Planning a fun family vacation doesn’t have to mean leaving your community. Why not be a tourist in your own neighborhood saving a few dollars with a fun family staycation this year?
2011 The Year of the Staycation Vacation!
Join me and other bloggers around the nation as we showcase the best of the best in our communities for a complete insiders scoop for the best family vacation hot spots giving you hundreds of ways to enjoy our city on a budget.
Today’s featured travel destination is Grand Forks North Dakota & East Grand Forks, Minnesota.
Water Park Fun in Grand Forks
Splash Park
Photo courtesy of Flickr
Cool down in one of the city’s two free out door water sprinkler-style parks. Open seasonally from 9am to 9pm with playground and picnic areas.
University Park & Elks ParkUniversity Ave & N 25th St (University) & 926 13th Ave S (Elks)
Grand Forks, ND
Phone: (701) 746-2750
Splash Park Website
Splashers of the South Seas @ Canad Inns
Want something a little more thrilling? Then stop in at the Splashers of the South Seas water park and pool at Canad Inns. Open to the public, Splashers is the largest indoor water park in North Dakota featuring a two water slides, wading pool, hot tub and a lazy river. Changing facilities and lockers are on site to keep your personal possessions secure while enjoying the fun. The hotel also has a several restaurants, an arcade and even private cabana rental. This is a FANTASTIC water park and well worth the price!
Admission – $16 ages 4 & up (public rate), $10 ages 4 & up (hotel rate), $2 for spectators, FREE children 3 & under
Dates/Times – Check their website for seasonal operating hours.
1000 S 42nd StGrand Forks, ND
Phone: (701) 772-8404
Splashers of the South Seas Website
Wine/Art Area Events
Two Fools Vineyard
Make and bottle your own wine! Vineyard grows six different types of grapes as well as some berries for a unique and delicious wine. Open Saturdays and Sundays from July through October.
12501 240th Ave SEPlummer, MN 56748.
218.465.4655
Email: [email protected]
Two Fools website
Photo courtesy of Flickr
Art and Wine Walk
Held once a month from June through October, the popular event combines the love of art and wine with a walking tour of the downtown area. A variety of local businesses showcase a variety of art pieces from sculptures to painting to everything in between. Wine samples are offered a nearly all locations along the walking tour with a Wrap Up party offering appetizers and champagne in a commemorative wine glass. Visit the Art & Wine Walk’s website to see a sample of last year’s art.
Admission/Fee – $15 for the current month’s map of participants. Only participants over 21 will receive a wristband to sample wine. Children 12 & under are free.
Date/Time – Businesses open from 1pm to 4:30pm with Wrap Up Party beginning at 5pm.
Locations – Varies every month but Wrap Up Party is located at Greater Grand Forks Visitor’s Center
Grand Cities Art Fest
Discover 145 new artists and 16 concessioners at this year’s Grand Cities Art Fest. A variety of artistic vendors from music to homemade crafts to kid art centers to traditional fine art will be on site during this fun art festival.
Admission/Fee – Free unless you buy something.
Date/Time – June 11, Saturday 10am-6pm; June 12, Sunday 10am-5pm
Location – Downtown Grand Forks at the “Town Square”. Contact 701.772.3710 : [email protected] for more information.
Find other regional art, music and theater events in the Grand Forks area.
Parks & Playgrounds around Grand Forks
Ali’s Boundless Playground
Playground created especially for the disabled but is fun for everyone.
Sertoma Park11th Avenue & 30th Street
Grand Forks, ND
Phone: (701) 746-2750
Sherlock Forrest Playground
Designed by elementary students, playground includes toddler area and is wheelchair accessible. Annual Shriner parade is scheduled for 10am June 4th.
500 Block and 4th Ave. NWEast Grand Forks, MN
Greenway Park
2,200 acres spread along the Red River and around Red Lake. Activities within park includes: bank fishing, bird watching, canoeing, kayaking, camping, 18 hole golf, driving range, disc golf, leash-free dog park, basketball courts, baseball diamonds, picnic shelters, ice skating rinks, playgrounds and trails for biking, hiking, skiing and snowmobiling. Bring your own gear or rent it (link opens pdf file). There’s even a fun labyrinth in the Community Green area of the Greenway right in downtown Grand Forks.
- Disc Golf – 2 locations: Lincoln Dr Park and the second is off Bygland Road in East Grand Forks.
