Aquatore Park is a community favorite, especially since it has a dog park in it. In addition to that, for the sporty types, there are several options. The park has three baseball/softball diamonds, a football field, and a half-basketball court. There is a bike trail for those who prefer a leisurely (or not so leisurely) bike ride. for the younger set, there is a playground to play in. There is a picnic area when you want to take a break and have a bite to eat.
Swanson Dog Park is located in Aquatore Park and is an off-leash park. There are separate enclosed parks for big dogs and small dogs, so that each group can feel comfortable interacting within the group. There are water fountains for when your canine companion gets thirsty, and there is a shelter with heat/power for when they get cold. There are picnic tables nearby so you can sit and watch while your dog has fun running around with their friends.
Tom Ryan Park is a community favorite in part because there is a shelter that is used for performances. It's popular to rent it in the summer, especially for parties. It can fit up to 150 people. There is also a water fountain in the park that is the focus of attention. The other major fetaure of the park, other than the lush greenery, is the Veterans Memorial that is adorned with a purple heart. There are open spaces to play in and trails to traverse if you are hankering for a walk.
Carol's Restaurant is a family-owned American restaurant that serves traditional American food. They make their dishes by hand and from scratch, and the food will make you remmeber how it felt to eat food make by your grandmother--warm and comforting. The atmosphere is welcoming and the staff is friendly. The dishes include Homemade Biscuit & Sausage Gravy, Grilled Parmesan or Beer-Battered Walleye, Carol's Fritter Monte Cristo, Free Range Turkey or Meatloaf Dinner, and so much more. If you want to finish your meal with something sweet, they have desserts such as Indulgent Mocha Chocolate Layer Cake, Carrot Cake, Sundaes, and more.
Hajime Sushi Restaurant is a, yes, sushi restaurant with chic and modern decor that has a contemporary feel to it. The service is friendly, and the fish is fresh. The menu includes a la carte sushi and sashimi, rolls such as eel & avocado, spicy mango shrimp, yellowtail jalapeno, dragon roll, and more. They have special rolls as well, including Pikachu Roll, Ocean Lover Roll, Hajime Rainbow Roll, just to mention a few. They have non-sushi dishes,, too, such as Spicy Chicken Teriyaki, Chicken Katsu, Beef Fried Rice, Vegetable Yaki Soba or Udon, and more.
Misono Sushi & Asian Bistro is a restaurant that has sushi and other Asian dishes. 'Asian' includes Japanese, Chinese, and Thai. It's located in The Village of Blaine Shopping Center. The atmosphere is bright and cheerful, and the service is friendly and welcoming. The menu has dishes such as Spicy Crab Salad, Massamun Curry (with your choice of protein), Pad Thai, and Katsu. Their sushi menu includes sushi/ sashimi and rolls such as Eel Cucumber Roll, Rainbow Roll, Mushroom Avocado Roll, and more.
Rocky's Asian Bistro & BBQ is an Asian fusion restaurant that features American BBQ done in an Asian style.In addition, they have more traditional Asian (Vietnamese, Hmong, Chinese, Thai, and sushi) as well. It's family-owned and operated, and they enjoy bringing new tastes to the city. The service is friendly and the food is homemade. The dishes include Crying Tiger Steak, Hmong Brisket Combo, Smoked Pork Belly, Spicy Basil Chicken, and more. They also will make certain dishes gluten-free upon request, including Hmong Pork Belly, Drunken Noodles, Pad See Ew, and more.
Wing Joint was opened in 1981 and has been serving wings and BBQ smoked ribs ever since. They use dry rub on the former and hickory smoke on the latter, and it makes for very happy customers. They only serve whole bone-in wings. They do seasoned wings and buffalo wings. The decor is reminiscent of a diner, and the service is friendly. The menu includes seasoned wings, buffalo wings, hickory smoked ribs, and chicken strips. They have burgers and sandwiches, too, with all kinds of sides. They have different combos so you can try several different things at one time.
Apricot Lane Boutique is a franchise women's clothing store in The Village of Blaine Shopping Center. They provide clothing in a variety of styles, accessories and shoes as well. This shop is locally owned and offers clothing that is trendy and fresh in the area. The salespeople are eager to help out the customers and to make sure to tailor the suggestions to each woman's personal style.
Cheapo Discs has three stores in the Twin Cities (and suburb), and in the Blaine store, they have a solid selection of CDs in all different genres, and they also have DVDs, LPs, and cassettes. They also have a variety of posters and t-shirts of different images form music, movies, TV, and artists. They also have gift items with the same images, including mugs, magnets, and car freshners.
