Maple Grove, MN

Maple Grove’s original inhabitants were the Winnebago Native Americans who immigrated to the area from Wisconsin. During the early 1850s, Western settlers staked their claims on the land, and the population began to grow.

Maple Grove was home to many small business, such as sawmills, a train depot and a cheese factory that created the city center. Swing by the Maple Grove History Museum to learn more about the region’s fascinating beginnings.

When fall rolls around, the community gears up for the annual Maple Grove Autumn Arts Festival. Participate in art demonstrations, sample local delicacies in the food booths, try some hands-on educational activities with the kids, or enter your art in their art competition.

Maple Grove’s community center, Town Green, places an emphasis on art performances and features a band shell where the Sounds of Summer concert is held during the summer.

Maple Grove offers up trendy restaurants focusing on local flavor. The area is also home to an energetic nightlife scene featuring live music venues.

Pittsburgh Blue puts a twist on local favorites with dishes like their famous pistachio-encrusted walleye. Wet your whistle with Pittsburgh Blue's happy hour for $3 tap beer, house wine and well drinks while you dig in to some $4 steakhouse chicken wings smothered in bleu cheese. Try the dry-aged topped sirloin with hand-cut French fires topped off with a fried egg.

If you're in the mood for breakfast, be sure to drop by The Original Pancake House. Locals recommend calling ahead and getting on the waiting list if you go on the weekend, as it's one of the most popular breakfast spots in the neighborhood. Despite being busy in the mornings, this establishment makes no compromise on service and whips out dishes to hungry customers in no time. Enjoy strawberry crepes that are loaded with fresh strawberries and fluffy whipped cream, or try something a little different, and order some corned-beef hash and eggs or coconut waffles.

Grab your friends and head over to Malone's Bar & Grill on game night to enjoy the big game on one of Malone's flat-screen TV's. Treat yourself to Malone's tantalizing whiskey-glazed grilled salmon or butternut squash ravioli accompanied by cranberry buttercream sauce.

Spice up your night by heading over to The Lookout for cold drinks and live music featuring local artists. You can take in the fresh air by pulling up a chair on the Lookout's spacious patio, and sip a margarita. Be sure to stop by on a Wednesday for all-day happy hour which features a $2.50 snack buffet, $2.50 pint tap beers and drinks on call.

Maple Grove is located northwest of Minneapolis on Interstate 94 along the Mississippi. Being only 20 miles west of the Wisconsin border makes the neighboring state easily accessible for a weekend getaway.

By car, it only takes around 20 minutes to cover the 16 miles heading to downtown Minneapolis via I-94 W. Public parking is widely available around the Maple Grove area as well.

If you don’t feel like driving, it's easy to get around the area by walking, and Maple Grove also provides access to plenty of bike routes that connect to Minneapolis and St. Paul.

If you are commuting to work, the city of Maple Grove offers a commuter express bus and the dial-a-ride program through the Maple Grove Public Transit system, which service the greater Minneapolis area.

Hailing a cab is relatively simple with iHail.com which provides service to Minneapolis and the surrounding suburbs as well as the airport. Book a cab online, or call and book a taxi in seconds.

The Maple Grove area is home to many scenic parks and a variety of recreational opportunities for the whole family. Maple Grove also boasts over 9 lakes in the area, making it easy to get out and enjoy the great outdoors all year around. Grab your sunscreen, and head out to one of Maple Grove’s sandy beaches for a swim, or take the boat out for a spin, and cast out a line.

Tell the kids to grab their skates and head to the skate park plaza, or take your pet out to one of the area's many off-leash dog parks. Enjoy a stroll through Maple Grove Arboretum that features 15 acres of beautiful trails along Elm Creek. The district offers free family fun days, as well as organizing date nights, concerts and more.

You can rent an apartment for around $800 to $900 a month in a reasonably priced apartment complex, such as Jefferson at Plymouth.

Living costs in the Maple Grove area are only slightly above the average for the Minneapolis area. With plenty of options for bargain shopping, lots of outdoor recreation opportunities and nearly endless happy hours, you should not have too much trouble stretching your wallet.

You can grab a pint of beer at a local pub, such as Malone’s, for around $4 to $5. Gas prices in Maple Grove are usually around 9 percent higher than the national average. By taking the Commuter Express, you can get to the city center for $2.75.

Shopping in Maple Grove is a colorful and refreshing experience. Check out the Junipur White House Black Market and Mainstream Boutique for the latest fashion trends at unbeatable prices.

Swing by The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes for all your shopping needs. From local boutiques, such as Goodthings, to Nordstrom and DSW Shoes, you can find just about everything at this outdoor shopping plaza. Grocery shopping in Maple Grove is convenient, with options such as Byerly's, Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe's and Cub Foods all within your reach.

If you are looking for more local fare, you're in luck because Maple Grove Farmers' Market is open year round. The market hosts over 45 vendors that sell a wide range of local produce and products, such as organic honey and free-range turkey. During the winter, the market is held in the community center, so you don't have to worry about braving the elements to stock your pantry. You can even stop in on Thursdays for live music while you shop.