Woodbury is a beautiful suburb eight miles east of St. Paul, near Oakdale. Visitors come from all over the globe for some of the best hospitals in the nation, and the Bielenberg Sports Complex is home to over twenty courts for various sports. However, there’s much more to Woodbury than just healthcare and sports, from shopping to attractions.
Woodbury is a great place to visit and is at the intersection of eight highways, making it a great starting point to get anywhere in the city. It also makes Woodbury easily accessible, and it’s only twenty minutes away from the closest airport.
Maybe you’re looking for a place to spend your vacation near the big cities. Or maybe you’re planning to move from those busier cities and explore different options. Among other places in MN, Woodbury is an excellent town because of how many fun things and activities for the entire family it offers.
While you learn about Woodbury below, keep in mind we buy houses in Minneapolis, so if you are planning to sell, you have one less thing to worry about. Let’s explore what Woodbury has to offer.
What Makes Woodbury MN Such a Great Place
In addition to healthcare and sports, the cost of living in MN, particularly in Woodbury, is low, which makes it an excellent place for families to live. The community also has several parks where families can walk along trails, canoe, or cross-country ski.
Its ease of access means you can easily reach anywhere in the twin cities with minimal effort. The centralized location is convenient for both residents and visitors.
Best Things to Do in Woodbury
Woodbury has no lack of activities for adults as well as children. You don’t need to dig too deep into sites like Tripadvisor to find great things to do.
Get Outdoors
The multitude of parks means you can spend days exploring the lakes and trails of Woodbury. With over 3,000 acres over forty-five parks, most of them connected by trails and paved, they’re perfect for exploring alone or with children.
Check Out the Indoor Parks
Central Park is attached to the local library and is indoors. If you tire of that one, there are plenty of other indoor parks with activities, such as Ninja Warrior, where you can test your athletic abilities, Rockin Jump Eagan, or Sky Zone trampoline park.
Cinema or Saloon
If you’re looking for entertainment, Woodbury won’t disappoint either. You can pay a visit to the local Community Theater to see what shows are playing, or head to the luxurious Alamo Drafthouse Cinema to see the silver screen. If you want to dine in the Wild West, try Wild Bill’s Sports Saloon to take you and the little ones to a lawless land of cowboys.
Shopping
Take some time to walk around the Woodbury Farmers Market and take a peek into Vandalia’s Glassworks. The farmer’s market has plenty of fresh produce and handicrafts for you to browse, while you can see how beautiful glassworks are made in Vandalia’s.
Riverboat Cruises
What visit to Minnesota would be complete without a cruise along the lake or river? Lunch and dinner cruises are available daily and overnight and weekend cruises.
Did You Know This About Woodbury MN
CNN has voted Woodbury the eleventh best city to live in in the US. Most of its residents are families, and diversity has increased to twenty-five percent over the past couple of years. Most of its residents are employed in healthcare or sport-related jobs, with the third most popular being a retail and small business.
Woodbury also holds a small festival called Woodbury Days every year, offering a taste of everything the community has to offer.
Best things to Do in Woodbury If You Have Children
Wondering “Where do I buy my house Minnesota?”, consider Woodbury. When you have a family, you naturally look for activities you and your children enjoy. And there is no lack of such activities in Woodbury.
Hiking
There are plenty of hiking trails through the city’s numerous parks that can offer days of exploration for you and your family. One famous trail is the Bruce Vento Trail, a seven-mile kid-friendly, well-tread path with plenty of picnic areas and wildlife.
Apple Picking
A little way out of the city, you’ll find Afton’s Apple Farm, perfect for picking apples and enjoying the countryside.
Museums
If your children aren’t interested in war history, you can check out the Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing to learn more about World War II or the Minnesota Children’s Museum.
Indoor Parks
There are plenty of indoor play structures in Woodbury, like in Central Park, or more local centers spread throughout the city, such as Lookout Ridge Indoor Playground.
Cinema or Theater
Visit the community theater or the cinema for entertainment.
Pottery and Painting
Visit Color-Me-Mine to pick and paint your pottery piece. This activity is great for the whole family!
Shopping
Visit the Woodbury Farmers Market and explore downtown to find a myriad of small businesses to explore.
Canoeing or Kayaking
Go to one of the three lakes for some canoeing or kayaking. You can picnic or swim where you land to make it an all-day outing in the summer.
Skiing
A short drive out of Woodbury is Afton Alps, a three-hundred-acre ski resort where you can either learn the ropes or shred the slopes.
Visit Minneapolis
The convenient location makes Woodbury perfect for exploring some of the best things to do in Minneapolis, like the iconic Mall of America.
Local Parks in Woodbury
In Woodbury, with forty-five parks and over 3,000 acres, it can be hard to decide which ones to visit.
Battle Creek Regional Park
This park is located a little outside Woodbury but offers scenic trails and picnics for families who love to get outdoors. They also offer cross-country ski trails and a dedicated dog area for the winter.
Tamarack Nature Preserve
Tamarack is one of the few remaining northern wetland preserves, so make sure to swing by to teach the kids about nature and even learn something yourself.
Colby Lake Park
If you’re visiting for some winter fun, take advantage of the ice rinks at Colby Lake Park.
Lake Elmo Park Reserve
This park is excellent year-round, with abundant trails for you and your family.
Carver Lake Park
This Park is similar to the others but is mainly known for its fishing and great dirt bike trails. Its rolling hills are great for kids!
Play Centers In Woodbury MN
There are large play centers for family fun in Woodbury.
Ninja Warrior
While they offer challenging courses for adults, NInja Warrior offers courses for children five years and above.
Extreme Sandbox
Most young boys are enamored with heavy construction equipment, and in Extreme Sandbox, they can live their fantasies by driving heavy equipment with the aid of a certified professional.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Trampolines are always fun, and kids and adults love them equally.
The Fun Lab
This arcade offers laser tag and bowling and a host of other kids’ activities to enjoy.
Good Times Park
This is Minnesota’s largest family-owned indoor playground, ideal for kids of all ages!
Attractions in Woodbury
Woodbury draws in many visitors with their hospitals and sports dome, but there are several other attractions you can’t miss.
Woodbury Days
Woodbury holds a festival every year celebrating everything Woodbury. Don’t miss the Taste of Woodbury tent near the back, where local restaurants serve samples to potential customers.
Scenic Lakes and Trails
Woodbury’s abundant nature draws in many nature enthusiasts such as birders and fishers.
Central Park
Central Park is indoors attached to the local library and includes a play area and cafe.
Golf Clubs
You can play two golf courses at the privately-owned Prestwick Golf Club and the publicly-owned Eagle Valley.
Afton Apple Valley and the Alps
Any visit to Woodbury isn’t complete without visiting Afton’s Apple Orchard or Afton Alps.
Conclusion
Woodbury is a perfect city to visit for a family weekend or a family night. Its abundance of activities and nature makes it ideal for weekend getaways or more extended vacations. It’s a beautiful town filled with great people, and anyone would be lucky to visit.
It’s only a hop, skip, and a jump away from Saint Paul and is easy to get to from the airport. With its low cost of living and very convenient deals from cash home buyers in Woodbury, it’s also a great place to move to.