With so many fun things to do in Plymouth, Minnesota, this family-friendly suburb is the place to be in the Twin Cities. There’s a lot to love about life in Plymouth, from the beautiful parks and neighborhoods to the wide range of activities for people of all ages. Let’s take a closer look at all the top attractions Plymouth has to offer.
1. Parkers Lake
A key reason why Plymouth is one of the best places to live in Minnesota is the many lakes and parks. Locals love Parkers Lake Park, which is situated south of County Road 6 and west of I-494. Not only is it easy to get to and close to local shops, restaurants, schools, and neighborhoods, but it also offers truly picturesque views of one of the state’s more than 10,000 lakes!
Parkers Lake is approximately 100 acres and reaches 37 feet at its deepest point. The water quality is usually good, and with a lovely beachfront, families can go for a swim during the warm summer months. On your trip to Parkers Lake, you should take advantage of the picnic shelter, grills, playground, and sand volleyball court. There’s a boat launch if you feel like fishing and a 2.2-mile loop trail for walking and biking, while the beautiful blue park building is hard to miss and home to many community events and private functions too.
2. Medicine Lake
Another one of the best things to do in Plymouth, Minnesota is a visit to Medicine Lake. In fact, one of the most popular city parks is West Medicine Lake Park, which offers extensive access to this stunning 902-acre lake. Medicine Lake is Hennepin County’s second-largest behind Lake Minnetonka, and it’s located just 8 miles northwest of downtown Minneapolis for excellent boating, sailing, and fishing without leaving the Twin Cities.
Plymouth Creek feeds into Medicine Lake, and there are several parks on the shoreline, as well as beautiful lake homes and public access boat launches if you want to enjoy a great day on the water. If you head to the namesake park, you can explore the family-friendly beach, basketball court, picnic shelter, playground, and sand volleyball court. There are ample walking and biking tracks for fresh-air fun too.
3. French Regional Park
Speaking of Medicine Lake, French Regional Park is another awesome place to visit in Plymouth. While the lighted walking trails and lush greenery are always nice, this park’s standout feature is the large playground to keep kids busy all summer long. The play area features climbing nets, towers, and slides for hours of entertainment, and it’s close to the visitor center where you can relax and grab a snack.
As part of the Three Rivers Park District, French Regional Park offers a wide range of outdoor recreation along the lake’s north shore. The swimming beach and fishing pier are popular in the summer months, while biking, boating, hiking, and paddling are also readily accessible. Dog lovers can appreciate the pet-friendly trails and many families visit the park for sledding and snowshoeing in the winter.
4. Hilde Performance Center
If you like live music, then Hilde Performance Center is the place to be. This lovely local landmark is close to City Hall and Life Time Fitness on Plymouth Boulevard, and it’s a summer hotspot for performing arts and community events. The open-air facility stands 45 feet tall and provides exceptional acoustics and beautiful views. The same architects who designed the Lake Harriet Band Shell downtown also created the Hilde, which welcomes the critically acclaimed Minnesota Orchestra every summer.
It’s named after Plymouth’s beloved mayor from 1968-1978, who wanted a space where the community could congregate and enjoy the beautiful seasons. The Live at the Hilde concert series brings neighbors together, and there’s no shortage of family entertainment like Movies in the Park and Kids Fest at the Hilde too. You can plan ahead to attend Music in Plymouth or check out the city’s calendar of events to see what’s coming up at the Hilde.
5. Millennium Garden
Sometimes you just need to take a break and walk around in the fresh air, and that’s exactly what Plymouth’s Millennium Garden is for. Situated on the community center grounds, this is a tranquil spot with a stunning variety of fountains, flower gardens, walking trails, a labyrinth, and open green space. It’s also available for weddings and private functions if you have something special coming up.
The Millennium Garden is the ideal spot when you’re looking for a spot to snap some sweet family pics or you want to have a picnic with friends. It’s perfectly tucked away behind the city buildings and businesses, creating a wonderful oasis with natural beauty everywhere you turn.
6. Nature Canyon Park
A pretty picnic in the park awaits with this popular Plymouth spot. Nature Canyon Park encompasses 71 acres next to I-494, with a gorgeous lake and wooded walking trails that reveal a hidden gorge and stunning wildflowers. Thanks to the unique forest ecology, a trip to Nature Canyon Park is one of the most fun things to do in Plymouth, especially if you’re interested in native flora and fauna.
From leisurely strolls to high-intensity training runs and bike rides, Nature Canyon Park is a wonderful place to get exercise and take in the beautiful sights and sounds of the local landscape. Also, keep in mind that the large picnic space caters to big groups, so if you have a family reunion or special reason to celebrate, this is a great option.
7. Luce Line State Trail
Another top choice for outdoor things to do in Plymouth is the Luce Line State Trail, which tracks 63 miles along former railroad tracks. This crushed limestone trail starts in Plymouth and runs 30 miles west to Winsted, offering a safe spot for walking, biking, hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, and horseback riding. If the idea of adventuring down an old country road intrigues you, then the Luce Line could be your new favorite spot.
