Fun things to do in the Coon Rapids area? (Maple Grove: rent, to buy)

[golfgal]

We have about 5 hours to kill tomorrow afternoon in the Coon Rapids area, me and 3 teenage girls. Any fun things to do in the area? We are planning on going go-carting at the place near Bunker Hills, possibly shopping somewhere (Arbor Lakes??). Any suggestions?

[MSMCGirl]

Arbor Lakes is in Maple Grove. There is a similar shopping area in Coon Rapids off Hwy 10 and Main Street (lots of shopping and restaurants). There's also Northtown Mall off University. Teenage girls love to shop so those are probably your best bets! I run at Bunker Hills but not sure what they'd find interesting there (unless they like to golf??). There's a nice water park there but doubt it's open yet? Not familiar with go carting. There are also lots of outdoorsy things to do....trails, parks...the Coon Rapids Dam area is really nice. With teenage girls however, I'd stick to the shopping areas!

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by MSMCGirl

Arbor Lakes is in Maple Grove. There is a similar shopping area in Coon Rapids off Hwy 10 and Main Street (lots of shopping and restaurants). There's also Northtown Mall off University. Teenage girls love to shop so those are probably your best bets! I run at Bunker Hills but not sure what they'd find interesting there (unless they like to golf??). There's a nice water park there but doubt it's open yet? Not familiar with go carting. There are also lots of outdoorsy things to do....trails, parks...the Coon Rapids Dam area is really nice. With teenage girls however, I'd stick to the shopping areas!

We are killing time between golfing at Bunker and a banquet in the evening for golf . I know Arbor Lakes is in Maple Grove-but it is fairly close to Coon Rapids. It's not going to be warm enough for the water park, but we considered Grand Rios--but the girls don't want to worry about having to redo their hair.

[northsub]

1) Bunker Beach. Outdoor water park with a bunch of slides, wavepool, lazy river. Largest such park in the state. Maybe it's not warm enough?
2) Check out the Coon Rapids Dam. You have a high likelihood of seeing deer on the trails on the west side (though I tend to go in the evening when deer activity is probably higher). Fishing is popular there as well. You could rent bikes (including tandems, I think) and bike the trails. Trails from there I'd suggest heading west toward Elm Creek, you could easily put in 30 miles all on some of the nicest trails you will find in the metro.
3) Cheap Skate. Roller skating rink on Coon Rapids Boulevard.
4) Tower Days. Festival in Spring Lake Park.
5) Horseback riding at Bunker Hills.
6) Fixed Gear Classic at National Sports Center. Bike racing on the Velodrome. Draws in riders from Europe.
7) USA International Cup Boys Invite at National Sports Center. Youth hockey.
8) Bowling/games at either Brunswick Zone (newer) or Blainbroook Bowl (older).
9) Putting green course at the National Sports Center. There's also a youth oriented golf course.
10) Yes and Food!, Improv comedy along Coon Rapids Boulevard (open on Sunday?). Has family friendly shows.
11) Q-Fanatic in Champlin. Best bbq place in the state. Across from downtown Anoka.

[northsub]

Sorry, didn't see the posts before mine. And, I probably don't have much of an idea what teenage girls are into.

You could also canoe on the Rum River. I think there are a few outfitters. Might be a time crunch (and issues with redoing hair?).

I'm not sure teenage girls would be impressed with Northtown (not many of the chains you'd expect in a mall). I'd probably try Riverdale (in Coon Rapids) or Arbor Lakes instead. Arbor Lakes is nicer, but Riverdale is closer.

Or possibly shopping in downtown Anoka. There's also Arsenic and Old Lace showing at Lyric Arts in Anoka. You'd also at least find an ice cream shop and a really good dessert place (Truffles and Tortes).

[northsub]

Sorry, it occurred to me that canoeing would make more sense at Rice Creek Chain of Lakes (in Lino Lakes, I think) than the Rum. You can rent canoes at the Wargo Nature Center. The Chain of Lakes is sort of Boundary Waters-lite.

[golfgal]

I guess I should add that we don't want to do anything "physical" that would cause muscle soreness. Any other time and they would be all over hiking, horseback riding, etc.

Shopping will probably be on the list, somewhere.

Maybe we can catch a movie. Super 8 is getting good reviews.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by golfgal

I guess I should add that we don't want to do anything "physical" that would cause muscle soreness. Any other time and they would be all over hiking, horseback riding, etc.

Shopping will probably be on the list, somewhere.

Maybe we can catch a movie. Super 8 is getting good reviews.

Stay away from Northtown. It's disappointing unless you want to buy crappy jewelry or discontinued perfumes. It's way past it's prime. Showplace has a decent theater off of Foley and 10. The Coon Rapids Dam is pretty neat. "Cheep Skate" rollerskating lives up to its name. They have the same toilet that they did when they opened in 1978 and the place has 1978 dust over the speakers. I was there at opening night in 1978 at age 13. I suspect they still have the same roller skates too. The best shopping selection is on hwy 10 and Round Lake BLVD. There isn't anything unique but there is 100's of stores. Downtown Anoka has some shops to browse (check out Jensen's). Do you want an INCREDILBLE tasting desert?? Go to Truffles and Torte (See Truffles And Tortes | Home ). They are on Main Street in Anoka. Food is is hit of miss but the truffles should be illegal (as in drug like).

Q-Fanatic in Champlin does have some good BBQ. I'm not saying it's worth the drive to a strip mall in Champlin but it won't disappoint.

[Kebinminn]

There's a movie theater in Andover off of Bunker Lake that's close to Bunker Park. It has a decent matinee price.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by Kebinminn

There's a movie theater in Andover off of Bunker Lake that's close to Bunker Park. It has a decent matinee price.

True. There is bowling, and a movie theater inside of a block. It's closer to the golf course (it's between Hanson and Round Lake BLVD). See Andover Cinemas