Sitting at the fork of the Red River and Red Lake River, which meanders through the heart of the city, Grand Forks has been an important trading place on the Great Plains since the 1740s. As one of the largest cities in North Dakota, Grand Forks is the most prominent metropolis of the Red River Valley, which is one of the world’s flattest areas. The city is a centre for arts, sports and entertainment, offering plenty of recreational activities for its 50,000 residents so book your flight if you would like to participate in it all. Throughout the city’s large number of parks you can find a wide variety of sports facilities, including skating rinks, hockey rinks, soccer fields and basketball courts. Sports fans will be drawn to the city’s two indoor athletic arenas, the Ralph Engelstad Arena and the Betty Englestad Sioux Centre, where University of North Dakota sports teams compete in hockey, basketball and volleyball. If you prefer a more peaceful setting, the Greater Grand Forks Greenway gives visitors the opportunity to relax or enjoy outdoor activities, like cycling, walking or rollerblading in plenty of green space that runs along the Red River and Red Lake River. Alongside the many parks, picnic areas and playgrounds, there is also the Lincoln Golf Course and a camping ground. Grand Forks is also a great place for keen cyclists and the greater city area offers 43 miles (69 km) of bicycle tracks to explore. The Rural Bicycle Loop is an excellent way to discover the city and neighbouring cities, providing 100 miles (160 km) of paved track. For a more scenic route, you can try the North Star Trail, which leads through the woods of Turtle River State Park.
The city has an excellent bus service that runs throughout the city area. There are also several taxi companies that operate within the city. To travel long distance to other cities, you can take a train from the train station on the edge of town.
Grand Forks International Airport (GFK) is the Red River Valley’s main airport and is located 15 minutes’ drive west of the city. There are several taxi companies that can be booked to pick you up from the airport for a transfer into the city. You can also hire a car from several major car rental companies at the airport. Some hotels also provide an airport shuttle service.