Get to Know StuartCo

Welcome to StuartCo’s “Playing Tourist” series, where we’ll be exploring different communities within the Twin Cities, and reporting back with recommendations for dining, shopping, and entertainment. Be sure to check out all of our stops here! 

While many people equate great dining, shopping, and entertainment in the Twin Cities to the city limits of Minneapolis and St. Paul, there is so much to be found in the suburbs!

The western suburb of Plymouth, MN is home to three StuartCo communities—Parkside Apartments at Medicine Lake, Stonehill, and Coachman Trails—and is filled with all kinds of fun and unique activities. We asked our staff members to tell us about their favorite things to see, do, and eat in this quaint suburb. Take a look at their top 15 recommendations below!

DINING

#15: The Sunshine Factory is less than a mile from Stonehill and Parkside—their fish tacos and pulled pork sandwich are both fantastic dish options!

#14: Honey & Mackie’s is on the corner of Hwy 55 and Rockford Road—they serve ice cream and French fries, so how could you go wrong?

#13: Who knew Plymouth was so big on pizza? Solo’s Pizza Cafe is nearly walkable (just over two miles) from Stonehill and our staff swears that Gina Maria’s and Latuff’s are the best pizza places around!

#12: If you’re looking for something a little lighter, Dufner’s Deli features delicious, homemade soups and sandwiches for lunch, and the biggest Rice Krispie bar you’ve ever seen.

#11: Another staff favorite is Rock Elm Tavern, a locally-owned restaurant featuring burgers and salads. Everything from the Rock Elm burger to the steak salad is great—and the margaritas are strong, but they go down easily!

SHOPPING

#10: For the budget-conscious shopper, there are a wealth of thrift and consignment stores in Plymouth, including Interfaith Outreach’s Resale 101 and Turn Style Consignment.

#9: Ridgedale Center is also in nearby Minnetonka, and Vinewood Lane is a retail destination in the area. If you’re looking for upscale boutiques, Downtown Wayzata is just a few miles away with quaint shops and unique dining options.

#8: Check out Dundee Nursery not just for nice gifts, but also for workshops, seasonal events, and Family Nights!

ENTERTAINMENT

#7: The Plymouth Playhouse is a gem, an intimate 211-seat theatre featuring Off-Broadway style American musical comedies. It’s attached to the Ramada and Green Mill—if you have out-of-town guests visiting, keep in mind their package deal that includes the show, pizza, and a hotel stay—a perfect evening of entertainment!

#6: If you’ve got kids who need to burn off some energy in the winter, InnerActive is a new indoor playground just a few minutes away from our Plymouth communities—they offer an all-day pass for $8/kid. You can bring your own food and make a day of it!

#5: Indulge in a cheap date night on $5 movie Tuesdays at Plymouth Grand 15! You can pre-select your comfortable, lounge-like seats for a relaxing experience from start to end credits.

#4: Some local churches also host excellent live music and charge only small fees. Mount Olivet’s Coffeehouse on Friday nights features local music and raises money for charity. Jazz at St. Barney’s Lutheran Church is a monthly Saturday night gig, with a range of vocalists and other musicians.

NATURE

#3: French Regional Park is close to all three of our Plymouth communities, and offers ample opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors, including walking trails (there’s one from Parkside that leads directly into the park!), swimming, fishing, a playground, and picnic areas. They are part of the Three Rivers Park District, which means they offer fun classes like yoga, kayaking, and fly-fishing. And BONUS—our very own Louie approves and loves the park!

And just because there will soon be snow on the ground doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy nature—the park is also great for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding. Year-round, you can even check out a GPS to do geocaching!

#2: The Millennium Garden at the Plymouth Creek Center has flower gardens, a labyrinth, and a gazebo, and is available for private rentals and events.

#1: Both Orchids Limited and Len Busch Roses offer group tours. Orchids Limited has five greenhouses and Len Busch is a major grower of cut flowers in the central U.S.—it’s very therapeutic to stroll through the greenhouses mid-winter!

Are you a Plymouth resident with a recommendation of your own? Let us know in the comments below!