Linden Hills is located in the Southwest community of Minneapolis. It’s bordered on the north by 36th Street West and Lake Calhoun, on the east by William Berry Drive and Lake Harriet, on the south by 47th Street West, and on the west by France Avenue. Linden Hills is one of the most unique neighborhoods in not only the community but also the entire city. The neighborhood received its name from the main housing developer for its linden trees and rolling terrain and was established initially in the 1880’s as a way to tempt homebuyers to leave downtown for cottages on Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet. Large bungalows and Tudors have replaced most of the original cottages. The Lake Harriet-Como Trolley line travels through the neighborhood. Constructed in the 1800’s, it connects to downtown Minneapolis. This lovely and distinct neighborhood hosts around 8,500 residents.
There are many events that take place within the community throughout the year. Live music at the Lake Harriet Bandshell begins Memorial Day weekend, until Labor Day, with concerts every night. The city has a very communal feel. Residents can wander through the Farmer’s Market, seeing friends and community members, merchants and folks they know from the coffee shops, and Sunday morning walks, while they enjoy the day with each other. The Movies in the Park series runs June through August at the Lake Harriet Bandshell. Movies begin 15 minutes after sunset and are a community favorite. There is also a block party during the first Sunday in October where locals enjoy food, dancing, and games.
As mentioned before, Linden Hills is a very unique neighborhood. One example of its character is its local bookstore the Wild Rumpus. One would think this is a normal bookstore, but as soon as you walk in you’re greeted by free-ranging birds, cats, and dogs. Other animals can be found inside too, like lizards and rodents. These animals bring excitement and interest to the bookstore, as visitors love to interact with them.
Another favorite local business is Sebastian Joe’s located just a few blocks away from Wild Rumpus. Sebastian Joe’s is a popular treat to experience during a summer afternoon. Known for their premium ice creams made in-house in small batches, Sebastian Joe’s delights visitors with its fun flavors and great taste.
Additionally, another spot to grab a treat is at the Great Harvest Bread Company, where you can pick up some delicious baked goods and grab a free sample. A final business in the middle of the neighborhood is the local toy store called Creative Kidstuff. This store carries the most unique toys that are difficult to find anywhere else, and it is the ideal place to entertain younger children.
The Linden Hills neighborhood houses three parks in addition to having access to some of the area’s greatest lakes. They include:
Linden Hills Park: Linden Hills Park is located in the center of the Linden Hills neighborhood. At just under 8 acres, the park offers several amenities for residents and visitors alike. With a baseball field, basketball court, ice skating/hockey rinks, a playground, picnic area with grill, restroom facility, soccer field, softball fields, tennis courts, and a wading pool, Linden Hills Park is an active location year-round. Community members enjoy the wide array of activities, regardless of the season, and the park’s active amenities are cherished by all. Additionally, the park is home to the Linden Hills Recreation Center which adds a community kitchen, craft room, meeting room, and a multipurpose room for visitors to enjoy.
William Berry Park: A natural, outdoor, recreational option located near the large regional lakes, William Berry Park is known for its hilly, wooded landscape that has been preserved since 1889. At just under 30 acres, the park offers extensive walking and biking paths through the magnificent wooded areas. William Berry Park also includes an archery range, picnic area, and a playground. For those desiring a scenic location for passive outdoor recreation, William Berry Park is a great choice.
Beard’s Plaisance: Beard’s Plaisance is attached to the nearby Lake Harriet Park. A popular community gathering location, the park is most often utilized for its picnic area, playground, and tennis courts. A great location for a family or neighborhood get-together, Beard’s Plaisance has seating for 80, 5 charcoal grills, and a restroom facility nearby.
Lake Harriet Park: Lake Harriet Park is one of the most picturesque and stunning lakes found within the Twin Cities area. As a part of the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Regional Park, Lake Harriet is a well-known tourist attraction that draws in millions of visitors annually. Whether it be biking or walking on the paths around the lake, going for a swim at the beach, launching the boat into the lake’s waters, or catching a concert at the beautiful bandshell, Lake Harriet Park has something to offer for everyone. Guests from all around the world travel to this area to enjoy its scenic beauty and invigorating atmosphere. Lake Harriet Park also features gardens, fishing piers, playgrounds, restroom facilities, and a large pavilion near the bandshell. The pavilion is a particularly busy location due to its proximity to the bandshell and its convenient restaurant Bread & Pickle. With 470 acres to explore, visitors to Lake Harriet can comfortably spend the entire day at the park, making it a cherished and wildly popular outdoor destination.
Lake Calhoun Park: Linden Hills is located on the border of Lake Calhoun Park. One of Minnesota’s most popular destinations, Lake Calhoun Park is 518 acres of scenic beauty. The park features the magnificent Lake Calhoun, a local favorite, as well as a wide variety of amenities. Lake Calhoun Park is home to an archery range, wildly popular beach, biking/walking path around the lake, boat docks, a fishing pier, picnic facilities, soccer and softball fields, and sand volleyball courts. During the summer months, Minnesota goes out on the lake to play. With swimming, boating, sailing, fishing, and even logrolling available, Lake Calhoun Park is a wonderful destination for a sunny, summer day. Described as one of Minnesota’s most beautiful lakes, the Lake Calhoun Park is a must-visit destination.
If you have any questions regarding the city of Minneapolis, the Southwest Community, or if you would like to sell or buy a house in the area, please feel free to visit Twin Cities Property Finder or call 1-800-909-1953.
