Brookview Park is over thirty acres of lush greenery, walking paths, and many more amenities. It has two pavilions that can be rented for various events such as birthday parties or family reunions. Each pavilion has three charcoal grills so they're perfect for a summertime barbecue as well. There are weekly concerts in the park in the summer, which are free. For those who are looking to be more physical, the park has a softball field, a basketball court, two sand volleyball fields, and more. A big draw for the kids is an indoor playground called the Brookview Backyard. There are several themed areas, and kids are limited only by their imagination. The park is also situated near the Brookview Golden Valley, which is a full-service venue and quite the experience.
Gearty Park is a local favorite with many enticing amenities such as walking trails, a tennis court, and two skating rinks--both a hockey rink and a general ice skating rink. There is a playground for kids, and one of the biggest draws in the seasonal off-leash dog park. They are free and a fun way for dogs to make canine friends and stretch their legs. It's closed for the winter, but it's a great place for the dogs to run free when the sun is shining.
General Mills Nature Preserve has 27 acres of pristine nature, and it was a conscious choice by General Mills and the City of Golden Valley in the early 2000s to simultaneously improve the area for increased traffic and preserve the wetlands surrounding it. General Mills donated land for the project, and it was dedicated in July of 2007. There are three distinct habitats here: floodplain forest, shallow marsh, and wet meadow. It also has more than 50 native plants, and a half-mile trail that connects to the city's trail system. It's one of the few preserves of its kind and size in a first-ring suburb, and it's a wonderful way to refresh and recharge in the middle of a busy day.
Schaper Park is full of trails and nature if you're the type who likes to walk and enjoy the great outdoors. The playground is state of the art, and it's something that kids of any age can enjoy. There are two softball fields if you're the more athletic type, and for those who truly enjoy a physical challenge, there is the Schaper Park Challenger Course. It's an optical course for ages thirteen and up, and it's designed to bolster the physical fitness of the community members.
Wesley Park is a community favorite with walking trails that are lighted so you can see the nature around you. It has plenty to do for people who are sports-minded. There are tennis courts, softball fields, a soccer field, and more. There are two skating rinks, a hockey rink and a general ice skating rink, too. There is a playground so the kids can have a good time as well.
Doolittles Woodfire Grill is a local chain that started with the first one being opened in Eagan by Lynn Reiner and John Sheehan in Eagan in 1989. They believe in chef-motivated menus and bringing quality dishes to their customers. The decor is warm and resplendent with wood, the atmosphere is casual and relaxed, and the service is friendly. The menu includes a Jamaican jerk pork tenderloin, a seafood stew, and squash tortellacci. They also serve burgers, sandwiches, and salads. They have a vegetarian menu that has roasted pear, toasted quinoa & jewel yam, a Parmesan artichoke dip, and more. Their gluten-free menu is plentiful, including coconut curry mussels, pan-seared scallops, and a walleye dinner. They also have private dining space if you want a more intimate experience.
Good Day Cafe opened in 2007 by David Potter Webb. It is now run by his sons, David and Michael, along with his wife, Nancy after he passed in 2011. It has a warm and inviting atmosphere, and the service is very friendly. The goal is to serve hearty Minnesota fare made from scratch and using local ingredients when possible. The focus is on breakfast, and they are renowned for their apple souffle pancake, which the Food Network referred to as 'giant, oversized apple souffle-style caramelized pancakes'. The breakfast menu also includes souffle omelets, beignets, and Iggy's Fried Egg Sandwich. There are lunch and dinner menus as well, and baked goods, too. On the drinks side, they have coffee drinks, smoothies, wine, beer, and cocktails.
Nong's Thai Cuisine was opened by Nong who was born in Bangkok, Thailand. She made a name for herself as a chef in her native country before being wooed to Minnesota in 1991 by a job offering at Royal Orchid, one of the premier local Thai restaurants at the time. She was a chef at several other prestigious Thai restaurants before finally opening her own restaurant nearly twenty years ago. It's in a strip mall and could be easily overlooked as you drive by area. Inside, the atmosphere is warm, and the service is friendly. The menu includes a fantastic version of the classic Pad Thai, squash curry, sukiyaki, and crab fried rice. They have plenty of vegetarian dishes, meat substitutes, and they offer vegan and gluten-free broths as well. You can finish off your meal with a tasty treat such as the sticky rice with mango.
Pancheros Mexican Grill is a national chain that presses their dough fresh in front of you as they are making your order. The decor is brightly colored and inviting, and there is outdoor seating for when the weather is nice. They have all the favorites, including burritos, burrito bowls, tacos, and quesadilla. Many of their ingredients are made in the store, and they have vegetarian options as well.
Pickerman's Soup and Sandwiches is a locally-owned business with an emphasis on freshness. The bread is made every day, and they only use the highest-quality meats and other ingredients in their dishes. They cater, and you can order online. They have a special every day, too. The menu includes a build-your-own breakfast sandwich, a chicken bacon ranch sandwich, and a soup du jour. For catering, they have various trays including a pastry one.
Down in the Valley is an actual record store that was opened in 1972, and they have been going strong ever since. The store is packed with vinyl records, CDs, books, DVDs, smoking paraphernalia, clothing, and so much more. The staff is knowledgeable and will be able to assist you in your hunt for the perfect vinyl.