- Dog Park – Lincoln Dr Park (learn more at the dog park’s website)
- Kids Parks and Playgrounds – Map to variety of locations from ice rinks to picnic shelters. There’s just too many to list. Most outdoor locations are free but some places like basketball courts and baseball diamonds may be in use for official recreational club use. Some indoor facilities like ice rinks may cost a fee for entry. Check the Greenway User Guide for more details.
Turtle River State Park
22 miles west of Grand Forks in Arvilla, the 784 acre state park is a wetland sanctuary to a wide variety of wildlife. Park activities include: camping, fishing, hiking and other outdoor activities.
Free Fishing Day, Special Event – Saturday June 4th, 6am-10pm. Check out fishing poles from TRSP visitor’s center.
Turtle Fest, Special Event – Saturday June 18th 10am-4pm. Day full of fun activities planned from minnow races, bounce house, crafts, food, music and more
Admission – Daily Entry Fee $5 or Annual Vehicle Entrance Permit $25
Turtle River State Park websiteButterfly Garden & Native Prairie Grassland
Butterfly garden and prairie land restored managed and maintained by East Grand Forks Central Middle School. Garden is designed to attract all varieties of butterflies and the prairie site includes a variety of grasses and wild flowers ideal for bird watching. Even though the site is often used as an outdoor classroom for the middle school, the public is welcome. Tours can be scheduled by contacting the school. No admission fee is mentioned.
1827 Bygland Road
East Grand Forks, MN
Phone: 218 773-9271
Lots of free fishing events can be found throughout the season.
Ryan Lake
May 22nd, 1-4pm. FREE Fishing with prizes and hot dogs for everyone. Educational stations set up throughout the area to teach kids and families about catch/release, cleaning, lures, casting and so much more.
Museum Family Fun
N
orth Dakota Museum of Art
Traveling exhibits, lectures, music concerts, workshops are a few of the things found at the ND Museum of Art. There is even a coffee shop serving lunch with free wireless internet.
Admission – free but donations are appreciated.
Date/Time: Weekdays 9am to 5pm, Weekends 1pm to 5pm
UND Campus – Grand ForksCentennial Drive
Phone: (701) 777-4195
North Dakota Museum of Art Website
Email: [email protected]
Heritage Village
Historic village aims to serve as a reminder of daily life in the Northern Red River Valley with tours of pioneer buildings, museum displays and other presentations showcasing life from the late 1800’s to the mid 1900’s.
Admission is free but donations are appreciated.
Highway 220N & 20th Street NEEast Grand Forks, MN 56721
Phone: 218 791-6764
Heritage Village website for more information.
Northern Lights Railroad Museum
See HO and N scale railroad models in operation, artifacts, memorabilia and actual rail service equipment.
Admission: $1 per adult, FREE children 12 and under.
Dates/Times: Saturdays 9am-3pm. Group tours can be scheduled during other times.
Highway 220 North & 20th Street NEEast Grand Forks, MN 56721
Phone: (218) 773-6668
Northern Lights Railroad Museum Website
Music for the Entire Family
Concert in the Gardens
Variety of regional talent performing in the sculpture garden at the UND Museum of Art from June through August.
Admission: Season tickets-$30, Advance tickets-$5, At the door-$8, FREE to children 12 and under.
Dates/Times – See the Concert in the Garden’s website for more details about each of the bands as well as a YouTube video from previous performances.
- June 21, Tuesday, 7pm – Lucy Michelle & the Velvet Lapellas
- July 5, Tuesday, 6pm – Charlie Parr with The Midnights
- July 12, Tuesday, 6pm – The David Wax Museum with Xavier Pastrano
- August 2, Tuesday, 6pm – Blind Corn Liquor Pickers with Luis Lopez III
- August 9, Tuesday, 6pm – William Elliott Whitmore with The Mystical Overtones
- August 30, Tuesday, 6pm – Hoots & Hellmouth, with Formerly Fiona
Centennial Drive
Phone: (701) 777-4195
Concert in the Garden Website
Email: [email protected]
Lots of live music performances can be found throughout the region at local bars, clubs, fairs and festivals. The Grand Forks Herald is a great place to find music events going on this weekend!
Movies – Frugal Family Fun…With the Right Plan
River Cinema 15 (Moore Family Theatres)
Located in East Grand Forks, this is my favorite movie theatre. Theater includes rocker recliner stadium seating with booster seats for small children, 15 screens, party room and free refills on soda and large popcorn. Sign up for their email newsletter to receive a coupon for free popcorn.
Admission/Pricing – view current movie listings, full menu offerings and purchase tickets online at River Cinema’s website.
