Season of Love: Date Ideas Across Greater Grand Forks

Starting with options on the South End of Grand Forks, this part of town has a lot to offer in terms of a date night. For the thrill seekers, Northern Air Action Park’s indoor go-kart track is a great way to get into the competitive spirit and test your skills together. Their building also features a trampoline park, arcade, axe-throwing, and laser tag. If you’re looking for a more relaxed setting to have some fun, Red Ray Lanes Bowling Alley or Splasher’s of the South Seas are both great options with lots to offer. The south end of Grand Forks is a hot spot in town for dinner options, with a variety of options to make your date night perfect. Charras and Tequila, or House of Punjab, are fantastic choices if you’re looking for local cuisine. Other sit-down options, such as Texas Roadhouse or Olive Garden, are also available. If you and your date are looking to end the night with a sweet treat, be sure to swing by Cold Stone Creamery or Culver’s and grab some ice cream. There are so many options to mix and match on the South End, making it easier to plan the perfect date!

Traveling up to the North End of town, there’s another great selection of date activities to choose from. For an outdoorsy date, make plans to visit University Park, a fantastic spot all year round! One of my favorite spots to go ice skating during the winter months, the outdoor rink is well-lit and spacious, making it a great option for skaters of any skill level. In the warmer months, University Park is a great place to take a walk, practice yoga, or rollerblade. If you and your date happen to be art lovers, plan a trip to the North Dakota Museum of Art to see what they have on display. They even have their own cafe, so you and your date can grab a bite to eat while taking in the local art scene. Of course, the North End of town is also home to the Ralph Engelstad Arena, where you and your date can catch a hockey game or concert, depending on the time of year. There are plenty of options for food on the North End, including Speedway Bar & Grill, Northside Cafe, and the Broken Drum Bar & Grill. If you and your date are looking for an activity and dinner all in one spot, check out Dogmahal DogHaus/Ojata Records. They have lots of great food, mostly hot dog variations, and a huge selection of records, comics, and video games. It’s a great local hangout spot with super-friendly staff and lots to explore. The North End of town is full of character and charm, making it a great area to plan a date!

Downtown Grand Forks is a great area to plan a date night, with plenty of options for activities and food. O’Really’s Irish Pub and Brick & Barley’s Bar & Restaurant each have bingo and trivia nights each week, and other bars have similar events to enjoy as well. Their social media pages are certainly the best way to find events that interest you and your date, especially when it comes to figuring out when pub crawls are happening in Grand Forks. Downtown Axe is another great place to go if you want to get competitive with your date, and their location doubles as a bar with pizza and popcorn available for guests. If you and your date are looking for a bite to eat, Downtown Grand Forks has a lot of diverse options at various price points. Harry’s Steakhouse, Skies 322, and The Toasted Frog are incredible sit-down restaurants with unique menus and a fancy vibe for the perfect date night. If you’re looking for something on the more casual side, check out Kaizen, Rhombus Guys Pizza, or the Hub Pub. No matter your date night vibe, Downtown Grand Forks is a fantastic place for you and your date to have a fun time!

The date night options don’t end once you cross the river into East Grand Forks! River Cinema is an obvious choice for a traditional movie night date, offering a wide variety of movie options and showtimes. If you’re looking for a more active date option, East Grand Forks is home to many indoor and outdoor ice rinks to enjoy during the winter months. In terms of dinner options, I personally feel that the East Side is home to some of the best local eateries in the area. The Blue Moose Bar & Grill is a long-time local favorite and is somewhere my boyfriend and I frequent quite often. Up North Pizza Pub is another great option if you’re looking to support a local business, and their pizza is some of the best in town. While we’re on the topic of pizza, I have to mention Mike’s Pizza & Pub, another local business that is unique to East Grand Forks. Complete with an ice cream bar and an arcade, it’s definitely a spot with lots to offer. Another great spot to end a date night, or go on a date in general, is Cherry Berry! They have lots of soft-serve and sorbet options for you and your date to enjoy, and the self-serve topping bar makes the experience even more fun.