Hopkins is a beautiful, serene, and restful haven that sits perfectly poised, a mere 15 miles outside of the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. This picturesque town of just seventeen thousand residents may seem to be a bit  small, with a total land radius of only four miles, but when it comes to good hearted, hometown loyalty, Hopkins scores off the charts.

Take a stroll down the historic Mainstreet, with its architecturally defined buildings, some dating back to one hundred years or more, and you will find it difficult to believe that you are only fifteen minutes away from the busy tick tock of one of Americas most popular metropolitan areas. The quiet streets of Hopkins reflect the wholesome family values that this town is known for.

The sixteen block area known as Downtown Hopkins is dappled and dotted with antique stores, filled with dusty treasures and forgotten relics of generations long since passed. Quaint sidewalk cafes sit along these streets, where neighbors stop and chat about their day. A handful of Mom and Pop retail stores, having been in existence longer than many town residents have been alive, are some of the favorite shopping places, where the residents of Hopkins keep it local, benefiting their community in ways that enhance its economy and its character.

Everywhere you look in Hopkins , Minnesota visions of the towns rich history are strategically placed. A large, colorful mural, reflecting the early days of the town, begs the appreciation of admirers as they pass on the sidewalk. Even the iron street lamps that light the walkways at night hint at days gone by. American flags fly freely on storefronts, rooftops and flagpoles, alongside brightly colored banners, waving gracefully in the afternoon breeze, proclaiming Hopkins as the Raspberry Capital of America, a title that Hopkins residents take great pride in, as evidenced by their annual Raspberry Festival, complete with parades, vendors, musicians and dancing. 

Residents of Hopkins can be found hanging out underneath the large, black wrought iron clock tower, gazing up at the large metal bells that chime away each passing hour. This landmark is one of the most elegant in the Downtown area. The library in Hopkins is adorned with immense, breathtakingly beautiful stained glass windows, set in blues and pale greens, with a splash of red for spice. 

Everywhere you look, there are small, yet lovely architectural details, from mosaic tile accents under the immense arching doorway leading to the town’s prized raspberry patch and unique metal sculptures strategically hidden throughout the area, to the advertisements that were painted on the sides of the brick buildings, long since faded with the passing decades. You may not be able to buy a soda for a nickel anymore, but the picturesque quality that these accents lend to the town is worth much more than that.

To residents of Hopkins , Minnesota  , zip code 55343, the Arts are a part of everyday life. The town boasts a grand art center, modern in construction, and striking in size. This is where the people of Hopkins go to enjoy the works of local as well as International artists. Centrally located in the heart of Downtown Hopkins , zip code 55343 , the art center is indeed one of the treasures of the city. Combining recreation and education with a focus on building their small, yet strong community, the art center caters to individuals young and old, providing an outlet for creativity with its community theater productions, concerts, performances of all kinds and classes ranging from dance to yoga.

Music is yet another thread that holds the fabric of Hopkins , Minnesota together. Musicians of all ages and skill levels come together in a unique, community concert band, who perform regularly in Hopkins as well as other areas of the Twin Cities. Families in Hopkins share joyful evenings under the stars, listening to local artists and traveling musicians playing on stage in a stunning park that was recently constructed in the Downtown area for this very purpose.

Even though most of the buildings in Downtown Hopkins are more than a century old, there are a few recent additions. The local six screen movie house may be a newer construction, but with its historically referenced architecture and colorful, brightly lit marquis, it looks as if it were an original building. If you are searching for a place to take your sweetie that will not break your wallet, the movies at the cinema cost less than three dollars per ticket, all day, everyday.

The weather is warm and mild in the summertime in this area of Minnesota , fluctuating between 70 and 85 degrees. When the sun is shining, many residents of Hopkins take it outdoors, enjoying the warm breeze and engaging themselves in some of the areas local recreation. There are a total of eighteen parks and recreation areas within the small town of Hopkins . The parks are top notch, and they are very popular with the locals on nice, sunny days. Kids and fun go hand in hand, and in zip code 55343 , the fun is the order of the day, as the youngsters also have a variety of outdoor activities to choose from. Basketball, tennis and even sand volleyball courts are some of the local parks newest installations.

For kids that need a little more speed, by far the most popular hang out is the newly built, very much appreciated skate park. Built underneath a highway overpass, this place is a gem for skaters ages ten and up. It may be a little noisy, with cars crossing directly overhead at high speeds, but to the tweens and teens that play here, it adds to the thrill.

It may surprise many people to find out that Hopkins , Minnesota has its very own beach. Actually, the beach sits on the shores of a small lake in the area. This sandy paradise was built for fun, with nearby playground equipment, picnic spots covered by large yellow and blue beach umbrellas that offer shade, and a long yellow pier extending out into the cool water, ending in a daunting diving board for those young at hearts who are brave enough to jump from it. In the summertime, this swimming hole is one of the busiest places in town.

Hiking and biking are popular activities in Hopkins , with over 27 miles of beautifully preserved walking trails, left behind from an old railroad and reclaimed for public use. These pristine walking trails, perfect for people and for pets, are six time longer than the small town itself! Rumor has it that there is good fishing to be had in the Minnehaha creek. Bring your canoe or small boat, cast your line and float the day away under the bright azure sky. 

In Hopkins , the four seasons make their appearances in a dramatic fashion throughout the year. Autumn drifts in with a stunning display of raging color and beauty. The fall foliage here is breathtaking, while it lasts, anyway. Before long, though, the cold weather returns, and families in Hopkins have an entirely different way to play. 

Winter in Minnesota is very cold. The temperature drops down into the teens, and snow is common.  When the mercury dips and the lakes freeze over, ice skating takes center stage here. There are several different supervised ice rinks in the area, and they get plenty of use. Sledding is another one winter past time, and the locals know all of the best spots for the fastest slide. If it is just too darn cold to be outside, though, even for the locals who are used to it, Hopkins boasts a huge indoor pavilion complete with indoor ice rink, as well as an indoor sports field where adults and kids alike can play soccer, lacrosse, and other sports. 

Folks in Hopkins , Minnesota , zip code 55343 , believe in buying locally grown food and locally made products. The city has built and established community garden plots where residents gather together throughout the year to tend to the flowers, vegetables and herbs that grow there. It is a close knit community, and these plots rarely fail to thrive with all of the TLC that they receive from residents. 

In addition, Hopkins residents routinely shop locally every week at the Farmers Market, where everything they buy comes directly from local growers and craftsmen, from apples to peppermint to handmade soap and cookies. The benefits of buying locally are many. It boosts the local economy, puts money into the pockets of locals who worked hard for it, and saves energy in the form of fuel costs used to transport food from other areas. Plus, much of the locally grown produce is organically grown, which puts less of a strain on the environment, and is healthier to eat.