Curator’s statement
I love watching "Girl Meets Farm," so I decided to explore a part of the Midwest I’d never been to before and make the trip to Bernie's, the restaurant opened by the show's star, Molly Yeh. It’s the perfect dog- and kid-friendly adventure—an easy road trip with a fun foodie destination at the end.
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Where to stay on a Midwest road trip
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Things to do on a Midwest road trip
Red River Market
Omaha’s Old Market
Walk around and enjoy the various restaurants, shopping and sightseeing in The Old Market. Check out Jackson Street Booksellers for a great selection of used and rare books. Don’t miss the Passageway, a cool plant-covered indoor space within the Old Market that is so picturesque!
The RiverFront Omaha
Take a walk through the RiverFront's Gene Leahy Mall, an urban park that includes a performance pavilion for live music, a playground, a dog park, and a sculpture garden. Continue on to the Heartland of America Park and Lewis and Clark Landing.
Fargo’s Mural Walk
Downtown Fargo is chock full of incredible murals to discover. Check out Dillard Alley and try to find the cowprint wall and the "Greetings from Fargo" mural. This is the perfect activity to do with a dog or kids!
Red River Market
Visit the farmers market in downtown Fargo from mid July to the end of October. Check out the fresh produce, sourdough bread, dog treats, florals, baked goods, and so much more! Enjoy photo ops by the signature Red River Market red pickup truck and linger around Broadway Square to enjoy the live music.
Falls Park in Sioux Falls
This is the city’s namesake—a scenic stop where you can take in cascading waterfalls, learn about Native American history, and enjoy multiple viewpoints throughout the park.
Places to eat & drink on a Midwest road trip
Clio (Omaha)
A Mediterranean spot that is perfect for sitting on the patio with your pup.
Coneflower Creamery (Omaha)
Coneflower Creamery is an artisanal "farm-to-cone" ice cream shop, recognized by Yelp as the #1 Ice Cream Shop in America for 2023. It’s so yummy we decided to have ice cream for our dinner that night!
Know Good (Omaha)
Stop here for incredible coffee, matcha, and breakfast sandwiches. This adorable brunchette features hand-rolled and boiled bagels.
Youngblood Coffee Roasters (Fargo)
Grab some locally roasted coffee and enjoy seasonal lattes.
Bernie’s (East Grand Forks, MN)
The star of the show! Molly Yeh’s signature restaurant showcases the Scandinavian flavors of the region while offering the best assortment of baked goods, sandwiches, soups, and more. Their patio is dog-friendly.
R Wine Bar & Kitchen (Sioux Falls)
Settle in for an incredible Italian food dinner, or be like us and grab takeout and enjoy from your cozy hotel bed! This family-owned restaurant brings Italy straight to the Midwest. The restaurant is housed inside the beautiful, historic Frank building.
Need to know
The Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel has an incredible pool—make sure to carve out some time to sunbathe and enjoy! The Jasper Hotel also has an excellent sauna for relaxing after a long drive. All three hotels are dog-friendly, so your pup can also enjoy VIP treatment along your road trip!
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