The city of St. Paul and city of Minneapolis are bustling hubs of culture and commerce. Those who want to live just outside the area while still having easy access to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) have many excellent suburbs to explore. From affordable housing and amazing shopping to picturesque parks and historic sites, discover the Minnesota and St. Paul suburbs closest to the airport that have it all.

Richfield

The city of Richfield is approximately four miles west of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, or seven minutes by car. The suburb’s name comes from the area’s rich farmland, which covered roughly seven square miles before it was incorporated as a suburban city in 1908.

Richfield’s 35,000 residents enjoy a variety of parks, lakes, and recreational facilities, as well as many shopping and dining opportunities. One popular venue is Wood Lake Nature Center near the city’s western flank. Here, residents can access walking trails, wildlife viewing, and cross-country skiing in the winter.

Another popular spot is Veteran’s Park near the junction of I-35W and U.S. Route 62. The park features a picnic pavilion, pool, mini-golf course, and an ice arena. It’s also home to popular community events, including a farmer’s market.

Shopping and dining options in Richfield are along two main thoroughfares. South of Veteran’s Park, East 66th Street offers access to Richfield Hub, where residents can shop at major retailers and dine at popular eateries like Frenchman’s Pub, Local Roots, and Pizza Lucé. Located just north of I-494, East 77th Street is home to the Shops at Lyndale, where residents can visit numerous department stores and casual restaurants.

Bloomington

The suburban city of Bloomington is southwest of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The city’s roughly 90,000 residents can reach MSP in six minutes by car via northbound I-35W and eastbound I-494.

Bloomington is known for its strong job sector, with more jobs per capita than the bigger cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Large companies like HealthPartners, Ceridian, and Toro are headquartered here, with many located near the iconic Mall of America. The mega-mall opened in 1992 and is the largest enclosed mall in the United States and the ninth-largest worldwide. It hosts more than 400 events yearly, including fashion shows, concerts, and circus performances.

Another local mainstay is Highland Lake Park Reserve, which offers everything from archery, golfing, and horseback riding to snowshoeing, tubing, and downhill skiing. Bloomington’s other parks worth visiting include the Normandale Japanese Garden, Bush Lake Beach, and the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

Residents also enjoy many shopping and dining options outside of Mall of America. These include Bloomington Farmer’s Market, Southtown, and Valley West shopping centers. Popular restaurants in Bloomington include Ciao Bella, serving Italian cuisine; Wally’s, known for its famous roast beef dishes; and 98 Pounds, a popular Asian buffet.

Edina

Founded in the 1860s, Edina started as a small farming and milling community just 10 miles southwest of Minneapolis. Today, roughly 50,000 residents are part of a modern suburb known for its excellent shopping and dining. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is only 12 minutes away by car, and residents can take one of Edina’s many thoroughfares to reach it.

The suburb’s busy shopping core is anchored by Southdale Center, one of the first shopping malls to open in the U.S. in 1956. Still bustling with activity today, Southdale is home to major retailers, casual restaurants, and a movie theater. Upscale shops are within walking distance of the mall at Galleria Edina, where community events also occur throughout the year, including a flower show in the spring.

Golf is a popular pastime in the community, with Braemar Golf Course and Interlachen Country Club among the most visited locations. Minnehaha Creek runs through the Edina Country Club in the northern part of town, where residents can explore the ruins of the Edina Mill, built in 1855. Not far from this historic site, a vibrant commercial district known as 50th and France is the place to go for more upscale shopping and nightlife. Flower baskets hang overhead, adding color to the many restaurants and boutiques housed in brick-and-mortar buildings.

Homes for sale in Edina are an eclectic mix, typically ranging from $300,000 for a small fixer-upper to $3 million for a large, new construction.

Mendota Heights

Located on the southern banks of the Minnesota River, Mendota Heights’ approximately 12,000 residents enjoy easy access to waterfront activities. The suburb is situated about three miles east of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, or six minutes away by car.

Mendota Heights is one of the greenest areas in the Twin Cities, with a vast majority of the community dedicated to parks and open space. The highlight of the park system is Fort Snelling State Park, where locals and visitors can go boating and fishing on the Minnesota River. The park is also home to a nature center, a historic fort, and hiking and biking trails.

Shops and restaurants along the river include Lucky’s 13 Pub, which features live music on weekends; Axel’s, serving American fare; and Osteria I Nonni, serving Italian dishes. Other attractions include the Mendakota and Somerset country clubs and the Mendota Heights Pool and Yacht Club.

Homes in Mendota Heights are a mix of traditional and modern styles, with prices generally ranging from $300,000 to $3 million.

Eagan

Just south of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, across the Minnesota River, the city of Eagan is home to over 60,000 residents. The suburb can be reached from the airport in under 10 minutes by car by heading east on I-494 and then south on I-35E.

Eagan is known for its parks and open spaces, with more than 1,300 acres of parkland spread across a mosaic of lakes, streams, and waterways. One popular green space is the Lebanon Hills Regional Park, which has a nature center and miles of hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing trails. Valleywood Golf Club, a public course with an 18-hole layout, is also in the park.

Shoppers will love Eagan, as the suburb is home to Twin Cities Premium Outlets, the largest outlet mall in Minnesota. This shopping mecca has nearly 100 stores, with major brands like Nike and Coach. Meanwhile, employment opportunities in Eagan are plentiful, with major companies like Thomson Reuters, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, and Ecolab having a strong presence in the community.

Falcon Heights

The city of Falcon Heights has a small population of approximately 5,000 residents and is just north of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Falcon Heights offers a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of the Twin Cities, but residents still have plenty of dining, shopping, and entertainment options at their fingertips. Residents can reach the airport in under 20 minutes by car.

