4 Fun Things to Do in Thompson

Deciding whether to buy or lease a vehicle is one that many individuals encounter at some point in their lives. Both options have their advantages and drawbacks. It's essential to carefully consider your priorities before making a choice. There are many pros and cons of buying and leasing a vehicle, and various factors that can influence your decision. Ultimately, the choice you make should align with your financial situation, lifestyle, and long-term goals. Defining these goals can ensure that you get the most out of your investment in a mode of transportation. more Buying a Vehicle Advantages of Buying a Vehicle Ownership and Equity: When you buy a vehicle, you become the owner. This means the vehicle is an asset that you fully own once the auto loan is fully paid off. Your vehicle builds equity with each monthly payment, which means you are investing in an asset that can hold value over time. You can tap into this equity if you decide to sell or trade in the vehicle. No Mileage Restrictions: You can have unlimited driving with no mileage restrictions when you own the vehicle. You have the freedom to drive as much as you want without worrying about exceeding any limits or incurring extra charges. Personalization: As the owner, you have the liberty to make any customizations or modifications to your vehicle to suit your preferences and needs. As a result, you can paint it, upgrade the sound system, or add aftermarket accessories. Disadvantages of Buying a Vehicle Higher Initial Costs: Buying a vehicle typically requires a significant downpayment, which can be a large upfront expense. The initial cost can strain your finances, making it challenging for some buyers. You can apply for financing through our website. Value Depreciation: Vehicles lose value over time due to factors like wear and tear, mileage, and market fluctuations. When you buy a vehicle, you bear the full brunt of this depreciation, which can result in a substantial loss in resale value. Maintenance Costs: As the vehicle owner, you are responsible for all maintenance and repair costs. Over time, these expenses can add up, especially if the vehicle experiences significant issues or requires major repairs. Leasing a Vehicle Advantages of Leasing a Vehicle Lower Monthly Payments: Lease payments are typically lower than loan payments for the same vehicle. This can make it more affordable for individuals with tighter budgets to drive a newer car. You can use our payment calculator to estimate your monthly payment. New Vehicles Regularly: Leasing Allows you to drive a brand-new car every few years. This means you are consistently driving a vehicle that's under warranty, which can minimize repair costs. Limited Repair Costs: Most lease agreements include warranty coverage for the duration of the lease. This means that you can be protected from unexpected repair costs as long as you stay within the terms of the warranty. Disadvantages of Leasing a Vehicle No Ownership: When you lease a vehicle, you are essentially renting it for a specific period. While leasing, you do not build equity, and at the end of the lease term, you do not own the vehicle. Mileage Restrictions: Lease contracts come with mileage restrictions that typically range from 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year. If you exceed these limits, it can result in costly excess mileage fees. Limited Customization: Leased vehicles often have restrictions on modifications and customizations. You may not be able to make significant changes to the car's appearance or performance. Making Your Decision Consider Your Lifestyle Consideration: When deciding between buying and leasing, consider your daily driving habits and plans for the next three years. Buying: Ideal for those who prefer long-term ownership and driving without restrictions. Leasing: Suiting for those who want a new car every few years, with lower monthly payments, and minimal repair hassles. Financial Evaluation Budget: Determine what you can comfortably afford in terms of down payment and monthly expenses. buying often requires a higher initial budget while leasing offers lower initial costs. Long-term Goals: Consider your long-term financial goals. Buying may provide a more significant investment over time, while leasing offers short-term affordability. Whether to buy or lease a car involves careful consideration of these pros and cons, as well as your individual preferences and financial situation. Take the time to evaluate your priorities, conduct research, and consult with a financial advisor if needed. Your choice should align with your needs, ensuring that your next car is a perfect fit for your life on the road. Contact us at Rydell Chevrolet GMC in Grand Forks, North Dakota with any questions you may have.

