Central Park of Maple Grove is a neighborhood favorite with plenty of amenities. One of the most popular is the Ice Skating Loop which is perfect for ice skating fun (not including hockey). The nearby Phenow Pavilion is perfect after a skate because it has a fireplace, boot cubbies, and concessions. Another fun one for the children is the Interactive Fountain; it's fun to splash in on a hot summer day. The park also has trails, a garden with a labyrinth, and an self-guided walking tour. It has plenty of space for different outdoor games, and it rents pickleball equipment, bocce ball equipment, and bean bags on a first come, first serve basis.
Elm Creek Park Reserve is part of the Three Rivers Park District which was established in 1957 to help restore wetlands and other areas of nature to their former pristine glory. It has 4,900 acres and is the biggest park in Three Rivers. It has several amenities including all the hiking and biking trails you could ever want. It also has the Eastman Nature Center, a Winter Recreation Area, and more. Other activities include snowboarding, archery, swimming, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. In addition, they have a fenced off area of 29 acres for dogs to run off-leash. There are also 20 miles of dog trails where a dog can explore while on a leash. The species it harbors include trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, and deer.
Maple Grove Arboretum--Angel of Hope is 15 acres of nature that is a great place to take a contemplative walk. The green of the trees and the blue of the creek combine to create a serene atmosphere. The abundance of trees add a canopy of protection both from the sun and from the stress of the outside world. There are plenty of places to rest, and there are trails that lead to the Medicine Lake Regional Trail and Rice Lake. It is also home to the Angel of Hope Statue which is in the middle of one of the pavilions.
Town Green Park has a unique focus as they feature many creative art performances in the Maple Grove Bandshell. It's also a great place to take a meditative walk around the lake or read a book with a gentle breeze wafting through your hair. You can reserve parts of the park for your own personal outdoor party as well.
3 Squares is a casual restaurant under the Blue Plate Restaurant Company which started with the Highland Grill. The Highland Grill was dreamed up by Stephanie Shimp and David Burley back in the 1990s after work hours at The Nicollet Island Inn, and after establishing that highly-successful restaurant, they've expanded over the years. 3 Squares was opened in 2008, and it has been a neighborhood favorite ever since. The atmosphere is low-key and inviting. The menu includes crunchy shrimp, burgers, roasted ducks & grits, and bread pudding. They also have an extensive drinks list, catering, delivery, and a kids' menu.
El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant is bright and colorful neighborhood restaurant that serves all your favorite traditional Mexican dishes. The atmosphere is comfortable and the service is cheerful. The menu includes quesadillas, fajitas, enchiladas, and burritos. They also serve specialty dinners including tacos de asada, Mazatlan, and a flauta dinner. They have combinations as well in case you can't decide what you want. For dessert, try the flan. It's the perfect ending to dinner.
India House is an Indian restaurant located in The Fountains, a neighborhood shopping/dinning area. The decor is modern and spare, and the service is friendly. They have several vegetarian options and a lunch buffet. All of your Indian favorites are here, and they are based on authentic recipes and have the freshest ingredients. The menu includes flatbreads, kebbabs, and biriyanis. They also serve vindaloos, kormas, and curries. They also have appetizers and desserts, and you'll be satisfied no matter what you order.
Lemon Grass is a Thai restaurant that was opened by Ann Ahmed in 2005. She has a passion for fusion cuisine as she was born in Laos and has traveled all over Asia, and she brings all of that passion to her restaurant. The decor is elegant and contemporary, and the staff is friendly. The food presented is creative and artistic, including the sushi Sushi? Yes, sushi! The menu includes Sai-Oua E-sane (homemade sausage), Tom Kha (coconut milk soup), Pad Prig, curries including roast duck curry, fried rice, and pho. The sushi menu includes tempura, miso, nigiri/sashimi, and tons of rolls (such as the Hot Hot Crunchy Roll). They also have beer and wine, which goes great with Thai food and sushi.
