Fall For It: 5 Things to Do in Grand Forks during Fall

My first experience with fall was back in 2009 when I went to Korea for school. Coming from a tropical weather country I thought winter would be my favorite season but nope. Fall it is! The color of leaves changing with perfect breeze and not-so-cold weather is something only fall can deliver. The smells of pumpkins and apple cider that drift through retail stores filled with fall décor make the season cozy and cheerful. I love all the pumpkin decorations and fill up my house with as much pumpkin as I can! Besides pumpkin décor, here are some of my favorite fall activities:

What is fall without a trip to the pumpkin patch? This is one of my and my husband’s fall activities and now that we have our little one, it’s become an annual trip. Last year marked my son’s first experience at the pumpkin patch and enjoyed it so much we can’t wait to go again this year. Pumpkin patches are not only full of pumpkins, but so many other activities, too. The best part is there’s a little something for everyone! Two pumpkin patch places that are close by the City of Grand Forks are Nelson’s Pumpkin Patch and Patch on Point.

Nelson’s Pumpkin Patch is in Emerado near the Grand Forks Air Force Base. Bonus – if you have a fall birthday, they have an amazing party room to rent. In 2022 they open on September 10 and close for the season October 29. They offer activities for small kids like a petting zoo or a train ride in cars shaped like bees. Bigger kids can target practice at the country corn cannon, jump around in the jack-o’-lantern bounce house, and play games like “Conk the Crow”, “Pumpkin Pitch” and “Stuff the Scarecrow”. If you’re looking for a whole family adventure, tour the country scenery in a hayride, go figure out the Spookley’s corn maze, get ready for minor frights in the haunted house, and finish off the day with family photos that include a picturesque sunflower or pumpkiny background. These just some of the activities offered so you definitely need to go and check it out for yourself. Before you leave don’t forget to pick up your pumpkins!

Patch on Point can be found just over the border in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. They open for the season September 17 and shut down October 23. Every Saturday, they offer a different special activity. Open weekend included goat yoga! They also will have magic shows, a Halloween dance show, and more. Be sure to check out their Facebook or website for all these special events. Kiddos can gallivant on a pony ride or barrel train ride, and play games. Make sure you come hungry because they often host delicious food trucks. Probably the best thing are the horse-drawn wagon rides, so be sure to hop on board with your family before you pick up pumpkins!

With the color of leaves changing in the Grand Forks region, photo backgrounds couldn’t get better. You can hire a professional photographer if you want some snaps of your family, or just do it yourself! Our favorite spot for our family photo is Sertoma Japanese Garden. With a playground and picnic tables, it’s the perfect place to enjoy the autumn colors, take a walk, have a little picnic with your family, and have a little photo session.

Farming is not something new to those who grew up Grand Forks, but that doesn’t mean all of us who live here now have even come close to a tractor or farm equipment. If you haven’t, this would be the weekend for you to come out and get up-close and personal with big ol’ farming machines, climb around, and take some pictures. This will be the best weekend for the tractor enthusiasts of all ages! Don’t worry – this isn’t the only activity to do. You can enjoy a 15-acre corn maze, a corn box (think sandbox, but filled with corn kernels), a giant slide, a grain wagon train, and giant yard games, just to name few. Your day will be full with all these activities you can’t find any other time of the year. This is your chance. One weekend only, people!

It wouldn’t be fall for kiddos without trick or treating. Who doesn’t want to go around and have candies dropped in your bowl? I know I wish I was a kid! There are few businesses and malls in town that have trick or treat events like Scheels, Grand Cities Mall, and Cabela’s, to name few. Follow their Facebook pages to learn exact times for trick or treat events. While kids enjoying eating candy, what’s in it for the parents? The cute costumes, of course! If your crafty side is itching to create something, a Halloween costume is a fun activity for you and your kids to do together!

When I think about fall from my kitchen, all I can think is pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, and apple cider! If you are like me and love to bake and cook, now is the time for you to try all new fall recipes. I like to just google recipes and try the ones with good reviews. My favorite recipe is this Easy Pumpkin Bread, I usually add some chocolate chips and dried cranberries!

I know I’m ready for Fall to come and can’t wait to explore all these activities! Hope you guys are just as excited as I am!