20 Things To Do in Twin Cities Gateway

Outdoor Adventures

1. Spin your wheels on the Mississippi River Trail National Bike Route.

The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul are well known as one of the best metropolitan areas for biking in the USA. In Twin Cities Gateway, biking enthusiasts will find a vast paved trail network with connections to iconic bike trails like the Mississippi River Trail. Other must-ride trails include Rum River Trail in Anoka, Coon Creek Regional Trail in Coon Rapids, and Rice Creek Trail, shared by Fridley, New Brighton, Shoreview, Mounds View, and Lino Lakes.

2. Tee it up at Bunker Hills Golf Club.

Bunker Hills is a premier golf destination nestled in beautiful Bunker Hills Regional Park in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. It has been recognized as one of the top 25 public courses in the country by Golf Digest. This challenging course is characterized by large greens, tree-lined fairways, and the unique character of seventy-five bunkers.

3. Let nature be your guide at Springbrook Nature Center.

Enjoy three miles of hiking trails through oak and aspen forests, past prairies, and wetlands with floating boardwalks. Along the way, view native plants and wildlife. Inside the Interpretive Center, get up-close and personal with live snakes, frogs, fish, and more – all native to Minnesota! Let Springbrook be your choice for a family adventure, a quiet interlude, a creative birthday party, or an exciting educational program for your community group or school. Enjoy the beauty and diversity of nature.

4. Paddle into the sunset at Wargo Nature Center.

The Wargo Nature Center is dedicated to creating awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of natural and cultural environments and their resources. We strive to foster responsible stewardship and lifelong learning in people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds through environmental and recreational programs and actions. Near the visitors’ center, you’ll find wild bird feeders, visited by much more than just a variety of birds. You’ll also see many gardens; some to attract butterflies, another to increase water quality, and all are beautiful to look at. Of course, here at Wargo, you will always find experienced and friendly naturalists and staff to answer any of your questions. Canoes, kayaks, snowshoes, and kicksleds are also available to rent at the visitors’ center.

Dining & Drinks

5. Try the amazing chicken wings at Serum’s Good Time Emporium.

Serum’s Good Time Emporium combines the best of contemporary dining and entertainment with memories of the past. Antiques on display from the 1890s provide an atmosphere to match the building’s origin in about 1885, making it one of the oldest buildings in Anoka.

Serum’s Good Time Emporium features live entertainment every Thursday 8 p.m. to Midnight.

6. Savor the tasting room at Willow Tree Winery.

Willow Tree Winery is a vineyard and tasting room in Ham Lake, producing several varietals and seasonal wines. The tasting room is open 1- 5 p.m., or by appointment. Groups and group tours welcome.

7. Choose your fresh favorites at a local Farmers Market in Twin Cities Gateway!

We’ve got a slew of Farmers Markets in Anoka, Blaine, Coon Rapids, Ham Lake, New Brighton, and Shoreview.

8. Marvel at the many choices of dessert goodies at Truffles and Tortes.

From the Chocolate Truffle Torte (which includes three types of chocolate) to the Strawberry Chantilly (featuring fresh strawberries blended into Chantilly cream between layers of moist white cake, and topped with fresh glazed strawberries), you really can’t go wrong with any of the treats at this downtown favorite.

9. Grab a local brew at five local breweries: 10K Brewing, Alloy Brewing Company, Invictus Brewing Co., Barley John’s Brew Pub, and Forgotten Star Brew Co.!

More of a wine connoisseur? Check out Willow Tree Winery!

Entertainment

10. Watch the world’s best golfers at the 3M Open PGA Tournament at TPC Twin Cities.

11. Enjoy some of the best music in the Twin Cities at Crooner’s Supper Club.

The Supper Club recently opened the Belvedere, a new outdoor concert venue that features elegant tented table seating with choice views of Moore Lake, expanded patio flooring, a large custom-built stage, and aesthetics reminiscent of an Italian outdoor music amphitheater. A culmination of last year’s four popular outside venues, the new 150-person space will offer full dinner and cocktail table service, plated food, and easy access to the Crooners building.

12. Cheer on your favorite team at the National Sports Center in Blaine.

The National Sports Center opened in 1990. The facility was built by the State of Minnesota as part of a statewide building program to improve Minnesota’s amateur sports facilities.

The complex is a 600-acre multi-sport facility located in Blaine, Minnesota. The campus includes the Schwan Super Rink, an eight-sheet ice arena that is the world’s largest ice facility; an 8,500-seat stadium; the Schwan Center meeting and events building; a multi-faceted family golf center; the National Youth Golf Center, which features the 18-hole Victory Links course; an indoor Sports Hall with a FieldTurf field; 250-meter all wood cycling velodrome, 150-bed residence hall, and 52 athletic fields. The facility hosts nearly 300 events and nearly four million visitors annually and has welcomed over 32 million visitors since its opening in 1990.

