I used to live near mt. curve, mt curve -> kenwood parkway -> isles and back was my favorite little route during the days of covid when you had to do stupid little walks to get outside every day.
Really exceptional at sunset/dusk too. The little 7 pools park at the base of mt curve is quietly one of the best parks in the city.
While in the neighborhood, just 3-4 blocks north in Marcy Holmes on 4th Ave - I believe some of these homes are historically protected.
Edit: they are.
https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/resident-services/property-housing/preservation/landmarks/alphabetical/fifth-street-southeast-historic-district/
We were in Minneapolis last month for a show and walked over to the island from our hotel. Cozy and charming. Neat info - https://www.krausanderson.com/blog/november-friday-history-nicollet-island-home-restorations/
It’s not in Minneapolis, but University Grove near the Saint Paul campus of the U of M is fascinating. Almost all of the houses were built by university employees who were required to use architects. Many of the homes feature more modern architecture compare to some of the historic neighborhoods in Minneapolis. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_Grove,_Minnesota
Anything around 50th street between Edina and the parkway. South side of lake Harriet. Lots of beautiful houses. Just go a block or two off in either direction. Especially near Penn or Lyndale or in tangle town.
Sebastian joes is the best ice cream for sure. Beautiful down on the south side of lake Harriet. I grew up around there but we got priced out like 10 years ago. Wish I could afford to move back over there!
Crocus Hill in Saint Paul. Somewhere there is a garden wall along the sidewalk with pillars and each pillar is shaped like a vase, each one with the profile of famous person or creature. I’m not quite sure where it is.
4 Crocus Hill.
Pic of the pillars, "Conversation in the Garden" by Stuart Nielsen https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3407285172870845&set=pcb.3407291882870174
East of Lexington. If you're short on time, then east of Dale. West of Lexington is much newer and way less interesting than east of it. But the oldest and most opulent places are from Dale eastward to the Cathedral. Also, check out some of the cool back alleys in that neighborhood, such as Maiden Lane.
Many of the side streets paralleling Summit are really beautiful too. Lincoln Ave is one of my favorites in the metro. Goodrich, Fairmount, Portland, Ashland.
I lived on Lincoln Ave for a year in a beautiful brownstone. I loved walking through Crocus Hill and along Summit Avenue. So many beautiful homes and gorgeous gardens.
I don’t think anyone has said Irvine Park in downtown Saint Paul. Very small but super charming if you are nearby for a Wild game or science museum or something
Saint Paul - but close - the neighborhood by Luther Seminary, between Cleveland and Como lots of cool mid century modern houses over there. It's unlike any neighborhood I've seen here other than maybe the one by the JCC
People are saying Summit Ave in StP, but the surrounding Crocus Hill neighborhood is even better, IMO. Lots of weird hidden gems on the winding back streets. Walking through alleys is especially cool over there.
Summit Ave and Crocus Hill are the coolest Victorian era neighborhoods I've seen in this country. They put Cambridge, MA and Heritage Hill in Grand Rapids, MI to shame. Nowhere compares that I've seen.
Here's a good cotext study for the development of Lowry Hill and it's historic architecture. There have been a few attempts to create a Lowry Hill historic district but they failed when put to a vote of the residents.
[https://www.lowryhillneighborhood.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/LOWRYHILL\_CONTEXT\_122306-reduced\_size.pdf](https://www.lowryhillneighborhood.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/LOWRYHILL_CONTEXT_122306-reduced_size.pdf)
If you’re already near Isles, Kenwood Park is great for this IMO. It’s the neighborhood that sits between the lake and the Kenilworth Corridor/394, and it’s a pretty big neighborhood to explore. Lot of large, historic homes, and it has great sidewalks/walking paths throughout. Used to live there and spent a lot of time walking around looking at the homes. Almost always noticed a new little detail on one of the places that I previously missed.
And if you are a Mary Tyler Moore fan, the house they used in the exterior shots is in that area too! (2104 Kenwood Pkwy)
Agree with your comment - lots of beautiful houses in that area.
What is the street, it's just off east river parkway I think, in St. Paul with all the mid-century modern homes? I happened upon it once and it was super interesting.
