Woodbury/Afton/Lake Elmo Woodbury, MN

Woodbury originated as a thriving farming area, and you can still spot 19th century farmhouses tucked between developments. One of them, the Woodbury Heritage House, is open for public tours in the summer months, and costumed volunteers share stories about the early years of Minnesota farm life. In the 1950s, farms gave way to residential development, and in the 1980s and 1990s, the pace of construction boomed. Woodbury is nearly fully developed, although cornfields on the outer limits are a reminder that all this was farmland not long ago. Lake Elmo is rapidly filling in too. Afton, meanwhile, fights to retain its rural flavor, but this river town isn't immune to developments with larger lots.

The annual Woodbury Days summer celebration features a carnival, petting zoo, car show, parade and fireworks. The event wraps up when the new Miss Woodbury receives her crown.

Fast food and chain restaurants, such as Applebee's and Panera Bread, dominate Woodbury's food scene, but that's changing. Punch Neapolitan Pizza chose Woodbury for its east metro outpost, bringing artisan, wood-fired pizza to town. The chef-driven Craft Kitchen and Bar serves handcrafted American fare, an impressive microbrew list and a popular weekend brunch.

Dorothy Ann's Bakery has been baking spectacular cakes and pastries since the 1950s, and it also serves a reasonably priced sandwich lunch. It's hard to walk out without a few tender pastries or a lavishly decorated cupcake. In December, the bakery transforms itself as a walk-through sugarplum wonderland.

A decent handful of ethnic eateries give diners a taste of lands beyond the Midwest. India Palace has a generous lunch buffet, and the dinner menu offers even more options (plus more spice). The family-run kitchen at Duc's Vietnamese excels with fresh, flavorful traditional Chinese and Vietnamese dishes. Akita Sushi's all-you-can-eat buffet lunch gives novice sushi diners the chance to try a wide variety of rolls. The chefs are upfront about the fact that the crab and scallops are imitation meat.

Two longtime local breakfast chains have solid Woodbury locations. Key's Cafe serves classic high-calorie breakfast fare and famous giant cinnamon rolls. The New Woodbury Cafe's chocolate chip cookie dough pancakes make getting up early easy.

Woodbury remains a quiet, family-oriented community and most restaurants close by 9 pm. Residents seeking nightlife in this squeaky-clean community will be disappointed, but they are just 15 minutes away from St. Paul's cultural activities and bars.

Interstate 94 runs right through Woodbury, Lake Elmo and Afton, providing easy access to both downtown St. Paul and popular recreational areas in Wisconsin and the St. Croix River Valley. Interstate 494 offers a fast route north and south, making this area commutable to most parts of the metro area. Metro Transit operates a bus route and two park-and-ride lots in Woodbury.

Woodbury residents value green space and outdoor recreation, and nearly every neighborhood has a sizable community park. It doesn’t hurt that the landscape is especially scenic; wetlands, oak forests and gently rolling hills give the region beauty. Wildlife is visible here, including numerous bird species, whitetail deer and coyote. Many area parks boast a lake, and in the winter, ice house villages pop up as soon as the ice is safe. (Bring an auger to be sure.) A comprehensive network of on- and off-road bike trails run throughout the city and link up to major state trail systems.

Afton State Park, high on the bluffs of the St. Croix River, is a top regional destination for campers, hikers, geocachers, birdwatchers and cross-country skiers. Its gorgeous mix of prairie and oak savannah is scenic in all seasons. Hardy visitors can try winter camping; the rest can rent a cabin or yurt instead.

Lake Elmo Park Reserve offers 3.5 square miles of recreation space, including miles of bike and hiking trails, with skiing in winter, an archery range, camping, equestrian trails, fishing and a swim pond. Since 2002, the park has hosted a lively annual bluegrass festival that draws the best acts in the region.

Rental housing is limited in Woodbury. In Lake Elmo, however, new developments include affordable rental housing. Here, larger lots and simpler 1990s-era construction dominates.

Strict regulations keep Afton rural. Multi-acre country estates and a historic downtown area full of charming 1900s bungalows and farmhouses make this area a popular Sunday drive. On the state’s easternmost border, sparsely populated Afton is a formidable commute for most people.

Woodbury is synonymous with shopping. In the 1980s, many locals got their first look at the city by visiting its factory outlet malls. As the city developed, those outlet malls became open-air shopping areas featuring popular chain stores. In fact, it's hard to name a national store that doesn't have a Woodbury location. Walkable Woodbury Lakes emphasizes affordable fashion. Look for the Gap, Banana Republic, Children's Place and Champs Sports. The more utilitarian Tamarack Village shopping area has a Cub Foods grocery, Home Depot and Sears Appliance Outlet. A series of smaller satellite malls radiate out from the big boxes where you'll find Land's End, JC Penney and Old Navy.

Despite the dominance of chain stores, Woodbury does have a few independent shops. The Book Corner is the city's oldest bookstore (the other one is Barnes & Noble). Pet Evolution, started by a former police officer and a veterinary student, offers a unique variety of pet foods and supplies. The folks at Hi-Score Video Games live in the alternate world of games and pop culture collectibles.

In the growing months, a farmers market sets up in the Woodbury Library parking lot. Year-round grocery options include Trader Joe's, Aldi, Byerly's, Kowalski's, Super Target and Wal-Mart.