Bassett Creek Park is the largest park in the city at 85 acres. Members of the community flock to the park because of all the amenities, including a baseball field, a softball field, and a basketball court for the sporty types. If that's not enough activity for you, there are also 3 volleyball sand courts and a disc golf golf course that has 15 holes.
Becker Park is 12.2 acres of outdoor goodness and a favorite of the members of the community. It is the oldest park in Crystal, and it was first named after the city when it opened in 1948. The name was changed a few years later and the park quickly became popular in the community. It has several amenities, including a spray pad, tennis courts, a basketball court, and an inclusive play area. There is also a picnic area with grills, paths for walking, biking, and running, and a performance lawn. There is fun to be had for everyone.
MAC Wildlife Area is owned by MAC (Metropolitan Airports Commission) and has several species of fauna and flora that cannot be found anywhere else in Crystal. There are plenty of trails and boardwalks to traverse while soaking in the environment. There are also community gardens and natural play areas available for members of the community.
North Lions Park is a community park that is enjoyed by many members of the community on a sunny weekend afternoon (and at other times, of course). It's 12 acres and can be rented for private use. It has a tennis court, a basketball court, a field for soccer/football/etc., and more. There is a playground for the younger set and a picnic shelter when you want a bite to eat.
Valley Place park is 20 acres of flora and fauna that is a favorite of the neighborhood. It has many amenities, including a playground for children, two hockey rinks, a basketball court, a soccer field and three tennis courts. There is also a picnic shelter for when you want to have a rest and a bite to eat.
Welcome Park is a quiet community park that offers plenty of opportunity for recreational sport. There is a playground, 3 ballfields, a basketball court, a tennis court, and an outdoor ice rink, to name a few amenities available. There are picnic shelters if you want to take a break and have a bite to eat before continuing with the physical activities.
Ambiance Cafe is located in the Crystal Shopping Center and is a favorite place to dine in the neighborhood. It is a warm and inviting place that has a relaxing atmosphere and a friendly staff. They have a varied menu, including Steak Escape (panini), Lobster & Shrimp Alfredo (pizza), Green Goddess (sandwich), and Spicy Korean Chicken (hot entree)--plus so much more. The drink menu includes delights such as Watermelon Mojito, Blueberry Coconut, Purple Dream, and Mango (smoothie).
Cajun Kitchen is a seafood restaurant that does everything with Cajun flair. The atmosphere and staff are welcoming in a low-keyed kind of way. You will be offered all the seafood you can eat and possibly more. The menu includes Cajun Kitchen Fried Combo, Seafood Deluxe (Pork Sausage), Fried Oyster Basket, a pound of Crawfish. You'll want to bring your family and/or friends with you so you can have a veritable feast of seafood.
Crystal Cafe & Grill is a family-owned cafe that is focused on serving up hearty portions of breakfast to members of the community. They are known for their pancakes in particular. The environment is casual and low-key, and the service is friendly and warm. The menu includes, in addition to pancakes, Italiano Scramble, Genuine Melted Belgian Waffle, Ham & Cheese Sandwich, and more.
Egg House Cafe is a breakfast place that is focused on eggs, obviously. The atmosphere is bustling and cheerful, and the staff is welcoming. They have won awards for their breakfast fare, which they are eager to share with their patrons. The meals are home-cooked and the portions are huge. No one will leave the cafe hungry. The breakfast menu includes the Egg House Favorite, Fiesta Breakfast, Biscuits and Sausage, and Polish Scrambler. The lunch menu has dishes such as Smothered Chicken (sandwich), Cajun Burger, and San Francisco Melt.
El Loro Crystal is a Mexican restaurant that is a neighborhood favorite. it's brightly-colored and inviting, and the staff members are friendly. The menu includes Burrito Ranchero, Spinach Enchiladas, Fajita Chimichanga, and much more. They have vegetarian options, too, including Vegetarian Fajitas and Bean Burritos. Their special dinner menu has dishes such as Pollo Asado, Steak and Shrimp, and Chicken Mole. They have plenty of drinks to go with your food as well, including tequila shots and beer.
Milton's Vittles, Vino, and Beer, better known as Milton's, is owned by a multigenerational family that is happy to call Crystal their home. They enjoy feeding members of their community and they do catering as well. There is a homey feel to the restaurant with a friendly staff who welcomes everyone to walk through the door. The menu includes Fried Green Tomatoes, wings, ribs, burgers, and more. They focus on home-made food that is tasty good for you.
Pizza Man Crystal is a pizza place that is a local favorite. It opened in 1996 and has been serving up the slices for over a quarter of a century. The decor is nondescript, but the staff members are very friendly. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming. The main focus is the pizza, of course, and there is plenty of it. The menu includes Chicago Pie Pizza, Loaded Chicken Alfredo (pizza), and the Veggie pizza. You can create your own pizza, too.
Down in the Valley is a local chain record store that has a chill vibe and a vast collection of different genres of music. They were voted the best record store in Minnesota in the Strib in 2021 and they work hard to earn that rating every day. They strive to have all the latest releases and you can pre-order upcoming releases as well. They have incense and fun little trinkets for you to peruse as well.
Gina's Heavenly Goodies is an online baked goods store that was started by Gina after many of her friends and family gushed about her baking and told her she should sell them. She bakes out of her house and is not subject to state inspection. She creates cakes and cupcakes, often in creative creations, including pull apart cupcake cakes, cake pops, and cupcake bouquets. She also has gluten-free cakes, too.
