Ames Lake Park is situated on Ames Lake (of course) that has a pier upon which you can take a nice stroll. There is plenty of flora and fauna to enjoy as you take a peaceful walk. There are benches so you can rest whenever you want. You can easily get to the Bruce Vento Regional Trail and Phalen Regional Park from here if you want more nature in your day.
Beaver Lake County Park is a neighborhood park that is situated on Beaver Lake. It's not a well-known park, but it's a nice place to go for some peace and quiet. There is a fishing pier if you like to fish and a playing field if you're a more sporty type. There is a picnic shelter with four picnic tables and two grills. Near to the picnic is a playground for the younger set. If you like to walk in a scenic setting, hiking around the lake is roughly a mile.
Frost Lake Park is on Frost Lake and has plenty of greenery for you to enjoy as you take a stroll around the park. If you are the athletic type, there is plenty for you to enjoy. there are 3 softball diamonds, a soccer field, a baseball diamond, and a half-court basketball court. There is also a playground for the younger set as well and in the winter, there is a hill that is fun to sled down, also for the younger set.
Hillcrest Knoll Park is a neighborhood park that offers open space to the community members in which to gather. The knoll absorbs water after a heavy rainfall and the park is filled with lush greenery that is a joy to walk through and to see. It's a great place to stroll about with or without a canine companion and to enjoy a lazy weekend afternoon. There are trails on which to walk.
Prosperity Heights Park and Prosperity Park combine to provide 10 acres of greenery for everyone to enjoy. There is open space to play in as well as many athletic fields if you like team sports. There are bocce ball courts, softball diamonds, a baseball field, and a tennis court. There is a playground for the kids to enjoy and picnic tables if you want to sit and rest a minute.
Angelo's Pizza is a local pizza joint that is unassuming on the outside and welcoming with its woodsy walls on the inside. The cheerful service adds to the cozy atmosphere as does the seasonal/holiday decorations. The pizza menu includes a few basic pizzas such as the veggie pizza and Angelo's House Special. You can build your own pizza, of course, and the ingredients are quality. The rest of the menu includes other dishes such as hoagies and sandwiches, salads, and sides.
Ari's Best Steak House was opened in 1973 by Ari Katras two years after he arrived in Minnesota from the shores of Greece. His goal was to bring delicious steaks to the community at affordable prices, which he has done for nearly 50 years. The decor is wood-heavy and has a homey feel to it. The staff members are friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed. The steaks include porterhouse, sirloin, filet, and more. There are other entrees such as BBQ Ribs, Shrimp Dinner, and Gyros Plate.
El Pariente Food Truck offers both traditional and contemporary Mexican cuisine and is a favorite with the community members. It's a great way to grab a burrito on the run when you're in the middle of a busy day. The menu includes Cabeza de Res (burrito), Puerco Salsa Roja (tamale), Tinga de Pollo (taco), and El Pariente (house special).
El Pollo Felix is a Mexican restaurant that has rich red walls which creates a welcoming atmosphere. It's a casual place that has a friendly staff and it's a neighborhood favorite. The menu includes several traditional Mexican dishes such as Birria De Res O Chivo (caldo/soup), Alambre Camaron, Torta De Milanesa, and Mojarra Frita (seafood). There are also more familiar Mexican favorites such as tacos, enchiladas, and the titular pollo asada. There are also other items, such as Mex Burger, BBQ ribs, and burritos.
The Exquisite Cake Bakery is a bakery that focuses on providing the perfect cake for every and any occasion. Staff members are friendly and eager to work with each customer to create the perfect cake or other treat/s that the customer requires. Their cakes include Cheesecake Cake, Chocoflan Baked Custard and Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Mousse Filling, Tres Leches Pina Colada with Pineapple Filling, and Nutella Mousse Cake. They will do personalization if asked. They also make other desserts such as cupcakes and fruit tarts. In addition, they make delicious breads, such as Jalapeno with Cream Cheese Filling, Pan de Leche Ninos Envueltos, and Pan de Leche.
Panaderia y Cafeteria El Quetzal is a Latin American restaurant and bakery that focuses on authentic cuisine. It has a colorful decor that contributes to a calming yet cheerful atmosphere. The service is friendly and welcoming. The menu is plentiful and full of a wide array of dishes, including Sopes Chorizo, Caldo Mondongo, Pupusas Requeson Loroco, and Gordita Asada. There are so many different items on the menu, you'll want to go back again and again to try them all.
Pappy's Chicago Eatery is a regional chain that originally started in the '90s in, yes, Chicago. It only serves street foods that Chicago is famous for such as Chicago hot dogs. They get most of their ingredients from Chicago, which adds to the authenticity. The decor has a retro feel to it and there's a mural of Chicago on the wall. The service is cheerful and friendly. The menu includes, in addition to the aforementioned Chicago hot dogs, Gyro Cheese Fries, Cheesy Cheddar Beef (sandwich), Maxwell Street Polish (hot dog), Jerk Chicken Rice Bowl, and 1/3 lb. Char Broiled Burger.
Pizza Man is a local/regional chain with a no-frills decor. The staff members are friendly and eager to serve up a slice or four. They have pizzas, of course, such as Vegetarian Pizza, Delicious Cheese Pizza, Shrimp Alfredo Pizza, and Pizza Fry. They also have appetizers, salads, burgers, and sandwiches. That's not all. They also have homemade pasta dishes and dinner specials, like State Fair Corndogs, Shrimp Dinner, BBQ Ribs, and Cod Dinner. Finish your meal with something sweet such as Salted Caramel Craze.
