Only 24 hours in Grand Forks? Do it Downtown!
From mouthwatering meals to sumptuous stays, plus soul-satisfying retail therapy and even a little art mixed in for good measure, Grand Forks always delivers. But what if you only have 24 short hours to explore this river city? That’s not a problem. Do it downtown! One of our favorite Canadians (and we have plenty) shows us how it’s done.
Road Trip Please!
The conversation always starts the same. “Are you up for a Grand Forks run?” And the answer is always the same “What time are you picking me up?”
My friend Huda is talking before she even pulls open the passenger door. She’s mulling over options of where we might have dinner, of what treats she’ll pick up at Widman’s Candy Shop and wondering if I’ve ever stayed at this new boutique hotel downtown. Clearly, she’s excited to go on our little road trip.
Afternoon Snacks, Mexican Style
In a couple hours, we’ve crossed the border and are motoring into downtown Grand Forks. We’re famished. So our first stop is a snack— Huda is very big on snacks— at Casa Mexico, an adorable family joint in East Grand Forks. We order guacamole and queso to go along with our complimentary chips and salsa. A pair of two-hand goblets of pineapple juice on ice helps wash it all down.
To walk off our snack, we had for The Greenway, an impressive open space project that snakes around the Red River. Covering over 2,000 acres, there are several parks, a campground, two golf courses, bank fishing sites, disc golf courses and 20 miles of multi-purpose trails along with shore. We pick up the paved Loop Trail and meander along Red River State Recreation Campground in Minnesota then walk over the pedestrian bridge and find ourselves in North Dakota.
At Kittsona, I find the perfect oversized hoodie that carries a shared sentiment between Manitoba and North Dakota. It reads, Get home safe on the front and Watch for deer on the back. Then we pop into Widman‘s Candy Shop where Huda loads up on sugar-free malt balls and I take a little trip to heaven with a dark chocolate covered cherry.
A Boutique Hotel and Dinner for Two
Through the doors of a building that’s over a century old is the sparkling, new Olive Ann boutique hotel. It’s posh in every way, but like everything else in Grand Forks, feels entirely neighborly. It pays homage to the First Lady of Aviation, Olive Ann Beach and her spirit is undeniably here thanks to a gallery of images and aviation touches throughout the property. We were thrilled with the nightstand clock that looks like an altimeter and the airplane shaped hooks on the wall. The art is an absolute treat!
Dinner is at Skies 322 right above our hotel, an equally upscale space with sweeping views of downtown Grand Forks. Not to be missed is the seared scallop plate that comes with a generous portion of Parmesan risotto. If you’re feeling just a little peckish, pop in between five and seven Monday to Thursday for happy hour where appetizers are $5 or $6 a plate.
We go for a downtown stroll and find ourselves on the leafy patio at Ely‘s Ivy, another culinary gem in the city. A cherry mule and watermelon gimlet are the perfect nightcaps.
Midwest Meals and More
Breakfast the next morning (yes, we’re eating again) takes us to Bernie’s over the bridge in Minnesota. The short walk is just enough time to build up an appetite for their freshly baked breads, and true Midwest offerings. Smorgasbord includes a soft-boiled egg, ham or smoked salmon, Swiss cheese, pickles, butter, jam and a deliciously dark slice of rogbrod toast. It’s impossible to leave Bernie’s without a little pink box filled with their oversized cookies, especially the sugar cookie.
We go on a morning stroll and find ourselves in front of the town square mural where taking selfies is a must. And we catch an artist putting the final touches on the downtown East Grand Forks mural that features 33 species of fish native to the Red River.
There’s a little more shopping, namely at TNT Outfitters where handbags are irresistible and The Silo Boutique where the perfect pair of jeans is in the bag,
We load up on our favorite groceries at Hugo’s downtown location (cheese, cereals and soda pop are a must for Canadian visitors). Then we grab an iced coffee for the road at Urban Stampede and head north, plotting our not so distant return to Grand Forks.
Today's blog comes from Shel Zolkewich. Shel is a writer based in Manitoba and a Forks fan. While Visit Greater Grand Forks hosted Shel's visit, all opinions are her own.