Maplewood, Minnesota, gives its residents the best of both worlds: You can get the experience of living in a charming, not-too-small town (with a population of a little more than 40,000) while also enjoying the perks of a larger city. After all, Maplewood is just a ten-minute drive from downtown St. Paul, which is known as one of the Twin Cities of Minnesota because it neighbors Minneapolis. In Maplewood, traffic is light, the parks are beautiful, and you can easily get to know your neighbors or even the owner of your favorite bakery. There are so many things to do in Maplewood, it’s easy to fall in love with the community and culture.
Things to Do in Maplewood
Get Outside
There are plenty of ways to enjoy nature and fresh air in Maplewood, making it easy to advantage of the numerous benefits of being outside. For a hike through woods and wetlands, you don’t have to look any further than the Maplewood Nature Center. There you will find wildflower demonstration gardens, picnic spots, and even volunteer opportunities. Keller Park, located off of Highway 61, also offers a beautiful place to rest and immerse yourself in nature. If you are quiet and observant, you might catch a glimpse of some Minnesota wildlife. Are you more of a golf enthusiast than a nature lover? There are several golf course options in the area.
Go Out to Eat
Eating out with friends or family is arguably one of the best pastimes in any town, and the Maplewood area offers a variety of food options:
- For scrumptious Mexican food, visit Catrina’s Cerveza & Mexican Grill. This casual restaurant provides authentic Mexican cuisine, from burritos and tacos to tortas and tostadas.
- If you are craving comfort food, The Corner Cafe serves everything from biscuits and gravy for breakfast to hamburger steak for dinner.
- Just a few minutes away from Maplewood is Acqua, an Italian restaurant that sits on the shore of White Bear Lake. This restaurant sources local ingredients and even has an outdoor dining area that is perfect for cool summer nights or spring days.
Take a Quick Trip to St. Paul or Little Canada
After you’ve explored the town of Maplewood, take a drive or metro ride to St. Paul. You can begin your day by seeing more of Minnesota on a riverboat ride through the beautiful National Great River Park. The greenery and rolling waters will provide the perfect landscape to create memories and feel at peace. For lunch, head to downtown St. Paul, where you will find plenty of restaurants to choose from. For many people, a day trip isn’t considered complete without a little bit of shopping; luckily, Grand Avenue has everything from home decor to clothing.
Finally, you can’t live in Maplewood without visiting Little Canada from time to time. To learn more about this charming community, which greatly values its French-Canadian heritage, check out our blog post Things to Do in Little Canada. We encourage you to stop by the Market Place Morning Talks on the second Wednesday of each month, shop at the farmers’ market on Mondays from mid-July to mid-October, and consider joining the 55+ Club. And in August, you can’t miss Canadian Days, a festival featuring live music, scrumptious food, community events, tournaments, and much more.
_____
There are plenty of fun things to do in Maplewood, Minnesota, and the surrounding cities. If you are looking for a peaceful place to retire in Minnesota, The Shores of Lake Phalen is a senior living community that sits in a gorgeous wooded setting between two lakes. Our apartment-style housing has the atmosphere and elegance of a resort in a charming neighborhood on Lake Phalen. Plus, our friendly staff members help residents enjoy a carefree lifestyle, without the common worries of running a household. Relax and enjoy the health and safety amenities, fun events, and company of other seniors. Schedule a tour or learn more by calling 651-777-7784.