Maple Grove is a bustling city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.
It’s a key destination in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area.
It is considered a retail hub, home to the area’s largest shopping centers.
It also serves as a cultural hub, home to the state’s largest Hindu temple.
Maple Grove is a rapidly growing city with lots to offer, from uniquely Minnesotan food and drink to unique experiences you can only see here.
Do you want to know more about Maple Grove, Minnesota?
Here are the best things to do in Maple Grove, MN:
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Are you looking for the perfect place to bask in the sun at Maple Grove?
The Elm Creek Park Reserve is just the destination for you.
Spanning almost 5,000 acres, it is the largest park in the Three Rivers area.
It is divided into sub-areas where visitors can enjoy abundant activities from swimming, hiking, mountain biking, and so much more.
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You can start by taking on the fun nature activities from the Elm Creek Archery Range to the Disc Golf Course.
Your furry friends can join the fun at the Dog Off-Leash Area.
Explore the abundance of wildlife next at the Eastman Nature Center, seeing animals such as eagles, deers, beavers and swans.
A day’s not enough to explore the entire park reserve, so consider setting up camp to continue your adventures and also see the park in a different light.
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Located within the expanse of the Elm Creek Park Reserve is the Elm Creek Swimming Pond.
It’s a great way to cool off after a long hike or bike ride on the reserve’s grounds.
Contrary to popular belief, the water in the pond isn’t freshwater but filtered, chlorinated water, just like a standard swimming pool.
Enjoy the feeling of bathing creekside through the sand beaches right beside it.
You’ll feel like you’re lounging on the beach as you set up your umbrella and lay down to get a tan under the warm Minnesota sun.
After your swim, you don’t have to worry as there are multiple shelters and bathroom facilities.
You can easily change into something more comfortable before leaving.
The Central Park of Maple Grove is an urban park nestled in the city center.
It has a lot to offer in its over 44-acre expanse.
There are lots of activities and amenities located within the park’s grounds.
There are pristine manicured lawns and trails sprawled around that people can come and explore.
Don’t forget to check out the labyrinth and garden on your walk too.
There’s also an ice-skating loop where visitors can enjoy a leisurely skate amidst the beautiful greenery of the park.
You can also try your hand at Crokicurl, a hybrid of the board game Crokinole and curling.
To top it all off, enjoy a splash at the interactive fountain, an over 2,100-square-foot water structure with 49 jets and 18 arching sprays.
Enjoy the beautiful light displays at night, where you can play and splash like a kid at heart.
If you’re in Maple Grove during the winter, you might want to visit the Douglas F. Bryant Winter Recreation Area.
It is also located within the expanse of Elm Creek Park.
The critical season to visit starts from early December until around mid-March.
The cross-country ski route covers almost 18 kilometers.
The area offers lessons at the Snow Sports Academy for those looking to amp up their winter sports game.
For winter sports fanatics, you can also catch special competitions during the peak season.
There’s a lot to be excited about at Douglas F. Bryant Winter Recreation Area.
Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
There isn’t a shortage of nature here in Maple Grove.
Located on the southern tip of the eponymous area, Fish Lake Regional Park offers outdoor recreation for visitors in a beautiful lakeside landscape.
Water babies can enjoy swimming and boating in the summer or ice fishing in the winter.
It’s the perfect place to visit year-round, from fun summer activities in the warm sunshine to beautiful autumn foliage come fall.
Your furry friends are also welcome to join the fun as there is a fully-fenced dog leash area where they can safely play with their new friends.
Brick Bourbon is a local favorite haunt.
It’s also the place to go for a terrific food and drink experience.
The owners believe in serving only the best dishes with the freshest local ingredients.
They are also passionate about crafting bespoke cocktails that best complement your dishes.
They have a wide liquor selection, from beer and wine to different types of spirits.
Try some of their specials on the menu, such as their slider selection, from sirloin steak sliders to hot honey chicken sliders.
Meat lovers would love it here, as they offer juicy whisky pork ribs and “million-dollar” medallions, which are succulent tenderloin fillets.
Pair these with some of their hand-crafted cocktails like the Floating Yoda, a vodka-coffee cream concoction topped with mint ice cream.
You can also try the Elixir, which is a mix of rum, coconut water, and pom juice.
Try something new with their selection of wine slushies, which come in four different flavors.
