An urban oasis in Hennepin County, St. Louis Park is among the best places to live in Minnesota. Among the benefits of living in St. Louis Park are the great real estate market, strong local economy, and an abundance of areas of natural beauty. Also, in St. Louis Park there are always interesting things to see and do. Whether it’s exploring the neighboring cities via a bike trail or immersing yourself in the city’s dynamic art scene, there’s no shortage of activities to excite, inform, and delight.
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Explore the Many Trails and Parks
St. Louis Park prides itself on the exceptional outdoor recreation that it offers its residents. The city is home to around 50 parks and more than 24 miles of walking and biking trails. There are three notable trails in St. Louis Park: Cedar Lake Trail, Cedar Lake Extension Trail, and Cedar Lake Regional Trail. These trails, which are maintained by the Three Rivers Park District, connect the city to other areas in the region like Minneapolis, Hopkins, and Chaska.
The Cedar Link Trail caters to both bikers and walkers. Also known as the first bicycle freeway in the country, this 3.6-mile path starts from St. Louis Park and leads all the way to downtown Minneapolis. The Cedar Lake Extension Trail continues for 4.3 miles to Hopkins, where it connects to the Southwest Trail. From here is the 5-mile Cedar Lake Regional Trail, which offers scenic views of the skylines, the lakes, and the woods.
The parks in St. Louis Park are diverse, with each one offering a variety of sports courts, play structures, and trails. Here are some of the top parks in the city:
- Oak Hill Park – Located in the western portion of the city, Oak Hill Park is a popular outdoor recreational spot with many amenities and facilities. There are basketball courts for the adults and splash pads for the young ones, so visitors of all ages will find something to enjoy here.
- Wolfe Park – One of the biggest neighborhood parks in the city, Wolfe Park has a plethora of amenities such as walking trails, pickleball courts, playgrounds, and a sand volleyball court. The park’s pond is also stocked with fish like largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill.
- Creekside Park – Relax and enjoy the scenery in Creekside Park, a small park along the Minnehaha Creek Preserve. Visitors can walk along the greenway and spot the different wildlife via the wooden boardwalk surrounding the preserve.
- Aquatic Park – Looking for the best place to cool off when it gets hot? The Aquatic Park in The Rec Center is where you can go to swim, splash, or just relax. You can swim laps in the 25-meter lanes, bring your kids to the sand-water play area, or lounge by the sun deck.
Looking for a great spot to have a picnic in St. Louis Park? Lilac Park offers the perfect setting. Covering around 2.7 acres, the historic park was named after the lilac plants that dot the freeway near it. Also located in Lilac Park is a beehive-shaped fireplace, which is one of the only two left in the country. While you can visit the park any time of the year, the best time to go is when the lilacs are in full bloom in the spring.
Since Minnesota is known as “The Land of 10,000 Lakes,” it’s no surprise that canoeing and kayaking are popular things to do in St. Louis Park, MN. Westwood Lake, a 38-acre lake adjacent to the Westwood Hills Nature Center, is a paradise for paddling enthusiasts. As you canoe or kayak, you’ll be treated to stunning views all around. For more outdoor activities, the Westwood Hills Nature Center has something for all visitors. This natural area covers 160 acres and offers a wide variety of activities like hiking, biking, and bird watching. You can even spot the wildlife that lives within the marshes and woods of the nature center.
Enjoy a Fantastic Culinary Experience
The majority of St. Louis Park’s dining scene falls within casual American fare, from Southern comfort food to farm-to-table creations. As well as these establishments, you’ll also find restaurants in St. Louis Park that serve international flavors from around the world.
McCoy’s Public House is one restaurant that many in St. Louis Park love going to for their modern American comfort food. This family-owned and operated restaurant and bar has been a neighborhood favorite since 2003, serving a variety of dishes from burgers and sandwiches to pizza and steak. Mill Valley Kitchen is another St. Louis Park restaurant that residents and visitors frequent. Inspired by Northern California cuisine, the restaurant has an ever-changing seasonal menu with dishes that are nutritious, delicious, and locally sourced.
When it comes to international cuisine, one of the most popular and authentic restaurants in the city is Taste of India. Here they serve some of the most delicious and flavorful dishes, from mouth-watering tandoori chicken to rich and creamy malai kofta. Taste of India also has vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Craving Japanese food? Raku Sushi & Lounge in the West End offers a wide variety of Japanese dishes with influences from Italian and French cuisines. Try their most popular dishes, the crab & cream cheese wontons and the crispy Japanese pancakes.
Looking for something that celebrates beverages as well as great food? You’ll find that the area is well-stocked with breweries and distilleries as well. Copperwing Distillery is a craft micro-distillery that makes the highest-quality spirits. The distillery’s signature creation is the Vodskey, a vodka and whiskey hybrid. Copperwing Distillery has earned numerous awards for its Vodskey, FRESAS (a strawberry-flavored gin), and bourbon whiskey. While they are serious about the quality of their creations, they never forget it’s also about having a lot of fun with friends.
Steel Toe Brewing is one of the top local craft beer producers in Hennepin County. This award-winning craft brewery is known for its Pacific Northwest-style IPA, golden ales, and raspberry sour ale. Ullsperger Brewing is a fairly new nanobrewery with cream ales, blonde ales, and American IPAs on tap.
