Full of interesting history and geological oddities, Mounds View, Minnesota is a great place to visit! Named for the mounds of sand and gravel that were large enough to be seen from just about anywhere in town in the 1800s, this small town has a great feel to it and will be worth your time visiting. Let’s check out 13 fun things to do in Mounds View, Minnesota!
1. Ice Castles Minnesota
First on our list of fun things to do in Mounds View involves embracing the environment. If you’re going to be spending time in below-freezing temperatures in the winter, you might as well make the most of it and go visit Ice Castles Minnesota! Open Thursday-Monday during the winter, Ice Castles is a place that allows you to escape to a world of frozen waterfalls, glaciers, and ice caves that are formed into archways, tunnels, and caverns.
Freeze time. Make a wonderful memory with incredible pictures! There’s even an opportunity to reserve an Arctic Alcove that will give you access to your own, private ice cave for a special moment— think getting down on one knee, maybe! There’s no time limit on the tickets you purchase, but there’s no reentry once you’ve left, so make sure you’ve taken your time and seen everything you want to see!
2. Top Golf
Made for year-round weather, Top Golf is the place to go for some warm, fun, competition any time of year! Featuring over 100 all-weather bays spanning three floors, over 200 high-definition TVs, a bar and restaurant, and a rooftop lounge with fire pits, this is sure to be a hit amongst your friends. They have interactive games you can play as well as a private event space you can rent out if you’re looking for something on a special occasion. You pay per hour, per bay and each bay can hold up to 6 players, so it can be a really affordable night out with friends!
3. Zero Gravity Trampoline Park
In the middle of a below-freezing winter, Zero Gravity Trampoline Park is going to be a sanity saver for parents! It really is like an indoor amusement park for kids. It’s much more than just trampolines! Zero Gravity Trampoline Park offers a foam pit, an arcade, laser tag, a trampoline dodgeball course, open trampoline jumping, and a ninja obstacle course! They even have an entire indoor playground that your kids can climb all over to get all of their energy out. Party packages at varying levels are available, as well, if you’re looking for a one-stop birthday party shop in the area.
4. Silver View Park
You won’t strike out taking in a ballgame at Silver View Park, one of the great things to do in Mounds View. For days when it’s warmer and beautiful outside, Silver View Park is a great place to visit! There are plenty of fields (baseball and soccer) and courts (basketball, sand volleyball, and basketball) to enjoy, as well as playgrounds and walking trails with beautiful scenery. If you want to gather with people, they also have a covered outdoor picnic area that has an attached (indoor) kitchenette with sink and counter space as well as indoor restrooms. It’s a great place for some recreation and BBQing!
5. The Bridges of Mound View Golf Course
The Bridges of Mounds View is a gorgeous 9-hole golf course that will challenge every golf lover. It was designed by Garret Gill and has been open since 1995. The season spans from March 15 until November 15 and requires a 3-day notice to book a tee time. You can also get some practice in at their driving range and putting green, or take it up a notch and take advantage of their private lessons available.
6. The Mermaid Entertainment and Event Center
Dive into fun at The Mermaid! Enjoy a game of bowling while sipping on a drink from the bar or chowing down on a delicious treat from the grill. Happy hour is Monday through Friday from 4:00 until 6:00 pm. If bowling isn’t your thing, you can also enjoy their game room! There are a ton of arcade games as well as billiards tables and dartboards. If you’re looking for an unconventional wedding venue, The Mermaid offers a wedding package! They’ve actually got a nearly perfect 4.9 out of 5-star rating on their weddings. It’s definitely a place to check out!
7. Inner Active
Inner Active is going to be another parent’s lifesaver during the cold Minnesota winters! This indoor space promotes fitness and play for children of all ages.
According to their website, the owner’s goal was “to bring the feel of an outdoor park to the indoors, allowing for fun during any and all weather conditions.” Inner Active is actually open 365 days a year! There are playgrounds for all ages, spanning from infants, to toddlers, all the way to big kids. There’s even a full-sized basketball court and a wide-open field to play games on.
8. Rice Creek North Regional Trail
The Rice Creek North Regional Trail is a 13-mile trail that connects two counties and five cities. It’s a safe space for non-motorized travel. It’s also a celebration of nature! At the north entrance, there are beautiful pine trees that line the path. Over your 13-mile adventure, you can jog, bike, or walk through mesic woodlands, restored prairies, and riparian march. The Rice Creek North Regional Trail is also home to all sorts of wildlife— white-tailed deer, ospreys, kestrels, and bluebirds! If you’re bringing your own animal friend along, there’s an off-leash dog park off of Lexington Avenue.
9. Splash Down Splash Pad
The Splash Down Splash Pad is the epitome of summer! Bring your whole family and the kids can play in the splash pad until it’s time to eat and you can all enjoy a family picnic at a nearby covered pavilion. It’s also conveniently located next to the playground, so your kids really get the best of both worlds and can play on both on the same day!
10. AMC Classic Mounds View 15
The next attraction on our list of fun things to do in Mounds View has something for all ages. It’s always a good time to see a movie! AMC Classic Mounds View 15 is an updated movie theater offering Coca-Cola Freestyle drink machines, mobile ordering options for food and drinks, and an annual refillable popcorn bucket for the regular movie-goer! AMC Classic Mounds View 15 also offers Discount Tuesdays for their AMC Stubs members, which is their free rewards membership. You can pay $15/year to join the Stubs Premier group to get additional rewards and benefits.
11. East Side Pinball
If you’re looking for a nostalgic and fun activity in Mounds View, East Side Pinball would fit that bill! They say, “We are the Twin Cities’ best pinball machines”. They claim to have the newest lineup with a great mix of classics. Pinball machines have been around since the late 1800s, so you know it’s a pastime that’s here to stay!
12. Blue Sun Soda Shop
If you love sweets, you won’t want to miss Blue Sun Soda Shop! There are literally thousands of flavors to try. Sure, they have some typical colas and ginger ales, but they also offer plenty of options for a more adventurous taster. Some of their wilder flavor categories include chocolate, rhubarb, and even flowers.
Blue Sun Soda Shop also has all kinds of other treats you can eat. Nibble on the free popcorn offered to all their patrons as you browse the wall completely covered in PEZ dispensers. If you want to learn even more about the shop, they offer tours as well.
13. R.J. Riches
R.J. Riches is a classic old-fashioned diner that dishes out massive portions of American classics. Just a quick look at their menu, and I guarantee your mouth is going to be watering. They offer up a ton of hearty breakfast options, including steak and eggs, and massive pancake breakfasts. Breakfast skillets are also an option. For lunch and dinner, R.J. Riches offers up a wide variety of options ranging from burgers to steaks, to sandwiches, all the way to seafood options. There’s something for everyone at R.J. Riches, which is why it’s rated as the best restaurant in Mounds View!
Time to Explore Mounds View, Minnesota
Mounds View has something for everyone. The outdoor lover has parks and walking trails. The family has a ton of indoor and outdoor playground options. The adventure lover can check out massive ice creations. The golfer can enjoy playing golf year-round. It may be small, but the offerings of things to do in Mounds View Minnesota are mighty!
If you’re looking for more amazing adventures throughout the state of Minnesota, check out our Things To Do page.
Are you in need of overnight accommodations during your visit or weekend getaway? Our Places To Stay page has a variety of great options!