Dayton/Champlin - Champlin, MN

A small city with a rich history, Dayton/Champlin was originally Native-American territory. In 1680, Father Louis Hennepin first crossed the Mississippi in what would become the city of Champlin. Today, he's honored with a three-day celebration that features a parade, rides and live music.

Because of the area's proximity to Minneapolis, you won't find a strong arts scene here. Locals to travel to Minneapolis/St. Paul for an art fix, and then retire to this quiet community at night. No museums are located within city limits, but five minutes away in Anoka, you'll find the Anoka County Historical Society. The museum includes exhibits on Dayton/Champlin, with an emphasis on the crossing of Father Hennepin.

Evoking a small town friendliness, a variety of local pubs and restaurants serve Dayton/Champlin, with most located off of Highway 169. Whether you go see a movie, want to dance to live music, or just want a beer and a burger, the area offers something for everyone.

The best bar/club in the area, Clive's Roadhouse, features DJ music most nights of the week. Locals like to dance the night away on the weekends and sit down to enjoy live acoustic music on weeknights. The bar's trivia nights on Thursdays also draw a crowd. If you're hungry, Clive's features an excellent American gastro-pub menu. Go during happy hour when almost all appetizers are on special. Only $4, the honey battered mini corn dogs melt in your mouth, and for $5, sample the cheese curds, which are a Minnesota staple. Wash them down with a pint of locally brewed Summit or Premium.

Popular local restaurant Maverick's Wood Grill is well known for its made-from-scratch kitchen, along with the extensive wine list. More upscale than most restaurants in Dayton/Champlin but still affordable, this establishment provides a little something for everyone. Start your meal off with an appetizer, such as the jalapeño cream cheese wontons that come with an excellent Thai chili dipping sauce. For the main course, sample a wood-fired burger, or try the Fire Truck, a hamburger patty topped with chipotle aoili and pepperjack cheese. In addition to a long wine list, Maverick's mixes excellent martinis, and when you go during happy hour, specialty martinis are only $5. For a nightcap, try the Winter's Night, a creamy concoction of Bailey's and Kahlua.

At night, locals catch movies at Mann Theatre, the local cinema. This modern movie theater offers several large screens and shows 3-D movies at select times. Grab some popcorn and catch a flick while relaxing in the roomy stadium-style seating.

A variety of transportation options are available, but visitors find driving to be the most efficient way to travel. Highway 169, one of the state's main routes, is easily accessible from anywhere in the city. Most businesses offer readily available free public parking.

Metro Transit, the Twin Cities bus line, travels from downtown Minneapolis to Dayton/Champlin. Convenient and quick, many locals travel to work via bus. Call ahead for a taxi as cabs don't frequent the streets but they arrive promptly when called. Unless returning from Minneapolis, Uber doesn't serve the Dayton/Champlin area.

Walkers enjoy the quiet and safe streets. The neighborhood doesn't offer bike lanes, but the tranquility of the area makes for a peaceful bike ride.

Residents of Dayton/Champlin are extremely proud of the local parks and lakes. Patrons enjoy the lovely scenery and wildlife while spending a day outside, whether it be in February or August. Most of the parks charge a nominal parking fee, and all parks are child and dog friendly.

The crown jewel of the park system, Elm Creek Park Reserve, spans several cities, and 800 acres of the reserve belong to Dayton/Champlin. The exercise-centric park features walking trails, snow-shoeing, a swimming pond and miles of bike trails. Visitors keep a keen eye out for wildlife such as deer, eagles and beavers while exploring the park.

Local families are frequent visitors to Andrews Park in Champlin. This large park features a kiddie pool and playground, perfect for summer days. The park also has football, soccer, softball and baseball fields. In the winter, two permanent hockey rinks and an ice skating area provide entertainment for families.

The annual Art in the Park event brings families out in full force. Focusing on art for little ones, materials are provided for children to create their own artwork, with themes such as foam mosaic bug pictures. Prizes are awarded at the end of the night.

Lower cost of living versus that of Minneapolis draws many residents to the vicinity. It costs $6 to get to downtown Minneapolis or St. Paul via public transportation, making it extremely convenient and affordable for young professionals. Gas prices are 5 percent lower than the national average. A typical one-bedroom residence rents for $740, and a beer at a local pub runs around $4, with excellent deals during happy hour.

For a small town, Dayton/Champlin has a number of high-end shops and stores available. Many are chain stores, but locals prefer to shop at independent businesses when possible. The main shopping hub is conveniently located off Highway 169.

The Kids Rack, a second-hand clothing shop, caters to parents who prefer to buy used. Designer duds and clothes in good condition line the racks of this gigantic retailer. Newborn through preteen clothes are available to customers. You may sell clothes here as well, and if the Kids Rack doesn't accept them, the store donates the clothing to local charities.

As the only boutique in the area, Plum Rose Boutique does brisk business. Popular with the locals for the relatively low prices and hard-to-find-items, a variety of women's clothing and accessories are sold. The artsy costume jewelry makes a great gift, and the array of sweaters keeps the Minnesota winters a little warmer. Go often as the Plum Rose regularly rotates inventory.

Chain discount grocery stores such as Cub and Aldi serve the neighborhood. For those who prefer locally grown food, head to the Champlin Farmer's Market that runs from early July into late October. Fresh fruits and vegetables are sold, along with bread, jams and honey.