Commons Park is a popular park, in part beacuse it's located near the schools. For the athletic types, there is plenty to enjoy. It has soccer fields, tennis courts, football fields, and more. The largest plaground in the city is in this park as well, which is exciting for the kids. It also has a big hill for sledding in the winter, a skating rink as well as a hockey rink, and a warming house for when you're done with the winter activities. There is also an enclosed shelter to rest in for other inclement weather.
Locke County Park is a park in the Anoka County Park system. It is a great park that is fun for the whole family. It has a playground for the younger set, and it has biking and hiking trails that are great if you like to walk and/or bike. There is also an off-leash dog park so you can bring your canine companion along--and they can make friends while you enjoy the great outdoors.
If you are the type who really enjoys being outside, then you can explore Rice Creek and watch birds to your heart's content.
There is also a picnic pavilion so you can have a picnic while the kids play on the playground and your dogs are having fun as well.
Manomin County Park is part of the Anoka County Park system, though it has not always been. Anoka County acquired them in 1967, and it is 15 acres at the confluence of Mississippi River and Rice Creek.
If you are an outdoor enthusiast, then this is the park for you. You can walk along the creek and watch fishermen catch sunnies, crappies, northern pikes, and more.
There is also connection to the Mississippi River Regional Trail, which is several miles long, so it's a lovely hike with so much to see along the way.
Riverview Heights Park is roughly 7.5 acres of nature to enjoy. It's alongside the Mississippi River Regional Trail, which is great if you are a hiker and love to take in the natural beauty around you. You can also bike the trail if you prefer. If you like to fish, you can do that, too. You might be able to catch smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and walleye. You can also have a picnic to take a break from all that hiking and biking. There is a playground, which is sure to please the kids.
Springbrook Nature Center is owned by the City of Fridley and sits on 127 acres of a lively and diverse ecosystem. the land includes wetlands, forests, and native prairies. There are three miles of hiking trails for people who like to enjoy nature by walking through it, and there are floating boardwalks as well. There is an interpretive center with exhibits and live animals.
They have a lot of eductaional programs as well. Some of them include: (for all ages) biking program, outdoor adventures, phenology hikes; (youth programs) preschool nature club, 4H environmental club; and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Visit their website or give them a call to see all they have to offer.
El Rinconcito Latino is a Mexican restaurant in an unassuming strip mall. While it may not be much to look at, the food is full of flavor. The service is fast and friendly. The menu includes Tacos de chorizo, Torta de pollo, Burrito al pastor, Platano frita con crema, and more.
Hyderabad Indian Grill is a restaurant that pays tribute to a restaurant with the same name in the city of Hyderabad in India. It has classic recipes that have been updated for these modern times, but they still retain the traditions of the area.
The restaurant looks plain, but the food is not plain at all. It's spicy and flavorful, filled with a diversity of spices. The staff is friendly and welcoming, and they are willing to explain anything you as a customer might need to know.
The menu is filled with delights, including Chicken Pakora, Aloo Naan, Curry Chicken Momos, Lamb Keema Briyani, and Goat Saag, as well as plenty other flavorful dishes. They have vegetarian options, gluten-free options, and dairy-free options, too. They truly have something for everyone.
River Grill Pizza & Deli is a Mediterranean restaurant that also has pizza, calzones, and stromboli.They are in an unassuming mall, but they have friendly service and a wide variety of food. They are known for their sandwiches, which include gyros, kofta kabob sandwiches, falaffel sandwiches, and more. Their pizza menu includes all the classics including buffalo chicken, meat lovers, and more. They have plates and baskets that include River Grill Gryo Plate and Tilapia Fish Basket.
Teppanyaki Grill & Supreme Buffet is a Japanese restaurant that can good food to you in several different ways. They have carry-out by weight, dine-in, buffet, and banquets (you can reserve their banquet room) with a wide array of food available to you. Their hibachi menu is not available at this time. The service is friendly and the atmosphere is welcoming. The menu includes sushi, steak, seafood, and more. There is even pizza, and there are vegetarian options, too.
The King's Thai Cuisine is a family-owned Thai restaurant, committed to bringing the tastes of Thailand to Fridley. The recipes have been in the family for generations. The facade of the building is unassuming, but the food is anything but. The decor is minimal, yet warm, and the staff are friendly and welcoming.
The menu includes crowd favorites as Roast Duck Curry, Pad Thai and Thai Fried Rice, and Tom Yum (soup). There are some less-familiar dishes such as Pad Nom Man Hoi, Laab, and Goong Hom Pha. They also have vegetarian options and Halal beef and chicken. There is defidinetly something for everyone here.
