History Buffs

Enjoy breakfast at Darcy’s Café, a local landmark

Legendary diner serving homemade Midwestern classics like cinnamon roll pancakes, corned beef hash, knoephla soup, fleischkuekle and a variety of hotdish specials.

Time estimate: 45 minutes

Explore the Grand Forks County Historical Society Grounds

The Myra Museum was constructed in 1976 for the Grand Forks County Historical Society, with funds from the Myra Foundation. Its architecture reflects the Gothic Revival style of the Campbell House. The Myra Foundation is the legacy of John Myra (1857-1939), a pioneer of Emerado, North Dakota, who operated a lumber business and farm implement dealership and was a major landowner in Grand Forks County. At the time of his death there were no natural heirs to his estate, and so the Myra Foundation was created to fund charitable and educational activities within Grand Forks County. Within the Myra Museum, one will find exhibits representing a wide range of Grand Forks' history from the Ice Age to the settlement period, along with local trends in popular culture.

The Grand Forks County Historical Society's grounds and its first restored building were made possible by the descendants of Thomas D. Campbell. In 1875, Campbell's father, also named Thomas, and his mother, Almira, homesteaded south of the cluster of buildings going up around a post office that had been erected near the Red River. The senior Campbell built a log cabin on his claim, where in 1882 his son, Thomas D., later known as America's "wheat king," was born. In the 1890s the cabin was incorporated into a classic Gothic Revival house. The family donated this house, three acres of land and $12,000 for restoration. It opened in 1971, dedicated to the memory of Almira Campbell and all pioneer women.

Since then, six other museum buildings have been moved to or erected on the grounds. Among them are the original log Post Office, the city's oldest building; the Myra Museum, constructed in 1975 to house the society's growing collection; and most recently the Lustron House, a unique steel-fabricated home emblematic of the years immediately after World War II.

Estimated time: 2 1/2 hours

Lunch at Rhombus Guys Brewing Company

Located in the historic Metropolitan Opera House, Rhombus Guys Brewing Company, along with its owners Matt and Arron, really know how to make some iconic ales. This 15-barrel brewhouse serves up its version of popular styles including ambers, IPAs, pales, sours and stouts. The kitchen also produces great eats like fresh Angus burgers, bangers and mash, Scotch eggs, and the tastiest fried Brussels sprouts this side of Belgium. Beer (in delicious dairy form) also plays a starring role in many of their dishes: homemade pretzels with beer cheese dip, pub fries smothered in pulled pork and beer cheese and a bacon mac 'n' beer cheese that'll really rock your taste buds! Rhombus now also offers a weekend brunch with lots of eggcellent offerings.

Estimated time: 1 hour

Learn some hockey history with a tour of the Ralph Engelstad Arena

With the only Division I hockey team in the state, the University of North Dakota boasts a magnificent $100+ million arena. The 400,000-square-foot, five-story arena with seating for 11,406 is truly the envy of the NCAA. The main lobby area has ticket sales, a pro shop and complete "Sioux Tradition" museum. The arena hosts family shows, concerts, ice events and NoDak Hockey.

Estimated time: 1 1/2 hours

Wrap up the day with dinner at Ely’s Ivy

One of Downtown's upscale restaurants, Ely's Ivy serves a variety of cocktails, wine, beer and uniquely delicious dishes like shrimp and grit croquettes, mushroom leek risotto, bacon yam gnocchi and a grilled teres major beef tenderloin topped with their special in-house steak sauce.

Estimated time: 2 hours