Great Shopping
There’s nothing like treating yourself to a bit of retail therapy in St. Louis Park. The city is home to incredible shopping destinations, from open-air shopping malls to upscale boutiques. And the best part is, Minnesota has no sales tax on clothing for general use.
Here are some of the best shopping spots in the city:
- The Shops at West End
- The Shoppes at Knollwood
- Excelsior & Grand
- Texa-Tonka Shopping Center
A hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment in St. Louis Park, The Shops at West End have everything—from clothing to home decor. Try on chic apparel in Ooh La La Boutique, search for your next house plant at Lost in the Forest, and find unique and handmade crafts at theWest End Artisan Market & Vintage Thrift. Aside from the locally-owned boutiques and nationally-known retail brands, the shopping center also has seasonal pop-up shops.
Every Wednesday starting from the end of May until September, the Shops at West End have their Farmers and Artisan Market. Here, you’ll find fresh and organic products from local businesses, such as farm-fresh eggs, organic produce, and seasonal flowers. Other products that you may see during West End Wednesdays are handmade clay jewelry, artisanal pasta sauces, and homemade teas.
When it comes to convenience, value, and retail options, it’s hard to beat The Shoppes at Knollwood. Located along Highway 7, this shopping area is the go-to area for apparel, accessories, furniture, and nutrition-related products. Once you’re done shopping at The Shoppes at Knollwood, you can grab a bite to eat at the many restaurants available.
Excelsior & Grand is a modern luxury apartment community that features a variety of upscale shops and personal care services. Shoppers will find locally-owned stores, jewelry shops, and artisan products here.
The Texa-Tonka Shopping Center is known for its unique offerings, with stores selling items like vintage materials to apparel that changes with the season. One feature that makes the Texa-Tonka Shopping Center stand out is a stunning mural that pays tribute to St. Louis Park and its residents.
Discover the City’s Arts and Culture Scene
St. Louis Park takes pride in its thriving arts and culture scene. In fact, the city is dedicated to promoting the arts through various initiatives, strategic roadmaps, and an Arts & Culture Grant program. There are not only art galleries but also museums and theaters all of which heighten the cultural landscape of the area.
One of the more interesting museums to visit is The Pavek Museum of Broadcasting which celebrates the history and evolution of electronic communication. With over 12,000 square feet of exhibits, visitors can see their collection of antique radios, broadcast equipment, and sound recording devices. If you’re interested in showing and productions, catch a show at the ShowPlace ICON Theater & Kitchen. This theater is more than just a movie venue. It also plays host to concerts, operas, and other live performances.
St. Louis Park also has many public art projects to find and enjoy. There are around 40 art pieces scattered around the city, including a group of aluminum sculptures that represent how bees move around and a stunning bronze sculpture in the middle of Excelsior & Grand. And along Historic Walker Lake is a colorful mural that pays homage to the area’s fascinating history and unique identity. You can view St. Louis Park’s public art map here.
Join the Festivities
St. Louis Park hosts several fun and exciting events throughout the year. Whether you’re looking for an outdoor activity or a cultural experience, going to these events is among the top things to do in St. Louis Park, MN. Here are the annual events that residents and visitors in and around St. Louis Park look forward to:
- St. Louis Park Parktacular
- SLP Art Fair
- Twin Cities Film Fest
- City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival
- Golden Valley Pride Festival
There’s no better way to celebrate St. Louis Park than at a week-long festival. The St. Louis Park Parktacular is something the whole family can enjoy, starting with a summer pool event and ending on the day of the Juneteenth holiday. Other activities within the week of the St. Louis Park Parktacular are a rock concert, an art hunt, an expo, and its signature event, a grand day parade.
Happening every September, the SLP Art Fair is your opportunity to find original artwork and local pieces. The event has more than 70 vendors displaying and selling paintings, ceramics, jewelry, and woodwork. The SLP Art Fair is held at the ROC (Recreation Outdoor Center.)
Discover the best independent and Minnesota-made films at the Twin Cities Film Fest (TCFF). This 10-day celebration in October showcases over 70 films, including short films, documentaries, and other American independent movies. These films are shown at the ShowPlace ICON Theater. But if you want to watch them at home, they are also available for streaming online.
Held every February at the Theodore Wirth Regional Park in Golden Valley, the City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival offers fun and adventure. This two-day festival has a variety of events such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking, and a kubb tournament. The event’s main attraction is the Luminary Loppet, which lets you walk or ski across a candlelit trail.
The largest suburban pride festival in Minnesota, the Golden Valley Pride Festival is a celebration of diversity and the families, friends, and allies of the LGBTQ+ community. Now in its fifth year, the annual event is held in Golden Valley’s Brookview Park and features live music, food trucks, and a beer and wine garden.
Make St. Louis Park your permanent address
These fun and exciting things to do in St. Louis Park, MN are just a glimpse of what it’s like to live here. You’ll also enjoy the excellent healthcare, strong economy, and high quality of life that the city has to offer. Explore your St. Louis Park real estate options with Scott Haubrich, the top producing agent in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.
Reach out to Scott Haubrich and his team at BuyRentSell.com today! Call 612.345.8991 today or send an email here.