13. See Broadway shows at the Lyric Arts Main Stage Theatre in historic downtown Anoka.

Located in the heart of historic downtown Anoka, Lyric Arts is the only full-time, year-round theater in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis, providing access to the performing arts for hundreds of artists and tens of thousands of audience members each year. Lyric Arts presents nine to ten productions per season, including a unique mix of comedies, dramas, classics, musicals, and plays for young audiences.

The company also presents a concert series, theater arts workshops, weekday matinees for school children, educational outreach programs, and an Emerging Artists Company, a student-led summer theater intensive for youth ages 14 to 18.

14. Hear live music under the stars at Commons Park in Coon Rapids or Tom Ryan Park in Blaine.

Grab a lawn chair and enjoy a wide variety of performances, from country and polka to Latin Fusion and R&B!

Indoor Fun

15. Swim with the family at Tropics Indoor Waterpark in Shoreview., or ride the waves (or lounge in the Lazy River) at Bunker Beach Water Park in Coon Rapids.

Come experience the tropical-themed waterpark that is Tropics Indoor Waterpark with activities designed for all ages, rain or shine! Enjoy Shipwreck Beach, it’s zero-depth play area that features a shipwreck boat slide, interactive splashing palm tree, and challenging and fun water walk. In the main pool, play water volleyball, slam-dunk a basketball or climb aboard one of the giant floating sea creatures that provide hours of family fun. Riders of it’s three-story “Shark Attack” water slide will be able to experience our one-of-a-kind jukebox system. Riders will be able to choose from over 100 songs and enjoy a custom light and music show while they twist and turn down our thrilling slide. Adults can escape from the bustle of the waterpark and relax in the adult-only whirlpool and on the patio area.

Bunker Beach now features six towering waterslides, a 900′ lazy river tubing experience, leisure pool with climbing wall, a zero-entry pool with a water play structure, a creative sand play area, and as always, Minnesota’s largest outdoor wave pool! Large open areas for sunning and relaxing are scattered throughout the water park. Concession options, changing rooms, and a metro-area location, make Bunker Beach a perfect family destination.

16. Learn to Curl at Four Seasons Curling Club in Blaine.

A Learn to Curl clinic is a great way for anyone, age 12 to adult, to get a first exposure to the sport. Each lesson is a 2-hour introduction and instructional session that teaches people the basics of curling. Participants learn physical play, rules, and strategy. Within minutes, you’ll be throwing rocks and sweeping!

17. Soar on the indoor zipline at Urban Air Adventure Park!

This trampoline park, is the perfect destination for indoor enjoyment, as well as being an easy go-to location for the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul area.

If you’re looking for the best place for safe, fun, affordable activities for the entire family then you have found the right place. Urban Air Trampoline Park has been voted BEST Gym In America for Kids by Shape Magazine, BEST Place To Take Energetic Kids and BEST Trampoline Parks.

18. Watch the little ones scream with joy at Eagle’s Nest Indoor Playground!

Children will be thrilled to experience the fun at the Eagles Nest. Imaginations will run wild as they leap into the ball pit, climb the 8 ft. climbing wall, zoom down over 75 feet of slides, and find their way through the wiggle waggles and the foam forest!

A large toddler area is available for the little ones age three and under. Complete with its own colorful ball pit, challenging climbing structure, reading corner, and many other activities geared toward the development of toddlers. Feel free to bring your own snack for the picnic area.

19. Bounce, climb, dive, and hop at Zero Gravity Trampoline Center!

Multiple trampolines are connected together for an incredible experience of jumping freedom! Bounce from trampoline to trampoline or off the walls. Yes, the walls are also trampolines!

For more fun, play laser tag in the CYBERBLAST arena, experience dodgeball in a whole new way, practice your dunk skills in the basketball area, send yourself flying into a pit of soft foam cubes and check out the climbing wall.

20. Stay the Night!

Choose from 23 cozy hotels in the Twin Cities Gateway area, with the comfort, safety, and ease of small-town charm, conveniently located just minutes from downtown.

For more ideas to extend your adventure in Twin Cities Gateway, head to our blog, where you’ll find Top Tasty Takeout Options in Twin Cities Gateway, Endless Biking and Hiking Adventures to Explore, 10 Ways to Celebrate Rainy Days, Top Ten Truffles, Tortes & Treats, and so much more! Plus, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more adventure inspiration! For the latest news and updates, sign up for our e-newsletter below!