Best Things About Rosemount

Small town atmosphere just south of the metro is what you'll find in Rosemount. Being nearly 36 square miles, the city is home to industry, growing residential areas and even agriculture. While it's large in mass, you still get a small town feel down the city's main strip and in the city's many parks. There are unique, locally-owned shops to infuse your creative juices or to give you a caffeinated pick-me-up with a delicious bakery treat on the side. There are also plenty of places to get active, inside and out.

No. 1: Yarn Garage

2980 West 145th Street
Yarn Garage Website

Colorful and warm -- two very appropriate words to describe the feel you get when you walk into the Yarn Garage. Rows and rows of yarn, that reach up to the ceiling is a delightful sight to new and experienced knitters. The shop not only sells these colorful strands of yarn but offers classes for all levels, whether you want to learn or to want perfect your knitting skills. Located right on Rosemount's main drag, the Yarn Garage is a place for locals but also brings in people from all over for the variety of crafts, including one-of-a-kind yarns made by the owner, Steven Berg. And if you're looking for something to wear to cheer for the local team (Rosemount Irish), check out their new multi-colored gear.

No. 2: The Pond Minn-E-Rink

3400 150th Street
The Pond Minn-E-Rink Website

It doesn't look like much from the outside, located in a strip mall along 150th Street, but inside you'll instantly feel to brisk air of any indoor hockey rink. The Pond offers hockey training with specialized 3-on-3 format that gives a player more opportunity to improve his or her skills. Check out its website for more on what specifically the rink offers to young and old hockey players. If you're hungry before or after training or want to catch the latest NHL game, hop next door to the Fireside Bar & Restaurant for a cold drink and full menu that offers a variety of options -- pizza, burgers and appetizers.

No. 3: City Parks

Rosemount Park and Recreation Website

The city of Rosemount boosts 24 parks that they make special efforts to keep in good shape. With manicured fields and tempting playground equipment, an hour or a day could be spent running around. But if you need a little bit more motivation to head to the park, the city parks also outdoor ice rinks to enjoy the state of hockey, skate ramps for the adventurous, disc golf for Frisbee-enthusiasts and lots of ball fields and tennis courts. Rosemount also shares a soccer complex with Dakota County Techinical College, so residents have access to collegiate-level facilities. And if you're not looking to break a sweat, but still want to enjoy the parks, head to Central Park where there's a walk to honor Rosemount's veterans and a band shell for community events.

No. 4: Morning Glory's Bakery Café

14590 South Robert Trail
Morning Glory's Bakery Café Website

What's the story about Morning Glory Bakery Café? This family-owned and operated café has yummy bakery treats and delicious café eats. Inside is a fun, café atmosphere with menus in chalk and table to sit and chat over a meal. Or coffee, since they have a full menu of caffeinated concoctions. The café is known for its homemade scones and after tasting an orange-almond one, you'll know why. The mix of sweet and tangy is a compliment to any cup of coffee or just by itself. In the summer, enjoy Bridgeman's ice cream or creamy smoothies. And if you like Morning Glory's Bakery Café, spread the word! That's how many people have gotten to know this little café with big taste!

No. 5: Leprechaun Days

Leprechaun Days Website

Did you know you don't have to go to Ireland to get a dose of Irish? You can head to Rosemount every July for Leprechaun Days! The festival started in 1979, being born from a smaller community event called Crazy Days. They decide to go Irish because more than half of the first settlers to the Rosemount area were from Ireland. According to the Leprechaun Days website, when the community first decided to change from Crazy Days to Leprechaun Days it was because "residents have decided they'd rather be Irish then crazy." Just one weekend can't contain this community festival -- it runs for 10 days at the end of July. Leprechaun Days organizers look to many, many volunteers to pull off the event that includes a small carnival, musical acts, parade, full fireworks display, youth fishing derby and treasure hunt.

No. 6: Quilter's Haven

2930 146th Street, Suite 108
Quilter's Haven Website

It's a quilter's dream walking through the doors and into this shop filled with fabric, patterns, sewing machines ... maybe that's why it's called Quilter's Haven. It's a destination shop where people will come from far and wide to buy the kits and fabric the store has to offer -- lucky for Rosemount residents it's in their backyard. Want to learn how to make a quilt? The shop offers beginner classes as well as classes for the highly-skilled quilter. Or prefer to put a quilt together block by block? Then you have to check out the Block of the Month -- where month by month you'll get new kits to add to your quilt bit by bit. And you're even rewarded for finishing a block each month.

No. 7: Irish Sports Dome

13901 South Robert Trail
Irish Sports Dome Website

Built in 2005, the Irish Sports Dome is tucked behind the Rosemount Community Center and offers an indoor option for almost any sport (sorry hockey, it's warm in there). What started as a place for fast-pitch players to practice year-round turned into an oasis for coaches and players who need a place to practice, train, hold clinics or even play games. The space is available to Rosemount schools in the mornings and after school. And for adults, the dome offers slow-pitch softball and will soon have kickball games at night. The dome provides indirect income to local businesses through the tournaments it hosts that draws teams from all over the state. And this winter it hopes to give back through being a drop-off spot for Toys for Tots.

No. 8: Celts Irish Pub and Grill

14506 South Robert Trail

The Irish theme of Celts is something repeated throughout the community but here you'll be able to smell and taste a touch O' Irish. The grill has a fancy selection of burgers to whet the appetite and plenty of beers and Jameson Irish Whiskey to quench your thirst. Of course, being an Irish pub, Celts has special events surrounding St. Patrick's Day. Every other day of the year the pub draws people from the area for its luncheon buffet and family-friendly dinnertime. Don't forget about all the sporting events you can catch on the TVs -- can you say "Skol Vikings?"

No. 9: Dakota County Technical College

1300 145th Street E
Dakota County Technical College Website

Dakota County Technical College is one of the largest technical colleges in the state and its right here in Rosemount. The two-year school's largest programs are automotive technician, electrical lineworker, graphic design, interior design and practical nursing. DCTC is also a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association and students can compete at the varsity level in men's and women's soccer, fast-pitch softball and baseball.

No. 10: Best Tennis Town Honorable Mention

Rosemount Area Athletic Association Website

This past summer Rosemount was one of 10 communities in the running to be one of the best tennis towns in America, picked by the United States Tennis Association. While the city wasn't number one, it did receive honorable mention accolades and got a $2,000 tennis equipment package from the USTA. Through the Rosemount Area Athletic Association, kids can learn how to play tennis or compete against others their age.

- Karna Bergstrom is a Web Producer at WCCO.COM