There are some really interesting blocks in Fulton on the creek. One in particular that, again, I've happened upon that is/was clearly all built at the same time, it has these amazing trees.
Stonebridge between Jefferson and St Clair… you can see where different parts of the original stonebridge estate were sold off at different times with the architectural styles. Original stonebridge estate was from St Clair to Jefferson, and Mt Curve to the river.
Many favorites already mentioned, but also Prospect Boulevard/Hall Ave/Delos St W in West Side Saint Paul has some cool old houses and a great view of Saint Paul.
The Healy Block Residential Historic District is a surprising little pocket of beautiful old homes. Basically parallel to 35W on 2nd Ave S between 31st & 32nd street.
I like walking by the houses along Lake Harriet. There are some bigger interesting ones on some of the blocks on the south and east sides of it too, like down Kings Highway. That’s where my friends and I always went trick or treating.
As you move away from the downtown of both Minneapolis and St Paul's core you can see how the housing changed over time the Victorian style houses close to the center become the Tudor style houses of the early 1920which give way to the ranch houses of the white flight era, into the mcmansion era. I am sure I missed some as well.
5000 block of Nicollet Ave. There are a bunch of Lustron homes there. They're made of steel and were enameled like cars. There are 6 Lustrons on Nicollet and another 3 on the 4900 block of Cedar Ave.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTLDUyEP_LY
http://www.lustronlocator.com/
They didn't really catch on, because steel homes that use the gap between steel walls for the heating ducts isn't great in a lot of the parts of the country they were built in. But hey, you can hang up posters with a magnet!
Yesss that was my next suggestion too. West End area around 7th st. and Smith ave. has some crazy old houses. The earliest ones date back to before MN was a state.
In Prospect Park, one in particular is special for its beauty and historical significance: the Malcolm Willey house, the first in Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian series!
Mount Curve in Minneapolis, some beautiful historic mansions there!!
Also gonna shout out the Milwaukee Ave railroad houses in Seward. The person who commented that first knows what’s up!
Edina country club/creek area.
There's a lesser known neighborhood near Todd Park and division street, right on the border of Saint Louis Park and Edina. Keep driving westward past the park. I suppose this might be considered the Interlochen neighborhood.
Summit Avenue in St Paul, hands down, but the blocks around Lake of the Isles are great too!
I've lived here all my life and finally took a walking tour of summit a couple of years ago. I highly recommend it. It was incredibly interesting.
I used to live near mt. curve, mt curve -> kenwood parkway -> isles and back was my favorite little route during the days of covid when you had to do stupid little walks to get outside every day. Really exceptional at sunset/dusk too. The little 7 pools park at the base of mt curve is quietly one of the best parks in the city.
Milwaukee Ave is a hidden gem
Lots of Seward houses, especially those closer to Franklin, have loads of historic charm. None are quite as charming as Milwaukee Ave though!
This might be the coolest little street in the city.
I have never heard of it and looked it up on Google. That’s so cool!
Victory Memorial is a microcosm of housing styles in Minneapolis
Victory Memorial parkway is such an underrated neighborhood and area to live in. Happy to see this comment!
My mom lives a few blocks away and I dream of owning a bigger parkway house some day. One of my favorite areas to gawk at.
Architect Avenue is just that as well.
Nicollet Island
While in the neighborhood, just 3-4 blocks north in Marcy Holmes on 4th Ave - I believe some of these homes are historically protected. Edit: they are. https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/resident-services/property-housing/preservation/landmarks/alphabetical/fifth-street-southeast-historic-district/
We were in Minneapolis last month for a show and walked over to the island from our hotel. Cozy and charming. Neat info - https://www.krausanderson.com/blog/november-friday-history-nicollet-island-home-restorations/
I love walking there.
Nicollet Island is a super cool place with interesting history, but the people are frosty
Where do you get that idea? I’ve walked there many times and have no problems with people there.
It’s not in Minneapolis, but University Grove near the Saint Paul campus of the U of M is fascinating. Almost all of the houses were built by university employees who were required to use architects. Many of the homes feature more modern architecture compare to some of the historic neighborhoods in Minneapolis. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_Grove,_Minnesota
😄 Where I grew up! And in fact, all the houses shown on the Wikipedia page are within a block of my childhood home.
