Are you dating? Engaging in romantic courtship? Playing the field? In a situationship? Whatever you call it, if you want to take it to the next level, planning fun and memorable activities to do with your partner is an important part of the process.

Dating can be a pathway to deeper relationships, lasting memories, and intimacy. It can be intimidating to create an experience that’s inclusive of both you and your partner’s interests, while still giving you the freedom to showcase yourself in a fun and engaging way. Don’t worry! Greater Grand Forks has no shortage of options to enamor that special someone. Much to my grandmother’s dismay, I’ve been chosen as Grand Forks’ dating guru, and I’ve created a short list of date ideas to help make your next date your best date yet. I thought it might be helpful to separate the list between warmer and colder weather for your reading accessibility year-round. I hope you find something interesting!

Don’t let the cold keep you both cooped up. There are miles of trails for you and your partner to explore in the region! Check out Turtle River State Parks’ 11 miles of trails, or its massive sledding hill. If you don’t have access to skis, sleds, or snowshoes, they are available at no cost at the Lincoln Park warming house nestled just along on the Greenway. The Greenway has over 15 miles of groomed trails, which just so happens to be the perfect distance to have a lively discussion about your future together.

Did you catch that episode of local celebrity Molly Yeh’s Girl Meets Farm where everyone was playing a game called Broomball? It’s exactly what it sounds like. Take hockey, but without skates or sticks. Instead, you carry a “broom” and attempt to hit a small ball into the net. Check out the BroomballGF page here to stay up to date on the current season.

Do you fancy yourself a coordinated person? Great, you’ll love ice skating. Are you coordination incompetent, like me? Great, you’ll love ice skating. There’s something endearing about watching your partner fall repeatedly onto the ice; at least that’s what I’ve been told. The Grand Forks region has a plethora of options if you’re interested in an ice skating date, which you can find here.

Speaking of brooms, I’d be remiss if I didn’t include one of our region’s most popular sports. Curling has had an increase in popularity due to the USA men’s team taking home the Olympic Gold in 2018. Its interesting, mustache-wielding cast of screaming athletes and perplexing gameplay has won over the hearts of millions, and it can help you win the heart of your sweetheart, too. Check out the Grand Forks Curling Club’s website for more info.

Technically, the Northern Lights can happen year-round. It’s a little bit of an impromptu date idea, as many factors need to line up for Earth’s greatest lightshow. However, the North Dakota Northern Lights Guide will provide you with everything you need to know, as well as how to get notified if aurora borealis might occur that night. Once everything is lined up, drive to someplace with a small amount of light pollution like just along the golf course in Manvel, on a dirt road outside of Emerado, or from a bench at Turtle River State Park, and get ready for a life-altering experience. While northern lights happen during all seasons, I highly recommend a winter viewing experience. The lights will look especially stunning if reflected off a frozen body of water or clean snow. Snuggle up to your starry-eyed lover and enjoy the view. You can thank me later.

Do both you and your beloved have furry friends? It might be best to get them acquainted with one another in a neutral area where they can both explore freely, like the dog parks found at Lincoln Park. It has separate areas for large and small dogs, so your pupper can play in relative safety. If you and your fur-kiddos hit it off, head over to Half Brothers Brewing or Rhombus Brewing’s dog-friendly outdoor patio seating and relax with an ice-cold beer.

$2 is all you need to play bingo at the Grand Forks Senior Center. That $2 gets you 15 regular games and two jackpot games. More importantly, it gives you an opportunity to flex your dad joke repertoire. When the caller says “B-4”, all you have to say is “and after!” and your partner’s eyes will roll so far into the back of their head that the only vision they’ll be able to see is them spending the rest of their life with you.

In the summer months, you can find a small blue shack next to the Sorlie Bridge on the Greenway. Boathouse on the Red offers kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals for use on the Red River. Here’s a tip for dating you might be interested in, make sure to paddle upstream first, so you can float back downstream to the dock and relax, enjoying each other’s company as well as the beautiful sounds of wildlife on the Greenway.

The Grand Forks Park District offers Movies in the Park during the months of June through August. A projector screen is set up at one of their many parks, and it’s completely free to lay down a blanket and enjoy a film. They typically have food available for purchase at the event also, so you can make a dinner date out of it.

The Grand Forks Bike Share, or Grand Rides, is more than just a fantastic option for transportation; it’s also a fun date idea for those who like to stay active. It’s a dockless system, which basically means that the locks are located on the bikes themselves and can be locked or unlocked with an app on your phone. This is a great way to explore the various shops in downtown Grand Forks and East Grand Forks. Just make sure to wear a helmet and follow local road regulations.