Ax-Man Surplus Store has been selling various supplies around the Twin Cities for decades. They have three stores and each is stocked with unusual curios as well as with many different kinds of supplies. They started with selling mechanical, industrial, electronical, and scientific surplis for fifty years. They also carry arts and crafts supplies, school supplies, and so much more. Some of the random items they stock include 1 lb box of rubber bands, 100 piece long wooden cotton swabs, emergency water bag, 14" animal dusters, and an 8 pack of markers. As they like to say, "We might not have what you need, but we have what you want."
Duluth Trading Company is a clothing company that started in duluth and has expanded to other cities in Minnesota. The one in Fridley was their responses to pleas for a store in the northern Minnesota area. They are known for their quality clothing that are durable as well as practical--but not at the expense of being stylish. They also care about sustainability and having a minimal impact on the planet.
They have everything from underwear to no-yank tanks, free-swinging flannel shirts, Louie's Lunch Box, overalls, and more. They stand by the quality of their clothing and have many loyal satisfied repeat customers.
Fridley Market is a shopping center that has a Cub as its anchor store. It's a great place to visit if you need to do your weekly shop or if you just need to pick up a few things. There is also a Duluth Trading Company with a railroad theme, which is the other flagship store. They sell quality clothing that will last you for a good long time. If you want a pick-me-up, there is a Caribou Coffee and a Panchero's Mexican Grill.
Furniture Mart is a regional chain that is dedicated to bringing quality funriture to residents in Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Iowa. Whatever your furniture needs, you wil find the answer here. Whether you need furniture for your living room, your bedroom, dining room, and so much more. They have home decor as well, and they can help you find the perfect mattress upon which to sleep. It's a one-stop shop when you're looking to spruce up your home.
Route 47 Pub & Grub is a mix of pub and live music venue on the weekends. There is always something going on, and it's a great palce to hang out whether you're into good food, music, drinks, motorcycle rides, chili cookoffs, and more. They are known for their burgers which are made with fresh beef and accompanied by hand-cut fries. They are also considered one of the best pizza joints in town, and you can build your own with the ingredients at hand.
The service is friendly and the atmosphere is welcoming. They have beer and cocktails if you want to imbibe, and their menu is vast. They have breakfast on the weekends, too. Their menu includes tasty dishes such as Wisconsin cheese curds, Big Grub Belly Buster (burger), Country Fried Pork (breakfast), Philly Cheesteak (pizza), and so much more.
Shortstop Bar & Grill Fridley is one of two bars of this name near the Twin Cities. It's a casual neighborhood hang-out spot where you and your friends can go and grab a couple beers and some eats as you cheer on your team. The place is buzzing and the service is friendly. The menu includes Pig Sty (pizza), Blak & Bleu (burger), Smothered Chicken (signature), Bacon Ranch Crisper (sandwich), and much more.
Two Stooges Bar & Grill was started by two friends, Ty and Greg, in 1988 under a different name. They had always dreamed of having a billiard bar, and they worked hard to make their dream come true. From modest beginnings, they changed their name a few times and expanded to become an award-winning sports bar/billiards room with over 50 pool tables, a full American-style restaurant, and a sports bar with dozens of large HD Tvs upon which you can watch your favorite sports team.
Their menus include Duck Bacon Wontons, Baja Burger, Cheezy Mac, Crowd Pleaser (pizza), and more. Bring your friends and bring your family because everyone will have a great time. They have 16 beers on tap and creative cocktails that you will enjoy. They also have darts if you want to try your hand at that.
Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts is a reknown art certer in the city. It was built in the 1840s and has been a number of things, including a tavern, an inn, a dairy farm, and a partial post office. Now, it's an art gallery with different rooms, featuring Minnesota artists. The showvs switch every six weeks or so, and the artists use different kinds of mediums to evoke a variety of themes.
They have weekly art classes for adults and children. They also have a few gallery spaces available for rent. All the exhibitions are free, and they have written word events, too.
Fridley City Band was established in 1960 when a bunch of Fridley parents of musical children decided to have some fun with music as well. What started as a whim has expanded and grown past the city limits. They accept anyone who plays any interest because they are mostly in making good music and camaraderie. They have another band called the Old Tim Band that plays older music such as waltzes and poolkas. It's a good time to be had by all.
Fridley Civic Campus was built in 2018 to better serve the community by putting all the goverment services needed in one place. The idea was to make it as easy as possible for people in the community to get their needs met by the government. The city had outgrown the old city hall, and there was a concerted effort to make the new place as efficient (thanks, Xcel!) and streamlined as possible. You can read about the process here.
