Bunker Hills Regional Park is 1,600 acres of awe-inspiring verdant beauty. There is plenty to do and see in this park. There is hiking, biking, and golf. There is horseback riding, cross-country skiing and skijoring, and disc golf. There is a skate park if boarding is your thing, and there is a dog park in which you can take your canine companion to romp and frolic. There is archery, and there is camping. There are also picnic pavilions if you want to take a break from all the activity and grab something to eat. There is also a playground for the young ones, and there is a Veterans Memorial near it.
Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park is one of Anoka County's most popular parks. It's 446 acres, and it has plenty to do no matter what your interests. There is a boat launch in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter. In addition, there are hiking trails and biking trails, fishing spots, and plenty of room for geocaching. There are places for barbecuing and picnics, including seven picnic pavilions with facilities for rent. There is a Visitor Center with snowshoe and cross-country ski rental, and it has a bird watching area as well. And, of course, there is the dam, which is a sight to behold. All in all, it's a great place to spend a Saturday afternoon with friends and/or family.
Lions Coon Creek Park is a community favorite, and it has a little bit of everything. It has two softball fields, a bocce ball court, and a volleyball court. It also has trails that connect to the Sand Creek/Coon Creek Trail system. You can enjoy the beautiful natural environment around you as you walk or run on these trails, and then when you're hungry, you can stop in one of the picnic areas and enjoy a nice meal or snack. There are picnic shelters for rental as well. There is a playground for the kids, and there are ample restrooms.
Riverview Park is buzzing with activity, including tennis, softball, and a half-court for basketball. There is also an open ice skating arena and a skate (board) park. There is a playground with bright and colorful equipment for the kids to enjoy. There is also a regulation Little League Baseball baseball field which can also be enjoyed by children. There are walking trails and there are picnic areas.
Sand Creek Park is best known for its athletic complex that encompasses so many different sports. It has places to play baseball/softball, basketball, lacrosse, soccer, and football. There are two ice rink, one for hockey and one for free skating. There are two playgrounds for the younger set, and there is a concession building where you can go to get something to eat or drink, and you can warm up in it in the winter. There are walking trails if that's more your style, and there is plenty of lush foliage to look at as you walk. There are picnic shelters when you want to take a break and have a bite to eat.
Angkor Restaurant is a family-owned Cambodian Chinese restaurant that opened in 2012. It is located in the Northdale Shopping Center, and it is a small and cozy space. The decor is colorful, and it makes the atmosphere very welcoming. The service is friendly, and it's a great place to hang out and have a bite to eat. The menu includes Chinese staples such as friend rice. chow mein, and egg foo young. If you want to try something a bit different, order from the Cambodian side of the menu, which has dishes such as lort cha, loc lac, and pa kea cha.
Dino's Mediterranean Fresh is a family-owned local chain that was started in 1975 by Dino and Vona Adamidis. Their goal was to deliver authentic Greek dishes to the Twin Cities in a fast and casual setting, and that is exactly what they have done over the years. They have expanded to four restaurants, all of which offer their trademark Original Gyros. The restaurant is colorful and casual, and the service is fast and friendly. In addition to the gyros, they offer seasoned fries, basmati rice, pita chips and dips, and tabouli salad. They have delivery as well.
New Mandarin is a family-owned Chinese restaurant that serves both Chinese food and Vietnamese food. It's a small restaurant with a homey feel to it and a relaxed atmosphere. The menu is vast, and it includes many familiar favorites such as chow mein, pho, egg foo young, and chow fun. There are also special dishes such as Beef and Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce, Ginger and Green Onion Tripe, and Seafood Mixao Don.
Osaka Sushi & Hibachi is one of three Osaka restaurant, and it features sushi and hibachi (and more). The restaurant has an elegant and contemporary decor, and the service is fast and friendly. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the food is varied and made daily. The sushi menu includes sushi, maki, and rolls. Some of their rolls are Phoenix Roll, Hawaiian Roll, and Scorpion Roll. The rest of their menu includes hibachi, tempura, and Korean Bulgogi.
Pizza Flame has been a staple in Coon Rapids since it opened in 1977, and it's certainly a community favorite. The decor is woody and nondescript, but the staff members are friendly. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming to everyone. They are famous for their thin crust, and they make each pie by hand with the freshest ingredients. Their menu includes Pizza Flame House (pizza), Baked Rigatoni, and Garlic Bread that you can get with cheese and/or meat sauce. You can also build your own pizza if you so desire.