Of course, don’t forget to ask for the beers on tap selection, with over two dozen labels available.
You will have a great time and meal at Brick and Bourbon.
Art lovers should drop by Maple Grove Arts Center to get their creative fix in the city.
Located downtown, Maple Grove Arts Center is a popular destination for locals and tourists to appreciate all types of art.
The center has two fine art gallery areas and spaces for local makers to create their work.
Visitors can see the rotating exhibitions they have on display, comprising works from local and regional artists.
Apart from just viewing the art, people can also try their hand in creating them.
Maple Grove Arts Center offers different classes for people of all levels.
Maple Grove Art Center is a great place to visit to unleash your inner artist.
The Venetian Indoor Water Park is located inside the Maple Grove Holiday Inn, a fun and unique experience for the whole family.
The Venetian Indoor Water Park spans over 25,000 square feet, bringing the canals of Venice right to Minnesota.
Have some water fun as you splash through the two four-story waterslides!
There are also little wading areas for toddlers and little kids who also want to join the fun.
Apart from the water attractions, there is also an arcade for those who want to play dry games.
When you get hungry, don’t worry!
The park offers some concessions for snacks to fill you up after spending your energy sliding down a few times.
Fuel your need for speed with a visit to Pro Kart Indoor Racing when in Maple Grove.
Located north of the city, Pro Kart Indoor Racing offers a unique experience with family and friends.
Try driving one of their RiMO EVO6 race karts, which run on power-boosting, low-energy, renewable methanol.
This race kart’s dual-circuit hydraulic brake system impresses experienced drivers.
Strap yourself in and push the gas pedal harder and harder.
Zip your way through their state-of-art tracks.
On the other hand, you can also go to the outdoor racing area if you want to drive down and dirty.
Don’t miss a visit to Prokart Indoor Racing when in Maple Grove.
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The Maple Grove Community Center is located near West Arbor Lake, a hub for locals to come together for recreation.
The community center is a large expanse that houses many different recreation areas that both locals and visitors can enjoy.
The center has an indoor playground where kids can happily play in the many different play sets.
They can also enjoy playing different sports on the various courts and fields available, such as sand volleyball, basketball and pickleball.
Check out the swimming pool and an ice arena for water and ice sports, respectively.
Outdoors, you’ll find a skate park if you want to practice skateboard flips and tricks.
There’s something for everyone here at the Maple Grove Community Center.
Pamper yourself after a day of exploring Maple Grove at the Woodhouse Day Spa.
This spa has opened for more than 20 years in different locations in the state.
In Maple Grove, the Woodhouse Day Spa aims to provide blissful experiences in a calming environment.
Drop by their branch in Maple Grove at Arbor Lakes and try one of the few services they have on deck.
Take your pick of relaxing massages from one of their expert masseuses.
They have a few massages that target specific body areas or concerns, such as lessening tension or after-sports care.
You can also indulge in face and body treatments such as facials and wraps.
You can even get a good old-fashioned manicure and pedicure to pretty up your hands and feet.
Embrace the new you after a session at the Woodhouse Day Spa
Are you craving American classics like burgers, fries and shakes?
Malone’s Bar and Grill is here to satisfy those cravings.
Established in 2010, Malone’s is also famous for its best happy hour specials, popular with locals.
Start your meal with some yummy appetizers.
Order the firecracker shrimp, deep-fried pickles, or the cheese curds.
You can’t go wrong with the signature burgers for the main course.
Try their Texas BBQ, Black & Bleu, or the Beyond Cheeseburger, a plant-based option for vegetarians.
Don’t forget to take advantage of their happy hour and order from their list of specialty cocktails.
Get the Malone’s Famous Mojito or the Malone Fling.
They have devised a unique take on those two signature drinks.
Malone’s is also a place that does a lot for the local Maple Grove community.
It’s a popular venue to watch sporting events for people in the area.
Enjoy your meal, and then some, at Malone’s Bar and Grill!
Maple Grove has no shortage of establishments offering the best brews, and OMNI Brewing Co. does not fall short on that front.
It’s a proudly Maple Grove brewery, producing quality brews that showcase their passion and dedication for the craft.
Visit their taproom along Deerwood Lane and enjoy the many delicious brews they have on hand.
Try some classic flavors such as their White Lie, a light and crisp witbier.
