Coon Rapids, Minnesota
Coon Rapids was a practical northern-suburb stop during our long spring 2024 Twin Cities stay — a couple of nights at an AmericInn while we were in the area.
Our experience
This Mississippi River suburb northwest of Minneapolis isn't a tourist headline, and we'd be the first to say so, but it has a genuinely lovely riverfront and regional parks, plus easy access to the wider metro.
For us it was part of the everyday fabric of our extended Minnesota time — a comfortable base on the city's edge with the river and trails close by.
Sometimes the suburbs are simply where the convenient room is, and Coon Rapids did the job nicely.
Coon Rapids is home to the Coon Rapids Dam across the Mississippi River. The dam dates to the early 20th century, and today the surrounding regional park is a popular place for walking, biking, fishing, and enjoying the river.
Must-sees and must-dos
- Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park — a walkway across the Mississippi and riverside trails.
- The Mississippi River — fishing, paddling, and birdwatching.
- Bunker Hills Regional Park — woods, trails, and a wave pool nearby.
- Regional bike trails — paved paths linking the northern suburbs.
- Easy metro access — a base for exploring greater Minneapolis.
- Local parks & nature — the green spaces along the river corridor.
Our pro tip
We'd frame Coon Rapids as a convenient, affordable base in the northwest metro rather than a destination on its own — especially useful if your Twin Cities plans take you across several suburbs.
You'll want a car. The Coon Rapids Dam park is the standout, so we'd make time for a riverside walk and keep an eye out for local wildlife.
If you want to stay in the area, check Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Coon Rapids on Klook.
Another option is to check Holiday Inn Express Minneapolis/Coon Rapids/Blaine on Klook.