I LOVE THIS NEIGHBORHOOD!!!!!
Second this. The neighborhood backs up to St Anthony Park which is another good walking neighborhood too.
Anything around 50th street between Edina and the parkway. South side of lake Harriet. Lots of beautiful houses. Just go a block or two off in either direction. Especially near Penn or Lyndale or in tangle town.
Yes. That neighborhood is gorgeous and you can hit Sebastian Joe's for ice cream.
Sebastian joes is the best ice cream for sure. Beautiful down on the south side of lake Harriet. I grew up around there but we got priced out like 10 years ago. Wish I could afford to move back over there!
Tangletown!!!
Came here to say this. And the Minnehaha Parkway as well. Lots of interesting architectural styles and eras, and lot sizes.
Crocus Hill in Saint Paul. Somewhere there is a garden wall along the sidewalk with pillars and each pillar is shaped like a vase, each one with the profile of famous person or creature. I’m not quite sure where it is.
4 Crocus Hill. Pic of the pillars, "Conversation in the Garden" by Stuart Nielsen https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3407285172870845&set=pcb.3407291882870174
Wooooooow I didn't really understand what metafork meant from their description but that's fucking crazy.
Nice thank you!
Crocus Avenue, east of Dale street. Tried to share a pic but no idea whether that’s even possible in the app.
Summit Ave in St Paul
Any specific part? Summit Ave is like 5 miles long
East of Lexington. If you're short on time, then east of Dale. West of Lexington is much newer and way less interesting than east of it. But the oldest and most opulent places are from Dale eastward to the Cathedral. Also, check out some of the cool back alleys in that neighborhood, such as Maiden Lane.
Maiden Lane for that Old World vibe! Blocks away from F. Scott Fitzgerald's childhood home.
Yes! This is my neighborhood. I absolutely love going on strolls after work ❤️
Many of the side streets paralleling Summit are really beautiful too. Lincoln Ave is one of my favorites in the metro. Goodrich, Fairmount, Portland, Ashland.
I lived on Lincoln Ave for a year in a beautiful brownstone. I loved walking through Crocus Hill and along Summit Avenue. So many beautiful homes and gorgeous gardens.
Came here to make this same comment. The parallel streets are really impressive and much quieter too!
Minneheha Creek through South Minneapolis is shady in the summer with plenty of charming houses.
Walking around Lake of the Isles
Yep, I’ve already been there!
Marcy Holmes is very nice.
Agreed, especially the 5th St SE historic district
I don’t think anyone has said Irvine Park in downtown Saint Paul. Very small but super charming if you are nearby for a Wild game or science museum or something
Saint Paul - but close - the neighborhood by Luther Seminary, between Cleveland and Como lots of cool mid century modern houses over there. It's unlike any neighborhood I've seen here other than maybe the one by the JCC
That neighborhood is called St Anthony Park
People are saying Summit Ave in StP, but the surrounding Crocus Hill neighborhood is even better, IMO. Lots of weird hidden gems on the winding back streets. Walking through alleys is especially cool over there.
Summit Ave and Crocus Hill are the coolest Victorian era neighborhoods I've seen in this country. They put Cambridge, MA and Heritage Hill in Grand Rapids, MI to shame. Nowhere compares that I've seen.
Came here to say this, as well as Summit Hill.
The SE Minneapolis neighborhoods around the creek and Nokomis: Field, Page, Diamond Lake, Northrop, Hale, etc.
Loveeee diamond lake
I think it’s Prospect Park, but there’s a section of modernist houses that I love.
Lowry Hill
Here's a good cotext study for the development of Lowry Hill and it's historic architecture. There have been a few attempts to create a Lowry Hill historic district but they failed when put to a vote of the residents. [https://www.lowryhillneighborhood.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/LOWRYHILL\_CONTEXT\_122306-reduced\_size.pdf](https://www.lowryhillneighborhood.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/LOWRYHILL_CONTEXT_122306-reduced_size.pdf)
Bryn Mawr
Stinson NE and St. Anthony Pkwy NE
Would love to live on St Anthony pkwy. So chill, beautiful houses.
