Burnes Park is a neighborhood favorite because it has plenty to offer for everyone. There is a playground area with bright, colorful equipment for the younger set, a splash pad for water fun for the whole family, and 2 picnic shelters for when you want to take a break and maybe have a bite to eat. If you are into athletic activities, there are 2 tennis courts, an ice skating rink, a basketball court, and softball fields. Canine companions are allowed in certain areas as long as they are leashed.
Central Park is an almost-18 acres park that is verdant and lush. There are open green spaces with benches for sitting as well as plenty to do if you're the more active type. There is an outdoor hockey rink, four tennis courts, an ice-skating rink, pickleball courts, and more. There are grills when you're ready to have something to eat, a picnic shelter, and picnic tables. Leashed dogs are allowed in certain areas so you can bring your canine companion with you to this park.
Cottageville Park is a neighborhood favorite because it's a nice place to get away from daily life. It has much greenery as well as a playground area for children. It's a newish park as it was completed in 2016. There is a basketball court, a fire pit, a creekside trail, and picnic shelters so you can do as much activity or as little as you please. It's a pleasant way to spend a weekend day out in the sun and basking in it.
Downtown Park is a quiet neighborhood park that has plenty of benches, which makes it a great place to go and just relax in. You can bring your dog if they're on a leash and there are open green spaces for you and your canine companion to walk in. There is an amphitheater in this park, which means that there are performances to watch and listen to throughout the summer (weather cooperating, of course). The park can be rented out for personal events as well.
Valley Park is a cozy neighborhood park that has plenty to offer. A notable aspect of the park is that it provides family garden plots for its residents. For the sporty types, there are softball fields and tennis courts, an archery range and a skating rink, and nature trails to walk on. There is also a sand volleyball court, a sledding hill, and more. There are places to grill, eat, and rest, too. There are areas that are open to dogs on leashes as well.
China Palace is a Chinese restaurant that has been serving Cantonese and Szechuan cuisine to the Hopkins community since 1997. The restaurant is family-owned, and they are eager to share their Chinese dishes with the community. The atmosphere and staff are welcoming and friendly, and the menu is vast. It includes favorites such as Sweet & Sour Chicken, Shrimp Lo Mein, Moo Shu Chicken, and Beef Fried Rice. They have plenty of vegetarian options as well.
Hoagie's Family Restaurant is an American restaurant that offers hearty breakfast and lunch dishes with a smile. The decor is woodsy and warm, and the atmosphere is welcoming. The breakfast menu includes Breakfast Sandwich, Sticky Roll, Breakfast Combos, and Cheese Omelet. The lunch menu has dishes such as Pork Tenderloin Sandwich, Deluxe Burger, and Steak Salad.
Nacho's Mexican Grill is a family-owned Mexican restaurant that has been serving the Hopkins community for over a decade. Siblings Cecilia, Erika, and Ignacio make the food from scratch and have patio seating when weather permits. They have quickly become a community favorite for their authentic Mexican cuisine, colorful decor, and welcoming atmosphere. The menu includes Mixed Meat Fajitas, Sopes, Ham Torta, Shrimp Alambres, and more. They also have beer and wine, which are a fine accompaniment to the Mexican fare.
Pizza Luce Hopkins is part of a local chain that prides itself on great pizza, using local ingredients. They have vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. They are willing to customize their dishes if you ask them to do so. The decor is warm and inviting with a hint of a retro feel. The service is friendly and the food is fresh. They have different happy hour specials on the daily so check their website for what's special on the day you go. Their menu includes Baked Potato Pizza, The Dubious (pizza, they also have a vegetarian option), Vesuvio (pizza), Garlic Mac 'N Cheese, Meatball Parmigiana (hoagie), Mock Muffuletta (hoagie), and more. They have drinks as well, such as Dreamyard and a Royal Raspberry Sour.
Star Wok is a Chinese restaurant that serves dishes in different regional styles. They have Szechuan, Hunan, and Cantonese food with plenty of options. Everyone is certain to find something they like. The decor, staff members, and atmosphere are all welcoming. The menu includes Moo Goo Gai Pan, Beef w/Snow Peas, House Special Duck, Roast Pork Fried Rice, and more. They also have a healthy options section and a veggie section, too.
30 Bales is a restaurant with that Midwestern spirit. It's very much a 'come in and sit a while' kind of place. The decor is both contemporary and warm, which makes for an inviting atmosphere. The name of the restaurant is from the legend that Babe the Blue Ox could eat thirty bales of hale a day. The dishes are made by hand and with fresh ingredients, while the staff is cheerful and friendly. The menu includes Short Rib Pot Pie, Paul Bunyan "Drummies", Tomato Root Salad, Walleye Sandwich, and more.
