Maplewood, Minnesota
Maplewood is part of our extended Twin Cities life — a St. Paul suburb just east of the city where we've had reason to spend time during our long Minnesota stays, including appointments at the HealthPartners clinic on White Bear Avenue.
Our experience
It isn't a tourist destination, and we won't pretend otherwise, but it's a comfortable, leafy slice of the east metro with parks, lakes and easy access to everything St. Paul offers.
For us it's woven into the practical fabric of being part-time Minnesotans — the errands and everyday rhythms that come with treating a place as a second home rather than just a vacation stop.
Maplewood is home to the global headquarters of 3M, the company behind Post-it Notes and Scotch tape — the corporation has deep roots in Minnesota and has long been one of the state's major employers.
Must-sees and must-dos
- Maplewood Nature Center — trails and wetlands for an easy outdoor break.
- Lake Phalen — a nearby St. Paul lake with a popular walking and biking loop.
- Bruentrup Heritage Farm — a preserved historic farmstead and local history site.
- Maplewood Mall — the practical retail hub of the east metro.
- Battle Creek Regional Park — woods and trails on the city's edge.
- Downtown St. Paul — minutes away for culture, the Cathedral and the river.
Our pro tip
We treat Maplewood as a quiet, affordable base on the east side of the metro — handy if your time in Minnesota revolves around St. Paul rather than Minneapolis.
You'll want a car here; the suburbs are spread out. It's everyday Minnesota more than a sightseeing stop, and that's exactly its appeal for us.
If you're heading into St. Paul, a guided Cathedral of Saint Paul tour is an easy add-on.
Book a guided Cathedral of Saint Paul tour on Klook.