Mainstream Boutique was started in 1991 by Marie DeNicola after she and her husband, Nick, moved to Minnesota for Nick's career. Marie decided to start selling women's clothing out of a small bedroom in their home, and the business grew exponentially over the years. She appeared on Oprah in 1995, and the rest was history. Mainstream Boutique now has franchises all over the country. The store in Golden Valley is warm and welcoming, and the service is very friendly. The clothing is chic, yet comfy and casual. They can be dressed up or dressed down, and they look fabulous either way. They also sell jewelry, and they have created an exclusive brand, Mac and Me named after the founder's daughter, and that has both clothing and jewelry.
Patina is a local chain, and the first store in South Minneapolis was opened by Christine Ward and Rick Haase, a husband and wife team, in 1993. They had backgrounds in art and background, and they both had retail experience as well. They wanted to offer items of varying artistic backgrounds that were of the highest quality. From that first store, they expanded all over the Twin Cities, and now they are a favorite place to go if you need that unique gift for a special someone. The Golden Valley store is huge and packed full of interesting items. They have jewelry, clothing, books, candles, and much more. Something is sure to pique your interest every time you visit.
Shop for Change is a thrift store run by PRISM, a nonprofit founded in 1970 in order to care for people who were hungry and homeless. It's evolved into an organization that takes care of people's basic needs, and 50 years later, they are still going strong. Shop for Change is stocked with new and used items donated to them by business and people of the community. They have clothing, jewelry, cards, and books. 100% of the proceeds go to supporting the services they provide to the community.
Valley Pastries was opened in 1987 by Bernie and Judy Postuma and was sold in 2015 to two friends named Mike and Alex who wanted to continue the tradition of proving tasty and cheap donuts for the community. The store is bright and cheerful with examples of their products all over, and the staff is friendly and cheerful. They are known for their giant raised donut holes, and they also sell all sorts of donuts including Bismarcks, raised donuts, and Long Johns. They also sell turnovers, fried cinnamon rolls, cookies, and more. They cater, too, and they will make custom goodies specifically for your event.
JJ's Clubhouse opened in 1992, and it's been a neighborhood favorite ever since. It's a warm and inviting bar with a friendly staff. There are big screen TVs all over the walls, so you can watch your favorite team while sipping your favorite beverage. They have patio seating for when the weather's nice, and it's a great place to stop by on your way to a game or to watch that game. Their menu includes carnitas tacos, spicy pork hoagie, and a bleu burger. They also have pizzas, wraps, and more. On the beverage side, they have beer, wine, and cocktails.
Schullers Tavern is a comfortable and casual neighborhood joint with a relaxed atmosphere and friendly service. They have a full food menu as well as drinks, and it includes the usual pub grub such as pizza, burgers (made with Black Angus beef), and sandwiches. They also have specials such as Mama's Famous Chicken Pot Pie, Panko Crusted Shrimp, Schullers Famous Hot Turkey or Hot Angus Beef. They also have meat raffles on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and live music some evenings. It's a great place to hang out with a bunch of friends to grab a bite and a pint.
Brookview Golden Valley is an expansive recreation center that offers a unique experience every time you visit. They have golf and lawn bowling if you want to enjoy their greenery in the summer, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. They offer comedy shows, classes, and other programming. They have the Three One Six Bar + Grill in which you can enjoy a good meal during a break from all the fun and frolics. They offer space for weddings, parties, and meetings, and they have a catering staff who'll help you create a menu that is perfect for your event. For the children, there is the Backyard Indoor Playground with plenty to do for the younger set.
The Davis Community Center is attached to the Meadowbrook Elementary School, and is a place where anyone in the community can go to get some physical activity. They have basketball, pickleball, and volleyball. They also have open gym for the family and specifically for the youth.
Golden Valley Arts is a program of the Golden Valley Community Foundation, and it's focused on promoting arts and artists in the community. They support the artists through the Golden Valley Arts Fund, and they partner with the city to work on extracting proposals for the Golden Valley Public Art project.
Run the Valley has been an annual event in Golden Valley for 25 years. There is a .2K kids run, a 5K walk, a 5K run, and a 10K run, all with staggered starting times. T-shirts, water, and post-race complimentary snacks are provided to keep the participants going. Run the Valley is sponsored by the Golden Valley Human Services Commission, and all the proceeds from the race are given to local human services organizations.
The Golden Valley Fire Relief Association Street Dance is an annual event that is free to the public and a way for the community to get to know the members of their fire department better. It is held at the Chester Bird American Legion in June, and there will be lots of family-friendly activities. For the kids, there is face painting, clowns, and balloons. There will also be a DJ playing music for the kids for a few hours, and live music (for adults) after that until the end of the event. The highlight of the event is a fireworks display at dusk.
The Golden Valley Ice Cream Social is held every year in July at Brookview Park. In case of inclement weather, it's held at Brookview Golden Valley instead. This has been a community event for over a decade, and a good time is had by everyone. It's a free event, and the Sebastian Joe ice cream is free as well. There will be music provided by the First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band, and it's a great time to catch up with friends and neighbors. Bring your own chair or blanket, and prepare to have a fun evening with the neighborhood.
The Golden Valley Arts & Music Festival is an annual festival sponsored by Golden Valley Arts at the Golden Valley City Hall campus. It's a way to celebrate the local artists while having a ton of fun doing so. It's been celebrated for over 15 years, and it's in September. On the arts side, anyone can apply, and it's a juried show. For the festival itself, there is plenty to do for everyone. There is a parade, live music, food trucks, and beer and wine. There are kids activities as well, so the younger set will have fun, too.
