A Winter Day Exploring Downtown Forks!

As an East Grand Forks native, it’s easy to forget just how much there is to do without having to leave the area! From delicious places to sit down for a meal, to unique shopping experiences, to iconic locations, there’s so much to enjoy. In this article, I’ll walk you through what I think the ideal day spent exploring (or rediscovering) the iconic Greater Grand Forks downtown area would look like!

To start your morning, I recommend finding some food to fuel the rest of your day. My personal favorite spot is Urban Stampede, a vibrant, artsy, and reasonably priced option with something for everyone to enjoy. Their Sweet Hazel bagel (Nutella-covered bagel topped with strawberries) and Mechanical Bulls are my go-to combo for any time of day. For other breakfast or brunch options downtown, you could check out The Ember Coffeehouse, Skies 322, or Ely’s Ivy! On the Eastside, Bernie’s and Bully Brew Coffee offer great selections. No matter where you end up, don’t be afraid to try new foods and take advice from the workers (they know all the best-kept secrets).

Once you’ve fueled up for the day, it’s time to hit the shops! Both downtown Grand Forks and East Grand Forks have plenty of options to indulge in retail therapy. If you’re looking to update your wardrobe, the Silo Boutique and Pretty B. have amazing selections for every occasion. Before crossing the river, check out Widman’s Candy Shop and grab some of their famous chippers (and a free sample)! On the Eastside of Downtown, there are lots of fun things to see inside the iconic Cabela’s (including a fully stocked fish tank), making it a fun stop to add to your exploration. Right across the street, Bleu Goods Boutique and TNT Outfitters are two more great places to shop for new wardrobe pieces. Even if you don’t want to spend a lot of money, each of these locations has its own unique vibe and friendly staff, making it worth the stop!

After hitting the shops, head over to River Cinema in East Grand Forks to catch an afternoon movie! They have a variety of movie showtimes throughout the week, and if you feel fancy, they offer luxury recliners and premium large-format showings for certain films. Personally, I’m a sucker for a medium popcorn paired with a large cherry slushy, and I never go to the theater without a throw blanket! Especially during the winter months, seeing a movie is a great way to warm up and relax. If you happen to be doing your downtown exploration on a Tuesday, River Cinema offers a $5 movie deal on all movies, for all ages, at any time of the day! As the last traditional movie theater in Greater Grand Forks, River Cinema offers a nostalgic movie-viewing experience and has a special place in many of our hearts.

Now that you’ve relaxed at the movies and enjoyed some theater snacks, it’s time to get up on your feet and maybe even enjoy the outdoors before the sun goes down! If you’ve got a pair of ice skates, bring them with you on your exploration because you won’t want to miss out on the outdoor ice rink in Grand Forks Town Square. If skating isn’t your vibe, but you still want to spend some time outside, bundle up and head out for a walk on the Greenway. Cold weather not really your vibe? Lotus Yoga and Core Collective both have indoor locations in downtown Grand Forks and host a variety of class styles at different times each day. These locations have at least one shower (and shower products) available, so you don’t have to worry about being sweaty for the rest of the evening. Even on the coldest days of the year, I’m a huge advocate for moving your body and finding innovative ways to stay active!

To end your day the same way that you started, it’s time to find another spot and settle down for dinner! No matter which side of the river you end up on, there are so many options for a delicious end-of-day meal. On the Eastside, some of my favorite spots include The Blue Moose Bar & Grill and Up North Pizza Pub. Blue Moose’s salmon and angel hair pasta is one of my favorite dishes in town! Heading across the river, I would recommend trying out the Toasted Frog or Kaizen Sushi and Ramen. Even though I’ve lived in the area for most of my life, I never really tried many of the restaurants in downtown Grand Forks until recently, because I usually ended up on the south end of town. If you see a restaurant that catches your eye, but you’ve never tried before, don’t shy away from giving it a shot!

With this layout in mind, I challenge all of you to head out into the downtown area and explore it yourselves! No matter your budget, the amount of time you have, or your interests, there’s truly a combination of downtown activities for everyone to enjoy. I hope to see some of you around downtown this winter!