Northtown Mall opened in 1972 and became the go-to shopping center for members of the community. Currently, the anchor stores include Burlington Coat Factory and two Becker Furniture stores. There are plenty of other stores including a Best Buy Outlet, Claire's, The Home Depot, Victoria's Secret, and more. There are also service shops such as Damien's Sports Barber and Nail Trix. There are also experiences to be have with places such as Animal Rides. If you want to take a break and grab a bite to eat, head on over to Cloud Kitchen.
The Village of Blaine is a favorite shopping center for the members of the community. Its flagship store is the Cub Foods that is prominently located within the shopping center. There are a wide variety of stores such as Chuck & Dan's Pet Food Outlet, Five Below, Styled Stems, and Maurices. There are also service shpos such as Great Clips and Metro Dentalcare. If you're hungry, you can grab a bite at Lucy's Burgers or Misono Sushi & Asian Bistro.
Old Piper Inn Bar & Grill is a family-owned restaurant that emphasizes freshness in their homemade recipies. The atmosphere is bustling, and the service is friendly. There is a patio for outdoor eating when weather permits. They have different events on different nights so check their website for details. They serve breakfast all day, and that menu includes a variety of omelettes, different combos, and sides. Their regular menu includes The Piper (burger), Hot Beef Sandwich, Four Meat (pizza), Grilled Rachel or Reuben, just to name a few. On the drinks side, they have beer, wines, and an impressive collection of vodkas.
Performance in the Park is a free event held in the summers at Tom Ryan Park and Aquatore Park. The performances are free to the public and fun for everyone in the family. Bring your own picnic to enjoy a bite to eat as you're listening to music and basking in the summer sun. Past performers have included The Jimtones, Run Lucy Run, Tricia and the Toonies!, and more.
The Rusty Bumblebee has a unique take on being a bar--having the customer pour their own beer from several taps and only pay for what they pour. It's been a very popular joint for grabbing a few beers with friends. You buy a RFID card aftre you open a tab, and then you find a beer you'd like to try, scan your RFID card before pouring your drink, andthen enjoy the drink. It's that easy. They have several dozen of beers from which to choose. The atmosphere is fun and the staff are friendly.
The Tavern Grill Restaurant & Bar is one of nine in Minnesota and neighborinng states. It has a modern look with a casual feel, and there is a wide-open outdoor patio, weather permitting. The service is fast and friendly, too. Their menu includes Tavern Brie Pizza, Breakfast Burger, Southern Fried, Chicken Sandwich, New Orleans Shrimp Tchoupitoulas, and more. You can also build your own burger, salad, or pizza. They have an allergens menu as well, and they can provide burgers with gluten-free buns and pizzas with gluten-free crusts. Their drinks menu includes cocktails such as Passion Fruit Smash, Cucumber Basil Gimlet, Mango Tango Tini, to name just a few. They also have mocktails. You can build your own Bloody Mary, too. They have wine and beer as well.
Wild Bill's Sports Saloon is a popular watering hole in the city. It is one of five (four in Minnesota and one in Fargo). It's a casual bar with a western theme, and it's a popular gathering place for people in Blaine. The service is friendly and the environment is bustling. It's a gerat place to go with some friends to watch your favorite sports team. The menu includes Smothered Tater Kegs, Steakhouse Wrap, build you own Philly Cheesteak or Chicken Philly, On The Run (burger), Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, and much more. On the drinks side, they do margs, mules, and mojitos among other cocktails, and they have beer as well. They have a dog patio and a dog menu, the latter has treats including Healthy Hound and Fido's Finest.
Northern Force Dance Company is a dance shool with teachers who have a combined sixty years of experience. They teach classes for students who are dancing for fun and relaxation as well as those who want to dance competitively. They teach students aged from preschool to eighteen. They teach a variety of dances, including hip hop, creative movement, jazz, musical theater, and more. They adjust their classes for the students according to age and ability. They have auditions for their competitive line.
The Blaine Festival is an annual event that is held in June at Aquatore Park. It's a weekend-long event that is a joyous celebration for the community members, and there is something for everyone to enjoy. The events range from a kid's pedaling tractor pull to a not-so-ugly dog contest, and there is also a carnival, a live petting zoo, food, and much more. The event is free and has free parking. It's a yearly popular event that is well-attended, rain or shine.
The Blaine WorldFest is hosted by the city every year in September at the Tom Ryan Park. The city enjoys recognizing and celebrating the growing diversity in the city. It is a popular eventevery year with over 2,000 people attending in 2022. There are different activities from different cultures, and the activities include music, dance, demonstrations, cultural learning booths, and food from a variety of cultures. The event is free.
The Winter Celebration is an annual event celebrated in late November in the Tom Ryan Park and tinside Blaine City Hall. In Tom Ryan Park, there will be the Winter Holiday Celebrtion that starts with the lighting of the park by former mayor, Tom Ryan. There will be live holiday music inside city hall, s'mores by the fire, and more. There will also be a kids shopping spree inside City Hall. Admission into the event is free.