Local amenities in Falcon Heights include the Minnesota State Fair, which comes alive in the spring and summer months with rides, games, food, and live music. The fairgrounds are also home to science expos, art displays, livestock exhibits, and more.

Other local attractions include Gibbs Farm, a historic site built in 1854; the Bell Museum of Natural History, which has interactive exhibits on dinosaurs and the environment; and the Goldstein Museum of Design, located at the University of St. Paul Student Center.

Roseville

Originally called Rose Township in 1850, the city of Roseville was renamed in 1948 and has expanded to include 33,000 residents. The suburb is north of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and can be reached from MSP in under 20 minutes by car via southbound I-35E.

With parks, businesses, and a wide range of housing options, Roseville is a strong retail and commercial hub with something for everyone. The city is home to the Rosedale Center, one of Minnesota’s top shopping destinations, which 14 million people visit annually. The mall features hundreds of retailers across 1.5 million square feet, including a large multiplex and several department stores.

Roseville is also home to the John Rose Minnesota Oval, the largest refrigerated ice-skating rink in the U.S. The rink is open from November to March and hosts speedskating competitions annually. When residents aren’t skating, they’re browsing numerous marine exhibits at Seaquest, going on a beer crawl of Roseville’s top breweries, or enjoying other activities.

Homes for sale in Roseville range in price from approximately $100,000 for one-bedroom condos to $500,000 for a large, single-family property.

Apple Valley

The city of Apple Valley is a Minneapolis suburb in northwestern Dakota County, directly south of the Twin Cities and about 20 miles from Minneapolis. The community has a population of about 55,000 and offers easy access to major highways and public transportation.

Apple Valley is home to the Minnesota Zoo and hosts the annual Apple Valley Freedom Days every Fourth of July with one of the area’s largest parades. It also holds an annual winter carnival. The suburb is across the Minnesota River and Long Meadow Lake, just east of Interstate Highway 35.

Following the shortest route along Minnesota State Highway 77 North, it takes approximately 12 to 18 minutes to get to the airport at 7 a.m., about 12 to 20 minutes to get to the airport at 1 p.m., or between 14 and 22 minutes at 5:30 p.m. from Apple Valley.

Minnetonka

With a population of over 50,000, the city of Minnetonka is one of the largest suburbs near Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Residents can reach MSP by heading southeast on I-494. The trip takes approximately 15 minutes to complete by car.

Lake Minnetonka is a big draw for the suburb, with over 15,000 acres of water to explore. Locals and visitors flock to the lake year-round, skating on the frozen surface in the wintertime and fishing, kayaking, or boating in the summer. Minnetonka has numerous parks and nature preserves, including the 52-acre Lake Minnetonka Regional Park.

In Central Minnetonka, popular mom-and-pop venues line Minnesota State Highway 7, including the Original Pancake House and the General Store of Minnetonka. The store boasts 15,000 square feet of commercial space and sells everything from hardware and clothing to jewelry and vintage finds.

Sports enthusiasts will find plenty to do in Minnetonka, where great soccer, baseball, swimming, and ice skating facilities exist. These include the Minnetonka Ice Arena, the Minnetonka Tennis Club, and Bunker Indoor Golf.

Burnsville

The city of Burnsville is about 16 miles south of the Minneapolis downtown area and northwest of Apple Valley. Recognized for its many attractions, outdoor enthusiasts love the city’s Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve and Buck Hill, a 310-foot vertical ski peak. The city is also the home to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

Burnsville experienced a spur in growth following the construction of Interstate 35 and is now the ninth-largest suburb in the Minneapolis metro and a major community within the Twin Cities. This suburb is south of the airport, slightly to the west, and across the Minnesota River.

The fastest route from Burnsville to the airport uses Interstate Highway 35W North and Interstate Highway 494 East. It takes about 12 to 16 minutes to drive to the airport at 7 a.m., or approximately 12 to 18 minutes at 1 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. from Burnsville.

St. Louis Park

The suburb of St. Louis Park is just minutes away from the Twin Cities and its many amenities, including the downtown arts district, shopping, university campuses, sporting events, and the Chain of Lakes. While St. Louis Park real estate is primarily residential, with a mix of new construction properties and older homes, it also has a commercial district.

St. Louis Park has an extensive system of trails connecting to downtown Minneapolis and several other neighborhoods. With 52 parks, this Minneapolis suburb is northwest of the airport and west of downtown Minneapolis.

It takes about 18 to 22 minutes to get from St. Louis Park to the airport at 7 a.m. using Minnesota State Highway 100 South and Minnesota State Highway. At 1 p.m., it takes about 18 to 24 minutes, while at 5:30 p.m., it takes approximately 18 to 26 minutes to arrive at the airport.

West St. Paul

The city of West St. Paul is located about 12.2 miles southeast of Minneapolis, near the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Featuring a country-like setting, West St. Paul still offers easy access to amenities. The community of about 20,000 is known for its lakes, wildlife, and lush grasslands.

West St. Paul is home to 15 city parks, an indoor ice arena, a community swimming pool, and the Regional Athletics Center dome. While close to the larger cities, West St. Paul also has about 600 businesses and a light industrial park.

Ready to Move to a St. Paul or Minneapolis Suburb?

Thriving job sectors, affordable housing options, excellent shopping destinations, and beautiful parks are just a few reasons to consider living in one of St. Paul’s or Minnesota’s suburbs closest to MSP. Plus, commuting to the airport is a breeze, with direct routes available via a network of major roadways, including I-35, I-494, and Minnesota State Highway 77. With so much to offer, it’s no wonder these suburbs are some of the most popular in the Twin Cities metro area and among the best to call home.

If Minneapolis or St. Paul is the city for you, contact Kris Lindahl Real Estate at 1-(855) 967-7653 to get in touch with a local real estate agent who can help you find your dream home today.