Grand Forks Visitor Centre

Welcome to Grand Forks Visitor Centre
Located at 524 Central Avenue in the Old Court House.

This is your online resource for tourist activities in Grand Forks.

The Boundary Museum will open July 1st.

Hours: 10am to 4pm - Tuesday to Saturday

Adventures

Attractions

Events

Lodging

History

Garden Spots (PDF)

Rock Candy Safari

Additional Tourism Resources

Printable Brochure - 2008 Agri-Tours (PDF)

Map

Phone 250-442-5835
Fax: 250-442-0099
Email: gftourism@shaw.ca

Grand Forks has everything one could ask for in outdoor recreation: fishing, hiking, biking, golf, cross-country skiing, camping, and all types of water sports on our many lakes and rivers, and the list goes on.

The Boundary area is also a haven for the history buff with many turn-of-the-century mine sites, stately heritage homes, the old Phoenix town site, and many abandoned rail grades to explore. Grand Forks is home to a rich Doukhobor heritage. The Flour Mill, Fructova School and the Mountain View Doukhobor museum offer an insight into that history. Many books have been written on different aspects of local history and visitors would be well served to pick one up for additional insight into the area.

Visit Boundary Museum and see a wide variety of interesting, ever-changing historical displays. Another must-see is the Grand Forks Art Gallery, which features a multitude of different exhibitions throughout the year. Browse downtown, stop for a dip at our indoor aquatic and fitness centre, enjoy a game of tennis or sunbathe at one of the many beaches along the river.

The BMX track at City Park is a favourite with the young people. Another guaranteed hit with the younger crowd – a skateboard park completed in 2004. When it is time for lunch, drop in to one of our many restaurants that offer delicious, authentic Russian borscht and a big thick slice of homemade bread…and after that you may just want to stay forever!

As for business, our major industries are primarily resource-based; however, the past several years have seen the local economy diversify significantly with growth in tourism, nursery and organic farming, small industry, communications and the home-based business sector. The City of Grand Forks welcomes new business with open arms! The Grand Forks Airport has had extensive upgrades in the past several years and we anticipate that our airport will play an important role in further enhancing the development of our economy especially with 24 hour Air Medivac Service starting in April 2005.

The City of Grand Forks extends a warm welcome to you. Enjoy our community and our friendly hospitality.

Across the street from the Visitors centre stroll past the outdoor compounds, which contain a stagecoach, sulkies, fire engines, buggies and more. Upon entering the museum, visitors are immersed in the unique and diverse local history. Doukhobor heritage is featured in a large display outlining the history of the Doukhobors and their emigration to Grand Forks in 1899. Doukhobor clothing, tools and household items are displayed. Mining was an important aspect of the area, reflected in the “Old Ironsides” exhibit, a replica of a section of mine shaft. Learn about the ghost town of Phoenix, and the Granby copper smelter, once Canada’s largest. A model of Grand Forks’ Chinatown in the early 1900’s illustrates the many Chinese businesses operated by former railway workers. Learn about the area’s first hospital, and view an antique dentist’s drill and chair. There are also displays featuring local agriculture, wildlife and Native artifacts, including a wooden canoe recovered from the Kettle River. Discover the history of nearby Christina Lake, from its original Native inhabitants to the first settlers and prospectors. Downstairs, a parlour boasts a fabulous collection of fine dishes, clocks, dolls and figurines. Detailed scale models reconstruct scenes from the past, such as Grand Forks circa 1913, and a Doukhobor communal village. Don’t forget to browse the museum’s gift shop, which contains many interesting souvenirs and local artwork, soapstone carvings, and local history publications.