Let’s Take a Day-cation: 4 Places Near Grand Forks for a One-Day Escape

I love a good vacation, but sometimes a week off doesn’t fit the budget, the time you have, or just the season of life you are in. After having a baby, I have found that day-cations are where it’s at. Take a whole day, soak in the tourist attractions or a local gem, and then return home to the comfort of your own bed! Here are 4 of my favorite day-cation ideas & mini-itinerary to go with it:

A classic, Fargo, North Dakota, located just 1 hour from Grand Forks and filled with so many fun activities for all ages.

Food & Drink:

• Spitfire Grill is AMAZING – has a selection of smoked meats and all-ages are welcome.
• Pounds is a quirky burger (& more) bar located in Downtown Fargo.

Experiences:

• Red River Zoo is a fun day activity for families. It is affordable and there are lots of adorable animals and events throughout the summer months.
•  Brewhalla is a unique experience to the Fargo area. It is a large “hall” that features shopping, food, and a hotel all in one. It was started by Drekker Brewing so you can find their brews there. All ages are allowed so be sure to check this one out.
• Lindenwood Park is the place to go if you are looking for a fun outdoor activity. This park is beautiful and features a Universal Playground for children of all abilities – which is the only playground like this in the area. There is a kayak launch and a walking trail that heads into Moorhead’s Gooseberry Park.

Don’t Miss:

• Red River Market – Every Saturday during the months of July-October, Downtown Fargo hosts the Red River Valley Market. This farmers market is open 10-2pm, so get there early to beat the crowds! Be sure to check out the local shopping downtown afterward.

Located about an hour north of Grand Forks, the little town of Cavalier thrives. This town may be small (pop. 1,206) but it is definitely worth the trip.

Food & Drink:

• Sparky’s Craft Coffee Roasting is a local coffee house that roasts their own coffee! You might recognize them from their booth at the Downtown Farmers Market, but be sure to stop in and make the trip to Cavalier.
• Thompson’s Cafe is the perfect small-town restaurant. They have a wide variety of meal choices to choose from, pancakes to pizza.

Experiences:

• Icelandic State Park is located right outside of Cavalier. This park has it all from fishing and swimming on Lake Renwick to hiking the Gunlogson Nature Preserve.
• Pembina County Historical Museum is a great option if you’d like to learn more about the history of the Pembina County region of North Dakota. Check out their Facebook for hours and updates.

Don’t Miss:

• Annual Cavalier Motorcycle Ride In happens every year in mid-June (usually Father’s Day Weekend) and you don’t want to miss it! 100’s of motorcycles come through this small town along with entertainment all weekend long.

Located just roughly 35 minutes over the border into Minnesota is the little town of Warren. From beautiful prairies to an old-school drive-in movie theater, this day-cation location is worth the (short) drive!

Food & Drink:

• Bully Brew Coffee has a location in Warren as well. Check them out for coffee or a yummy breakfast sandwich.

Experiences:

• Old Mill State Park is located in Argyle, MN which is only about 20 minutes from Warren. There are 7 miles of hiking trails and lots of historical pieces to look at. Catch the wildflowers in the summer months!
• SkyVu Drive In is located right outside of Warren, MN and it is a must do! It’s just like the old-school ones you see in movies and is a fun activity for all ages.

Don’t Miss:

• The Marshall County Fair is one of the best in the area. There are lots of animals to check out, great food, and of course, rides! Admission is FREE for all ages. The fair is usually the last weekend in July.

Bemidji is a bit more of a drive, roughly 2.5 hours from Grand Forks so get up early and make the most of your day! You will not regret it when you get to see what this town has to offer.

Food & Drink:

• Bemidji Brewing is a must for craft beer lovers! The vibe is super cute and the beer is top notch. Check out their tap list here.

Experiences:

• Bemidji State Park has everything you can think of when you think of Minnesota. There is hiking, swimming, fishing, bike trails and more. If you are into biking, you HAVE to check out the Paul Bunyan State trail. It is 115 miles long, so probably not do-able in a day (haha), but definitely worth it to bike a portion of it.
• Paul Bunyan and the Blue Ox statues – of course you have to check these out and snap a picture! These statues are located in the heart of downtown Bemidji right along the lake. There are trails around the lake to bike or walk, and lots of areas for a picnic.
• There is so much to do in Bemidji all year long, so be sure to check out their visitors site for more information

Don’t Miss:

• The headwaters of the Mississippi are located 25 miles south in Itasca State Park. Check out the historic landmark and walk across the Mississippi River.