Cullens Ice Cream 2 was opened in 2017 by Chris and Lisa Cullen, a husband and wife, three years after they opened their first ice cream shop, the original Cullens Ice Cream, in 2014. It is a seasonal shop that shuts down for the winter and then reopens in the spring. The store is bright and cheerful, and the staff members are friendly. They have 48 flavors of ice cream, including Superman, Chocolate Chip, and Peanut Butter & Jelly. They have homemade vegan/dairy free ice cream as well as the regular kind. They also have homemade gourmet popcorn that is very popular with the customers. And, they have candy and soda as well. In addition, they donate their foods to events as a way to give back to the community.
Jerry's Schwinn Cyclery was opened in 1984 by Jerry, and they have been serving the cyclists of the community ever since. The staff members are friendly and knowledgeable, and they want to make sure that all customers are matched with their perfect bicycles. They have many kinds of bikes, including hybrid bikes, tandem bikes, and BMX bikes. They offer several bike accessories as well, such as pumps, gloves, and helmets. They also repair/service old bikes, and they have ice and hockey skates, too.
Northdale Shopping Center opened in 1951, and it has been a mainstay of the community ever since. All the stores are owned by members of the community, which makes for a cozy feeling in the shopping center. The stores include Jensen's Foods and Forever Floral. The service-based places include Foley Boulevard Animal Hospital and Image Creator Salon & Spa. If you're hungry, you can grab something to eat Scoops Pub or Shortstop Bar & Grill.
The Riverdale Commons is a shopping center with the flagstaff stores of Target and Home Depot. The other stores include Petco, Michael's, HomeGoods, and Sportsman's Warehouse. If you're hungry from all the shopping you've done, then you can have a bite at Mandarin Buffet 1, Little Caesar's, and Popeyes.
Riverdale Village is an outdoor mall in Coon Rapids, and it opened in 2002. It has been updated and renovated since, and is still popular in the community. There are over 75 stores, and a few of the flagship stores are Costco, Kohl's, and JCPenney's. Some of the other stores are Bed Bath & Beyond, Massage Envy, and Men's Wearhouse. If you're hungry, you can grab a bite at Noodles & Company, Boston's The Gourmet Pizza Restaurant, and Chipotle.
Boulevard Bar & Grille is a casual neighborhood joint with a welcoming atmosphere and a friendly staff. They have plenty of activities for you to enjoy on different nights, such as BINGO, Keys for Cash Drawing, karaoke, meat raffles, and SIN Sundays. Their menu includes Corned Beef and Hash (breakfast), The Boulevard (burger), and Creamy Alfredo Pasta. Drinks-wise, they have beer and wine, and a 2-4-1 single pour drinks all day every day.
Kendall's Tavern & Chophouse is a combination steakhouse and bar with an contemporary yet rustic feel to it and friendly service. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, and it has a patio for seasonal seating. They have options for group dining and for private dining as well. They have several different menus, and the Tavern menu includes Tempura Walleye, Mac & Cheese, and the Chophouse Club. The Chophouse menu has char-broiled burgers including a vegetarian one, the rib & chicken combo, and the ribeye. They have a Celiac menu, which includes Rotisserie Chicken Melt, the Smokehouse (char-broiled burger), and Walleye. They also have a Celiac Chophouse menu, too. Drinks-wise, they have several kinds of beer, wine, and cocktails.
Muddy Cow is a local chain that has a woody decor and a convivial atmosphere. The service is friendly, and they are known for their 2-for-1 drinks. It is locally owned and operated, and they source all their ingredients from farms within a 300 mile radius. They have TVs all around so you can watch whatever game you want. The menu includes Rodeo Cow (burger), Chicken Philly, and Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese. Drinks-wise, they have beer and mixed drinks.
Shortstop Bar & Grill is a neighborhood favorite owned by Ray and has been for over 20 years. It is a family-owned bar and has a casual atmosphere with friendly service. They have meat raffles, BINGO, and karaoke on different nights of the week. The menu includes buffalo wings, burgers such as California Bacon Burger, and Rippers (hot dogs deep fried until they rip). The drink selection includes several beers, a few wines, and select liquor. There is patio seating in the summer as well.
