room, and dining area. The house is decorated with dated furniture and muted colors, mirroring the unassuming nature of everyday life that makes up the majority of the film’s setting. Jerry Lundegaard's residence in the film is said to be in Minneapolis. However, the actual house is situated nearby in Eden Prairie, at 6358 Ginger Drive. Please note that this is a private property, so visitors can only view the location's exterior.
Getting there from Minneapolis takes roughly 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic. From St Paul, it takes around 30 minutes by car. You have two route options to reach the destination: take the 494 Highway or the MN-62 W.
Jerry at work at Gustafson Motors scene in Fargo
I-494 & Penn Avenue, Bloomington, MN 55431, USA
Jerry holds the position of executive sales manager at the car lot owned by Wade, a role that suits his chatty yet sneaky demeanor. A dispute arises with a couple over the $500 "TruCoat" sealant for their new $19,000 car—Jerry is overpricing it despite their initial refusal. He promises to discuss it with his manager and steps out of the room, only to chat with another salesman about hockey tickets. Upon his return, he deceives the couple, saying his manager has agreed to a $100 discount on the TruCoat. The husband consents but openly accuses Jerry of lying.
Gustafson Motors, where Jerry is employed under his imposing father-in-law Wade, no longer exists. For many years, the location of Wally McCarthy Oldsmobile was at the northeastern junction of I-494 and Penn Avenue in a southern suburb of Minneapolis. However, the site has now been taken over by the campus headquarters of Best Buy.
To get to this location from Minneapolis, take I-35W South and take exit 6A onto County Rd 32/Penn Ave. Continue south on Penn Ave for several miles until you reach your destination, where you will find Best Buy on your right-hand side.
Carl and Gaear pass the ‘Welcome to Brainerd’ giant statue scene in Fargo
Pembina County Highway 1, North Dakota, USA
The road scene shows Carl and Gaear driving with a sobbing Jean, who is now covered by a blanket in the back seat. Upon passing the Welcome to Brainerd sign, they can easily spot an enormous statue of Paul Bunyan towering above them. As is his habit, Gaear is smoking and gazing out the window. Jean's whimpering irritates him, and he warns her to quiet down or risk being thrown in the trunk.
The 'Welcome to Brainerd' statue of Paul Bunyan was constructed on Pembina County Highway 1, about four miles west of Bathgate, North Dakota, near the Canadian border, and later taken down. For those not familiar with American legends, Paul Bunyan is a folklore giant lumberjack, often depicted with Babe the Blue Ox, and renowned for his mythical feats. An 18-foot-tall representation of Bunyan and his Ox can be found in Bemidji, Minnesota. This particular monument is said to rank second in the USA in terms of the most photographed, right after Mount Rushmore.
To access this location one can either drive or take a bus to nearby cities such as Minneapolis. After that, the easiest way is to take a private car ride to the location. While visitors might not find the statue they anticipated, they can instead marvel at a 26-foot-tall seated statue of Paul Bunyan. This statue is located at This Old Farm Pioneer Village at 17553 State Highway 18, merely seven miles east of Brainerd.
The Blue Ox truck stop scene in Fargo
Stockmen's Truck Stop, 501 Farwell Ave, South St Paul, MN 55075, USA
The sequence at the motel portrays the bumbling kidnappers, Carl and Gaear , who hole up in a motel room with two sex workers. The action is captured in a hilarious shot of energetic pumping, which cuts abruptly to a flat-on-their-backs moment where the foursome are watching The Tonight Show on TV. This hilarious juxtaposition of the exuberant energy that precedes sex and its aftermath is classic Coen Brothers humor.
The location for this scene was Stockmen's Truck Stop, located at 501 Farwell Avenue, South St Paul. It's an iconic spot for fans of the cult classic film as it is one of the few locations from the movie that still exists today. The truck stop was dressed up to look like a motel for filming purposes.
To reach Stockmen's Truck Stop from Minneapolis or St. Paul, you can take either Highway 94 or MN-62 E. The travel time will vary depending on the traffic, but it typically takes around 25 minutes to arrive.
Marge interviews two prostitutes at the Lakeside Club scene in Fargo
10 Old Wildwood Rd, Mahtomedi, MN 55115, USA
Marge heads to a bar to speak with the two women Carl and Gaear engaged in an encounter with. These two women, who moonlight as strippers at the bar, struggle to provide detailed descriptions of the men. One of them (Larissa Kokernot) depicts Carl, the "little fella," as peculiar-looking, while the other (Melissa Peterman) portrays Gaear, the "big fella," as a mostly silent, older man who was frequently smoking. They disclose to Marge that the men had mentioned their destination was the Twin Cities.
The Lakeside Club was not an actual establishment but a set built on 10 Old Wildwood Road in Mahtomedi, Minnesota, for filming purposes. The building was demolished in 2022 since it was only used for filming Fargo and no other movies or shows. Even though the actual filming location doesn't exist, nearby areas still offer a similar atmosphere to the movie. Fans can make the most of their time by exploring Mahtomedi.
The most convenient way to get to this location is to drive from Minneapolis or St Paul via I-94 E and I-694 N, a journey that typically takes about 20-30 minutes from St. Paul. Alternatively, visitors can opt to take a bus from St. Paul to the Mahtomedi stop.
Police catch Jerry at the motel scene in Fargo
Hitching Post Motel, 23855 Forest Blvd N, Forest Lake, MN 55025, USA
At a motel on the outskirts of Bismarck, North Dakota, a pair of state policemen knock vigorously on a room door, requesting Mr. Anderson. The voice inside, which belongs to Jerry, assures them he'll be right there. When the owner opens the door, they catch Jerry attempting to flee through the bathroom window, dressed only in a T-shirt and boxers. He yells and thrashes about frantically and hysterically as the police take him into custody.
This scene was filmed at the Hitching Post Motel, located at 23855 Forest Boulevard North in Forest Lake, north of Minneapolis. It looks slightly different than it does in the movie, but fans can still visit it today—and even stay there overnight.
To reach Hitching Post Motel from Minneapolis, take I-35W North for around 30 minutes until you arrive at your destination.
Conclusion
Fargo is one of the most iconic and critically acclaimed films by directors Ethan and Joel Coen. The actors’ performances in Fargo are all memorable, particularly Frances McDormand's portrayal of police chief Marge Gunderson. William H. Macy also gave an outstanding performance as the hapless, desperate Jerry Lundegaard.
The film skillfully strings together a series of improbable scenes that leave us embracing its audacious brilliance. Furthermore, the cinematography stunningly encapsulates the austere beauty of the Midwest's winter landscape, playing a crucial role in defining Fargo's visual style. This stark backdrop amplifies the film's unique blend of quirky yet dark comedy.
The film was praised for its clever dialogue, engaging plot, gripping suspense sequences as well as realistic yet larger-than-life characters. All these elements have since become staples for subsequent filmmakers within the crime genre as well as helped kickstart some Hollywood careers, such as those belonging to Billy Bob Thornton or Steve Buscemi.
And if you want to check out any Fargo filming locations for yourself, many of them are easily accessible in the picturesque surroundings of Minnesota.