Grand Forks: Art, History and the Greenway

Art, local history, hockey and trails along the Red River give Grand Forks a variety of attractions. Your travel plans can help guide your choice of hotel: Would you most like to experience the culture, plan for a possible game or spend time outdoors?

Art, History and the Performing Arts

By law, the North Dakota Museum of Art is the official art museum of the state of North Dakota. The collections at the Empire Arts Center offer a different artistic perspective: They include works by renowned artists such as Salvador Dalí, Andy Warhol and Audrey Flack, as well as historical pieces dating back to ancient Egypt. Exhibitions may change.

To explore local history, the Grand Forks County Historical Society operates a museum complex with public exhibitions and events for all age groups. The Myra Museum covers the history of Grand Forks from the Ice Age through the settlement period and also features exhibits on local popular culture. Its historical subjects thus range from distant eras to the city’s cultural expressions.

Contemporary performing arts are also part of the cultural scene: The Empire Theatre Company produces works that are rarely or never seen in the region. If performances fit your travel plans, check the specific dates in advance.

Hockey as a Reason to Visit

The Ralph Engelstad Arena is the home venue of the University of North Dakota men’s hockey team and has 11,643 seats. Hockey is therefore a distinct focus alongside museums and theater. If a game is the reason for your trip, plan around the specific game dates.

Green Spaces and Outdoor Activities

The Sertoma Arboretum features 65 unique tree species cultivated by the Grand Forks Park District Forestry Department. It offers a distinctive look at the diversity of plants in Grand Forks.

The Japanese Garden in Sertoma Park was donated to the Grand Forks Park District by Awano, Japan, as part of a sister-city project. Also in Sertoma Park, Ali’s Boundless Playground offers play opportunities for everyone, including people with disabilities. The garden and playground appeal to different interests in the same clearly identified location.

Skateboards, longboards, inline skates, roller skates, bicycles and scooters are allowed at Rydell Skatepark. The facility is unsupervised; use is at your own risk. Keep these conditions in mind if you plan to spend time here.

The Grand Forks Greenway is part of a 2,200-acre area along the Red River and Red Lake River. A Greenway bike path runs along the Red River in Riverside Park. Trail conditions may vary seasonally.

Market and Getting There

Vendors at the Town Square Farmers Market sell spicy salsas, sweet jams and homemade baked goods. The selection changes seasonally; check what’s currently available before your trip.

Grand Forks International Airport is the region’s air travel hub. Since flight schedules and airline offerings may change, check current connections before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Grand Forks, Cavalier County, Eddy County, Richland County, Morton County, Dunn County, Traill County, Bowman County.

For the broader travel overview: North Dakota.