Grafton, ND, is full of fun places to spend the day. Whether you want to spend time inside or outside, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are five fun ways to spend the day around Grafton, courtesy of Rydell Honda of Grand Forks.
1. Hit the Rink
Grafton has both indoor and outdoor rinks that you can visit for some fun on the ice. If you prefer to stay indoors, try out the public skating at Centennial Center. You can visit the Parks and Recreation page for a full schedule of their available public skating times. There are also hockey games that you can watch while enjoying some tasty concession food.
If you want to get outside while the weather is still cold, there are two rinks that you can visit. Schumacher Park’s Hill Avenue Outdoor Ice Rink is a great place to take your stick and puck for a pick-up game of hockey. The other rink is Leistikow Park’s Outdoor Skating Rink, which includes a warming house next to the rink. If you want to play hockey, avoid this one, as sticks and pucks are not allowed.
2. Visit a Leistikow Park
Besides being home to an outdoor rink, Leistikow Park is full of fun things to do in the winter and summer. During the winter, you can hit the cross-country ski trails. They have ski or snowshoe rentals available at the office that let you rent your equipment and then head out for the day. If you don’t want to ski, you can always take a walk as well.
Leistikow Park is also a campground where you can pitch a tent, rent a site for a recreational vehicle, or book a cabin. There are lots of options so you can book in any season.
During the warmer months, the park is home to a disk golf course and outdoor swimming pool. Visitors can also go fishing or rent water vehicles like paddle boats, canoes, and kayaks. If you enjoy sports, there is a basketball court and tennis courts.
3. Enjoy Dinner and a Show
The Strand Twin Theater is a great place to visit for a fun movie night. They have a different movie that plays on weekends, but be sure to double-check to see what’s playing before you go. They are also open during the evenings to pick up concessions as well.
Local Grafton Restaurants
Before the show, you can visit one of the local restaurants for a tasty dinner. Some of the local restaurants you can visit include Last Chance Bar and Grill, Azteca Mexican Grill, and Granny’s Family Restaurant.
4. Drive to a State Park
There are a variety of state parks that are a short distance from Grafton, ND. One of the parks nearby is Icelandic State Park. The park has many historical buildings that you can explore while enjoying the trails in the area.
The park has a variety of activities that you can enjoy in both the winter and summer months. During the colder months, you can snowshoe or cross-country ski. In the warmer months, popular activities include boating, fishing, and swimming. There are picnic areas available, as well, if you get hungry.
Gunlogson Nature Preserve
The Gunlogson Nature Preserve is also in the park and is the first dedicated state nature preserve in North Dakota. It is home to many different species of plants, birds, and wildlife that you can see.
Turtle River State Park
Another state park in the area is the Turtle River State Park. This park lies along the Turtle River. While it shares a variety of similar activities to the Icelandic State Park like cross-country skiing and hiking, it also offers visitors the chance to enjoy mountain biking and sledding. If you enjoy fly-fishing, the river is also full of trout and is a great place to try your hand at catching a fish.
Turtle River State Park is home to over 12 miles of trails along the river, so there are also many places to explore.
If you decide that you want to stay the night, both state parks have campgrounds and cabin rentals available.
5. Visit Grand Forks
Grand Forks is less than an hour from Grafton, ND. If you decide to head to Grand Forks, you have many ways you can spend your day. Whether you want to visit an indoor water park and spend the day splashing in the water, go shopping, find a new burger joint, or spend time outside, there is something for everyone in Grand Forks.
Splasher’s of the South Seas
If want to spend the day playing in the water, Splasher’s of the South Seas is an indoor water park, complete with water slides, a lazy river, and other water experiences. It’s a great and fun way to cool off in the summer. And, as a heated water park, you can also stay warm there in the winter months.
Columbia and Grand Cities Mall
If shopping is more up your alley, the Columbia Mall features a lot of specialty stores, all in one place. Grand Cities Mall is also a great place to visit and has an array of locally owned businesses.
Grand Forks is also full of opportunities to spend time outside. If you are interested in golf, visiting local parks, or looking for opportunities for outdoor adventures, there is no shortage of fun to be had outside. Be sure to check out the Visiting Grand Forks website for a complete list of available activities.
Contact Rydell Honda of Grand Forks
Whether you want to stay in Grafton or explore the surrounding area, there are plenty of ways you can spend the day having fun. These are just five of many things that you can do for fun around Grafton. What is something you like to do for fun in the area? We at Rydell Honda of Grand Forks would love to hear from you!
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