Visit this bustling North Dakota city on the famous Red River that’s known for its fishing, hunting, golfing and butterfly garden.
Lose yourself in this North Dakotan treasure to see the art, adventure and hunting opportunities of deep North America. Grand Forks is a city on the Red River, 145 miles (233 kilometers) south of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Come for the golf courses, cycling trails and fishing by the river, and for the friendly and relaxed charm of the locals.
Downtown Grand Forks is laid out in a grid pattern that makes navigating on foot or by car easy. Start the day with breakfast at one of the many cafés and bakeries in the center of town. Shop for clothes and trinkets at the Grand Forks Marketplace.
See some of the region’s finest art at Browning Arts or the Campbell Library. Don’t miss the Empire Arts Center, which hosts music and theater and displays original artworks from greats such as Andy Warhol. Families with children should visit the Northern Air Family Fun Center, a park with more than 90 trampolines.
Visit the Butterfly Garden and Native Prairie Grassland to the southeast of Downtown. A 25,000-square-foot (2,323-square-meter) garden attracts many different butterfly species, while the 30 acres (12 hectares) of prairie is home to wild flowers and birds. Go hiking, bird watching and picnicking.
Play a game of tennis or try sport shooting at the Abbott Sports Complex or have a hit in one of the city’s many golf courses. Go canoeing down the Red River or rent a bicycle and ride the 10-mile (16-kilometer) North Star trail. This track will take you on a scenic loop through flatlands and past the streams of the Turtle River State Park. In the cold northern winter, this trail transforms into a popular cross-country skiing circuit.
North Dakotans are known for their love of hunting. Book a quail or elk hunting tour through the wilds around Grand Forks. At sunset, sit on the banks of the Red River with a drink and a fishing rod and enjoy the picturesque country that characterizes North Dakota.