At a Glance: Exploring Minneapolis Northwest – Fun and Food
As both the Mississippi River and its internationally known trail (MRT) enter the Twin Cities Metro area, visitors staying in Minneapolis Northwest can access some of the nation’s best bike trails. From your hotel room you can find several comfortable bike routes that will connect you to paved urban trails. These trails will take you through the three vibrant cities of Minneapolis Northwest: Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, and Maple Grove. Connect to MRT to visit local parks along the river or ride trails all the way to downtown Minneapolis. For those interested in mountain or fat biking, Elm Creek Park Reserve is also easy to connect to by trail no matter what your hotel choice may be.

A family having fun riding their bikes on city trails in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, which is one of the three cities in Minneapolis Northwest.
When not biking, the warm summer air welcomes good times with family attractions, outdoor art fairs, restaurant patios, and other festival event activities. In the Fall enjoy the colorful array of foliage in the city parks of the three communities of Minneapolis Northwest, including the powerful Coon Rapids Dam, while local wineries and breweries nearby offering the crisp flavors of the harvest. In between winter fat bike experiences, cross-country skiing the local trails, or ice skating, checkout the dozens of arts and theater options. The hottest winter attraction here is the ice skating loop at Central Park of Maple Grove. The first of its kind in Minnesota, the loop is a refrigerated 800 feet trail meandering through the park. As spring flowers bloom in the city parks and along the bike trails, the beautiful setting will welcome cyclists to come back again and again.
Where to Bike in the Area
Being a bike-friendly community, you will find many safe and relaxing street routes, bike trails that parallel roadways with heavier traffic levels, and miles of urban paved trails nestled in Minneapolis Northwest. These trails will connect you to many popular Twin City Metro trail routes. For the mountain biker, no matter your level of expertise, many fun trails are offered.
Available Bike Maps for the Area
HaveFunBikingMplsNW Map
Hennepin County Bike Map
Brooklyn Parks Trails
Maple Groves Trails
Coon Rapids Dam Trail
Medicine Lake Regional Trail
Rush Creek Regional Trail
Shingle Creek Regional Trail
Elm Creek Park Trail
Elm Creek Park Singletrack
Walk/Hiking Opportunities
Brooklyn Park
Maple Grove
Elm Creek Park
Coon Rapids Dam Park
Area Bike Shops and Clubs
Brooklyn Center
Fridley Heights Cyclery | 4755 University Ave. N.E., Columbia Heights MN, 54427 | 763-572-1670
Brooklyn Park
Trailhead Cycling | 11350 Aquila Dr. N., Champlin, MN 55316 | 763-712-0312
Maple Grove
ERIK’S Bike Board and Ski | 6850 Hemlock Lane N., Maple Grove, MN 55369 | 763-391-7888
REI | 11581 Fountains Dr., Maple Grove, MN 55369 | 763-493-7861
Maple Grove Cycling | 13950 Grove Dr., Osseo, MN 55311 | 763-420-8878
Where to Play
Brooklyn Center
Surly Brewing Company | 4811 Dusharme Dr., Brooklyn Center, MN 55429 | 763-535-3330
Brooklyn Park
Coon Rapids Dam National Park | 10360 West River Road, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444
Brunswick Zone XL | Bowling | 7545 Brooklyn Blvd., Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 | 763-503-2695
Maple Grove
Elm Creek Park Reserve | 2400 James Dean Parkway, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Venetian Indoor Waterpark | 11801 Fountains Way, Maple Grove, MN 55369 | 763-425-3800
Whirlyball | 13644 80th Circle North, Maple Grove, MN 55369 | 763-657-1555
Where to Eat
Brooklyn Center
50’s Grill | Menu | 5524 Brooklyn Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55429| 763-560-4947
Scoreboard Pizza | Menu | 6816 Humboldt Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55430 | 763-566-4455
Brooklyn Park
Fat Nat’s Eggs | Menu | 8587 Edinburgh Centre Dr. N., Minneapolis, MN 55443
Maple Grove
Rodizio Grill | Menu | 12197 Elm Creek Blvd. N., Maple Grove, MN 55369 | 763-657-1133
Redstone American Grill | Menu | 12109 Main St., Maple Grove, MN 55369 | 763-420-0232
Where to Sleep
Public Wi-Fi Spots in the Area
Along with most hotels, coffee shops, and restaurants having Wi-Fi availability, the public library is another good option.
Brooklyn Center Public Library
Brooklyn Park Public Library
Maple Grove Public Library