Katour Fashion is a high-end fashion boutique that caters to whimsical attitudes of people who like to have fun with fashion. They have kids clothing as well as adult clothing, and all of it is fun, flirty, and very colorful. The staff members are helpful and shopping here will brighten your mood.
Table Top Tournaments is a games store located in the Crystal Gallery that has a variety of card games like Yu-Gi-Oh!, Final Fantasy The Card Game (FFTC), Magic The Gathering, and so many more. They also have Dungeons & Dragons manuals if you want to get into that series. They also host games for many of the series they carry, so check out their website for dates and times.
Steve O's Bar & Grill is a favorite neighborhood watering hole with a casual atmosphere and friendly service. They have daily specials, such as Boneless Chicken Wings on Sunday and Perla's Famous Tacos on Monday. Their chicken wings are dry rub and often requested. Their menu includes Biscuits & Sausage Gravy, Chili Cheese Curd Wrap, Burger Mac & Cheese Flatbread, and Fish & Chips. Drinks-wise, they have everything from beer to booze.
The Crystal Community Center is located in Grogan Park and is a great place to exercise on a regular basis. The rooms and three gyms are available for rent for events such as wedding, family parties, and birthday parties. They will also rent out for meetings and banquets. And ,of course, there is an open gym in which you can work out/exercise. You can play basketball (they have leagues), pickleball, volleyball, and a variety of other sports. Outside, there is a skate park, play areas for the younger set, and the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center if you want to have fun in the water. There is so much to do for just about anyone in the community. It's a popular gathering place for that reason.
The Crystal Cove Aquatic Center is near the Crystal Community Center in Grogan Park. The pool was built in 1961 and the JetStream waterslide was introduced 29 years later. There are plenty of amenities, which means there is something for almost everyone to enjoy. There is a kiddie slide for the youngsters as well as a plunge slide for the older and more adventurous set. There is a water walk in which you hold onto a rope (horizontal) 'ladder' as as you walk across floaties in the pool. They offer Red Cross swimming lessons for those who want to learn to swim or blush up on their skills as well. There are different events on the daily, such as Adult Lap Swim. Little Splashers, and Teen Moonlight Swim (all for a fee). You can rent as a group , rent for a birthday party, and much more.
Elision Playhouse is a performing arts venue for the city that opened in 2019. It's the home to Theatre Elision, but it's available for use by other performing arts companies as well. They have both rehearsal space and performance space for rent. They are used in many different ways, including theater, obviously, but also weddings and other life events. They have youth programs to interest kids in the performing arts. They are a vibrant addition to the community and they hope to continue to flourish.
Intrepid Dance Company was opened in 2018 by Melisa McCabe to bring the joy of dance to the city. The studio won awards for being the best dance studio in Crystal in 2019. They offer classes to people from ages 2 to adult, and they offer recreational programs, a competitive program, and adult classes. They offer a variety of classes, such as ballet, tap, hip hop, and jazz in different age ranges. In the competitive program, they have company lines that perform in 3 regionals as wall as in nationals. The main goal overall is to enrich young people's lives through the joy of dance.
Katha Dance Theatre was opened in 1987 by Rita Mitra Mustaphi with the purpose of bringing Kathak, one of six classic Indian (from India) dances to Minnesota. It was the first Asian Indian company in Minnesota and is still one of the most renowned. They have a school that teaches Kathak dance, including historical and cultural context for the traditional dance. They invite students of all ages over the age of six, regardless of experience or skill. They just want to share the joy that is Kathak dance and have scholarships and other ways to make the classes affordable to everyone. On the Company side, they have performed all over the state and shared Kathak with as many people as possible.
Crystal Winterlude is a yearly event in February that celebrates the season and gives members of the community something to look forward to during said (sometimes long) season. It's hosted at Valley Place Park and offers plenty of activities for everyone. Ice skating, Ice bocce, and a carboard sledding contest, for example. There is also a dance performance by Kalpulli KetzalCoatlicue and donuts you can buy from the Hopper's Mini Donuts food trucks.
Crystal Frolics is an annual weekend event at Welcome Park and Becker Park at the end of July to celebrate all that makes Crystal a great place to live. There are plenty of events during the weekend for everyone in the family. There is live entertainment, including musical groups and a cheer team. The activities include the a softball tournament, free yoga, a job fair, and an LED light show. There are food trucks and vendors as well. It's a good time for everyone.
Trunk & Treat is a yearly Halloween activity hosted by the Cornerstone Church. It's held in their parking lot, naturally, and adults are encouraged to decorate their trunks and dress up in a fanciful costume. They offer other activities some years, once it was Saturday morning cartoons. It's a fun way for the whole family to enjoy Halloween.
Fall Storybook Trail is an event that happens in October at Bassett Creek Park and is hosted by the City of Crystal's Recreation Deportment. The idea is to have a nice autumn walk on the trail while a story is being read out loud. It's a fun way for families to enjoy the crisp air and a good story.
The Crystal Winerfest is an annual event hosted by the City of Crystal in December in the Crystal Community Center. It's a way to celebrate winter with fun outdoor activities such as a horse-drawn hayride, a candy cane hunt, an outdoor petting zoo, and more. there will be refreshments you can buy as well, and Santa will be there. The whole family will have a good time at this event.
Crystal Light Show is a Christmas light show that is staged in, of course, December for the Christmas holiday. It's hosted by a Crystal family because their kids love Christmas lights, and it runs through the whole month of December. There is a coordinated radio show at the same time belting out jolly Christmas music. It's a sight to see and enjoy.
