East Grand Forks is a small city in northwestern Minnesota, sitting on the east bank of the Red River directly across from Grand Forks, North Dakota. The two cities function as a single metropolitan area, connected by several bridges, but East Grand Forks has its own distinct character -- quieter, more residential, and with a few draws that bring people across the river from North Dakota.
The city gained national attention during the catastrophic Red River flood of 1997, when much of the town was inundated and thousands of residents were evacuated. The recovery reshaped the city, with a greenway and flood protection system now lining the riverbank where neighborhoods once stood. The result is a pleasant riverwalk area and park system that runs along the Red River and the Red Lake River, which meets the Red River here.
East Grand Forks is also known for its dining scene -- or rather, a specific aspect of it. Minnesota's liquor laws have historically been more permissive than North Dakota's, and several restaurants and bars on the Minnesota side draw crowds from across the river. The town is small enough that you can see everything in a few hours, but it makes a reasonable stop if you are driving through the Red River Valley on your way to or from Winnipeg.