Tibet Corner is a Tibetan restaurant that serves both Tibetan and Indian cuisine. The decor, staff, and atmosphere are all warm and welcoming. They have food for vegetarians, vegans, and people who eat meat alike. They make the foods by hand with distinctive and flavorful ingredients, and many of their dishes are family recipes. The restaurant is family-owned and operated. The menu includes Vegetable Samosa, Sweet Corn Soup, Alu Sha, Gya Thuk, Chicken Tandoor, and more.
Antiques on Mainstreet was opened by Hal and Nancy in 2010 after rebuilding from a fire that wrecked their first business, Antiques at Shady Oak (which they opened in 2005). The current store is in downtown Hopkins has two levels and 7,000 square feet. There are 50 dealers who are enthusiastic about their collections and knowledgeable, too. The items they have are diverse, ranging from vintage albums to antique clothing, home decor, toys, and many other items.
Hopkins Antique Mall is an antique store that has been serving Hopkins since 1997. They have a spacious store with two levels of 10,000 square feet, and their inventory is always changing and updating. They have all kinds of antiques, ranging from vintage clothing to furniture, to the toys of your childhood,. They also have dinnerware, jewelry, and more. They have several dealers who are excited to show you their wares.
Mill City Sound opened in 2014 as an independent record store by Rob Sheely and his wife along with an antiques store next to it. Mill City Sound took off and became such a big hit, the Sheelys closed the antique store and expanded the record store. It's filled with vinyl, rare and used records, 45s, and reissues. The staff members are friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to find the right record for each customer. They are willing to search for that rare item that their customers can't find, and they have nearly 24,000 new vinyls in stock.
Mainstreet Bar & Grill is a local favorite as it has something to do every night that includes live music on the weekend, big screen TVs so you can watch your favorite team, and Saturday trivia. The outside resembles a big ol' barn whereas the inside is warm and welcoming. The menu includes Blackened Steak Salad, the Mainstreet (burger), Fettuccine Chicken Alfredo, and Hawaiian Pizza. On the drinks side, they have all the usual, including beer and wine.
Pub 819 is a full-service bar-and-restaurant with a woodsy decor that is both warm and welcoming. They have two dog-friendly patios, one which is a year-round PAWTICO. They have a dog menu with tasty dishes such as Frozen Smoked Beef Marrow Bone, Boxer Bites, NE Pup Burger. The human menu includes Smoked Pub Drums, Brisket Gouda Mac & Cheese, Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta, Korean Fried Cauliflower Bowl, Honey Pecan Chicken (salad), and more. They have vegan options. The drinks menu is just as extensive with beer, wine, cocktails, and mocktails options.
The Vine Room was opened in 2019 by Ali and Drew because of their budding love for wine. They developed that passion while living in wine country in California and brought it to Hopkins with them. The place is large and modern with a contemporary feel to it. The atmosphere is convivial, welcoming one and all. The staff members are friendly and knowledgeable. They have every kind of wine you can imagine, ranging from Bodegas Olivares Rosada to Feelin' Fancy (Un) Cocktail, and everything in between. They have wine flights and cheese boards as well.
Tuttle's Eat Bowl Play is a family-owned bowling center that offers so much more. In addition to the 24 lanes (which have both open bowling and leagues), there is an arcade game room/a full menu, and Tuesday Night Beer and Bowling. They have bingo and live music on different nights, too. The menu includes Bull Bites, Pot Roast Sandwich, Black & Blue (burger), Italian Sausage (pizza), and more.
Wild Boar Bar & Grill has two locations, one of them being Hopkins. They are welcoming to sports fans with their 25 TVs and a large projection TV to boot. They have delivery as well as dine-in. The place is spacious and woodsy, and it has a welcoming feel to it. The service is friendly and the beers are overflowing. The menu includes Wild Boar Ribs, half or full rack, Thai Dragon, Salmon Caesar Salad, Sassy Sow (sandwich), and more. On the drinks-side, they have tap beers and specialty drinks.
Costa Rica Ballroom Dance Studios has been opened since 2006 and is passionate about spreading the joy of ballroom dancing to the communities they serve. Their main location is in Hopkins while they are also located in St. Paul and Woodbury as well. They teach most forms of couples dancing, and both social and competitive dance. The dances they teach are vast, including the cha cha, the hustle, the samba, and so much more. They have won several competitions and they put on showcases of their dancing throughout the year.
Eisenhower Community Center is located in the same building as Eisenhower Elementary School and hosts events that are open to the public. There are plays, musical performances, sporting events, and more. The Eisenhower Observatory is located here as well, which is a nice place to bundle up and gaze at the stars. It also houses the Eisenhower Community Center Pool if you fancy a dip to cool you off. The center is a great place for the community to gather and have fun together.
Eisenhower Observatory is located in the Eisenhower Community Center and there is a dome on top of it as part of the observatory. The Lawrence Sauter telescope is situated in the dome and through it, you can see the stars. The observatory is open to the public on certain dates, which can be seen on the schedule on their website.
