With the growing popularity of 3-on-3 player games, the Gus Macker Basketball Tournament returns to the Twin Cities on August 2-3. Historically held in downtown St. Paul, this family-focused tournament is once again in Brooklyn Park, MN, and the perfect place to bring your bike to get around. While visiting, you will find five major paved trail systems that intersect with one another. Additionally, there are numerous bike-friendly streets to access and navigate to and from the games and various attractions in Minneapolis’ Northwest area during your visit.
About Gus Macker
Gus Macker celebrates its 51st anniversary this year at Hennepin Community College. The original tournament was started by Scott McNeal (aka Gus Macker), who invited eighteen neighborhood friends to play over the weekend in his parents’ driveway during March Madness. The tournament continued to gain popularity, eventually hit the road in 1987, and has become a staple in recreational sports. Since then, the Macker tour has expanded, hosting over 1,500 tournaments with more than 2.8 million players—male and female, ranging from 7 to 50+ years old—and attracting more than 30 million spectators.
See more here about Gus Macker in Brooklyn Park this year.
Exploring the Minneapolis Northwest Metro Area by bike
As the Mississippi River and its internationally known Mississippi River Trail (MRT) enter the Twin Cities Metro area, visitors staying in Brooklyn Center or Brooklyn Park (also known as Explore Minneapolis Northwest) can access some of the nation’s best bike trails. You can find several comfortable bike routes from your hotel room that connect you to many other urban paved trails. The links below will provide you with access to the MRT, allowing you to visit local parks along the river or ride trails to downtown Minneapolis for additional attractions. For those interested in mountain or fat biking, Elm Creek Park Reserve is also easy to connect to by trail, no matter your hotel choice.
See an overview of the bike infrastructure here in the Next Adventure Minneapolis Northwest Outdoor Guide, or the Shingle Creek Regional Trail System map.
Where to stay while visiting
Minneapolis Northwest offers 14 hotels to cater to the needs of every guest. From all-suite hotels with meeting space to extended-stay properties, you’ll find an option that suits you best.