•  FARGO, N.D. (AP) -- It's a good time to be a North Dakotan. An oil boom in the west has fueled an economic surge, the locals' frugal nature helped to prevent any housing bubble, and the threat of global warming looks like an attractive option for the chilly climate. So why not visit the state's largest city, Fargo? With just over 100,000 people, this city on the eastern edge of the state offers local culture with a good dose of pride and quirkiness. You'll need a car to get around, but let's face it: If you're in Fargo, you probably drove here.
•  THE WOOD CHIPPER
•  To the chagrin of some residents, the Coen brothers put Fargo on the pop-culture map with their dark comedy "Fargo." But the town has begun to embrace its place in cinematic history. Now the movie's most gruesome prop -- the wood chipper, complete with a fake foot sticking out -- is on display at the Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center, just off Interstate 94. Film fans will also find a copy of the screenplay and some extra ear-flapped hats to wear for a photo-op. Want to hear that famous accent? Staff are happy to oblige with a heartfelt, "Yah, sure, you betcha!"
•  THE FLOODS
•  Fargo isn't just known for the movie, it's also notorious for the floods. Every spring, the Red River becomes a potential menace as snowmelt and rain push the muddy waterway over its banks. If you're visiting then, prepare to help sandbag. But at other times visitors can stroll along the dike and see a giant gauge of the high water marks (not including the most recent record set in 2009 of 40.8 feet or 12.4 meters). Nearby is a farmer's market and biking paths. In the winter, visit the other slope of the dike for one of the best sledding hills in an otherwise flat town.

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