Spend a Day in Grafton, ND

Sep 9, 2021

Hey Grand Forks locals, do you have a day off coming up soon? Maybe you’d like to get away for a day trip this weekend. Let’s talk about nearby Grafton, North Dakota! Take a look at the full-day itinerary we’ve put together for you in this article.

We’ve come up with options for pet lovers, families with kids, singles, or couples to create an itinerary that truly fits your lifestyle. We think you’ll have a great time when you spend a day in Grafton, North Dakota. With fewer than 4,200 people compared to Grand Forks’ population of almost 60,000, we encourage you to slow down and enjoy the experience.

Outdoor Fun in Grafton

We all need a little fresh air. And we promised a customizable itinerary for a full day in Grafton, so we’re giving you just that. We’ll take you through some prep work first for your day of fun in the outdoors. Let’s begin!

Start with a Hearty Breakfast at Granny’s Family Restaurant

A diner breakfast of sausages, eggs, and pancakes — Image via Flickr by jeffreyw via CC BY 2.0

We hear Granny’s serves breakfast all day, so don’t worry about having to rush to get there. You’re sure to find something you like on the large breakfast menu, where most prices range from $7 to $9. They also have a breakfast pizza on the menu!

Don’t feel like breakfast? Other than pizza, Granny’s Family Restaurant has appetizers, sandwiches, and burgers. You can call ahead at 701-352-2674 to make sure you’ll find a table. The address is 910 West 12th Street.

Alternative: Coffee at Cabin Road Coffeehouse

Are you not feeling the big sit-down breakfast or traveling with a pet? Grab a beverage in downtown Grafton at Cabin Road Coffeehouse.

Aside from having outdoor seating and curbside pick-up service available, they truly offer a one-of-a-kind coffee shop experience. Cabin Road features handcrafted coffee, teas and herbal infusions, and a menu for goodies to go with your beverage that’s ever-changing. There’s also a fireplace and blankets to keep warm with during the fall and winter.

We love the Cabin Road concept, except for one downside: limited hours. Currently, the Cabin is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. only, and they will be closed for a few days in September. Check out their website the night before you travel to make sure they are open and to find out what they’ll have available in the ever-changing goodies menu during your visit. You can also call them at 701-520-1491.

Walk the Trails in Grafton

Grafton Parks & Recreation at 715 West 5th Street offers several perks to the Grafton community and visitors, like a public pool and several other activities across a network of parks. However, we highly recommend walking the trails after you’ve broken your fast.

If, in your previous stop, you picked coffee over sit-down breakfast, our friends at Cabin Road Coffeehouse can give you local’s insight on Grafton’s trails. Otherwise, check out the map on the Grafton Parks & Recreation website.

Alternative: Bring Your Furry Pal to Happy Trails Bark Park

Sure, Grand Forks already has a couple of dog parks where you can take Fido. However, it’s always nice to know we can find things to do with our furry friends. Happy Tails Bark Park is a doggie park that separates their fenced-in off-leash areas by your dog’s weight. The Big Paws Field is for dogs that weigh 30 pounds or more, and the Wiggly Field is for furry buddies under 30 pounds.

Please make sure always to supervise children within the dog park and pick up after your pet. Check out the other park rules on the Grafton Parks & Recreation website before you visit. Find the Bark Park at 819 West 5th Street.

If You’d Rather Spend Your Day Golfing

You might not be in the mood for breakfast, coffee, or exploring Grafton’s trails. If that’s the case, and you’re into golf, visit the Fair Oaks Golf Course. Find it at 30 Golf Course Road in Grafton. The course includes nine holes spanning 2,900 yards of beautifully manicured grass.

The Fair Oaks Golf Course Club House menu features sandwiches, burgers, fries (potato or sweet potato), and other goodies. You can expect to pay around $10 to $15 per person to eat, and daily rates for the course in 2021 are $14 for nine holes and $28 for 18 holes. You can also rent a cart for $14 on the nine-hole and $24 on the 18-hole option.

Fair Oaks does not have a website, but you can find them on Facebook or call 701-352-3956. Their hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, except for Friday when they close at 10 p.m., according to their Facebook page.

If You’d Rather Spend Your Day Swimming

A child playing in a pool with a lifejacket on — Image via Flickr by USAG- Humphreys via CC BY 2.0

The Leistikow Park Outdoor Pool is open from noon to 8 p.m. every day during the summer, barring any inclement weather. Daily admission is $5, but what we like most about this public pool is the possibility of renting it for $75 an hour. Find more information on the pool’s page at the Grafton Parks & Recreation website.

There’s also Collette Fitness Center at 701 West 6th Street. We especially like the pool at Collette because they post a pool calendar on their Facebook page that shows which days it will be closed for cleaning. You can call them at 701-352-4521 or contact them via their Facebook page. Adults pay $4, and kids pay $3 for a swim pass.

Neither Leistikow Park nor Collette Fitness Center advertises any concession stand or eatery near the pool, so we recommend planning for a nice energy-replenishing meal after your time swimming. Maybe you could grab a quick snack to hold you over and then check out one of the pizza places we recommend back home in Grand Forks.

Are you already a Grafton expert? We’d love to what you thought about our recommendations. Please contact us to let us know!