The Hopkins Center for the Arts was planned in 1997 by the City of Hopkins and the Stages Theatre Company with full support from the community. It is set in the west metro and has 36,000 square feet. It has a place of pride in the community and has been the site of many memorable theatrical moments. In addition to all the performances, the center can be rented out for celebratory events such as weddings and birthday parties. There are also workshops and classes offered on site.
Hopkins Dance Company is a dance studio that has been serving the community for over 35 years and has become a stalwart when it comes to dance. They are classically inspired, but they have become more diverse over the years. They house the Hopkins Youth Ballet and are focused on bringing the world of dance to the young people in the community. They provide a safe and supportive environment in which people can learn the art and beauty of dance. They accept students of any size, gender, or skill level. They have open classes and a performance track, and they offer classes in ballet, musical theater, yoga, creative movement, and more.
The Hopkins Pavilion is a community-friendly arena where people gather to play and have a good time. The Hopkins Pavilion runs on a seasonal schedule. During the autumn/winter (September to February), it operates as an ice arena. There is turf installed for the spring months (March to May), for football. Summer (June to September) sees it having a dry floor, neither ice nor turf. There are classrooms and multi-use rooms available for rent.
Rince na Greine Irish Dance is an Irish Dance studio. Rince na Greine means "Dance of the Sun" in Irish, which is particularly apt. The studio teaches Irish Dance for pupils aged 2 and up to (and through) adulthood. The instructors want their students to experience the joy of Irish Dance, whether that's recreationally, performatively, or competitively. They are a member of Cumann Rince Naisiunta, the National Dance Association of Ireland. They welcome everyone who wants to learn Irish Dance. They have classes and camps, teams, and private lessons, too. There is definitely something for everyone.
Stages Theatre Company was established in 1994 and is a valuable asset to the community. They are dedicated to performance and to helping the next generation appreciate art in various forms. They are the second-biggest nonprofit theater in Minnesota and are involved in the community. They stage performances, of course, but they also offer plenty of theatrical education, including classes, workshops, and teen mentorships.
The Sunset Series is music in Downtown Park, a summer series presented by the Hopkins Center for the Arts. This happens every Thursday during the summer at 7 p.m., and it is a free series. The ensembles included for 2022 are: Texas Toast, Lanue, Pick'd String Band, and Salsa del Soul. What a perfect way to enjoy a summer evening in the park.
Zeller Studio is the art studio of Deb Zeller, an artist who is known around the state and the region. She has several of her bronze sculptures in places of prominence, including The Garden of the Grapes at Parley Lake Winery, Rooted in Tomorrow by Land O'Lakes for their centennial, and the Victoria Centennial Sculpture for the city's centennial. She had done series as well, and a gallery where she highlights local/regional artists. She also heads the Figurative Study Collective, which is focused on painting the human form from live models.
Every year on St. Patrick's Day, Hopkins Elk Lodge hosts the World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade which is a mere four blocks from the American Legion to the Elks Lodge. It's short and sweet, and it's lots of fun for everyone.
Mainstreet Days is an event that is sponsored by JCI Hopkins and is an annual event that happens in May. It is hosted on Mainstreet, naturally, and is a way to gather with other members of the community to celebrate what makes Hopkins a great place to live. One of the biggest draws in the Mainstreet Day Arts and Crafts Fair, which has over 150 arts and crafts vendors who participate. This includes fine arts, jewelry, garden decor, photography, and so much more. While this is going on, there is also live entertainment and kids activities, and food vendors around as well.
Field Day marks the beginning of summer in June every year at Valley Park. It's free and open to everyone, a way to get to know the other members of the community. There will be plenty activities for everyone to enjoy, including Flag Football, Bubble Soccer, Tug-o-War and so much more. There will be BBQ and drinks for everyone.
The Hopkins Raspberry Festival has been an annual event, the third weekend in July, since 1935. It was started as a way to bolter community during the depression at the height of raspberry-picking season. Nowadays, it brings together members of the community and celebrates everything that makes Hopkins special. There are plenty of events scheduled for the weekend, including the coronation of Raspberry Royalty, a Grande Day Parade, and a Marketplace Fair. There are food vendors who sell all kinds of fare and the festival is run by volunteers. It's a fun weekend for everyone.
Halloween in Hopkins is an annual event that takes place in October, of course. It's hosted by the Hopkins Business and Civic Association, JCI Hopkins, and the City of Hopkins. There is plenty for the kids to do, including trick-or-treating from the small businesses, kids games, and a haunted drive. It's the perfect way to celebrate the spooky season.
Holiday in Hopkins is an annual event that takes place on Small Business Sunday in November and is hosted by Hopkins Business and Civic Association (HBCA). It kicks off the holiday season and is a party in the streets (Mainstreet, to be precise). There are plenty of activities for everyone. Past activities have included ornament decoration, an art scavenger hunt, wagon rides, Santa Claus, and much more.