Rodizio Grill is a Brazilian steakhouse (churrascaria) in The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes that delivers a performance with your dining experience. Brazilian Gauchos bring the grilled meats to the table with flair, and it's enjoyable for everyone at the table. Their menu is 95% gluten free, and it's filled with plenty of mouthwatering options. The grilled meats include one of their signature items, Presunto (lean ham) alongside grilled pineapple, Sobre Coxa (chicken), and Picanha (top sirloin). They have gourmet salads such as Salada de Queijo Fresco and Salada de Beteraba, and they have complimentary side dishes including Feijoada, Bananas Fritas, and Farofa. They have desserts, specialty drinks, and Brazilian wine & beer.
Ten Sushi is a contemporary Japanese restaurant with an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere and excellent service. The sushi is made with an eye for presentation as well as taste. The chefs are serious about their craft, and they take great pride in being their creations looking good as well as tasting delicious. Their menu includes sushi & sashimi such as tamago, masago, and unagi. They have sushi & sashimi entrees, too. They have maki & temaki (rolls & hand rolls) as well, including the dragon roll, the spicy roll, and the angel roll. They also have plenty of vegetarian rolls for those who don't eat meat/fish. They also have donburi, tempura, noodles, and dessert. Don't forget to check out their happy hour.
Grove Square Mall is a popular mall in Maple Grove. It has several stores that are well-known, such as JC Penney, Sherwin Williams, and Walgreens. It also has unique stores such as Clothing Mentor (clothing store), Identity Tattoo (tattoo parlor), and Down In The Valley (record shop). It even has an H&R Block if you need some advice on your taxes. Where else can you go to get your nails did, a brand new tattoo, and your taxes done all in the same place?
Maple Grove Cycling Trek has been serving their community's bicycling needs for over thirty years, and they are committed to being a full-service store. They offer a wide selection of bikes including e-bikes, classics, and sport bikes. They also have clothing, accessories, and bike fittings. They have replacement parts for the bikes, and if you don't want to do it yourself, they will do it for you. They have everything to fulfill your biking needs here and to make sure you enjoy the (short) biking season to the fullest.
The Grove is more than a mall; it's a lifestyle center. It opened in 2005 and is over 500,000 square feet. It was designed to look and feel like a village center, and it also has a medical campus that contains the Maple Grove Hospital. It has several stores that will be comforting to see, such as Chipotle, Slumberland Furniture, Target, and Great Clips. There are also stores and services that are not as widely known, such as Kalla Lily Salon and Spa, Daily Dose Cafe and Espresso, Dojo Karate, and Clinic Sofia (health clinic for women).
The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes is a carefully-cultivated shopping experience for the entire family, and it has several familiar stores such as the Gap, Forever 21, and Pottery Barn. They also have some niche stores including Rubi Jubi (prom dresses), Grey Duck Games and Toys (games, toys, and more), and Olfactory Scent Studio (custom scents). There are restaurants, too, such as Potbelly Sandwich Shop and Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano. There is a fountain in the middle of the mall, and it's a great place to rest for a minute. It's a nice break from all the shopping.
Claddagh Irish Pub is next to The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, and it's a great place to relax with some traditional Irish fare (and drinks!) after a long day of shopping. The atmosphere is cheerful, boisterous, and energetic, and the staff is always ready with a welcoming smile. The menu includes Scotch eggs, Claddagh boards, a shepherd's pie with poutine, bangers & mash, and more. For dessert, try a typical Irish sweet such as banoffee pie and the Warm & Tipsy Bread Pudding. Drinks include Guinness Bloody Mary, Claddagh Coffee, lots and lots of whiskey, and wine.
