Located on the west bank of the Mississippi River, Brooklyn Center is a first-ring suburban city north of Minneapolis. It was established as a village in 1911 and expanded significantly in the 1940s when many of its agricultural farms were sold to meet the increasing demand for suburban housing.
Things to do in Brooklyn Center
Occupying the 1878-built Cap Martin country estate is the Earle Brown Heritage Center, a conference and event hub in the heart of Brooklyn Center. The original property included a family residence, worker housing and multiple barns, as well as an antique carriage collection. A short stroll away is Centennial Park with its children’s playground and creekside walking trails.
North of Brooklyn Center is the Palmer Lake Environmental Nature Area, which encompasses just over 100 hectares of lakeside marshes that attract a diverse array of birdlife. You can explore the five kilometres of paved walking trails while keeping your eyes peeled for American redstarts, northern cardinals and rose-breasted grosbeaks. Also within the nature area is West Palmer Park, which features a children’s playground.
If you’re a keen golfer, book a round at the Centerbrook Golf Course, which offers a fun yet challenging nine-hole layout that will appeal to all experience levels. Lessons for both beginner and advanced golfers are available on-site. Non-golfing family members can watch the players in action from the scenic Shingle Creek Regional Trail that fringes the course.
Getting around Brooklyn Center
Brooklyn Center is a 25-minute drive from the centre of Minneapolis and 40 minutes from Minneapolis−Saint Paul International Airport, which has flights to destinations across North America and Europe. Buses connect to Brooklyn Center while renting a car will give you greater freedom to explore the area.