Lotus Maple Grove brought the heat with its Singapore Noodles and Nem Nuong Spring Rolls. Photo: Chris Emeott
The assignment was simple: Share your favorite places and things to do in the local community. Maple Grove Magazine Editorial Advisory Board members offered up their top picks when it came to things to do, places to eat and parks to visit in Maple Grove, and I set about choosing my own adventures based on their expert recommendations. Come along with me as I …
Roam
It came as little surprise that both small business owner Kira Vanderlan and city recreation coordinator Roee Hecht singled out Central Park as a must-see destination, citing a litany of attractions, including the walking trails and playground. “Plus you can utilize the loop in the summer with roller skates,” Hecht says. I picked a quiet afternoon to walk the path around the placid pond. Although the garden was dormant at the time of my visit, I still made a meditative trip around the labyrinth. maplegrovemn.gov
Central Park’s ice skating loop converts into a delightful roller rink during the summer. Photo: Joey C Photography
Abbigail Ciesynski of the I-94 West Chamber of Commerce identified Elm Creek Park Reserve as one of the best parks in the city. “Whether you’re hiking, biking, swimming at the beach or cross-country skiing in the winter, it’s the perfect place to enjoy all that Minnesota has to offer,” she says. I set out from Eastman Nature Center on Sumac Trail, admittedly a little spooked by the educational sign at the start of the trail about how to handle black bear sightings. My trepidations gradually melted away as I looped around Meadowlark Trail, entranced by sonorous choirs of frogs. threeriversparks.org
Elm Creek Park Reserve felt like a reprieve from the bustle of the surrounding West Metro. Photos: Chris Emeott
Kate Wodtke of the Maple Grove Historical Preservation Society encouraged me to have a ball in Maple Grove. The first stop on her list was Fish Lake Dog Off-leash Area. “Whether you have a dog in your life or just love to spend time with puppers, you will have a ball at this delightful destination,” she says. I took her advice and enjoyed the scenery along the trail that loops around the pavilion. Up the hill and among the trees, I noted the rustic survival shelters that potentially pointed to local Boy Scout troops practicing their outdoor skills. And, rounding the corner to a view of the water tower, the kids dotting the docks with their fishing poles intimated to me that the lake lives up to its name. threeriversparks.org
Kate Wodtke of the Maple Grove Historical Preservation Society invited me to have a ball at Fish Lake Dog Off-leash Area.
Dine
Walking through the doors of Lookout Bar and Grill immediately inundated me with a sense of local history. The nearly 70-year-old, family-owned restaurant immortalizes its community standing through walls peppered with photographs and a bartop festooned with snapshots from times past. I was surprised to find it tucked away in a fairly residential area, but that only served to reinforce Ciesynski’s observation that, “The Lookout is a friendly neighborhood stop with excellent food and great vibes.” My excitement at seeing Spicy Mac Bites on the menu cannot be overstated. As a devout connoisseur of mac and cheese where it shouldn’t be (read: Mac and Cheese Grilled Cheese), a mac and cheese nugget is a welcome addition to any menu in my book. lookoutbarandgrill.com
As an avid mac and cheese fan, Lookout Bar and Grill’s Spicy Mac Bites immediately caught my attention, and my curiosity was well rewarded.
My impulse to try something new at Lotus Maple Grove was rewarded when the Nem Nuong Spring Rolls arrived at the table. The appetizer was a medley of textures: crunchy eggroll wrapper core, chewy rice noodles and slightly crispy pork patty, all rolled into one and served with a sweet and spicy peanut sauce. Hecht notes that the Potatoes & Oyster Sauce is his personal go-to, however my abiding love of Singapore Noodles won out during this visit. The yellow curry rice noodles provided just the right amount of heat (I went with a 4/5), balanced out by more savory notes. I also appreciate a noodle dish where veggies take center stage rather than perform bit parts. lotusmaplegrove.com
Play
Vanderlan identified the new Maple Grove Community Center Ice Arena as a standout spot that’s home to many community hockey programs. Skating was a hobby I picked up during COVID-19, however I’ve since lapsed in my attendance, so this sounded like an excellent opportunity to get back into the swing of things. The arena isn’t shy about its pride in local youth teams, as evidenced by the floor-to-ceiling murals of Osseo Maple Grove Hockey Association athletes visible from the outdoor walkway. I picked one of the many available open skate times and—although I had the shaky ankles of a newborn calf—I had a wonderful time on the ice. maplegrovemn.gov
Wodtke’s theme of having a ball in Maple Grove continued with a visit to WhirlyBall Twin Cities. While I couldn’t muster the numbers needed for a truly competitive session of the eponymous sport, I had a friend in tow who was versed in the ins and outs of the game. We still managed to have a ball by playing a few rounds of pool. whirlyballtwincities.com
