Family Fun Guide To Hopkins

Hopkins cozies right up to the Western side of Minneapolis, but you can't mistake the small town, vibrant old main street feel of this tiny city of 17,000 people. Much of the town is still centered on Main Street just like it was in the 1950s. There are a variety of fun-filled family-friendly events and activities to enjoy in Hopkins.

Here is a sampling of the fun that awaits you here:

Music in the Park

Downtown Park
16 9th Ave. S. Hopkins, Minn.
Thursdays, June 23, 2011 to August 4, 2011, 7 p.m.
Free Admission
Website

There's nothing better than a little night music in the summer. Beginning Thursday, June 23, 2011 and running through Thursday, August4, 2011, you'll find free music at the Downtown Park. Bring a blanket or chairs and perhaps a picnic and settle in for the beautiful strains of a number of musical genres. On tap for this summer: the sounds of big bands to jazz to Elvis to Brazilian and more. On Thursday, July 14, 2011, there's even a noon concert with food available for purchase. If it rains, the fun will simply relocate to the Hopkins Activity Center at 33 14th Ave. N.

Stages Theatre

Hopkins Center for the Arts
1111 Main Street, Hopkins, Minn.
Tickets $5 to $15
952-979-1111
Directory

Stages Theatre has been presenting quality programming for families in Hopkins for over 25 years now. Since 1997, Stages has been housed in the Hopkins Center for the Arts on Main Street. With 9 plays scheduled for the 2011-2012 season, every child of every age will find a favorite or two that will surely be deemed a must-see. In fact, 6 of the 9 titles are intended for all ages, which makes it easier to include the whole family. Tickets are on sale now with great deals on season subscriptions, as well as single ticket sales. Lap Pass admission is free for children ages 2 and under; and tickets for children ages 3 and 4 are only $5 for lap passes.

The Depot Coffee House

9451 Excelsior Blvd., Hopkins, Minn.
Mon. – Fri.: 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sat. & Sun.: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Free, with cover fees on Live Music Friday nights
952-938-2204
Directory

This coffee house run by teenagers is a renovated train depot. Since 1998, it has been serving as a youth community project, a trailhead for several area bike trails, a music venue on Tuesday and Friday nights, a chemical-free environment for teens to hang out with friends, study and relax, as well as a full-service coffee shop. The Depot is sponsored through grants by Hopkins School District, Minnesota Regional Arts Council and Park Nicollet Foundation; other Partners include The City of Hopkins, Three Rivers Park District and The Depot Express.

Tuttle's Bowling

107 Shady Oak Road, Hopkins, Minn.
Thur. – Mon.: 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Fri. & Sat.:, 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Sun.: 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Games range from $2.57 to $10, depending on days and times, with $3 shoe rentals
952-938-4090
Directory

Go bowling at Tuttle's. Bowling is something that absolutely every person from 2 years to 90 plus years can enjoy together. At Tuttle's, they've got a fabulous Summer Family Pack which includes 2 hours of unlimited bowling and shoe rentals for up to 5 people on one lane, all for $19.99; or try the Summer Pass for $15, good for 2 games with shoes everyday from May 1, 2011 to August 17, 2011. Tuttle's conveniently offers a full-service menu, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in its restaurant. Also, if mom or dad needs to stay connected to work while the kids roll some strikes, Tuttle's does have free wifi available.

Hopkins Cinema 6

1118 Main Street, Hopkins, Minn.
Matinees on Fridays through Sundays, check site for showing times
Tickets are $2.50 to $3.00
952-931-7992
Directory

You can't beat these deals. No movie ticket costs more the $3. On Terrific Tuesdays tickets are $2.50, which is always the price for 60 and over and 11 and under. As the name indicates there are 6 screens and there's always at least one family-friendly movie showing.

Simulator Sports

8572 Excelsior Blvd., Hopkins, Minn.
Mon. – Sat.: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Prices start at $7 per half hour for children and go up from there.
952-224-8096
Directory

At Simulator Sports they have golf, racing, combat and flight simulators. Get a full sensory experience with these simulated activities with exceptional sound and visual effects. Come for the fun of it or to improve your golf swing, or get some training.