Part of our North Dakota guide.
Grand Forks, North Dakota, offers five distinct ways to explore its character: six unique museums, eight luxurious resorts, eight scenic road trips, nine outdoor markets, and ten romantic getaways. This guide gathers our coverage of each, so you can plan your visit around the city’s specific strengths.
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6 Unique Museums To Explore In Grand Forks, North Dakota
Grand Forks’ museums cover everything from aviation to art. The North Dakota Museum of Art, housed in a historic downtown building, features rotating contemporary exhibitions. The Grand Forks County Historical Society’s Myra Museum and the 1906 Campbell House offer a deeper look at pioneer life, while the Grand Forks Air Force Base’s aviation museum displays restored aircraft and wartime memorabilia. The Children’s Museum’s interactive exhibits make learning feel like play, and the local heritage center’s collection of railroad and agricultural artifacts ties the story together. These six spots trace how the city grew from a fur-trading post into a modern university town.
8 Luxurious Resorts To Stay In Grand Forks, North Dakota
Grand Forks’ resorts offer a comfortable base with amenities like indoor pools, spas, and fine dining. The Canad Inns Destination Centre, with its attached water park, is a family favorite, while the Hilton Garden Inn and the Grand Forks Sheraton provide upscale rooms and easy highway access. For a quieter stay, the C’Mon Inn’s courtyard suites and the Comfort Inn’s business-friendly setup cater to different needs. The Element Hotel, near the Alerus Center, brings a modern, eco-conscious touch. Each of these eight properties delivers a different flavor of luxury, so you can match your stay to your travel style—whether that means a full-service resort or a boutique suite with a fireplace.
8 Breathtaking Road Trips In Grand Forks, North Dakota
Grand Forks sits at the edge of the Red River Valley, and the roads leading out of town open onto wide skies and quiet countryside. One classic route follows the Red River north toward Oslo, Minnesota, with river overlooks and small-town cafes along the way. Another heads west to the Pembina Gorge, where hiking and the outdoors meet dramatic badlands formations. For a longer excursion, the drive to the International Peace Garden on the Canadian border takes about two hours, and the loop through the Sheyenne National Grassland to the south offers prairie wildflowers and historic sites. Each of the eight routes is doable in a day, though some reward an overnight stop. Pack a camera—the sunsets over the flat horizon are the real payoff.
9 Outdoor Markets To Shop In Grand Forks, North Dakota
The town’s outdoor markets are where locals stock up on produce, baked goods, and handmade crafts. The Town Square Farmers Market, held Wednesdays and Saturdays from late June through October, anchors the scene with over 40 vendors. The Grand Forks Farmers Market at the Alerus Center parking lot runs on Tuesdays, while the East Grand Forks Market on the Minnesota side draws a crowd with its live music and food trucks. The Red River Market and the weekly craft fairs at the Grand Cities Mall offer everything from honey to pottery. These nine markets rotate with the seasons, so check what’s open before you go—winter months see most of them shut down, though a few indoor winter markets pick up the slack.
10 Romantic Getaways In Grand Forks, North Dakota
For couples, Grand Forks’ appeal lies in its quiet corners: a candlelit dinner at the Toasted Frog, a stroll along the Greenway’s river paths, or a night at a bed-and-breakfast like the historic White House B&B. The city’s proximity to the Red River makes it easy to find a secluded spot for a picnic, and the nearby town of Oslo offers a charming day trip. The scenic byway to the Pembina Gorge doubles as a romantic drive, especially in autumn. The ten getaways range from a spa afternoon at the Grand Forks Salon & Spa to a sunset cruise on the Red River. Book ahead on weekends—these spots fill up fast.