One of the main reasons why so many Minnesotans love the Luce Line is the juxtaposition of city and country life. Even though it’s so close to all the modern-day amenities Plymouth has to offer, the trail is peacefully quiet with beautiful woodlands and tallgrass prairie. You can see ducks and geese flying from nearby lakes, and you may also stumble upon whitetail deer, fox, mink, owls, and pheasant.
8. Luce Line Brewing Co.
It’s no secret that the Luce Line is a great place to walk and bike, but it’s also has a nice spot to catch up for a drink with friends. Luce Line Brewing Co. has Luce Line access and is located just off Highway 55, so it’s easy to get to whether you’re headed out for a walk or just stopping by. It’s a 2,000-barrel craft brewery popular with local beer drinkers and visitors alike, thanks to an extensive menu and comfortable seating space.
If you like beer, you’ll definitely want to check out the taproom, as all the beer is made in-house and frequently rotated to maintain the most refreshing offering. There’s rotating food from local food trucks available too, as well as a spacious pet-friendly patio. While the patio is open whenever the weather is good, there are heaters and fire pits to help you stay warm during cooler weather. Keep your eyes peeled for special events like yoga, trivia, and fundraisers.
9. Plymouth Ice Center
It’s no secret that Minnesotans love the ice, and Plymouth Ice Center offers year-round indoor skating with three professional-size rinks. It’s connected to the Plymouth Life Time Fitness and is run by the city, offering community recreation activities with 16 locker rooms and two meeting rooms. During hockey season you can catch Wayzata High School and Providence Academy home games on the ice.
If you want to get on the ice yourself, there’s open skate and open hockey sessions any time of year, so whether you’re a beginner or an advanced skater, you can enjoy solo or group skating. The ice center is also home to Skate School where kids 4 years and older and adults can learn to skate, so you don’t have to worry even if it’s your first time. Skate rentals are available for a small cost.
10. Plymouth Community Center
When it comes to family-friendly activities in Minnesota, Plymouth Community Center has plenty to offer, thanks to a major renovation and expansion. Many popular things to do in Plymouth happen here, as the center is always busy with recreational activities like art and music classes, as well as the Plymouth Senior Program and cultural activities. Meetings, banquets, weddings, and receptions are also common at the community center.
When you step inside the PCC, you’ll get views of the Millennium Garden, and out at the Fieldhouse, you can explore all the active events and athletics. The center is located next to City Hall, the Plymouth Ice Center, and Hilde Performance Center, so you could easily spend a day there depending on what’s on your calendar.
11. Plymouth Grand 15
Sometimes there’s nothing better than sitting back and watching a good movie. That’s easy to do at Plymouth Grand 15, which is family-owned by Mann Theatres and underwent a big renovation a few years ago to bring in luxury lounge seating, high-tech XDX screens, and cutting-edge sound systems for an impressive movie experience. If you like 3D movies, then this is the local movie theater for you!
With 15 screens, there are movies for everyone, from the latest action blockbusters to kids’ movies and romantic comedies. Tuesday is a great time to see a new film thanks to $5 tickets all day for both adults and children. Just remember to grab your popcorn and don’t forget to check out the full-service bar with beer, wine, and spirits. Plus, there’s a wide range of tasty movie snacks and a birthday party rental if you need to celebrate something special with family and friends.
12. Urban Air Adventure Park
Urban Air Adventure Park takes family fitness to the next level with trampolines, climbing walls, ropes courses, go-karts, and much more. Kids of all ages and adults too can jump, climb, and fly in an exciting environment where safety comes first. This is a great rainy day activity that keeps kids entertained for hours, and there are special events and birthday party packages if you’re interested.
You can start out with the cheapest option of basic trampolines or take a single go-kart ride. You also have your pick of deluxe, ultimate, and platinum attraction packages to fully explore everything Urban Air has to offer. If you’re looking for a way to get your kids away from the screens to enjoy a high-energy activity, then the exhilarating attractions of Urban Air are some of the best things to do in Plymouth.
13. Rock Elm Tavern
Finally, this list of fun things to do in Plymouth wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Rock Elm Tavern, where you can refuel with delicious food and drinks. The restaurant opened in September 2015 and has been a popular hangout spot ever since. This scratch food and craft bar is a warm and welcoming place to eat for the entire family, with an urban vibe and an unforgettable menu.
From salads to burgers, pasta to wings, the extensive menu showcases classic Minnesota fare at an affordable price. Craft beers are on tap and handcrafted cocktails are up for grabs too. The spacious outdoor patio with twinkly lights is great in the summer, and furry friends are welcome. There’s even a Pup-Fare menu that supports No Dog Left Behind Rescue.
Best Things To Do In Plymouth
There you have it, our list of the top 13 things to do in Plymouth, Minnesota. We hope these local attractions inspire your next night out or a day of family fun. Please leave us a comment if you can think of any other fun activities in Plymouth, and don’t miss our list of the best things to do in Minnesota.