No Boring Weekends
The Origin Story
I didn’t originally build this website to sell houses. I built it because I was a young, single father working the night shift, trying to figure out what to do with my daughter when the sun came up.
When you work nights, your days are precious. I would wake up, chug some coffee, and Google “fun things to do near me.”
The results? Garbage.
It was always the same “5 Giants.” The Mall of America. The Zoo. The same robotic, copy-pasted lists telling me to go to a trampoline park I’d already been to a dozen times. There was no soul to it. No local insight.
So, I stopped Googling and started exploring. I put my daughter in the car, and we drove until we found the spots that Google Maps forgot.
The “Realist” Definition of Fun We aren’t just talking about the big ticket items (though, for the record, we held season passes to Bunker Beach in 2025 and I highly recommend it). I’m talking about the places where you can hear yourself think.
We have the best trail system in the country, hands down. But the magic isn’t on the main pavement; it’s in the cut-offs and the public landings that nobody uses.
My Personal Black Book of Hidden Spots:
- The “Dog-Walker” Parks: There are stretches of the bike path along the river where you will see more Golden Retrievers than people. These are the best maintained, quietest spots in the county. It feels like the city built a private park just for you.
- The Wading Islands: During the dry season, when the river drops, there are islands you can actually wade out to. You won’t find these on a tourism board brochure, but they are pure magic for a kid with an imagination.
- Manomin Park: This is a true hidden GEM. It sits right where Rice Creek dumps into the Mississippi in Fridley. It’s historic, it’s rugged, and it’s hauntingly beautiful. If you want to see the “Real” Minnesota nature without driving three hours north, this is it.
Why This Matters Real estate is about the house, but living is about what you do when you leave the driveway.
This section of the site is my gift to the parents, the runners, and the explorers who are tired of the “same old list.” Whether you are looking for a splash pad that isn’t overcrowded or a trail where you can run for miles without stopping, I’ve got you covered.
Go explore. And if you find a new hidden spot… keep it to yourself. Or tell me, and maybe I’ll add it to the Black Book.
North Metro Fun Guide
Where we actually go on Tuesday mornings.
My Top Picks
0 SpotsThe Key
About the Author
