Thinking about moving to the Minneapolis area? There are a variety of suburbs near Minneapolis with parks, trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities, in addition to fantastic schools and fun community events. Here are the five best suburbs in Minneapolis!

Eden Prairie

A large suburb southwest of Minneapolis, Eden Prairie has affordable homes ranging from classic single-family ranches to sizable two-story homes—plus, this area offers plenty of things to do for every age and lifestyle! Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of its 10,000 acres of park land, whether that’s with a peaceful hike through the Edenbrook Conservation Area or a fun summer day on the splash pad at Round Lake Park. There’s also the Eden Prairie Community Center, which families love for the Group Outings for Kids and the Prairie Play Zone, while adults appreciate its state-of-the art fitness and aquatic facilities. To top it all off, this Minneapolis suburb is home to the Eden Prairie Campus of Hennepin Technical College, so students get the benefit of a convenient commute.

Things to Do in Eden Prairie

Experience living history with costumed guides to see what life was like in the Minnesota River Valley during the 1800s at The Landing – MN River Heritage Park. Venture just past the southern border of Eden Prairie to find fun for all ages on the rides at Valleyfair Amusement Park. Choose from turf or courts to play basketball, soccer, volleyball, and more at Champions Hall Sports & Event Center. Explore 170 acres of wildlife and nature, play on the disc golf course, or go swimming at Bryant Lake Regional Park. Eat Greek food like the Athena Gyro, Lamb Kabab Sandwich, and Beef Kafta Platter at The Greek Grill & Fry Co. Try the wide variety of arepas, including the Pabellon, Pelua, or Catira at TequeArepa. Enjoy Italian pizza and pasta entrees like the Baked Rigatoni, House Special Pizza, or Peter & Jodi Pizza at Detello’s Pizza & Pasta. Or experience “Famous Hamburgers” like the California, California Cheese, or Bacon Cheese at Lions Tap, a popular Eden Prairie restaurant.

Hopkins

Hopkins is a close-knit Minneapolis suburb that boasts an abundance of community events throughout the year! The summer months bring locally-grown produce, locally-raised meat, and other artisan goods to the Hopkins Farmers Market. You can also enjoy the Grande Day Parade during the Raspberry Festival—and don’t forget to visit the World’s Largest Raspberry while you’re at it! Fall brings Halloween in Hopkins, a celebration of all things spooky. And winter has the Small Business Saturday holiday celebration in Downtown Hopkins, which includes s’mores around fire pits, ornament decorating, and a tree lighting straight out of your favorite Hallmark movie. Beyond community events and the vibrant small business culture of Downtown Hopkins, this suburb features top-rated schools like The Blake School and Alice Smith Elementary, as well as a a variety of affordable homes in Colonial, bungalow, and ranch styles.

Things to Do in Hopkins

Walk through exhibitions by local and emerging artists, or attend The Sunset Series Outdoor Concerts from June to August at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. Book a tee time for 18 holes, sign up for a league or lessons, or work on your skills on the practice green at Meadowbrook Golf Club. Reserve one of the 24 bowling lanes or play arcade games like Air Hockey and Guitar Hero at Tuttle’s Eat Bowl Play. Aim for the target at the Westbrook Archery Range, skate at the ice rink, or hike the nature trails at Valley Park, one of many parks in Hopkins. Start your day right with a stroll through the bookstore before sitting down for a Pig & Fig Panini, Egg Sandwich, or Simple Sunny Salad at Cream & Amber, a combined bookstore and restaurant in Hopkins. Find hoagies, pasta, and pizza in the Minneapolis area with specialties like the Elote Pizza, Baked Potato Pizza, or The Luce at Pizza Luce Hopkins. Try Tibetan cuisine like Alu Sha, Beef Potato Bean, or Tibetan Chow-Mein at Tibet Corner. Order Enchiladas Rojas or Verdes, a Seafood Chimichanga, or Shrimp Fajitas at Minneapolis Mexican restaurant El Lorito Mexican Grill.

Minnetonka

Minnetonka is a large, quiet, and safe Minneapolis suburb that’s a great place to raise a family! Highly-rated Minnetonka Public Schools like Clear Springs Elementary School are close by, as well as beautiful Minnetonka parks like Purgatory Park and Meadow Neighborhood Park and Community Preserve. Fitness buffs looking for the best places to live near Minneapolis will also love this suburb, as it’s home to the community Williston Fitness Center—offering a variety of courts, classes, and amenities! If you’re ready to start looking for Minneapolis homes in Minnetonka so you can put down roots, expect to find Colonials, ranches, bungalows, and more.