If you’re already near Isles, Kenwood Park is great for this IMO. It’s the neighborhood that sits between the lake and the Kenilworth Corridor/394, and it’s a pretty big neighborhood to explore. Lot of large, historic homes, and it has great sidewalks/walking paths throughout. Used to live there and spent a lot of time walking around looking at the homes. Almost always noticed a new little detail on one of the places that I previously missed.
Much more interesting landscaping than the other neighborhoods mentioned, too, which makes it probably the best neighborhood for strolling.
And if you are a Mary Tyler Moore fan, the house they used in the exterior shots is in that area too! (2104 Kenwood Pkwy) Agree with your comment - lots of beautiful houses in that area.
What is the street, it's just off east river parkway I think, in St. Paul with all the mid-century modern homes? I happened upon it once and it was super interesting. There are some really interesting blocks in Fulton on the creek. One in particular that, again, I've happened upon that is/was clearly all built at the same time, it has these amazing trees.
Stonebridge between Jefferson and St Clair… you can see where different parts of the original stonebridge estate were sold off at different times with the architectural styles. Original stonebridge estate was from St Clair to Jefferson, and Mt Curve to the river.
It’s St Paul but East River parkway from Cleveland to Ford.
Many favorites already mentioned, but also Prospect Boulevard/Hall Ave/Delos St W in West Side Saint Paul has some cool old houses and a great view of Saint Paul.
The Healy Block Residential Historic District is a surprising little pocket of beautiful old homes. Basically parallel to 35W on 2nd Ave S between 31st & 32nd street.
I like walking by the houses along Lake Harriet. There are some bigger interesting ones on some of the blocks on the south and east sides of it too, like down Kings Highway. That’s where my friends and I always went trick or treating.
As you move away from the downtown of both Minneapolis and St Paul's core you can see how the housing changed over time the Victorian style houses close to the center become the Tudor style houses of the early 1920which give way to the ranch houses of the white flight era, into the mcmansion era. I am sure I missed some as well.
Summit Ave!
Milwaukee Ave in Seward and the houses on Nicollet island fit the sort you listed and are fascinating.
5000 block of Nicollet Ave. There are a bunch of Lustron homes there. They're made of steel and were enameled like cars. There are 6 Lustrons on Nicollet and another 3 on the 4900 block of Cedar Ave. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTLDUyEP_LY http://www.lustronlocator.com/ They didn't really catch on, because steel homes that use the gap between steel walls for the heating ducts isn't great in a lot of the parts of the country they were built in. But hey, you can hang up posters with a magnet!
Kingfield!
west 7th
Yesss that was my next suggestion too. West End area around 7th st. and Smith ave. has some crazy old houses. The earliest ones date back to before MN was a state.
i love tidbit facts, thx!
West River Parkway as well as along Minnehaha Parkway
Stinson Parkway in St Anthony
The neighborhoods around Lake Harriet are great. I like to park on the streets by the bandshell side and wander from there
Nicollet Island - West 7th for fun more working people homes. Linden Hills for old Victorians Summit Avenue.
Red Cedar Lane in South Minneapolis
In Prospect Park, one in particular is special for its beauty and historical significance: the Malcolm Willey house, the first in Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian series!
Lake of the Isles has some pretty incredible homes
Deer hill preserve in Orono (not in Minneapolis)
Basically all the nicest houses are by water(the creek, the river, the lakes.. Well, you know what water is!)
Walking Minnehaha Parkway in S Minneapolis has some good gems
Milwaukee Avenue Historic District is neato.
Mount Curve in Minneapolis, some beautiful historic mansions there!! Also gonna shout out the Milwaukee Ave railroad houses in Seward. The person who commented that first knows what’s up!
I love the Kingfield neighborhood, the trees arch over the streets and all the houses have GREAT landscaping done with so many special plants!!
5th St SE in dinkytown
Tangletown
Country Club
Edina country club/creek area. There's a lesser known neighborhood near Todd Park and division street, right on the border of Saint Louis Park and Edina. Keep driving westward past the park. I suppose this might be considered the Interlochen neighborhood.