Smoke Session BBQ is a popular food truck that serves, yes, barbecue. It was opened in 2018 by Houa Vang and has been a mainstay of the neighborhood ever since. Houa Vang has food trucks in his veins as They start serving at eleven and go until they're out of food, so you better get there early. This unassuming truck is packed full of delicious foods, including beef brisket--which is Vang's personal favorite--ribs, Hmong sausages, and egg rolls.
Sumo Egg Rolls was opened in 2016 with one kind of egg roll--veggie. Back then, it was a concession trailer and over the years, they have expanded menu-wise and have moved up to a food truck. In addition, they started a program for youths in the summer of 2020 called Sumo Entrepreneur Program with two focuses: youth employment and outdoor activities. They are a nonprofit organization and are looking to make things better for the youth of the community and for anyone who loves egg rolls. The egg roll menu has a mix of traditional and funky egg rolls, including Mac N Cheese (veggie), Pepperoni Pizza, and the original, pork. They have meals which are Chicken Fried Rice, Noodle Box, and The Sudon.
Gloria's Jewelry is a jewelry store that has been in operation for over 40 years. Their tagline is The Vintage Experts and they are passionate about antiques and custom designs. Their stock is vast and they are eager to help each customer find the perfect piece of jewelry. They do have contemporary jewelry as well as antiques. Their stock includes necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, and more. They provide services in addition to selling products, such as appraisals, purchasing, and repairs. They are truly a one-stop shop when it comes to jewelry.
Just Under 15 is an online discount shop that is filled with whimsical odds and ends so there is sure to be something to catch your fancy. They have stuffed animals, clothing, and jewelry to name a few products. They do specialized customer orders and have a loyalty program to reward their best customers. They offer local delivery for a small fee.
Multi Anime Universe is an online shop specializing in anime gear, based in St. Paul. Want an Attack on Titan hoodie? They have them (and other hoodies, too). They have a variety of 3D lights, such as Naruto from Naruto. They also have lanyards, phone straps, wall prints, and snapbacks caps. They ship everywhere in the US for $5 and they have curbside pickup as well.
Sunshine Market is an Asian-American market and deli that is known for many things including its papaya salad. This is a family-owned market with friendly and helpful staff. It's an unassuming building on the outside, but welcoming on the inside. They have a small kitchenette where they cook food daily such as the aforementioned papaya salad, spring rolls, pork belly with rice, and (non-Asian) gyro. It's a great place to go to grab a few things for the night, including dinner.
Supermercado Lomabonita is a friendly neighborhood supermarket that specializes in Latin foods. The staff is friendly and eager to help. They speak both Spanish and English with ease so they can help their customers in either or both languages. They have a hot bar that has many delicious Mexican foods, a bakery, and American foods as well. It's a great place to stop by if you need something for dinner and don't feel like cooking.
The Furniture Specialist is a family-owned furniture repair store that opened in 1999. They have thousands of different fabrics and are willing to work with their customers to find the right fabric for each and every customer. They believe in service with a smile and they cover everything (literally) from sofas to automobile seats.
Unique Boutique by Alicia is an online store that caters to a specific niche--people who like custom made kitsch items. The stock includes coloring t-shirts for adults, personalized mementos from a wedding, and customized mugs. There are hoodies and t-shirts with many different sayings on them. There are also mugs, glasses, and key fobs, and everything is customizable. It's a fun way to celebrate different holidays or just to make you smile.
Cups & Cheers declares itself an international sports bar and restaurant. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual, and the staff members are cheerfully helpful. It's a great place to go with a group of friends to drink a beer, eat some egg rolls, and watch a game on the big screen TVs. The menu has foods from all around Asia including Deep Fried Pork Belly, Papaya Salad, Curry Noodles, and Fish Laab. On the drinks side, they have beer, hard liquor, and wine.
Hogies Bar & Grill is a neighborhood watering hole with a friendly and chill atmosphere. It might not be much to look at, but it has a welcoming atmosphere. It's a great place to grab a pint with your friends after work if you want to chat and relax. The bartenders are friendly as are the rest of the staff. They have different specials on different nights such as Soup and Sandwich on Wednesday nights. Saturday nights, they alternate between Chicken Fried Steak and Prime Ribs. They make a stiff drink at a reasonable price and a good time will be had by all.
The Cherry Pit Bar & Grill was opened by Nicole Cherry in 2004 with the goal of being the best bar in St. Paul. They want to provide a fun and festive atmosphere along with friendly service, and they have succeeded. It's a neighborhood favorite that has patio dining, weather permitting. The menu includes wings in different quantities, corned beef and Swiss sandwich, cheese curds, and Blue & Bacon (burger). They also have Coconut Shrimp Basket, French Dip (sandwich), and Pit Mess (breakfast), and so much more.
Hayden Heights Recreation Center is a gathering place for the members of the community. They offer classes and after school programming, open gym, and a bunch of outdoor activities. They include ice skating, field sports, and different athletics. They also have rooms for rent for events including parties and meetings. Because of the pandemic, the City of St. Paul has established a webpage called Rec Reimagined that keeps people up the date on how they can stay healthy, mentally and physically, and how they can stay connected.
Holiday Lights on York Ave, also known as the Schultz Family Lights, aka the Christmas Show is put on by the Schultz family every Christmas on, yes, York Avenue. They put on a display that is highlighted every night for a month. They fill their yard with plastic Santas, other Christmas characters, and roughly 90,000 lights. They coordinate with 91.5 FM to play "The Rocking Rudolph" throughout the night. In addition, they collect food every night for the Merrick Food Shelf, which supports needy families in the Greater East Side. It's a way to both enjoy the holiday festivities and help those in need at the same time.
