St. Louis Park and Golden Valley Minnesota
Canoeing on Westwood Lake at Westwood Hills Nature Center
Snowshoeing and skiing on trails at Theodore Wirth Regional Park
Family fun on a sunny summer day at the St. Louis Park Aquatic Park
Twinkling lights in the West End, a neighborhood with shopping, dining and entertainment
Historic Walker Lake mural in the community’s commercial center
Dining at the acclaimed Lat14 Asian Eatery in Golden Valley
Riding fat tire bicycles in the snow at Brookview Golf & Lawn Bowling in Golden Valley
Excelsior and Grand luxury apartments with the Minneapolis skyline in the background
Ready to sample spirits at The Dampfwerk Distillery
Dancing at a summer concert at the Veterans Memorial Amphitheater
- Major Airports:
- Minneapolis-Saint Paul (MSP)
- Rochester (RST)
- States:
- Minnesota
A charming destination close to Minnesota’s top attractions
Top Neighborhoods and Attractions
In St. Louis Park, the must-visit hot spot for shopping, dining and nightlife is The West End neighborhood. South of The West End, the revitalized Historic Walker Lake District also draws people to an eclectic mix of retailers and products, including Minnesota-branded clothing and gear at Sota Clothing Co. (Added bonus: You won’t be charged sales tax on clothing purchases in Minnesota.) Before embarking on outdoor adventures in St. Louis Park, you’ll want to check out the clothes and gear at Hoigaard’s, in business since 1895. At the Pavek Museum, take a guided tour to see antique radio and television equipment and learn more about the pioneers of electronic communications. For more modern entertainment, put on a headset at REM5 Virtual Reality Lab and traverse the 557-square-meter indoor playground. Fans of the late musician Prince will want to include his Paisley Park estate in nearby Chanhassen on the itinerary.
Dining and Entertainment
Take a break from exploring to sip beverages at two breweries, Steel Toe and Under Pressure; two distilleries, Copperwing and Dampfwerk Distillery Co.; and a winery, Warehouse Wines. Be sure to try Dampfwerk’s gin, aquavit and German-style fruit brandies and liqueurs. Many of the area’s restaurants offer patio dining. Try the flavorful Japanese fusion fare at Raku Sushi & Lounge, or opt for fish and chips and a pint at The Local Irish Pub, both in the West End. Sample the tequilas at Rojo Mexican Grill and some of the 100 beers on tap at Yard House. To complete a great meal, taste sweet confections at the Droolin’ Moose, a gourmet chocolate shop. In Golden Valley, choose from a tantalizing menu of Thai, Vietnamese, Laotian, Cambodian and Filipino dishes, as well as colorful cocktails, at Lat14 Asian Eatery. Then test your skills at Game Show Battle Rooms, where you can play against friends and family in your favorite TV game shows; or solve clues and try to escape a locked room before time runs out at Escape MSP. During warm-weather months, the Veterans' Memorial Amphitheater at Wolfe Park is a popular place for live music.
Lovely Natural Settings
Don’t spend all of your time indoors when there is so much to discover in St. Louis Park and Golden Valley’s beautiful landscapes. A jewel among dozens of area parks is Westwood Hills Nature Center, an eco-friendly interpretive experience with wildlife, offering 65 hectares of marsh, woods and restored prairie with nearly 5 kilometers of trails and walkways. Activities include canoeing and fishing on Westwood Lake, as well as snowshoeing and skiing in the winter. For top Minnesota cross-country skiing, try out the trails at Theodore Wirth Regional Park. The park is gorgeous year-round and includes Wirth Lake Beach, a bird sanctuary, several gardens and two golf courses. People of all ages, but especially children, will enjoy summer days at the St. Louis Park Aquatic Park with its pool, slides and obstacle course.
Fun Fact
Brothers and filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen (known for “Fargo,” “The Big Lebowski” and “No Country for Old Men”) were born in St. Louis Park and grew up in a modest home at 1425 Flag St. Their movie “A Serious Man” was also set in the city.
Brookview Golf & Lawn Bowling in Golden Valley features the largest lawn bowling green in Minnesota.
The bundt pan for baking cakes was invented in St. Louis Park in 1950 by H. David Dalquist, owner of Nordic Ware. A range of kitchen products can be purchased at the factory store next to the company’s headquarters in Minneapolis.