Traveling for the holidays can feel completely overwhelming, especially when you're trying to find the perfect accommodations. Staying in a hotel can sometimes be frustrating, especially if you're a light sleeper who wakes easily when people open and close nearby doors. Sometimes your best bet might be to find a condo, duplex, or home that you can rent. Luckily, if you find yourself in the Thompson, North Dakota, area, you can stay at one of these six perfect holiday vacation rentals. more Comfortable Condo Image via Flickr by SFU - Communications & Marketing CC by 2.0 Found in Grand Forks, this one-bedroom condo is close to the University of North Dakota and the Alerus Center. The condo includes a queen bed and sleeper sofa as well as access to a hot tub, indoor pool, and 24-hour fitness center. Use the free Wi-Fi and curl up to watch your favorite shows on the flatscreen television. Heading into the kitchen you'll find a dishwasher, stove, microwave, refrigerator, and coffee maker. Complimentary parking is available along with self-serve guest laundry facilities. Guest Suite Basement Apartment This comfortable guest suite basement apartment in Grand Forks sits directly below the owner's main house. When you arrive, you'll walk through the shared laundry area that includes a bathroom and shower stall. From there, you'll find the private entrance to your guest suite. Straight ahead is the living room, which includes workout equipment you're welcome to use. The apartment also includes a kitchenette for all your cooking needs. The bedroom with a walk-in closet is to the right of the kitchenette which includes a queen bed and an air mattress. After a long day celebrating the holidays, unwind and watch some television with access to Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, HULU, Netflix, and Roku. The apartment also includes fast Wi-Fi with 52 Mbps. Families will enjoy the board games available, and those traveling with infants or toddlers can use the high chair and travel crib. If you're bringing a vehicle, you can park in the driveway or utilize the free street parking. Longer-term stays are available if you are planning to be in the area for a while. Historic Brick Duplex Found near Riverside Park, this historic brick duplex is fully furnished and well maintained. You'll have access to two bedrooms, both with queen beds, and one bathroom in this second-floor apartment. The balcony overlooks the backyard, and since the home is on a corner lot, you can gaze out at the nearby park. Its kitchen is completely stocked with dinnerware and cookware and includes a refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, stove, oven, and coffee maker. Curl up with a blanket in front of the indoor fireplace and the 48-inch television. You can also use the free washer and dryer in the building. Park your vehicle in the on-site garage or use the free street parking. For your convenience, the owners allow you to drop off or store luggage if you have an early arrival or late departure. Long-term stays are allowed. Charming Two-Bedroom Home Situated near the University of North Dakota's campus in Grand Forks, this two-bedroom, two-bathroom home is in a quiet neighborhood within walking distance of several restaurants, bars, and stores. Each bedroom has a queen bed, and the kitchen includes a refrigerator, oven, stove, microwave, coffee maker, as well as dinnerware and cookware. A full-size washer and dryer are available for you to use. Wi-Fi speed is up to 100 Mbps, so up to two people can connect as many as six devices. If you need a little time to decompress, catch up on some shows on the smart television. Parking is available on the street for free; otherwise, you can park your vehicle in the private garage for an additional fee. Also, depending on the weather, you can use one of the included bicycles and ride around the area. Long-term rentals are available. The Keeper's Inn This one-bedroom duplex in Grand Forks is the perfect spot to stay during the holidays while you visit with your family or just want to get away for a bit. The Keeper's Inn is conveniently situated near grocery stores, shopping, and restaurants, giving you ample opportunity for some downtime. The rental features one queen bed and a sleeper sofa as well as a kitchen stocked with a microwave, refrigerator, stove, oven, cooking utensils, and dishware. Stay connected thanks to free Wi-Fi, and relax while watching television connected to standard cable. It includes a separate entrance as well as a backyard. Free parking on the premises and the street are provided, and if you need to stay longer, you can reserve the residence for 28 days or more. Quaint Country Retreat Located just 5 miles from a plethora of shopping, restaurants, and other types of entertainment, this 1930s country home found in Grand Forks is an ideal spot to celebrate the holidays. You have access to privacy outdoors since it's surrounded by trees and farmland, with the nearest neighbor about 0.25 miles away. You can use the front deck, back patio with charcoal grill, and fire pit, depending on the weather. Stay warm in its on-site private sauna. You can even bring your furry family member as the rental allows pets to stay. Stepping inside, you'll notice plenty of antiques, all of which belonged to the owner's great-grandparents. Two of the three bedrooms contain a queen bed, while the third bedroom has a double bed. This family-friendly rental also includes a high chair, books and toys, a travel crib, baby safety gates, and outlet covers. The kitchen includes a refrigerator, microwave, stove, oven, dishwasher, and coffee maker as well as all cookware and dinnerware. You can also use the rental's laundry. This is another rental that allows for longer stays if needed. Finding the perfect accommodations in Thompson for the holidays doesn't have to be time-consuming or frustrating. Any one of these six-holiday vacation rentals, which Rydell Chevrolet GMC highlighted, can give you the perfect place to rest your head and recharge for festive celebrations. If you're familiar with the area and believe we've missed a rental worth checking out, reach out to us so we can add it to our list.

