Brooklyn Park is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, located on the west bank of the Mississippi River. With a population of over 79,000 , Brooklyn Park is the sixth largest city in Minnesota and forms part of the Twin Cities metropolitan area along with neighboring Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Originally founded in 1854 and incorporated in 1969, Brooklyn Park has grown into a thriving suburban community offering residents a high quality of life. The city features numerous parks, trails, entertainment options and family-friendly attractions.
In this article, we will highlight 12 of the top attractions that you must see and experience when visiting this vibrant Minnesota city. From museums and recreation centers to craft breweries and shopping complexes, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Brooklyn Park.
The attractions covered include:
- Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park
- Maple Grove Raceway
- Brooklyn Park Recreation Center
- Edinburgh USA Golf Course
- BrookLynk Beer Company
- Ezekiel Baptist Church
- Hennepin Technical College
- Shingle Creek Crossing
- Brooklyn Park Public Library
- Twin Cities Harvest Festival
- Palmer Lake Park Reserve
- Brooklyn Historical Society Museum
For each attraction, we will provide an overview of what it offers along with key details such as location, hours of operation, ticket prices and nearby amenities. Whether you’re a local resident or visiting tourist, use this guide to help plan your Brooklyn Park itinerary.
1.Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park
Nickelodeon Universe is an indoor amusement park located inside the massive Mall of America in nearby Bloomington. As the largest indoor theme park in America at over 9 acres, it features 27 rides and rollercoasters themed around popular Nickelodeon shows like SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Signature rides include the SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge rollercoaster, TMNT Shell Shock virtual reality experience and Avatar Airbender rollercoaster. In addition to the thrilling rides, Nickelodeon Universe has meet and greet opportunities with costumed characters, arcade games and fun food options.
With its close proximity to Brooklyn Park, Nickelodeon Universe is hugely popular with families and kids of all ages. General admission tickets start from $36, with discounted passes available when purchased online.
Location: Mall of America, Bloomington, MN
Hours: Hours vary by day, generally 10am-9:30pm
2.Maple Grove Raceway
Rev up your engines at Maple Grove Raceway, Minnesota’s premier drag racing facility located just 10 minutes from Brooklyn Park.
Featuring a state-of-the-art drag strip that attracts over 100,000 spectators annually, Maple Grove Raceway hosts races in a variety of Motorsports series and classes nearly every weekend during summer. From nitro to jet dragsters, you’ll see speeds over 330 mph and experience the adrenaline rush of high octane racing first-hand.
The raceway complex also houses a performance driving school, racing museum and a restaurant serving hearty American fare. Special events like car shows, concerts and family-fun activities also take place periodically.
With affordable ticket prices starting at just $10 and free entry for kids 12 and under, catch all the fast-paced drag racing action at Maple Grove Raceway this season.
Location: Maple Grove, MN
Hours: Vary by event, office open M-F 9am-5pm
3.Brooklyn Park Recreation Center
The Brooklyn Park Recreation Center is a fitness and recreation facility located right in the heart of Brooklyn Park.
Spanning over 95,000 square feet, this expansive rec center contains cardio equipment, weight machines, gymnasiums, community rooms and both indoor/outdoor pools. Additional amenities include a rock climbing wall, game room, walking track and child watch services for busy parents.
Fitness classes offered run the gamut from yoga, Zumba and kickboxing to senior stretch and Pound cardio jam sessions. The rec center also serves as a hub for youth and adult recreational sports leagues along with swimming lessons and swim team competitions.
New members can take advantage of discounted joining rates while seniors, military personnel and lower income residents qualify for reduced membership pricing.
With its tremendous variety of amenities, first-rate facilities and accessible location, the Brooklyn Park Rec Center promises year-round fun and fitness for all ages.
Location: 5600 85th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN
Hours: Mon-Fri 5:30am–10pm, Sat 7am–8pm, Sun 11am-8pm
4.Edinburgh USA Golf Course
For a scenic day spent out on the greens, visit the renowned Edinburgh USA public golf course conveniently situated in Brooklyn Park.
Established in 1961, Edinburgh USA is one Minnesota’s oldest golf courses and has garnered numerous awards over the years for its impeccable groundskeeping and superb amenities. This par 72 regulation length course was designed by acclaimed golf architect Donald Ross and updated in 1999 to incorporate beautiful new landmarks like bridges and water features.