Or try the more unique and kooky blends like their Daily Dose, a coffee cream ale, or Bock Party, which is infused with mango and raisins.
They have a good mix of a dozen varieties on tap that changes every week, so every visit is always a surprise.
Those who don’t drink alcohol are also in for a treat, as they offer non-alcoholic brews.
Get all of the flavor with none of the (alcohol) strength!
Beer lovers would love to drop by OMNI Brewing Co. in Maple Grove.
Music lovers will love the retro vibes at Down in the Valley, a record shop in a strip mall along Grove Drive.
Since record stores aren’t much of a thing anymore, a trip to Down in the Valley is nostalgic.
You’ll fondly remember the days of listening to a song for the first time on vinyl, cassette, or CD.
Browse their extensive collections, from old-school records to the newest releases.
Vinyl collectors would love the store’s selection of vinyl LPs, ranging from vintage copies to freshly pressed ones.
Apart from the records, the store also hosts events like concerts and live entertainment.
A visit to Down in the Valley would make you feel like traveling back in time.
A proud Minnesota chain, visitors can drop by Dunn Brothers to get their first delicious cup of coffee of the day.
Try their different coffee options, from classics like lattes, cappuccinos and espressos to more unique ones like mint mocha, raspberry white mocha or the caramelized almond latte.
Grab a bite or two to pair with your drinks too.
They have a “Build Your Own Egg Sandwich” all-day breakfast option, where you can go crazy with your sandwich fillings.
They also have other filling bites such as pizzas, wraps and salads.
Drop by Dunn Brothers to fuel your day exploring Maple Grove.
If a biking adventure is what you’re looking for, look no further than Medicine Lake Regional Trail.
This 20-mile trail corridor connects the cities of Maple Grove and Plymouth.
This paved route also serves as a bridge to several other community trails winding down along the area.
It features wide vistas of Rice Lake and Medicine Lake, offering a breath of fresh air for those basking in the water breeze of the outdoors.
In Maple Grove, Medicine Lake Regional Trail starts at Elm Creek Park Reserve on James Deane Parkway.
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Maple Grove Arboretum is one of the more stand-out spots in the Elm Creek Preserve area.
This breathtaking site spans about 15 acres.
Within the site, you’ll find over 100 different types of trees found in the local environment.
This arboretum also features walking trails and the historic Angel of Hope statue.
This public sculpture serves as a tribute to everyone who has ever lost a loved one.
You can get to Maple Grove Arboretum via Fernbrook Lane North.
Maple Grove History Museum has one of the widest selections of historical objects recounting Maple Grove’s past.
This museum showcases the early pioneering days, conflict and wars, and other notable events in the city.
The site hosts open house sessions every second Sunday of the month.
A visit to the site is free, and you can even request a tour of the place for a more immersive historical excursion.
Drive over to Forestview Lane North to reach Maple Grove History Museum.
One of the widely-known historical and cultural attractions in Maple Grove is the Hindu Temple of Minnesota.
This temple celebrates its origin as a 10-member organization all the way back in 1979.
In the years that followed, the temple stands as a testament to many people’s hope and determination to keep the faith.
When you come by this site for a guided tour, you’ll find the temple filled with many shrines—one of its largest ones is for Sri Vishnu.
From the pillars to the copper doors, the place is one that brims with elegance.
Broaden your knowledge and appreciation for Hinduism when you come by the Hindu Temple of Minnesota on Troy Lane North.
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When it comes to you and your family’s intimate get-togethers, you can never go wrong with a visit to Weaver Lake Beach & Lower Park.
This 80-acre public space comes with a fishing pier, a concession stand, and multiple sports courts.
Among the courts you can expect to use at this park include four tennis courts, a basketball court, and two designated areas for sand volleyball.
The little ones may also like the two playground areas within the property.
Take in the sights and sounds of nature and the beach at the park’s viewing deck.
Weaver Lake Beach & Lower Park is open on Maple Grove Parkway without an admission fee.
Maple Grove is a great place to visit with great things to do.
It’s a place surrounded by nature, but one can still feel the city vibe.
Conveniently, you’re only a stone’s throw away from one place to the other.
The city also gives off an aura of a tranquil destination and a bustling Minnesota hotspot.
What are you waiting for?
Book your trip to Maple Grove today!
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