Malone's Bar & Grill is a chill, laid-back neighborhood joint with a relaxed atmosphere. It's located in Arbor Lakes in the AMC Theatre Parking Lot. It was opened in 2010 by the owners of the Maynard's restaurants, and it is a great place to gather for a sporting event. The restaurant is locally owned and the owners are very involved in the community. They believe in giving back, and they organize several events a year to do just that. Their menu includes an ahi poke bowl, burgers, sandwiches, and firecracker shrimp tacos. They have gluten-free options, too. Drinks-wise, they have plenty of beer and wine. It's a great place to watch a game with family and/or friends.
Maple Tavern is a neighborhood joint where people gather to chat, play boot hockey or volleyball, grab a few drinks, and more. It has a relaxed atmosphere with a friendly staff. They have large-screen TVs if you want to watch the game and an outside patio on which you can chill on a nice summer night. They have burgers including a PB&J burger, sandwiches and wraps, and tavern favorites like 'Not Your Momma's Meatloaf'. Drinks-wise, they have beer, wine, and special drinks such as Cucumber Jalapeno Margarita, Dark and Stormy, and Ward 8.
The Lookout has been called the best kept secret in Maple Grove, and it was established in 1958 by Bob Kinnan and his family. It was originally called 'Bob's Lookout', and it was a cozy place to grab a beer and listen to live country music. They added food in 1960, and the bar (and family) has expanded over the years. Now, they are a full-service bar and grill with live music and volleyball in the back. They have BBQ, flatbreads, power bowls, and so much more. They also have burgers, sirloin steak, and fish and chips. They do banquets, and they have takeout as well.
The Maple Grove Arts Center (MGAC) is committed to supporting, nurturing, and displaying all the creative talents who live in Maple Grove. MGAC has space for artists to create, galleries to display the result of such productivity, and classes in theater, music, and writing. The center has 9 - 12 shows a year, and many of the professionals who visit provide classes as well. The artists they bring in (and nurture) are a diverse group, and they produce arts in media all over the spectrum. MGAC is very involved in the community, and they offer the Jacob Beneke Arts Scholarship each year to a graduating senior who will be studying art in college.
The Maple Grove Community Center is a central gathering place for members of the community. It has several attractions for people with all kinds of different interests, including the Ice Arena, the Maple Maze, a skate plaza, a senior center, and a teen center. It also has a gymnasium, meeting rooms, swimming pools, and more. Everyone is welcome to drop in at any time, and they have rooms for rental as well.
The Maple Grove Ice Show is presented every year in April by the Maple Grove Skating School and The City of Maple Grove, and has been for nearly 20 years. It is a fun way to showcase the talents of the skaters at the Maple Grove Skating School, and it's a good way for family and friends to enjoy what the skaters have been working towards all year. It is held by at the Maple Grove Ice Arena and is open to the whole community.
The Maple Grove Half Marathon, 5K, and 10K is presented by the Maple Grove Lions Club in May, and it has been an event for over a decade. It has several sponsors, and it is an eagerly-anticipated event for the whole community. It takes place in the Maple Grove Senior High stadium, and the runs have staggered starting times. All participants receive a medal and a t-shirt upon completion.
The Friends of an Angel are a nonprofit dedicated to taking care of the Angel of Hope statue in Maple Grove Arboretum. The Walk to Remember is an annual event in May to honor and commemorate loved ones who have passed away. It starts at the Angel of Hope and continues along the shore of Rice Lake on a nice spring morning/afternoon.
The Arbor Lakes Art Fair is presented by the Maple Grove Arts Center and hosted by The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes (an open shopping center) in July. Anyone can apply to participate, and the judges strive hard to include a balance of artists with different media and perspectives. There will be art of all kind, including jewelry and crafts. There will be entertainment and food, and there will be an area for children's art event which will be free.
The Kaala Art Show is presented every year by the Hindu Society of Minnesota, and it's a way for them to interact with members of the community. Anyone is invited to submit an original artwork in any medium, and the winners will be shown in an art exhibit at the Hindu Temple of Minnesota is August. There will be a vote among all the people who visit the art exhibit for their favorite pieces, and there will be winners determined by this vote. A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the Hindu Temple.