The unique area of Grand Forks is home to wonderful people that take pride in their history and look forward to the future. Listen to some local people talk about Thompson, North Dakota, and you'll see eyes twinkle with pride and excitement. Whether you just visit the area of Thompson, North Dakota, or are from here, you know there are a lot of things the people in the Grand Forks area have to be proud of. Read on to learn about the Rydell Chevrolet GMC family's list of top fun facts about Thompson. more Homemade Chocolate Shop Image via Flickr by Thomas Johnson | CC by 2.0 Widman's Candy Shop in Grand Forks, North Dakota, is an area legend and a necessary visit anytime you are in the area. Chocolate lovers rejoice to know that this mom-and-pop shop is still going strong after many years in business. Best known for their crispy and perfectly salted potato chips dipped in chocolate, Chippers, Widman's ships all over the world. The good folks of Thompson and the Grand Forks County know what a gem this humble and inviting shop is. You can go there to get everything from dark chocolate-covered coffee beans to milk chocolate delicacies, all made in a gleaming basement kitchen. Mr. and Mrs. Widman themselves have created most of the recipes and can be found behind the register most days or behind the counter giving out samples of their chocolate to customers. Widman's Candy Shop can be found at 106 S Third St., in Grand Forks. They open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. This classic shop doesn't have a website, so for information or to try and get some delectable chippers mailed to you, call 701-775-3480. You can also try their daughter's store — Carol Widman's Candy — in Fargo Named for Famed Geographer and Astronomer Just consult the State Historical Society of North Dakota, and you'll quickly find out where Thompson got its moniker. The town is named in honor of David Thompson, an explorer and fur trader who worked tirelessly to document his travels and draw accurate maps. Thompson made the first map of North Dakota. Visit the David Thompson State Historic Site and marvel at the large globe atop a rectangular base in McHenry County. Erected in his honor, this immense granite monument sits overlooking the Souris River Valley and is inscribed with his name. For more information, contact the State Historical Society of North Dakota by calling 701-328-2666 or email history@nd.gov. You can also swing by their museum store on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The store sits at 612 East Boulevard Ave., in Bismarck. Community-Oriented and Family-Friendly Thompson, North Dakota, is arguably one of the best small cities in the United States. The slogan, it's "cooler living in Thompson." supports the fact that the Thompson community is proud and happy. Backyard barbecues, pools parties, and neighborhood get-togethers are a regular occurrence. With a large area, but a population of under 1,000, Thompson is a spacious city with room to grow. With some of the lowest crime rates in North Dakota, Thompson, along with the surrounding area of Grand Forks, is the top safest area to live in North Dakota. The Thompson School District reports steady growth in enrollment, while the community continues to expand schools and support local education. Residents have voted to begin work on a new gym, performing arts stage, more office space for school and district personnel, and more classrooms to decrease overall class size and student-to-teacher ratios. These steps will enhance the learning experience for students while ensuring that educators have the tools and environment they need to support learning. Values Art and History Visit the North Dakota Museum of Art, and see how valued art and history are to the community. One of the museum's main missions — to ensure that art is nourished and flourishes — is evident in the intricate exhibits and attention to all art mediums equally. The North Dakota Museum of Art in Grand Forks serves as North Dakota's official art museum according to legislative law. The museum collects art in all mediums from the 1970s and onward. Serving as a visual display and account of the region's history, it functions to educate students, children, and the public. You can visit the museum at 261 Centennial Drive Stop 7305 in Grand Forks. The museum's hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Parking is $1.50 per hour or $7 per day. For information about policies, call 701-777-4195. Lively Experiences With events like community theater, holiday showcases, Thanksgiving dinners, and live music throughout the town, Thompson, North Dakota, is a small city with big opportunities. Whether you like to dance, watch a duel between skilled pianists, or see live sports, Thompson has something for everyone no matter where your interests lie. The UND hockey season schedule is out, and the university theater has productions year-round. Turtle River State Park is a favorite destination for nature lovers, with opportunities to hike or bird-watch, while Thunder Road Family Park is a prime location to take the kids and celebrate big and small victories. So whether they got an A on the math test, or won the state championship, a trip to this family-friendly destination will please. Let the family battle it out in a fun game of laser tag, get your giggles in on the bumper cars, or enjoy a round of mini-golf. So there you have it. Rydell Chevrolet GMC has just shared with you five interesting and fun facts about Thompson, North Dakota, and the surrounding area. Rich in kindness and culture, Thompson is a great place to live in or visit. What do you think of our list? Did we miss your favorite trivia of knowledge about Thompson? If we did, let us know! Leave a message and we'll be happy to check out your ideas.