Grand Forks Mom Era: A Guide to Surviving and Thriving as a New Mom in Grand Forks

I’ve lived in the Grand Forks Area for about 10 years now, but in the past year I became a new mom which has helped me discover Grand Forks from a new point of view. Being a parent is tough work (and I am no expert) but here is what I have learned from my “mom era.” Through this article I am going to share my favorite mom-friendly activities, eats, shops and where to find other mom’s in the community.

1. For the outdoorsy mom

Depending on the time of year, be sure to take advantage of the Greenway! There are 20 miles of paved trails right in our backyard so take advantage of this. You don’t need a fancy stroller to enjoy the trails as they are all paved & kept clean all year round. Find yourself a stroller on Facebook Marketplace (seriously, there’s SO many for cheap in the area – buying second-hand has been a big budget hack for me) or ask for one on your registry!

2. For the mom with active kids

There 32 different parks to choose from in Grand Forks. Head to the Grand Forks Parks Department for the full list. Here are my top 3 parks: University Park, Sherlock Park (East Grand Forks) and Lincoln Park. If you just have a newborn, maybe the park might not be your thing, but both University Park and Lincoln Park have lots of walking paved trails if you want to change up your daily walk from the Greenway.

3. For the rainy (or snowy) days

It’s no lie that Grand Forks is not known for its beautiful weather everyday so sometimes we have to switch things up to get out of the house. Here are a couple of fun ideas to do when the weather is not great and you want to get out of the house.

• Take a tour of the Ralph Engelstad Arena! It’s fairly cheap costing only $12 per adult, $ 6 for kids 5+ and free for kids under 5. Spend about an hour walking around one of Grand Forks finest establishments and see what the building looks like on a non-event day. You’re sure to learn something new. Strollers are welcome and tours run from Monday-Friday at 1:30pm.
• Explore your local library! The Grand Forks Public Library and East Grand Forks Public Library have fun activities for kids. If you are a Grand Forks resident there is no cost to becoming a member, if you live outside of Grand Forks County, it costs $25 a year. If you are a resident of EGF it is free to become a member of the EGF Library, otherwise it is $20 for non-residents. The EGF library has a calendar of activities, including a sensory play date which is so fun for littles! The Grand Forks library has a fun summer reading club, tons of other programs, and even has playground inside!
• Take a walk around Grand Cities Mall or Choice Fitness. Want to still get those steps in but its -25 outside? Grand Cities Mall allows you to walk for no cost daily and strollers are allowed. There is also a playground in the center of the mall for kids to enjoy. Choice Health and Fitness has a walking track above the work out area that you can use for a fee, strollers are allowed but just be sure to double check at the front desk.

1. For the foodie

While most restaurants are fairly accommodating for people with kids, I’ve found a few of my favorites in the community.

• First, a classic, but the Blue Moose. This has something for everyone on the menu and it has a spacious family section. There is rarely a long wait for food, so it is easy to squeeze in a quick bite to eat in between naps (iykyk).
• Second, Charras is our go-to for if we are craving some good Mexican food. They have a large family section, and even will set up a car seat holder for you if you ask! Seriously, this was the most consistent restaurant in town to offer this when we had our son in his carrier and it was a game-changer. They are also insanely fast so it’s perfect if you just want to get out of the house for less than an hour.
• Last, Up North Pizza. We love our pizza in our household but I think Up North takes the cake when we are going out with our son. The booths are large enough to fit a car seat with plenty of room to spare and the wait is usually fairly quick. We have always been big fans of their pizza selection as well. While it can tend to get a little on the louder side, it almost works as white-noise for infants. Our son slept through it most of the times we went there when he was little-little.

2. For the Coffee Lover

Caffeine is a MUST when you are a new mom. While Starbucks & Caribou are easy because of the drive through, it’s important to support local! I always looked at getting a coffee as an “event” for the day on maternity leave, giving me a reason to dress cute and get out of the house. My top three locals:

• Bully Brew – both the EGF and GF locations have a spacious seating area. They also have great breakfast and lunch sandwiches. The Zu is my favorite.
• The Happy Camper – this has to be my favorite place “in” town. The menu changes with the season and they serve açaí bowls. They travel all over the Grand Forks community but are pretty regularity at the Farmers Market on Saturday’s. The owner is also a fairly new mom! Check out their Insta for the schedule.
• Urban Stampede – Love this place. They are so welcoming of literally everyone. Strollers are allowed inside and even well-behaved dogs. The door is a bit tricky though with a stroller, just a heads up.

1. For the mom on a budget

Once Upon a Child–hands down! If you have the time to look through all the racks, this place is SO worth it. You can find name-brand clothing for half the price. As I said earlier, shopping second-hand is a big budget hack because having kids is not cheap! Once you are done with the clothing or your kid grows out of it, they will also PAY YOU for your gently-used clothes. Just make sure you bring it in a plastic tote and not a bag or cardboard box.

2. For the trendy mom

If cost is not a worry for you, then Scheels is a great option. They have brand name clothing for babies & toddlers. Scheels is also local to North Dakota and employee owned, so a great option if that is important to you.

3. For the sporty mom

Looking for the best UND merchandise for your little one? Check out the Sioux Shop! They offer sizes Newborn-5T for little kids. There are even jerseys for your baby! Definitely worth a stop at the Ralph Engelstad Arena. They are open on a regular basis (not just game-days!) Check out siouxshop.com for hours & more.

This is definitely where I struggle the most in motherhood. Finding time to make friends as an adult is hard in general, now throw in a newborn or young child to the mix – near impossible. But it is do-able & it is important! Here’s what I have found successful:

1. Join a Facebook group

There are a couple to choose from Grand Forks Moms Club & Greater Grand Forks Mothers and Maidens are the two I am a member of. They post good tips and tricks and other life hacks. It’s also a great way to get to know people in your community. Remember to ALWAYS meet in a public place for the first time though!!

2. Join an activity

Choice Fitness has a seasonal program guide on their home page with options of fun things for kids to do. This is a great way to meet other moms with similar aged kids in your community.

3. Daycare moms

If you are a working mom then you need to find a good daycare (get on a waitlist the second your see that plus sign on your pregnancy test — I’m kidding but also not). Talk to the other parents there during drop off and just go out of your comfort zone to ask for a play date.