Plan a Night Out in Grafton, ND

Grand Forks, North Dakota, is a bustling metropolis nestled in the Red River Valley. It's home to the University of North Dakota and the GF Air Force Base. With its Greenway and ideal location along the river, the city has plenty of outdoor activities and great family-friendly entertainment. There are lovely parks with space to run and play for the younger children. A water park provides even more excitement, especially on a hot summer day. As your children get older, you can take them to local museums, explore the historic downtown, or even catch a race at River Cities Speedway. more There are many fun activities in Grand Forks for kids and adults alike. And if you find yourself in need of transportation to explore the city of Grand Forks, consider visiting Rydell Outlet for your next vehicle purchase. As a trusted part of the Grand Forks community, we're an excellent choice when shopping for a family car. So pack a picnic, grab your family, and head out to one of the fun family activities here in Grand Forks. Splasher's of the South Seas Located in the Canad Inn on 42nd Street, Splasher's of the South Seas is an expansive indoor water park for all ages. The 40,000-square-foot park has many ride and slide options, including a cannon bowl slide, kiddie pool, lazy river, and activity pool. While the kids play, there's also an adult hot tub for you to rest and relax. And when you need a break from the water, grab food and play some games at Garbonzo's Pizza & Arcade. Pricing varies by age and package, and the park's hours also change each day (and differ for hotel guests). The Greenway Photo via Pixabay by rzierik The Greenway is a massive outdoor green belt with so many family activities that it deserves its page! But we'll focus on some of our favorite family-friendly fun there for now. In total, the site is a 2,200-acre linear corridor of open space. While its primary purpose is flood protection for the Greater Grand Forks area, it also provides ample space for outdoor activities. You can visit the Greenway for hiking, swimming, cycling, fishing, golfing, and more during the summer. They even have an off-leash dog park, so you don't have to leave the family pet at home. Further, once winter arrives, so does the snow in North Dakota. Interestingly, the Greenway doesn't close for the season. They have trails for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling and areas for ice skating and sledding. The options are endless for family fun in nature at the Greenway. And be sure to check out their calendar for special upcoming events. River Cities Speedway River Cities Speedway is a high-banked dirt track — promising different races — that attracts thousands of people every Friday night. Featured cars include NOSA 410 Sprint Cars, NLRA Late Models, Midwest Mods, and Street Stocks. They also have special kids activities, including a candy toss and meet and greet in the pit after the race, where kids can get trading cards and autographs from the drivers. River's races are often on Fridays, but check their schedule for details. Grand Forks Historic District If you have kids who enjoy going on walks with you, consider taking them along for a tour of historic downtown Grand Forks. There are plenty of places to stop and take a break, as well as shops and eateries to slip into if it gets too hot. Downtown Grand Forks also hosts tons of fun events throughout the year, such as trivia nights at local restaurants, live music and shows, street fairs, and more. Check out their event calendar to find something the whole family will enjoy. Butterfly Garden and Native Prairie Grassland Photo via Pixabay by Nikiko The Butterfly Garden and Native Prairie Grassland at Central Middle School is an incredible destination for kids keen on nature. Plants, trees, grasses, and flowers were chosen specifically to attract butterflies and other essential pollinators, forming a glorious mini-habitat of winged insects. The native prairie site is an excellent location for bird-watching as well. The restored area is 30 acres, with 25,000 square feet dedicated to the butterfly garden. Sherlock Forest Playground If you have younger kids who love to climb, slide, and play, consider an afternoon in East Grand Forks at Sherlock Forest Playground. Sherlock Forest is a unique and expansive playground that includes classic playground equipment, such as slides and swings, with more original designs, tunnels, toys, and interactive games. The garden was designed by junior architects from local schools, which gives the park an even more authentic charm. Elks Pool and Spray Park On hot summer days, there's nothing better than jumping into a fantastic pool. Luckily, Elks Pool and Spray Park are affordable and open to the public, making this experience even more attractive. The pool and park are available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. throughout the summer months. This timetable occasionally varies, so be sure to check their schedule before visiting. Day passes range from $1.50 to $4.00, with season and group also available. Dakota Lanes Bowling is a fun, competitive activity for kids and adults alike. Along Route 2, you'll find Dakota Lanes at the Grand Forks Air Force Base just outside of town. In addition to traditional bowling, the facility also has Cosmic Bowling on Friday and Saturday nights. A visit here also promises lunch and bowl combo meals as well as special group packages for your child's next birthday party. Have a Safe and Fun-Filled Time in Grand Forks We hope this list has provided you with some fun ideas for family-friendly activities in the Grand Forks area. Whether you're looking forward to knocking down some pins or swinging at the playground, there's something here for everyone. But before you head out for your next family adventure, don't forget to get your car serviced, so you're safe and prepared for the road ahead. Did we miss your favorite local activity? Let us know!

