Thief River Falls, Minnesota, is an ideal place to raise a family — and we should know because the Rydell family has been a proud part of the Grand Forks community since 1954. This also means that Thief River Falls has a lot of options to find family-friendly indoor fun. The range of indoor activities in and around the city is diverse, entertaining, and enlightening. Check out some of our favorite indoor activities in the Thief River Falls area.
Fosston Community Library and Arts Center
Image via Flickr by Larry Lamsa CC by 2.0
The Fosston Community Library and Arts Center at 403 N. Foss Ave. in nearby Fosston is full of entertaining and enriching indoor activities for the entire family. The library recently celebrated 60 years of service to the community. Its selection of books is a bookworm’s dream. Whether you favor nonfiction, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, action and adventure, history, or horror, this library has something you’re sure to love. Audiobooks, music CDs, and DVDs featuring movies shows, and documentaries are available.
The Arts Center is home to a theater, a musical instruction center, a recording studio, an art gallery, and more. Its theater department is one of the busiest in the region, with features spread throughout the year. If you have a boy or girl in high school who loves stage acting, inquire about the program’s single-act student-directed plays. Instrumental and choral recitals, musicals, and other theatrical events take place year-round, so call or check the online schedule for details.
The art gallery is a multiuse space that’s home to a wide range of rotating exhibits, so you never know what artistic wonders you’ll see. Facility rentals are available, so make a reservation if you want to use this creatively engaging space for a special event with your loved ones and friends. Rental areas include a fully loaded kitchenette and a large indoor space ideal for writing groups, book clubs, business meetings, and other important gatherings.
Marshall County Historical Society
Just half an hour from Thief River Falls, in Warren, you’ll find the Marshall County Historical Society (MCHS). Located at 808 E. Johnson Ave., this historical society and museum are packed with unique indoor attractions for the family to explore.
Start out in historic Settler’s Square, an accurate representation of life in the 1880s. One of the most fascinating exhibits in the square is a photographer’s studio, where you can have your picture taken using an antique camera obscura. Get haircuts and shaves at the barbershop, have something made at the local blacksmith’s shop, and learn to craft a meal at the Cook School.
Other attractions include the Landreville Cabin, a period lawyer’s office, a county church, a bank, and a general store. Check out the massive new visitor’s center, a 10,000-square-foot building housing an astonishing array of exhibits. Exhibit pieces include an incredible range of war relics, a perfectly maintained Studebaker Wagon, various period farming equipment, and more. One of the more recent MCHS additions to this grand collection is a UFO car.
Falls Cinema
One of the best ways to relax and enjoy the day with family is to see a feature film or two at a grand theater-like Falls Cinema. The cinema is located at 15469 US-59 right in Thief River Falls. Tickets are very affordable: The adult rate is $9 a ticket, while the rate for kids, seniors, and matinee films is $7.50 a ticket. Falls Cinema showtimes are primarily in the afternoons and evenings, featuring the most popular releases.
If you have a large group of friends or coworkers who love going to the movies, consider renting part of the theater for a private showing for $200. For the cheapest available ticket prices, visit during the ticket sale on Tuesdays, when all tickets are $5.
If you bring a bucket with you on Wednesdays, you can fill it with a free order of popcorn with any drink purchase. Thursdays are ideal date nights at Falls Cinema, where you and your loved one can get a meal, popcorn, soda, and a ticket for $25 each. You can purchase tickets online at the theater website. The cinema is happy to host birthday parties for $11 a person. The party package includes a kiddie combo meal or a medium soda and an order of popcorn.
Norskies Junior Hockey Club
Enjoy one of the most beloved pastimes in Minnesota at the Norskies Junior Hockey Club. The Friday and Saturday games are among the most attended events in the area. Coach Elliot Bates brings innovative and entertaining strategies to the ice to get wins for the team. He has coached many teams in the region, including the Granite City Lumberjacks, Yellowstone Quakes, and others.
The team and its coordinators are dedicated to enriching and empowering the young people of Thief River Falls. Consider allowing your child to attend tryouts during the selection camp period, which takes place each year. Prospective players must have registered with USA Hockey for the season in which they wish to play.
Purchasing season tickets is the most helpful way to support the team. Plus, you avoid having to buy tickets repeatedly for yourself or the hockey lovers among your family and friends. Season ticket holders enjoy special perks such as guaranteed seats at every game, lower per-game prices than nonseason rates, and a 10% discount at the Norskies gear stand. Season pass holders also have no wait at the box office, the first choice of the best seats during playoff games, and first rights for same-seat renewal if you find a favorite spot to watch from.
Ten-game flex packs are available for those who want to go to several games but don’t want to spring for a season pass.
Whether you favor reading and art, a stroll through history, a movie at the theater, or a good time on game night, each of these fantastic locations is ideal for a family outing on your day off. If we missed any fun indoor activities in or around Thief River Falls, Minnesota, please get in touch so we can add them to our list.
Connect with us
