A look at Grand Forks takes you from North Dakota’s official art museum to the region’s history and a Greenway along the Red River. Hockey, theater and parks also add their own character. This makes it possible to explore the city through a wide range of interests, without limiting culture and nature to the same place.
Art, Theater and Local History
By law, the North Dakota Museum of Art is the state’s official art museum. The Grand Forks County Historical Society offers a different perspective on the past: it operates a museum complex with public exhibits and events for people of all ages. At the Myra Museum, the history on display spans from the Ice Age to the settlement period, alongside exhibits on local popular culture. Together, these stops offer different perspectives on art and history, from a broad sweep of the past to themes from everyday life in the region.
At the Empire Arts Center, visitors can experience visual art and theater. The collections include works by well-known artists such as Salvador DalĂ, Andy Warhol and Audrey Flack, as well as historical pieces dating back to Ancient Egypt. The way the exhibits are presented may change. The Empire Theatre Company has a different focus: it produces contemporary works rarely or never seen in the region. Alongside the historical collections, this gives visitors interested in contemporary art or theater another reason to explore the city’s cultural offerings.
Gardens, Play and Greenways
The Sertoma Arboretum is home to 65 different tree species, cultivated by the Grand Forks Park District’s forestry department. Also in Sertoma Park, the Japanese Garden tells a story of exchange: Awano, Japan, donated it to the Park District as part of a sister-city project. The variety of trees and the garden offer different ways to experience the park spaces—through plants in one case, and through a connection with an international partner city in the other.
In the same park, Ali’s Boundless Playground provides play opportunities for everyone, explicitly including people with disabilities. Another place to get active is the unsupervised Rydell Skatepark. Skateboards, longboards, inline skates, roller skates, bicycles and scooters are allowed; use is at your own risk. Keep these conditions in mind when planning a visit to the skatepark.
A Greenway bike trail runs along the Red River through Riverside Park. The Greenway in Grand Forks is part of a 2,200-acre area along the Red River and Red Lake River. The Greenway in Grand Forks is part of a 2,200-acre area that stretches along the Red River and Red Lake River. Since trail conditions can vary seasonally, it is a good idea to check them before setting out.
Hockey, Market and Getting There
The Ralph Engelstad Arena is home to the University of North Dakota men’s hockey team and has 11,643 seats. In the past, tours were offered by reservation, Monday through Friday at 1:30 p.m.; check before your trip to see if this offer is currently available. This keeps the arena’s connection to sports distinct from the time-sensitive information about tours.
Vendors at the Town Square Farmers Market sell spicy salsas, sweet jams and homemade baked goods. The selection changes seasonally, so check which products will be available before your visit. For travel planning, Grand Forks International Airport is an important landmark: it is the region’s air travel hub. Flight schedules and services may change, so it is worth checking your specific connection before your trip.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Grand Forks, Stark County, Barnes County, Burleigh County, Eddy County, Traill County, Williams County, Richland County
For the broader travel overview: North Dakota.
