Grand Forks, North Dakota, takes pride in harboring some of the best colleges and universities in the U.S. These institutions include The University of North Dakota, which opened six years before North Dakota was established as a state. Every year, thousands of students visit this city to start their college life. While these students come from different states, they all have something in common — finding a hangout to unwind after a long day of studies.
If you want to start your college life in this vibrant city, you can meet and make new friends in the following hangouts.
Herd and Horns
Herd and Horns is located at North Dakota State University. This bar is decorated with brick walls and reclaimed wood accents, giving it a unique decor. You’ll also see bison sculptures, decorated horns, and students adorned in gold and green attire.
The main items on the menu in this bar and grill include burgers, bison, and beer. You will also find tacos, soups, salads, and different types of mac and cheese. The restaurant also takes pride in having an outdoor eating area and serving vegan-friendly dishes. Semi-private rooms are also available for group and club member meetings.
Besides food, this restaurant also features dart boards, pool, arcade games, and shuffle games. Trivia and bingo are also available at least once a week, giving you something to look forward to. This restaurant also features strategically positioned televisions, making it a favorite hangout spot for students who love watching sports in a comfortable atmosphere.
Location: 1414 12th Ave N., Fargo, ND
Sertoma Park
Located only 0.8 miles from The University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, Sertoma Park provides students and locals with a tranquil environment for unwinding after lectures. This park stretches 22 acres across a natural landscape with several bodies of water. Sertoma Park provides amusement parks, poetry boxes, public art, restrooms, picnic areas, 11 shelters, and play equipment. It also has biking and walking trails located inside and around the park.
Sertoma Park is also home to eight playgrounds, but perhaps the most phenomenal one is Ali’s Boundless Playground, designed to serve people of all abilities. The park also offers tennis and sand volleyball courts.
Sertoma Park is also home to the Japanese Gardens awarded to Grand Forks by its sister city in Awano, Japan. This garden is famous for its picturesque rock allotment that forms a serene meditation area. This garden also has three lanterns made of natural granite rocks. Each of these lanterns has a name and a significant meaning in life.
Location: 3300 11th Ave. South, Grand Forks, ND 58201
Albatross Indoor Golf Club
Located just 40 minutes from Mayville State University, the Albatross Indoor Golf Club is an ideal chilling spot for students seeking a unique golfing experience. This indoor arena features realistic golf simulators that allow you to hit real balls with clubs. You will, however, follow the ball on a realistic screen. The simulators also allow you to play over 50 courses from different parts of the world, including Harbour Town Pebble Beach, St. Andrews, TPC Sawgrass.
You will get golf lessons from PGA Teaching Professionals and a trackman at the arena if you need in-depth swing analysis. The simulators also allow you to practice hitting a bull’s-eye or shatter a pane of glass.
You can also take a break to relish pizza and snacks, along with alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. Besides, you can enjoy a private meeting with your friends in a rental venue and chit-chat about your golfing experience.
Location: 2800 S. Columbia Road, Space 232, Grand Forks, ND 58201
River Cinema 15
Located in downtown Grand Forks, River Cinema 15 provides you with a perfect study break and a great way to spend a romantic moment with your partner. This locally owned movie theater houses 15 rooms that play different movies. It also offers a wide assortment of movie snacks, including soda, popcorn, pretzels, hot dogs, slushies, and Dippin’ Dots. Patrons who are of legal drinking age also get to enjoy alcoholic drinks.
The River Cinema 15 also has several theaters with luxury seats featuring reclining and heating capabilities to make your session more comfortable. The theater also collaborates with universities such as UND to provide students with free movie tickets.
Location: 211 Demers Ave. # 4, East Grand Forks, MN 56721
Red Pepper At Campus Place
If you want to relish a hearty meal, try out Red Pepper At Campus Place, located just a few minutes from University Avenue. This restaurant was established in 1989 and is synonymous with mouthwatering delicacies. Some of their dishes have recipes that have not been altered for decades, giving patrons the original taste.
Savor the famous grinder by taking a sub bun and adding turkey or ham, lettuce, a squirt of hot sauce, salami, Swiss cheese, and taco meat. To top it off, add the restaurant’s secret creamy white sauce. This restaurant also serves hard and soft shell tacos, bean burritos, enchilada, and tostadas.
You can enjoy your food in the restaurant’s large sitting area with your friends. Red Pepper At Campus Place also features ample parking space.
Location: 1011 University Ave., Grand Forks, ND 58203
Tea and Crepe
When the sun is scorching and you’re looking for a place to cool off, try Tea and Crepe. This restaurant is located on Demers Avenue in downtown Grand Forks, and true to its name, it sells milk teas, assorted crepes, and Thai rolled ice cream. In addition, it offers appetizers that you can enjoy when you are a little hungrier.
Besides delicious beverages and appetizers, this eatery offers an upbeat environment where students engage in a little fun to relax their minds. It also provides a couple of games that you and your friends can play to pass the time.
Location: 307 Demers Ave., Grand Forks, ND 58201
There you have it; these are six of the best college hangouts in and around Grand Forks where you can spend quality time with friends when you need to break away from your studies for a little while. These places include bars, grills, and restaurants, as well as indoor and outdoor spaces. If you have other suggestions that we may have left out, please know Rydell Outlet Center so that we can help more college students find a place to hang out.
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