The town of Thompson is home to Rydell Outlet Center, our used car dealership where you can find a quality used car at an affordable price. After you've purchased your next car from us, we want you to have a good time exploring the area and finding places to take your partner on a date. more Thompson may not have a lot of places to go on a date, but Grand Forks has plenty of great options for the two of you to go for something fun to do. Following is a list of fun date ideas you can find in the area while driving in your new-to-you car. Boathouse on the Red Image via Flickr by RichardBH | License CC by 2.0 Boathouse on the Red, also known as Red River Boathouse, offers reasonably priced adventures on the Red River via canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard. Take a canoe for two and paddle down the river to watch wildlife do its thing, enjoy the calm of gently drifting near the riverbanks, or take an adventure camp that challenges your physical fitness. The activities offered by Boathouse on the Red are perfect for bonding exercises that help you get to know your date better. It's also a great way to blow off the stress of the week. All activities offered by the boathouse include experts in physical fitness who are there to help people enjoy themselves without getting hurt. The expected outcome from an experience or adventure includes expanding your introspection, responsibility, verbal communication, and ability to help others out during a tight situation. Of course, there's always the opportunity to rent a watercraft and enjoy the simplicity of life with a date on the Red River. Sakura Japanese Steakhouse Looking for something out of the ordinary in farm country? Sakura Japanese Steakhouse in Grand Forks delivers authentic Japanese dishes and fusions. Start out with an appetizer of crab meat and cream cheese stuffed in jalapenos, then fried up with tempura and served with eel sauce and spicy mayo for a perfect fusion. Then make your way to a bowl of tonkotsu ramen featuring bamboo soup, noodles, fish cake, scallion, seasoned egg, and pork chashiu. Sakura's sushi menu is extensive and is full of delicious flavor combinations prepared in traditional Japanese fashion along with popular American-style sushi options. The hibachi dinner menu has multiple protein options that please all palates and are made with Japanese-influenced flavors. Finish off your date experience with a glass of boba tea or some mochi ice cream. Sakura Japanese Steakhouse offers authentic flavors and dishes that excite and delight with their origins in another country. JL Beers Sometimes you just want to sit down in a restaurant and not be challenged by the menu. When you and your date feel the same way, head to JL Beers in Grand Forks. This award-winning restaurant is known around the area for simple, yet delicious food and drinks that deliver comfortable satisfaction when you're finished. The menu states at the top that its "ingredients come from someone's backyard," ensuring that your food is made from the freshest available ingredients. The menu features burgers that go by the name of the Humpty Dumpty, Mt. Mushmore, Totally Slawesome, Smokey the Beer, and more. Fries, chips, and pretzels with dips are available to complement your choice of entree. The beer menu features local brews, national favorites, and import brands to round out the selection. JL Beers is about the burgers and the brews, but not much else, and there's nothing wrong with that when it comes to good eating. Lew Flynn's Red Ray Lanes Grand Forks Lew Flynn's Red Ray Lanes is a vintage bowling alley that's a great place for doing something different on a date night as long as you make sure to go on a non-league night. All of your games are tracked on old-school CRT monitors using software that dates back to the 1980s. Make sure to bowl during the cosmic night for a total 80s flashback experience. Other bowling experiences include laser bowling and extreme bowling to help change up the experience. Once you're done throwing strikes on the lanes, and hopefully not with your date, stop by the Kegler Lounge for a drink or two. The bowling alley is open from early in the morning to late at night during the week, and it's open even later on the weekend. It's a great atmosphere for a casual date and gives both of you something to do when there's not much in the way of other activities available. Lotus Yoga Yoga is a meditative exercise style that is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. Lotus Yoga offers a wide variety of classes that anyone can execute regardless of whether they're a beginner or expert. It's a great place to come with a date to try out yoga as a shared experience and compare notes on the physical and mental journey each of you went on. The studio also offers dance exercise classes in case you want to do something different to get your blood pumping and your body moving. Not sure where to start with yoga? Lotus Yoga can help you decide which type of yoga is right for you and your date. The ultimate goal of Lotus Yoga is to help participants release stress, let their minds relax, and allow energy to move freely through their bodies. You don't have to commit to classes if you don't want to, making Lotus Yoga a great place for a date and a shared experience. So there you have our list of five fun date ideas to do in the area around Thompson that explore the available options that are on and off the beaten path. Do you feel we missed something that should be included in the list? Drop us a line to let us know, and we'll be sure to include your favorite destination for a date. Meanwhile, come see us at the Rydell Outlet Center to get your next set of affordable wheels.

