Grand Forks
Around Grand Forks
Photo: Glorioussandwich · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · North Dakota · 104k people
Grand Forks
Locals say Grand Cities · “The Forks”
Where the prairie meets the river.
UND Fighting Hawks Green
Welcome to the Grand Cities, where the prairie meets the river and hockey is a way of life. Whether you're here for the fishing, the festivals, or just the friendly folks, you'll find plenty to love.
Clubs for Grand Forks
No clubs for Grand Forks yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Grand Forks. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Grand Forks. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Ralph Engelstad Arena Home of UND Fighting Hawks hockey, known for its grand architecture.
- Alerus Center Convention center and arena hosting concerts, trade shows, and events.
- Red River Greenway A network of trails and parks along the Red River, popular for walking and biking.
- University of North Dakota campus Historic campus with landmarks like the Chester Fritz Auditorium and the UND School of Medicine.
- Devils Lake A large natural lake, a hub for fishing and water recreation.
- Grand Forks Downtown The historic core with shops, restaurants, and the Empire Arts Center.
- Outdoors Ice fishing on Devils Lake
- Outdoors Bike or walk the Red River Greenway
- With kids Camping at Red River State Recreation Area
- With kids Visiting the Grand Forks Farmers Market
- Evenings Catch a show at the Empire Arts Center
- Evenings Bar hop on University Avenue
- Locals love Ice fishing houses
- Locals love Grain elevators
Through the year
- Potato Bowl USA September College football game and festival celebrating the potato harvest.
- Grand Forks County Fair July Annual fair with rides, livestock, and local food.
- Polar Fest February Winter celebration with ice sculptures, games, and outdoor fun.
- Devils Lake Ice Fishing Tournament January Competitive ice fishing event on Devils Lake.
- The Big One November Craft and gift fair featuring local artisans.
The Grand Cities have a continental climate with harsh winters and warm summers. The best time to be out is from late spring to early fall. Best: Summer, from June to August, is ideal for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “UND”
- The University of North Dakota.
- “The Ralph”
- Ralph Engelstad Arena.
- “The breeze”
- A term for the cold, windy weather.
- “Out in the country”
- A local way to say 'a long distance'.
Getaways
- Fargo Explore downtown Fargo and the Red River Zoo
- Detroit Lakes Lake resort town with beaches and summer festivals
- Bemidji Gateway to the north woods, Paul Bunyan statues
- Jamestown Home to the National Buffalo Museum
Local flavour
Teams
- University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks NCAA Division I
- University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles NCAA Division II
Also rooting for Minnesota Vikings (NFL), Minnesota Twins (MLB), Minnesota Wild (NHL), Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA)
Eat and drink
- Knoephla soup German-Russian dumpling soup, a local staple.
- Lefse Norwegian flatbread, common at family gatherings.
- Walleye Freshwater fish from the Red River and lakes.
- Hotdish Casserole, a Midwestern comfort food.
Where people go
- Ice fishing houses Temporary shelters on frozen lakes, a winter tradition.
- Grain elevators Iconic silhouettes on the prairie skyline.
- Red River Greenway A riverside trail system connecting the two cities.
- Ralph Engelstad Arena The landmark home of UND hockey.
- Prairie and farmland Endless fields of wheat and sugar beets.
Heritage and traditions
Grand Forks and the surrounding Red River Valley take pride in their resilient spirit, shaped by the 1997 flood and rebuilt with strong Scandinavian and Ukrainian roots, along with a deep love for hockey and the outdoors.
This time of year in Grand Forks
- Waterfowl hunting season Fall Hunters flock to the prairie potholes for ducks and geese.
Say it like a local: “You betcha” — Yes, certainly
Festivals
- Ox Cart Days July Crookston's summer celebration of pioneer history with a parade, music, and food.
- Ukrainian Cultural Festival September Devils Lake's celebration of Ukrainian heritage with traditional dance, food, and pysanky.
- Fort Totten Days August Living history at Fort Totten State Historic Site with military reenactments and Native American culture.
- Scandinavian Festival June Grand Forks' Heritage Village hosts Nordic music, food, and crafts.
