Tucked into the western suburbs of Minneapolis, Hopkins has managed to capture a small town feel, despite being a short 15-minute commute to the metropolis of Minneapolis. This local charm combined with modern design and a youthful, upbeat energy has something to offer everyone. Whether it’s a diverse restaurant selection, activities for children, live music, a vibrant nightlife or boutique shopping, fun for all ages can be found on Main Street, which serves as the center for downtown Hopkins and provides a focal point for residents and visitors.
In the quaint downtown Hopkins, new condominium developments coexist with a vibrant antique culture and rich local art scene. A clutter of five antique shops (Hopkins Antique Mall, Ann & Jacks Vintage Jewelry, Blake Antiques, Antiques on Mainstreet & Auntie M’s Antiques), restaurants ranging from Curry N’ Noodles to Samba Taste of Brazil, as well as art and community centers provide a diverse and enriching place to shop, eat, drink and be entertained. Peppered with provocative pieces of art on wide sidewalks, stroll through downtown Hopkins and you might hear live music being played late into the weekend evenings at Mainstreet Bar & Grill or the Wild Boar. During the day, entertainment can be found at the Mann Hopkin’s Cinema 6, weekly farmer’s markets held on Saturdays on 9th Street, The Depot Coffeehouse that features local music talent and the Stages Theatre, which included two performance spaces, a dance studio, an art gallery, and an art classroom.
The Hopkins community hosts a wide range of events and festivals throughout the year highlighting the importance of local art and produce. The weekly farmer’s market is held from June to October, where locals gather under the downtown clock tower to buy and sell local produce while promoting a healthy and sustainable community. The Raspberry Festival, an annual event founded during the Great Depression and held in July, has become one of the most highly anticipated gatherings each year in Hopkins. The festival hosts a stunning variety of events including sports tournaments in Central Park, art showcases, the Flat City Bike Race, activities for families, parades down Mainstreet, dances at the Hopkins Community Center, live music at Downtown Park, blood drives, open houses, the Hopkins Lions Club Beer Fest, fireworks at Central Park, and even a pig roast hosted by the Hopkins VFW.
Often serving as a centerpiece for local festivals and events, the solar panel topped Depot Coffeehouse acts as a venue for amateur musicians looking to perform in a safe and welcoming environment. The Depot Coffeehouse is also a central meeting place for cyclists throughout the Twin Cities due to residing where three major bike trails converge, making it the perfect place to regroup and refresh before heading downtown, to the lakes or deeper into the western suburbs.
Residents of Hopkins, in a study published in 2013, boasted about their city, noting that they enjoy living in Hopkins because of the small town feel (39% of residents) and its convenient location (21% of residents) with access to Minneapolis/St. Paul. The small town atmosphere in Hopkins can be attributed to its thriving youth programs, which range from art classes, to drama clubs, to language immersion programs, to math and science camps. Hopkins also has many prosperous little league programs, and the younger residents can be seen playing in football, volleyball, fencing, cross country, soccer, dance and kung-fu league programs in the many parks found in Hopkins, including Maetzold, Burnes, Harley Hopkins, Valley and Buffer Park.
First-rate schools and adult education is also a major source of pride for Hopkins. With access to eight public schools, two charter schools and six private schools, the city serves as an outstanding source of learning and growth. Hopkins also boasts a healthy religious community, with thirteen congregations spread throughout the city, supplying a spiritual outlet and religious teachings for faiths of all kinds.
Hopkins has a lot to be proud of – safe neighborhoods, good schools, a centrally located downtown area, extensive nature trails, parks, and a happening nightlife. It is the ideal place for a young family to raise children in or an elderly couple to retire to. Close enough to downtown for easy access and far enough away to maintain its small town integrity, Hopkins has truly found the sweet spot in the Twin Cities suburbs where residents are hopeful for the future and welcoming to new neighbors.
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