Fridley Community Theatre is a place where people in the community can gather and explore their creative side. It was established in 2010, and the first production was of The Music Man. It is a program in the Fridley Community Education, and they accept people of all ages. If you are in the city, you are welcome to audition for the plays/musicals and to help out in other ways behind the scenes. FCT is committed to bringing performance arts to Fridley for all the members of the community to enjoy.
Fidley, MN-Just For Kix is part of the Just For Kix company and is a dance studio that serves the northern suburbs. Classes are held in the Fridley Middle School, and they have students of all ages, up to 12th grade. They teach different kinds of dance, including hip hop, jazz, lyrical, and more. They believe in supporting and nurturing their students at any level and skill in order to reach their full potential.
Moore than Dance is a dance school that wants their students to enjoy dance, music, and theater as well as to form lasting friendships. They accept students of any age and understand that each student has different talents and goals. They are family-friendly and geared towards community service. They offer several different classes, including recreational classes, musical theater, and competetion & performing teams. The recreational classes include tap, ballet, hip hop, and more. There are auditions in both the musical theater category and the performance/competition teams as well. They also have six-week classes if you want your child to try out a class without making a commitment to it.
Northern Suburban Center for the Arts (NSCA) was fonuded in 1979. It was the dream of a St. Anthony woman named Phyllis Williams, but she could not carry it out because she became ill. Marjorie Glass took over the mantle and saw the idea out to fruition. It had humble beginnings in St. Anthony, but then was eventually migrated to Fridley in less than a decade.
They have growvn and blossomed since then and are involved in a variety of programs. One of the mis the makers market (Marjorie's Market) pays homage to women-led grass roots efforts to nurture the arts in the northern suburbs of the Twin Cities. That is their whole mission, by the way. To expand creativity in the northern suburbs and to nurture local artists as best they can.
One notable program they host is called Mega(mini)sota, which is a showcase of works from artists under 18. It's a way to highlight the up-and-coming artists in a positive way.
The Summer Concert Series is an eagerly-anticipated series each summer by the community members. It is sponsored by the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation and the Anoka County Library, and the concerts appear in different venues spread throughout the summer. They are free with varied music with groups/bands such as World Acoustic Jazz, The Island Seas, Blues Zydeo, The Jolly Pops, and more.
Winterfest is a yearly event that happens in January at the Springbrook Nature Center. It's to celebrate winter at a time when everyone can use a little pick-me-up. There are plenty of activities for everyone in the family, including a medallion hunt, snow painting, and the ingredients needed (and ability) to make S'mores. And because of the location, visitors can also hike and/or snowshoe. The event is free and a good way to have some fun in the winter with memebers of the community.
The Environmental Fun Fair happens every year in April (Earth Month) at the Springbrook Nature Center. It's hosted by Fridley Recreation, Springbrook Nature Center, and the Anoka County 4-H, and it's to bring awareness to environmental issues in a fun way. This is a free educational event, and it is informative for the entire family. There is an interactive hike, an event passport and prizes, a book swap, a bouncy castle, and more.
The Fridley '49er Days is held each June to celebrate the year in which Fridley incorporated into a city (1949). It is hosted mostly in Commons Park, and is kicked off with a parade. There are a variety of activities for everyone in the family, including a car show hosted by Chevrolet. There are food trucks so you can buy some fun and festive food as you enjoy the activities.
Nickel Jamboree is hosted at Commons Park and is a way to harken back to the old timey days when things cost under a dollar. There will be plenty of activities for everyone, including face painting, hayrides, popcorn and drinks, puppet shows, and carnival games. There isa a punch pass available for five bucks, and you do not need to sign up ahead of time. It's fun for people of all ages.
The Landmark of Fridley Annual Car Show is an annual car show, obviously, that is held at The Landmark of Fridley in August. It is a way to have fun while viewing classic cars and eating hot dogs and chips, and then ice cream. The Northstar Camaro Club help out in putting on this event, and it's enjoyable for members of the community.
Pumpkin Night in the Park is a Halloween tradition at the Springbrook Nature Cener that has been enjoyed by up to 4,000 people in the community every year. It's in October to celebrate autumn in all its colorful glory. There are a thousand carved pumpkins dotting the trail, lit, so they will guide the visitors as well as being festive. There are food trucks and live entertainment. There are costumed volunteers as well. There is a campfire to warm yourself, and there is fun to be had by the entire family.