- Heritage Days July East Grand Forks' community festival with a parade, live music, and family activities.
Landmarks with a story
- Fort Totten State Historic Site A 19th-century military post that later served as a boarding school for Native American children.
- Ukrainian Cultural Institute In Devils Lake, preserving Ukrainian heritage with artifacts, archives, and exhibits.
- St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church A historic church in Devils Lake serving the Ukrainian community with traditional liturgy and iconography.
- Grand Forks County Courthouse Beaux-Arts style courthouse built in 1912, a downtown landmark.
- North Dakota Museum of Art Located on the UND campus, showcasing contemporary and regional art.
- Grand Forks Downtown Historic District Rebuilt after the 1997 flood, with early 20th-century architecture and new public spaces.
Food traditions
- Ukrainian perogies and borscht Brought by Ukrainian immigrants to the Devils Lake area, these are comfort foods at family gatherings and church events.
- Chokecherry jelly Made from wild chokecherries that grow along the river valleys; a sweet-tart prairie treat.
- Kuchen A German-Russian fruit or cream pie, often served at community events and holidays.
- Lutefisk Norwegian dried fish reconstituted in lye, a traditional Christmas dish for many Scandinavian families.
- Krumkake A thin, waffle-like Norwegian cookie rolled into a cone, popular during the holidays.
Music and arts
- Scandinavian folk music and dance Norwegian and Swedish traditions, including fiddle music and folk dances, are kept alive at festivals.
- Ukrainian dance and pysanky Devils Lake's Ukrainian community performs traditional dances and decorates Easter eggs.
- Polka music German-Russian and Czech influences bring polka to community halls and festivals.
- North Dakota Museum of Art A contemporary art museum on the UND campus with rotating exhibits.
A little history
- 1997 1997 Red River Flood
- 1870s Founding of Grand Forks
- late 1800s Ukrainian immigration to Devils Lake
- 1950s Grand Forks Air Force Base established
- 1883 University of North Dakota founded
Rivalries
- UND vs. NDSU The Fighting Hawks and Bison rivalry, especially in football and hockey.
- Grand Forks vs. East Grand Forks Friendly cross-river rivalry in high school sports.
- Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers NFL loyalties split between the two teams.
- Game day UND Fighting Hawks hockey games
- Game day High school hockey rivalries
- Outdoors Snowmobiling on the Red River Valley
- Outdoors Birdwatching at Kellys Slough
- With kids Children's Museum of Grand Forks
- With kids Ice skating at outdoor rinks
People speak with a Northern Plains accent, influenced by Scandinavian and German heritage. Common phrases include 'Uff da' for surprise, 'You betcha' for agreement, and 'Hotdish' for casserole.
Only here
- The city was rebuilt after the 1997 flood, with a new downtown and greenway.
- The UND Fighting Hawks hockey team has a devoted following, with a state-of-the-art arena.
- Devils Lake is the largest natural lake in North Dakota, and its water level fluctuates dramatically.
- The region has a high concentration of Ukrainian descendants, especially around Devils Lake.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace winter: invest in a good coat and try ice fishing on Devils Lake.
- Learn to pronounce 'Grand Forks' with a flat 'a' and a strong 'r'.
- Understand the flood risk; know the dike system and evacuation routes.
- Try local foods: knoephla soup, lefse, and hotdish at a community café.
- Get involved in hockey culture; attend a Fighting Hawks game at the Ralph.
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Nearby
Every areaGraftonNorth DakotaWhere the prairie meets the river, and the sky goes on forever.Thief River FallsMinnesotaWhere the prairie meets the north woods, and the coffee is always on.MahnomenMinnesotaWhere the prairie winds meet the pinesFargo–MoorheadNorth DakotaWhere the prairie meets the Red RiverValley CityNorth DakotaWhere the prairie meets the river and neighbors are family.Pembina ValleyManitobaWhere golden fields meet the valley’s quiet hills.Detroit LakesMinnesotaWhere the lakes meet the pines, every season feels like home.WinklerManitobaWhere the prairies meet the valley, and hospitality blooms.
Grand Forks, ND-MN. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.