Things to Do in Minnetonka

Go for a casual round of nine holes or attend the golf academy at Glen Lake Golf & Practice Center. Sign up for Skating Lessons, Developmental Figure Skating, or Adult Open Hockey at the Minnetonka Ice Arena. Get your Minnetonka shopping fix at stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Apple, and Buckle at the Ridgedale Center. Have a picnic, go swimming, or fish for walleye, bluegill, bass, and more at Libbs Lake Beach Park. Try the Cowboy Burger, Pulled Pork Sandwich, and Yum Yum Bowl at Duke’s on 7, a dog-friendly Minnetonka restaurant. Catch the Minnesota Vikings (NFL) game as you enjoy a Southwest Bowl, Pot Roast Sliders, or California Chicken at Scoreboard Bar & Grill. Indulge in Sweet Beef, Chorizo, and Caprese empanadas at DelSur Empanadas, the first Argentinian empanada restaurant in the Twin Cities. Or sample a Southwest Chicken Panini, Mike’s Seafood Stew, and Szechuan Salmon at Yum! Kitchen and Bakery.

Plymouth

As a nature-lover’s paradise, the Plymouth suburb is one of the best places to live near Minneapolis! This suburb is centered around the expansive Medicine Lake, which provides great fishing and swimming opportunities in the summer. In addition, you can find amazing parks near Minneapolis like Clifton E. French Regional Park and Bass Lake Playfield, as well as the trailhead for the Luce Line State Trail. If you want to spend outdoor time with your furry friend, Plymouth Dog Park and 4 Paws Dog Park are great off-leash dog park options! Families with kids also love Plymouth’s proximity to the Wayzata Public School District, which includes top-rated schools like Wayzata Meadow Ridge Elementary School and Wayzata High School. If you’re ready to rent or buy a home in this Minneapolis suburb, you’ll find plenty of Tudor, Craftsman, and ranch-style options.

Things to Do in Plymouth

Check out the art gallery, walk through the Millennium Garden, or let your kids loose on the indoor playground in the Plymouth Community Center. Go bowling or attend concerts from a variety of local and national artists and tribute bands at the Medina Entertainment Center. Hone your skills on the ice during an Open Skate or Open Hockey session at the Plymouth Ice Center. Book a tee time for one of the two nine-hole courses at Eagle Lake Golf, cross-country ski in the winter, or bike the trails in the summer at Eagle Lake Regional Park. Sample the Bourbon BBQ wings, White Cheddar Mac, or Glazed Salmon at Rock Elm Tavern. Get homestyle cooking with comforting dishes like the Chicken Pot Pie, Braised Short Rib, or Pasta Bolognese at Creekside Cafe. For Thai food in Plymouth, order Pad Mee Luang-Lo Mein, Stir-Fried Fresh Ginger, and Pad Prig Bai Kra Prao at Thai Table. Or end your night at an authentic Irish bar and restaurant in Plymouth with Wild Mushroom Risotto, Guinness Braised Beef Short Ribs, and Lakeland Walleye at Kip’s Irish Pub.

Victoria

Located about 40 minutes from Minneapolis, Victoria’s rural feel and expansive green space has earned this suburb the nickname “City of Lakes and Parks!” The biggest contributor to this reputation is Carver Park Reserve, which features the Lowry Nature Center, Carver Archery Range, Grimm Farm Historic Site, and the Carver Dog Off-Leash Area—not to mention miles of hiking and biking trails! Families with kids will find fantastic schools like Victoria Elementary School and Holy Family Catholic High School, and residents can settle down in homes ranging from condos and townhomes to houses in Neocolonial and ranch styles. And with fun community events like Halloween in Victoria and Light Up Victoria, as well as a variety of programs and classes through the suburb’s Parks and Recreation department, you’ll never run out of things to do!

Things to Do in Victoria

Stock up on locally-grown apples, gourmet pies, or ice cream at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum‘s seasonal AppleHouse, sponsored by the University of Minnesota. Skate around the ice arena, play on the indoor pickleball courts, or sign up for Group Fitness classes at the Victoria Recreation Center. Enjoy an outdoor staycation while hiking and practicing archery in the Carver Park Reserve by renting one of the 57 campgrounds at Lake Auburn Campground. Try your hand at arcade games and axe throwing, or play mini golf, darts, and foosball at The Burrow Victoria. Try the Cajun Burger, Grilled Ahi Tuna Sandwich, or Three Little Pigs Pizza at the Winchester & Rye Restaurant. Enjoy dishes like the Branzino, Scallops and Bacon, or French Onion Burger at The Noble Lion, one of the best restaurants in Victoria. Carry out a gameday pizza like the Green, Red, or Roulette’s from Roulette’s Pizza. Or end the night with one of the many craft beers on the menu paired with the Chicken Pesto Flatbread, Cheese Quesadilla, or Ground Beef Nachos at ENKI Brewing Taproom & Eatery.

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Suburb statistics from AreaVibes