- Matinee (before 6pm) – $5
- Adult evening show – $7
- Child, evening show – $5
- Add $2 for 3-D
Location – located across the street from Cabelas with lots of parking in the rear.
211 Demers AveEast Grand Forks, MN 56721
Movie Hotline: 218-399-9000
Carmike Cinema
A nice theater conveniently located on 32nd Avenue near Walmart and Columbia Mall. Carmike cinemas offer a special 2011 popcorn bucket. Buy the bucket for $15, keep it and bring it back every time you visit the theater for a popcorn refill for only $2.50. Ideal if you go to the movies a lot.
Admission – View current movie listings and purchase tickets online at Carmike 10’s webpage.
- Adult Matinee – $5
- Child Matinee – $4.50
- Adult Evening – $6.50
- Child Evening – $4.50
- Add $2.50 for 3D
- Super Bargain (4-5:30pm) $5
- Summer Kid Series (Thrs 10am) – $1/person
Grand Forks, ND 58208
Movie Hotline: 701 772-4719
Festivals & Fairs Near Grand Forks
Grand Forks County Fair
Photo courtesy of Flickr
Annual county fair is full of fun rides on the midway, interesting exhibits, live entertainment and more food than you can shake a stick at!
Admission – FREE Gate Admission but attractions and some special events require tickets. Mega Pass is an excellent value; $40 good for all rides every day of the fair but must be purchased by 6/22 at Hugo’s or Valley Dairy.
Dates/Times – June 22-26, check site for schedule of events.
Location: Grand Forks Fairgrounds on Gateway Drive
Grand Forks Count Fair webpagePotato Days
Over 17,000 people flood Barnesville, MN every year for fun family activities like mashed potato wrestling, potato carving, sacking and sculpting. There are also tons of food and fun activities for just the kids and even stuff for seniors only at the festival.
Admission: Some events and exhibits are free while others require a fee for admission.
Dates/Times – August 26 – 27, 2011. Check the Potato Days website or their Facebook page for a complete schedule of events.
Location: Barnesville Minnesota is located 20 miles east of Fargo/Moorehead
Heritage Days @ Heritage Village
Thousands attend this festival the third week of August every year. Festival buttons for adults run around $10 with kids 13 and younger free. They also hold a winter festival on the second Sunday in December.
Admissions Rates: $10 adults, FREE 13 & younger
Date/Times – August 20th – 21st, 3rd week of August
Location – visit 2010 Heritage Day’s website for an idea of what to expect during this year’s festival.
Heritage VillageHighway 220N & 20th Street NE
East Grand Forks, Minnestoa 56721
Phone: 218 791-6764
Flickr photo courtesy Tuey
Farmers Market
A farmer’s market featuring produce and vegetables as well as hand crafted art can be found from mid June to late September at the Town Square. Often there is live music and even a kiddie play area. The Town Square is completely enclosed creating a safe environment with the kids despite it’s river-side location in busy downtown.
Admission - FREE admission
Date/Times - Mid June until late September from 9am-2pm but usually everything is sold out earlier!
Third Street and DeMers Avenue Grand Forks, North DakotaE-Mail: [email protected] Phone: 218.779.1382 Town Square Farmer’s Market Website
Summer-thing Kids
Festival for kids of all ages. Building activities, painting activities, bubble activities, food activities, music activities, activities galore!
Admission – FREE for everyone
Date/Times - June 22 & 23, 5pm-8pm
Location - University Park, Grand Forks
Summer-think Kids! event pageFamily Fun Night & Chalk It Up!
Put on by the Grand Forks Park District to “thank” everyone who supports the park system all year long and celebrate National Parks and Recreation Month. Festivities include family style games, hot dogs, ice cream and even a parade. Face painting, clowns and inflatable “bounce house” style games will be on site.
Admission - Free
Date/Time – Tuesday July 26th, 5-8pm
Location – Lincoln Drive Park, Grand Forks
Down by the Riverside
Celebrate the end of summer with one last hoorah and a dip in the pool! Music, food and games will be on site for the annual celebration.
Admission - FREE
Date/Time – Thursday August 18, 5-8pm
Location - Riverside Park, Grand Forks
Marvels at the Library
Features specials guests, musician, story tellers, etc for kids of all ages. A different schedule every week. Parents should register their kids for free with the library. The library also hosts weekly story time which does not require pre-registration.
