Overview
Hopkins is a city in the Twin Cities.
2 sights · 3 things to do · 7 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Hopkins
The Depot Coffee House
The Depot is a renovated train depot that now serves as a coffee house, youth community project, and trailhead for area bike trails.
Hopkins Center for the Arts
The Center is a focal point for arts, culture and entertainment. It is located in downtown Hopkins, within walking distance of several restaurants, antique and other shops and a movie theater complex. Parking is free.
Meadowbrook Golf Course
This is a very demanding course. It was built on gently rolling hills, and features tree-lined fairways and large greens. The course overlooks the scenic Minnehaha Creek. Water hazards come into play on five holes.
Oak Ridge Country Club
This course was built on hilly terrain, so you can expect many changes in elevation and uneven lies.
Stages Theatre Company
A theater for kids, by kids, with excellent local talent, fun shows, and a venue that is very family-friendly.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 9°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and Aug. (climate data from nearby Minneapolis)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field, Minneapolis — 10 mi away (major hub). Directions
- STC Saint Cloud Regional Airport, Saint Cloud — 53 mi away. Directions
The Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport is only fifteen miles from Hopkins.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Depot Coffee House, Oak Ridge Country Club, Hopkins Center for the Arts
- Lunch Mainstreet Bar & Grill
- Afternoon Stages Theatre Company, Meadowbrook Golf Course
- Dinner Hoagies Restaurant
- Evening Pub 819
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Hopkins has a good selection of unique restaurants, especially along Mainstreet. For travelers on a budget Hopkins is home to quite a few different fast food restaurants.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Hopkins was founded in 1893, when residents of Hopkins sent the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners a petition signed by 41 residents, asking that a separate village be formed from unincorporated parts of Minnetonka and Richfield townships. Following an election, the community was then incorporated as the village of West Minneapolis. In 1928 the village name was changed to Hopkins, and in 1948 Hopkins officially became a city.
Hopkins is a dynamic community of over 17,000 residents located just 13 minutes west of Minneapolis. Founded rich in tradition and growth, Hopkins offers the advantages and conveniences of a large city but yet the security of a small town.
Get in
By plane
The Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport is only fifteen miles from Hopkins.
By car
Highway 7 runs east-west through Hopkins and connects the city to Interstate 494 and Highway 100. Highway 7 also continues east into Minneapolis. Highway 169 runs north-south connecting the city to Interstate 694 and Interstate 394.
Get around
Most people travel by car in Hopkins. Metro Transit serves the Hopkins area with bus service and schedules can be found on their website. Taxi service is also available by request, although it would be rather hard to hail a cab down from the street.
See
Do
Hopkins has the unique distinction of being the trailhead for the Southwest Regional LRT Trail and the North Trail Corridor. It also contains 18 parks and recreational areas, a large percentage of its 4 square miles.
Golf
Theater
Buy
Hopkins has a concentration of hard-to-find specialty shops and family-owned restaurants. Most businesses are located along Mainstreet.
Antiques
Shop Blake Antiques
Nineteenth and early 20th century furniture, pottery, jewelry, silver and more from 50 dealers!
Clothing
Specialty
Shop Bud's Music Center
Music instruction and education, instrument rental and purchase, local CDs.
Eat
Hopkins has a good selection of unique restaurants, especially along Mainstreet. For travelers on a budget Hopkins is home to quite a few different fast food restaurants.
Eat Big 10 Restaurant & Bar
A collegiate sports cafe serving award-winning food including hot subs, fresh hand-pattied hamburgers, malts and shakes, wraps and chicken wings.
Eat Hoagies Restaurant
Full breakfast menu with homemade cinnamon and sticky rolls. Lunch includes a daily special along with homemade soups.
Eat Jasmine Garden Chinese Cuisine
Dine-in, carry-out and catering available.
Eat Munkabeans
Handcrafted sandwiches on homemade bread, soups, exquisite coffees, malts, shakes, sundaes, homemade bakery treats, and pizzas.
Eat Mainstreet Bar & Grill
Great food with fun atmosphere, everything from bingo to live music. Homemade soup and daily specials.
Eat Pizza Luce
Since 1993, Pizza Luce has been a Twin Cities favorite. Innovative specialty pizzas, regionally brewed craft beer, vegan and gluten-free options.
Eat Samba: Taste of Brazil
Authentic Brazilian cuisine and grocery. Live music on Thursday nights.
Drink
Drink Pub 819
Friendly sports bar--a great place to watch the next big game! Buzztime trivia, bar bingo, meat raffles, karoake, and more.
Drink Tuttle's
Locally-owned family entertainment center with 24 bowling lanes, Shady Oak Grill, lounge with live entertainment, and more.
Sleep
There aren't any places to stay inside the Hopkins city limits, however, there are plenty of places to stay in nearby cities like Minnetonka, St. Louis Park, and Edina.
Go next
In the Twin Cities metro
- Mall of America in nearby Bloomington. Minnesota has no sales tax on clothing.
- Valleyfair is an amusement park that's within an hour's drive in nearby Shakopee.
- Minnesota Zoo is in nearby Apple Valley.
- Minneapolis is only a five minute drive from Hopkins and offers plenty to do.
Nearby
Edina
City / town · 8 listings · 3 mi away
St. Louis Park
City / town · 6 listings · 4 mi away
Minnetonka
City / town · 15 listings · 4 mi away
Eden Prairie
City / town · 4 listings · 5 mi away
Plymouth
City / town · 2 listings · 6 mi away
Richfield
City / town · 11 listings · 7 mi away
Chanhassen
City / town · 15 listings · 7 mi away
Excelsior
City / town · 33 listings · 8 mi away
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