The downtown area of the city of Grand Forks stretches from the fork of the Red River and the Red Lake River, till the area a little below the Division Avenue. A neighborhood rich in history, the downtown area is where the first major business and commercial communities of Grand Forks settled and prospered. The commercial prosperity led to the construction of several buildings that have come to be treasured. Although the area received a blow after the 1997 floods, it has revived and risen from this setback, and is, today, a tourist hub because of the multitude of shopping, dining and entertainment destinations that have sprouted here.
Commemorating the floods of 1997, the Flood Memorial Monument is a reminder of the tragic past. Located by the Red River and close to historic downtown of the city, the monument is made of twelve towering plaques listing the details of the catastrophe chronologically. The serene environs add a somber charm to the monument.
A refurbished gymnasium, the North Dakota Museum of Art is one of the few cultural spaces in the Great Plains which strives to preserve and present art to the people. Designed by Harvey Harshour, this 16,000 square foot venue as been gloriously designed with natural skylights and shaded windows. Stop by at their cafe to sample some of the delicious soups and sandwiches. Free Wifi is available for the researchers and students.
Constructed in the early 20th century, the St Michaels Church is a landmark place of worship in North Dakota. Famous for its Romanesque architecture, the facade is made up of red bricks with warm-hued interiors lending a soothing and calming effect. The church hosts multiple events open to all.
Sertoma Park is a beautifully designed park that is visited for several types of recreational activities. There are several biking trails and even walking trails within the park area. You can drop in and have a nice lunch at one of their many picnic tables. Meditation rooms and play equipment is also available within the park.
This multi-purpose venue is located on the campus of the University of North Dakota. This large stadium can accommodate over 11,400 visitors. The University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux hockey team is based here. Apart from these games, other sporting events and concerts are also held at various times during the year. Parking is available for 2,500 vehicles on-site, and for another 1,500 vehicles in the neighborhood.
Originally a movie house, the structure was renovated and turned into a gallery and a venue for plays and live music. The gallery houses work of some eminent painters and also showcases prominent changing works of national and international artists.
River Cities Speedway is an iconic racetrack based in Grand Forks. The track measures up to 0.3 miles (0.5 kilometers) and witnesses several races during the racing season of April to September.
A lovely local park that offers multiple spaces for sports. The most prominent is the volleyball pit which can be accessed via reservations. The park is popularly known among soccer enthusiasts.
This amusement park welcomes both adults and children for their share of fun and thrill on the water rides. The park is spacious and consists of a variety of rides. You can also head to one of the several pool areas for a relaxing time.