Admision - Free for kids who’s completed K-6th grade
Date/Time - Weekly June 15-August 31, 3-5pm
Location: Campbell Library
422 4th Street NorthwestEast Grand Forks, MN
Phone: (218) 773-9121 Campbell Library webpage
Rock Climbing for the Whole Family
Northern Heights Rock Gym
Indoor gym offering a huge variety of rock climbing surfaces for the beginner and the extreme expert with the facility also offering yoga, team climbing, birthday packages and other activities.
Admission Rates
- Thursday is Ladies & Student Night. $5 for ladies and high school and college students from 5pm-9pm.
- Sunday is Family Day. $10 to climb from noon to 6pm. Free harness rental and staff available for free belay classes to all climbers 13 or older!
- Regular day passes start at $10 with gear rental at $5. Memberships and per climb rates also offered. Membership benefits include one guest pass/month of membership, 1 free yoga pass, and 15% off special orders.
- Weekly yoga is Tuesday from 6pm-7pm for $5/class. No experience necessary but you need a mat.
- Short Form Friday from 7pm-8pm is FREE for regulars/members to practice 15 minutes of short form together.
Date/Time – Monday thru Friday 5pm-9pm, Saturday & Sunday Noon-5pm
1726 S Washington StreetGrand Forks, ND 58201
701 795-5085
Email: [email protected]
Northern Heights website
Racing Family Event – Just bring ear muffs!
River Cities Speedway
Friday night at the races is back and better than ever. World of Outlaw Racing is home in Grand Forks. Sprint cars, late models, modified and street stocks race at this track.
Admission – Adults $18 at the gate (Save $3 w/advanced purchase), kids 7-12 yrs old $5, kids 6 & under FREE. Family Pass saves $15 on gate price, admits 2 adults and 3 kids.
Dates/Time – Every Friday night from May 6th until Sept 16th season finale (subject to change based on weather conditions). Hot laps begin at 6:30 with racing at 7:30pm.
Location – Check their site often for updates to the schedule based on weather and current racing conditions.
300 Gateway DrivePO Box-5205
Grand Forks, North Dakota 58206
701-780-0999 River Cities Speedway website
The Red River Valley has so many unique opportunities for the family. From boating and canoeing, to snow snowmobiling and swimming, to hunting to cross country skiing, to ice skating to bicycling and birdwatching, there is something here for everyone and definitely something here to fit every budget. Summer time in the Greater Grand Forks North Dakota area is full of festivals, car shows, nature hikes and camping. Our days are spent enjoying the beautiful weather and relishing good company while the nights are filled with street dances, bon fires and live entertainment. If you’re ever in my neck of the woods, look up a few of these events.
Of course you always travel a short distance to the Twin Cities where there’s ALWAYS tons to do!
Red River Valley NOT on your vacation destination list? Stay tuned tomorrow for a nationwide listing of Budget Staycation Vacation Travel Guides from city insiders! We’re here to give you hundreds of ways to enjoy your city on a budget!
About Jenn
Wow! It sounds like there are tons of great things to do there. What a great list!
Angie @ Many Little Blessings recently posted..Summer Staycation: Madison, Wisconsin
There is TONS to do here plus another major city, Fargo, is down the road an hour. If we still need more to do, we can take a day’s drive and head over to the Twin Cities where the Mall of America and a bunch of other great sites are! I’m originally from TN but I have come to love my Minnesota home!
Thanks for stopping by Angie!
~Jenn
Thank you so much for highlighting our town! I love living here and hate it when people say ‘there’s nothing to do.’
Lots of people say that about GF but there is SOOO MUCH to do I don’t know how they can say that except maybe they really don’t WANT to do anything. lol
Thanks for stopping by today and leaving a comment!
~Jenn
Thanks so much for re-posting this one! We live here in town & its a nice reference and reminder of all that we have to offer! I learned quickly after we moved here and had 4 weeks to unpack and learn the ways of the land before we had our first visitors…it didn’t take long for us to fill up a week with activities!! We have our favorite parks (including a splash one!), we love the family evenings and the free lunch for kids during the summer is a huge hit too! We only moved here a few years ago and I have fallen in love with the town (if my family were closer we would live here forever!!)
We live about an hour north of GF and have been here for almost four years now. We love it but sometimes it would be nice if we lived closer to GF so we could take advantage of all the great things to do in town. There always seems to be something for the kiddo’s to do and if it’s not right in GF then it’s a short drive to Fargo or another close by area.
Thanks for stopping by Josephine. Glad to have someone close by reading the blog!
~Jenn