Things To Do In Grand Forks, ND

University of North Dakota students are always finding ways to enjoy their college years both on and off-campus in Grand Forks! Like a lot of college campuses, sports are a pretty big deal at UND! Cheer on the Fighting Hawks at a grueling hockey, football, or basketball game with your friends—and don’t forget to arrive early to tailgate and wear your green and white! If sports aren’t really your thing, there are tons of other activities to do on campus. The University of North Dakota offers hundreds of different student organizations and clubs to join. Whether it be lacrosse, chess club, or Greek Life. there is something for every UND student. On-campus, be sure to take advantage of the several free events for students, like concerts and theater performances at Burtness Theatre, or experience the popular North Dakota Art Museum with rotating exhibits.

Be sure to get off campus and explore Grand Forks! UND students can head to the Downtown Historic District to stroll the streets and take advantage of the many shops, restaurants, and bars downtown right by the Red River. Step outside and head to one of the many nearby parks, like Sertoma Park, where students can roam the Japanese Garden, camp, and explore the arboretum. Not too far from campus, outdoor enthusiasts can go to the Greenway-a park, which is twice the size of New York's Central Park. On top of all that, some popular highlights include watching a race at River Cities Speedway, visiting the Flood Memorial Monument, and catching a concert or sports game at the Alerus Center.

Highlights include:

Visiting the North Dakota Art Museum
Shopping and Dining in the Downtown Historic District
Exploring the Japanese Gardens
Watching a Race at River Cities Speedways

Dining/Bars

To take a break and unwind from classes, UND students like to meet up for some grab food and drinks with one another. With so many restaurants for students to chow down at and bars to party at (to forget about that midterm), it’s often hard to decide what places you and your buddies are going to want to hit up. To help you out, we made a list of some popular local spots you have to try in Grand Forks!

Best Restaurants:

The Toasted Frog
Rhombus Guys
Sky’s Restaurant
Darcy’s Cafe
Sickies Garage Burgers and Brews

Best Bars:

JL Beers
Joe Black’s Bar & Grill
Bonzer's Sandwich Pub
Blue Moose
Speedway 805 Bar & Grill

Outdoor/Recreation at the University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota Wellness Center is a very popular spot for students to engage in numerous activities together. Several intramural and club sports are offered on campus, from disc golf to badminton, soccer, and everything in between. The Wellness Center is nationally recognized for being a state-of-the-art facility. Here, students have access to the many indoor and outdoor courts and fields, a running track, climbing wall, a massive fitness facility equipped with a Zen Den, studios where you can participate in group workouts, a circuit deck, and so much more! Beyond physical health, the Wellness Center puts an emphasis on students' emotional wellness. They provide ways to lead a healthy lifestyle by offering a range of counseling services, mental health assessments, cooking classes, and much more to lead a more positive life!