With four sets of tees accommodating every skill level, Edinburgh USA offers golfers a fair yet challenging round amongst the property’s rolling hills dotted with stately oaks and pines. Additional facilities include a large practice range, putting green, rental clubs and PGA professional instruction. The rustic clubhouse is a great spot for a bite to eat after you play a round or some drinks out on their scenic patio.
For peak season, expect greens fees around $50 for 18 holes and $30 for 9 holes. Off-season and twilight rates offer sizable discounts.
Location: 8700 Edinbrook Crossing, Brooklyn Park, MN
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset daily
5.BrookLynk Beer Company
Sample craft brews produced locally in Brooklyn Park at BrookLynk Beer Company’s spacious taproom and eatery located just off Hwy 169.
Pouring over a dozen unique beer recipes on tap, BrookLynk offers a rotating line-up of IPAs, stouts, sours and speciality seasonal creations dreamed up by their expert in-house brewmasters. Beer flights are available if you want to try their various offerings served up in 4 oz tasters.
Beyond the hops and barley, BrookLynk’s scratch kitchen turns out wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, shared plates and beer inspired entrees perfect for pairing with their handcrafted ales. Dine al fresco during warmer months or cozy up next to their indoor fireplace in winter. Family and pet friendly.
BrookLynk hosts fun events like trivia and open mic nights along with yoga, paint parties and live music shows bringing the community together. Centrally located near shopping and trail access points.
Location: 8800 Edinburgh Way N #400, Brooklyn Park, MN
Hours: Kitchen Daily 11am-10pm, Bar M-Sat 11am-12am, Sun 11am-10pm
6.Ezekiel Baptist Church
With a loving congregation over 3,000 strong, Ezekiel Baptist Church is one of the largest Protestant churches serving Brooklyn Park and surrounding neighborhoods.
This vibrant house of worship has been ministering to the faithful since its founding in 1992. Ezekiel Baptist gathers multiple times weekly to uplift attendee’s spirits with rousing gospel choir performances and sermons emphasizing outreach.
Visitors can join in on Sunday morning praise sessions or partake in the church’s wide offerings of programs like bible study classes, youth ministry, pastoral care counseling, senior meetups and community volunteering initiatives. Seasonal events, guest speakers and baptism ceremonies further bring their united community together.
While main services take place at their main Brooklyn Park chapel and activity center, Ezekiel Baptist Church has a second North Minneapolis location and live streams videos on their website for at home worship. All are welcome at this spirited sanctuary spreading the Lord’s word.
Location: 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Park, MN
7.Hennepin Technical College
Hennepin Technical College (HTC) is a public two-year college with a Brooklyn Park campus providing career-oriented education to students seeking to enter Minnesota’s high-demand workforce sectors.
With over 45 programs specializing in fields like manufacturing, construction, information technology, healthcare, business management and public safety, HTC offers flexible course options including in-person, online and hybrid formats best suited to different learning styles.
Their 9-month Fast Track programs aim to quickly prepare students for many well-paying jobs available locally following graduation. Associate’s degrees, diploma and certificate programs are also granted across HTC’s different schools of study.
Amenities at the Brooklyn Park campus encompass computer and science labs, automotive repair shop facilities, library resources and a bookstore. Services like academic advising, tutoring, disability accommodations and veterans support further assist enrolled pupils.
Affordable annual tuition coupled with knowledgeable faculty makes HTC a practical pathway for launching your career. School tours can be scheduled online as well.
Location: 9700 Humboldt Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN
Hours: Campus hours M-Th 7am–10pm, F 7am-5pm
8.Shingle Creek Crossing
Shingle Creek Crossing is Brooklyn Park’s premier outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment destination conveniently located right off Highway 169.
Anchored by a spacious Walmart Supercenter supplying everything from grocery essentials to home goods under one roof, this retail complex also counts major stores like Marshalls, DSW, Bed Bath & Beyond and JoAnn Fabrics among its roster of tenants. Numerous familiar restaurant chains like Chili’s, Starbucks, Chipotle and Noodles & Company ensure you won’t go hungry during an afternoon of shopping.
Additional plaza attractions range from a modern AMC movie theater showing all the latest film releases to an XL Golf driving range for perfecting your swing. The neighborhood473 Taproom is a great place to unwind over Minnesota craft brews and a bite after a day of retail therapy.
With its central location and abundance of stores unlikely to be found elsewhere in Brooklyn Park, Shingle Creek Crossing is your one-stop destination for shopping till you drop.
