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ABOUT GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
A regional overview
Welcome to Grand Forks, North Dakota, where urban culture meets Midwestern charm! Nestled along the scenic Red River and located between Fargo and Winnipeg, Grand Forks provides easy access to major transportation routes, making travel a breeze.
Our thriving business community includes everything from major corporations to small-town favorites. You can expect to find your forever career in growing industries ranging from healthcare, UAS, agribusiness, manufacturing, education, government, and more. And if you’re looking to start your own business, Grand Forks is prime ground for new ideas and young entrepreneurs ready to make their mark!
Our region also boasts three top-tier colleges and universities: North Dakota’s flagship university, the University of North Dakota, Northland Community & Technical College, and the University of Minnesota Crookston. You can even find courses from Lake Region State College and Mayville University sited in our city, too. Add those to our excellent public schools, and you’re looking at a community that values learning at every age.
Experience the coolness of our community with year-round local festivals and activities. From bustling downtown events like the Downtown Street Fair to outdoor adventures along the Greenway trails, there’s something for everyone. Discover the endless possibilities in Grand Forks, where the heartland meets boundless opportunity!
The cool doesn’t end in our backyard, either. Take a look at these nine other communities that make Grand Forks County even cooler, each with their own unique attractions and personality.
TAKE A TOUR OF GRAND FORKS, ND
In greater Grand Forks, Quality of Life meets unbounded growth and development. See for yourself in this video why Grand Forks is more than a destination–it’s a place you’ll want to call home and make your own.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED WITHIN 14 MINUTES
Around here, our idea of a traffic jam is a few folks at the four-way stop waving each other on. With an average commute of only 14 minutes, there’s plenty of time to grab that morning cuppa before work or squeeze in that extra shopping trip. Whether you live in downtown Grand Forks or a nearby community, you’ll be to and from your destination before you can even finish your favorite song. That’s the beauty of the Greater Grand Forks region. Both utility and adventure await you right here in your own backyard.
Click here for Grand Forks commute and transportation info →
Beyond Forks
➊ Fargo/Moorhead
Key attractions include the Fargo Theatre, the Plains Art Museum featuring contemporary and traditional art, and the Red River Zoo, as well as the Fargo Film Festival.
❷ Devils Lake, ND
Devils Lake is known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation around the state’s largest natural lake. Key attractions include Devils Lake State Park for hiking, fishing, and birdwatching and the Lake Region Heritage Center, highlighting local history and culture.
❸ Thief River Falls, MN
Thief River Falls, known for its community spirit and outdoor activities, includes key attractions like the Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge, an outdoor mini golf course and go-kart track, Seven Clans Casino and Waterpark, and their own riverside brewery, River and Rails.
❹ Crookston, MN
Crookston is home to the University of Minnesota Crookston campus, fun seasonal events such as Ox Cart Days, and many family-fun locations like parks, Golf Courses, and sports centers.
❺ Warren, MN
Warren is a welcoming small town which claims the Marshall County Fair as well as Sky-Vu, the only drive-in movie theater within 200 miles of the Red River Valley.
❻ Red Lake Falls, MN
Red Lake Falls is a scenic town known for outdoor activities like kayaking and fishing on the Red Lake and Clearwater Rivers, as well as enjoying nature at Sportsman’s Park and the nearby Voyageur’s View Tubing & Camping.
❼ Grafton, ND
Grafton is known for its agricultural roots and close-knit community, featuring attractions like the Heritage Village and the Winter Sports Arena for skating and hockey, as well as annual events such as Summerfest with parades and live music, seasonal celebrations, and recreational activities.
❽ International Peace Garden
The International Peace Garden, located on the North Dakota-Manitoba border, is a beautiful symbol of peace between the U.S. and Canada, featuring 2,300 acres of gardens, scenic walking paths, monuments, and a conservatory filled with cacti and succulents.
❾ Icelandic State Park
Located near Cavalier, North Dakota, Icelandic State Park offers natural beauty and history with Lake Renwick for fishing and swimming, scenic trails, and the Pioneer Heritage Center, celebrating the area’s Icelandic and pioneer heritage.
❿ Itasca State Park
Located in northern Minnesota, Itasca State Park is famous as the headwaters of the Mississippi River and offers attractions like scenic hiking trails, old-growth pine forests, camping, and the opportunity to wade across the river’s source.
⓫ Bemidji, MN
Bemidji, Minnesota, known as the “First City on the Mississippi,” offers attractions like the iconic statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox and tons of outdoor activities around Lake Bemidji, including hiking, fishing, and winter sports.
⓬ Walhalla, ND
Walhalla, nestled in the scenic Pembina Gorge, offers year-round outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and snowboarding at FrostFire Park, as well as an established outdoor musical theatre experience.
⓭ Pembina Gorge
Pembina Gorge in North Dakota offers breathtaking natural beauty with activities like hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and kayaking, along with opportunities for wildlife viewing and exploring unique plant species.
⓮ Winnipeg, MB
Winnipeg, Manitoba, is known as a cultural hub with attractions like The Forks, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Assiniboine Park and Zoo, and its lively arts scene, including theaters, galleries, and festivals celebrating diverse heritages.
For information on travel requirements and proper ID, visit the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol website at www.cbp.gov.
⓯ Minneapolis/St. Paul
Minneapolis and St. Paul, known to us Forkians as “the Cities”, is an artistic and cultural mecca of the midwest with attractions such as the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Mall of America, the historic State Capitol in St. Paul, and an extensive network of parks and lakes for outdoor recreation.
⓰ Medora, MN
Medora is a charming town situated near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, known for its stunning Badlands landscapes, the Medora Musical, the historic Chateau de Mores, and pitchfork fondue.
⓱ Sioux Falls, SD
With stunning waterfalls at Falls Park, a lively downtown area with shops and restaurants, and attractions like the Sioux Falls SculptureWalk, the Great Plains Zoo, and a happening arts scene, you’ll be saying Mount Rushmore, who?
⓲ Duluth, MN
Duluth is a picturesque port city on Lake Superior, featuring attractions like the scenic Lakewalk, the historic Aerial Lift Bridge, the Great Lakes Aquarium, and numerous parks offering stunning views and outdoor activities.
Sometimes adventure beckons from beyond county lines. Once you’ve mastered the Grand Forks region, you’ll want to start discovering the rest of the surrounding area. From the crystal clear lakes of northern Minnesota to the rough landscape of the Badlands in southwest North Dakota, we’ve compiled a list of some of the cooler things to see outside of the Grand Forks region. Click around the table below to learn a little more about each location.
