Inspiration for "The Minneapolis 81"

On a cold March morning in Minneapolis, I parked a mile away from my brunch destination, Maria's Cafe, and walked along Franklin Avenue, marveling at all I would have missed if I hadn't gotten out of my car and walked around. As I passed through the Seward neighborhood, I saw a sign for Ventura Village, a neighborhood I'd never heard of. When I got home, I looked at the City of Minneapolis neighborhood site and discovered that Minneapolis has 81 neighborhoods! I decided right then and there that I needed to tour each of the neighborhoods. 

Giant orange in a yard in the Hiawatha neighborhood. Minneapolis, MN.

Urban hiking is one of my favorite past-times with my husband, Scott. It's been fun discovering gems like the toy tree in Linden Hills, the shoe chimney in Fulton, and the giant produce lawn sculptures in Hiawatha. But what has been missing is the stories behind our self-discoveries. I decided that getting tours from residents and business owners would allow me to capture those stories.  

This blog will capture those tours and hopefully inspire people to experience different parts of the city that are often forgotten. I invite people to tell me what I've missed on a tour and perhaps show me their version of the neighborhood. 

If you are interested in taking a walk with me in your neighborhood, please see the Tour Guide page.