Location: 5500 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Park, MN
Hours: Hours vary by business, typically 10am-9pm
9.Brooklyn Park Public Library
The Brooklyn Park Library serves the community as an invaluable free resource providing books, digital media, internet access, newspapers, research materials and more to educate and entertain all ages.
Spanning over 40,000 square feet, this spacious modern library constructed in 2006 contains dedicated kids, teen and adult sections with a plentiful selection of fiction and non-fiction titles to borrow. State-of-the-art amenities like self checkout machines, study rooms equipped with Smartboards and over three dozen desktop computers make the library a ideal spot for both work and play.
Beyond books, the Brooklyn Park Library hosts great free programming options almost daily like story times for young readers, book clubs for adults, technology seminars for seniors and craft activities for teens. Rooms can also be reserved for studying or special events.
With extensive materials, helpful staff and a robust calendar of community happenings, make the Brooklyn Park Library your go-to place for frugal fun, learning and leisure.
Location: 8600 Zane Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN
Hours: M-Th 9am-9pm, F-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm (Closed Sundays June-Aug)
10.Twin Cities Harvest Festival
Each fall, the streets of Brooklyn Park fill with the sights and smells of fresh produce and handcrafted goods during the annual Twin Cities Harvest Festival showcasing local growers and artisans.
Taking place across two weekends every September, this lively open air market brings together over 150 talented exhibitors selling seasonal harvest items straight from their Minnesota farms alongside baked products, soaps, jewelry, textiles and more lovingly made by regional makers.
Festival goers can snack their way through rows of food trucks or stop to enjoy a cold craft brew while perusing goods and taking in occasional live music performances on side stages. The event also incorporates a classic car show and fun zone for kids.
With basically everything needed for a perfect autumn outing all in one place, the Twin Cities Harvest Festival captures the bounty of regional agriculture along with showcasing homegrown creativity at its best.
Location: 5500 85th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN
Hours: Fridays 4-9pm, Saturdays & Sundays 10am-6pm
Admission: $5, kids under 12 free
11.Palmer Lake Park Reserve
Nestled within the scenic Rice Creek Chain of Lakes regional trail system, Palmer Lake Park Reserve delivers over 250 acres of pristine natural landscapes only minutes from Brooklyn Park for communing with nature just outside the twin cities.
Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Palmer Lake Park to hike and bike scenic wooded trails winding past marshes, restored prairie, rocky outcrops and its namesake waterbody, a sparkling 150 acre recreational lake dotted with islands housing eagles, herons and other wildlife.
Park facilities include a swimming beach, fishing piers, boat rental center and boat launch allowing water access for canoeing, kayaking and catch and release fishing. Wintertime sees cross country skiers and snowshoers traverse freshly blanketed trails.
With camping cottages, picnic grounds and playground structures onsite as well, Palmer Lake Park Reserve supplies year-round opportunities for adventure and rejuvenation a quick drive from urban excitement.
Location: 17000 Palmer Lake Parkway, Brooklyn Park, MN
Hours: 5am-10pm daily
12.Brooklyn Historical Society Museum
Take a trip back through time to learn about days past at the quaint Brooklyn Historical Society Museum chronicling the city of Brooklyn Park’s local history going back over 150 years.
Housed inside a restored 1914 church featuring gorgeous leaded glass windows, exhibits here showcase vintage artifacts and photographs illustrating what life was like for some of the area’s earliest homesteading families and documenting the community’s evolution decade by decade. Authentic general store displays, reminiscent furnishings and reproduction buildings further capture historical eras.
Rotating collections highlight specific themes like agriculture, schools, churches and local businesses that helped shape the city’s landscape. Talks, tea socials and kids programs aim to further bring relevant cultural heritage to life.
With free admission and guided group tours available, the Brooklyn Historical Society Museum remains dedicated to preserving community memories since 1970. Walk through local annuls and gain new appreciation for the growth of this Minnesota suburb.
Location: Brooklyn – Historical Society, 5600 85th Ave. N., Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
Hours: Wed-Sat 10am-4pm
Admission: Free
Conclusion
From world class theme parks to drag racing to craft breweries and nature escapes, Brooklyn Park presents no shortage of attractions to fill your days with enjoyment across all seasons. Learn something new at a museum, find a deal shopping local stores or tap into your creative side at free library programs. These 12 iconic institutions and events promise memorable times during your Brooklyn Park travels.