The Well Sports Tavern & Grill is all about the sports, and they celebrate all the big sports events for the Wild, the Vikings, the Twins, and the Timberwolves. The decor is colorful and festooned with big screen TVs from which you can watch any game you want. The service is fast and friendly, and the atmosphere is cheerful and festive. They have a patio for outdoor seating in the summer as well. The menu features their burgers, which are some of the best in town, as well as jumbo wings, Belly Buster Fish, Big Island Chicken, and Turkey Guacamole.
The Bunker Hills Event Center is located in the Bunker Hills Golf Club, and it is a perfect place to host a big event, such as a wedding. The space can hold up to 384 people, and it's also perfect for any golf-related events as it's in a golf club. They have catering available for the events as well as the use of the space. The Bunker Hills Dinner Theatre also occurs in this space.
Cheers Pablo is a family owned business that, as a part of a local chain, offers painting classes where you and your friends and/or family can paint and enjoy a glass of wine at the same time. It doesn't matter your skill level because the classes are for everyone, from beginners on up. Each class is two or three hours, and they provide everything you need, from canvases to paint. Their food menu includes a single deep dish pizza, mozzarella sticks, and large soft pretzels. They offer drinks such as red and white wine, beer, and mimosas. They are available for corporate events, birthday parties, and have open studio times as well.
The Coon Rapids Civic Center has several rooms available for rental, including a Banquet Facility that is perfect for weddings. It has a 230 people capacity, and it can be divided if not as much room is needed. Any of your life's milestones can be celebrated here, including birthday parties, bridal showers, and graduation parties. They also have different conference rooms that can be rented as well. There are also classes/camps/activities there throughout the year.
Riverwind Community Building is located in Riverwind Park, and it has two rooms for rent. The Riverwind 1 fits 56 people, and it's suitable for meetings as it has WiFi and tables. It also has a refrigerator in case you want to stock up on snacks for the meeting. Riverwind 2 has room for 64 people. It is also useful for meetings as it has tables and WiFi. It has a mini-fridge, too.
URBAN Dance Productions opened in 2016 to spread the joy of urban dance with the community of Coon Rapids and to teach people to have a strong sense of their own individual dance styles. They have classes in ballet, tap, hip hop, and more. They also have camps and competition line auditions. Their classes are for all different ages, including adults, and the staff members are knowledgeable and encouraging to everyone.
The Coon Rapids Snowflake Days is an annual event that first happened in 1964 as a way for the community to come together and celebrate. It was held in the winter because the cities surrounding Coon Rapids had their city celebrations in summer, and they wanted a way to stand out. The activities have changed over the years, and the latest include the Kids Ice Fishing Contest, Cookies & Canvas, and the Adult Medallion Hunt. It's a week of fun festivities for the whole family.
The Liberian Girls Rock Honoring Awards Gala is hosted by Liberian Girls Rock at the PurpleRose Event Hall, and the mission is to fight hunger in Liberia. The event itself is to celebrate powerful Liberian people and to show the world the richness of the country that is Liberia. They want to empower Liberian women in the process and maybe change the world to boot through strengthened community.
The Darkest Night of Your Life 4K is an annual event hosted by HOPE 4 Youth, a nonprofit that has the goal of ending homelessness for youths in the north metro suburbs, and it's held at the Bunker Hills Golf Club in May. The walk/run is to raise awareness of the issue and the experiences the youths go through as well as to raise funds to aid said youth not to have to go through it again.
The Coon Rapids 4th of July Celebration is hosted by the City in July, of course, and it's held at the Coon Rapids Ice Center & Recreation. It kicks off with a parade two days before the 4th, and it ends with one of the best fireworks displays the night of the 4th. In between these bookends are activities such as a 10k run and a 5k run/walk, carnival midway rides, and live music. It's fun for the whole family.
The Coon Rapids Love My Pet Fair is hosted by the City and is a fairly recent annual event that happens in September. It is held in Riverview Park, and all well-behaved pets are invited to attend. There will be plenty of fun activities, including a smart pet tricks contest, a sidewalk chalk art contest, a pet parade and contest for best-dressed pet, and a K9 agility demo. It will be a great time for all people and animals involved.