If you live in the Fargo or Grand Forks area and are looking for something to do you'll find many events throughout the year that can be fun for the whole family. Summer festivals bring communities together, while holiday fairs offer a chance to support local makers while shopping for gifts. From outdoor activities like skiing and car shows to indoor theater shows and holiday markets, there is something for everyone no matter your interests. Whatever the season, there's plenty going on in eastern North Dakota. Here are some of the top annual events you might want to check out. more noteaser Greenway Ski Day Happening each year in February, Grand Forks' Greenway Ski Day is a fun way to get outside, get active, and enjoy some winter fun with your friends. This free event takes place at Lincoln Drive Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities include skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, ice skating, and more. Kids will love participating in the cardboard sled race which happens at 2 p.m. You can build your own cardboard sled with materials from the Ski and Bike shop which can be picked up before the event. This shop also provided some complementary equipment for the Ski Day. Art on the Red A staple of Grand Forks since 2001, Art on the Red takes place on the second weekend in June. It usually takes place downtown along the Red River, but some recent years it's been held at University Park due to ongoing construction. At Art on the Red, you can shop from 100 vendors selling all kinds of quality goods from handmade jewelry, rugs, pottery, paintings, and delicious food. It attracts the best of North Dakota's artists, artisans, and food vendors, as well as musical acts from around the country. There are also kids' activities making this a great day out for the whole family. Grand Forks Downtown Street Fair The Downtown Street Fair in Grand Forks happens on a Friday and Saturday in August. You can find everything here from fresh produce to food carts, to handmade crafts and other products. Throughout the fair there are busking musicians, live portrait artists, and kids activities, making it a fun weekend experience for the whole family. The hours on Friday are from noon to 8 p.m. for street vendors, while food vendors operate until 10 p.m. On Saturday the Street Fair starts at 9 a.m. Come early to get the best local produce and avoid the afternoon crowds. Rydell Car Show Image via Flickr by recubejim CC BY-SA 2.0 The Rydell Annual Benefit Car and Bike Show takes place in late September in Grand Forks at the Rydell Dealership at 2700 South Washington Street. This is a benefit show that raises money for local charities. Each year a charity is chosen by the Rydell employees, and up to $40,000 is matched, as well as all the donations going to the recipient, no expenses taken out. This event has been taking place here since 2007 and is still going strong, and in that time has raised over 700,000 in benefits for the community. This full-day event starts with registration and coffee and rolls for participants who want to display their vehicles at 8 a.m. At 11 a.m. the car show opens to the public and goes on until 4 p.m. At the Rydell Annual Benefit Car and Bike Show, you can expect to see a range of fun and cars, trucks, and bikes, including corvettes, street rods, muscle cars, unique custom vehicles, international imports, rat rods, classic cars, and more. There's also a silent auction of donated prizes with the proceeds going to the charity or organization that has been chosen to benefit. North Dakota Human Rights Film Festival The North Dakota Human Rights Film Festival and Summit happens in November and takes place at several locations in Fargo as well as at satellite screenings around the state. Now in its fifth year, you can attend the festival in person or via virtual cinemas. There will be morning seminars and educational workshops held at the Plains Art Museum, followed by afternoon film screenings and discussions at the Fargo Theatre. Films will cover important topics about local and worldwide human rights issues, showcased through the narrative as well as documentary films both feature-length and short, with awards for various categories. Christkindlmarkt Fargo's popular German Christmas Market, the Christkindlmarkt, happens in late November at the Fargo Civic Center. It runs from Thursday evening through Sunday, with live music each day. Performances take place in the Bier Hall and include modern pop and rock, bluegrass and country, traditional polkas, German music, and of course, holiday favorites. There is also a ballet performance with scenes from the holiday classic "The Nutcracker," and a holiday performance with aerial silks. Family activities include photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and storybook readings with the West Fargo Public Library in the Entryway Lounge. In the Christkindlmarkt you'll find a food hall with food vendors serving up German fare that smells like Christmas should along with hot drinks to help you warm up from a cold November day in North Dakota. The Sweet Shop provides all the sweet treats you and the kids could need. When you're fueled up head to the Vendor Village to get a start on your holiday shopping. The Winter Wonderland is where you'll find Santa and his team, as well as the carolers where you can gather around fire pits to enjoy the festive singing. There are so many community events throughout the year in Eastern North Dakota. Whatever the season you can find something fun to plan for that both adults and kids can look forward to. If you're looking for some yearly activities to attend we at Rydell Outlet Center hope you have found this list helpful. Have you been to any of these events already? Drop us a line and tell us which is your favorite annual event in the Fargo or Grand Forks areas. Have we piqued your interest with any on this list?