Shoreview, Minnesota
Shoreview was part of a long Twin Cities summer in August 2025 — the area where we arranged a month-long rental car for an extended Minnesota stay.
Our experience
A quiet, lake-dotted suburb north of St. Paul, Shoreview lives up to its name with lakes, parks, and trails woven through leafy residential streets.
It's not a tourist destination, and we won't pretend it was about sightseeing — it was about settling in for a long northern summer with the practical things sorted. But the abundance of water and green space made it a genuinely pleasant base. For us, it fit that part-time-Minnesotan rhythm perfectly: comfortable, practical, and surrounded by the kind of outdoor spaces that make Minnesota summers so enjoyable.
Shoreview has an impressive amount of protected green space for a suburb. The city has 16 parks and more than 1,400 acres of park and open space, representing about 18 percent of the city's land area. It also maintains nearly 90 miles of sidewalks and trails.
Must-sees and must-dos
- Shoreview's lakes — spend time around local favorites including Snail Lake and Turtle Lake, with parks, trails, and access to the water nearby.
- Vadnais-Snail Lakes Regional Park — enjoy trails, woods, and lakeside scenery in one of the major regional park areas connected with Shoreview.
- Turtle Lake County Park — another easy local stop for lakeside recreation and summer outdoor time.
- Regional trails — walk or bike Shoreview's extensive trail network, including connections around Rice Creek and the surrounding north-metro area.
- Shoreview Community Center — a popular local recreation hub with fitness, indoor facilities, and waterpark attractions.
- St. Paul — use Shoreview as a quiet base for exploring Minnesota's capital, including museums, restaurants, historic neighborhoods, and Mississippi River scenery.
Our pro tip
We'd see Shoreview as a comfortable, green base in the north metro — especially good for a long summer stay, with lakes and trails right on the doorstep. A car is essential out here, which is exactly why we arranged a month-long rental. Once you have one, St. Paul, Minneapolis, and the wider Twin Cities become easy to explore while you return each evening to a much quieter suburban setting.
Lean into the water during summer. The lakes, parks, and regional trails are the local highlight, and Shoreview's extensive park system makes it easy to fit in walking, biking, or a relaxed afternoon outdoors.
For sightseeing beyond Shoreview, Minneapolis activities and experiences on Klook are the most practical option for a longer Twin Cities stay. You can also use Klook for Twin Cities hotel bookings if Shoreview is part of a wider Minneapolis–St. Paul itinerary.