Uptown is young, potent and stimulating. Nestled between downtown Minneapolis and the Lake Calhoun/Harriet/Isles loop, Uptown offers lively nightlife, scenic leisure, and a diverse community all in the shadow of the Minneapolis skyline. From the bustling Lagoon Avenue area to the quiet Kenwood neighborhood, Uptown manages to capture the full range of what makes Minneapolis great without diluting any of the individual aspects.
An abundance of restaurants can be found in the Uptown neighborhood, from a blend of Asian, Latin American and Caribbean cuisine at Chino Latino, to familiar American style dining at Uptown Tavern, to hole-in-the wall coffee shops such as Uncommon Grounds and Dogwood Coffee Bar. On the weekends, troops of young Minneapolitans flock to Lagoon Avenue to eat, drink, and mingle on Stella’s Fish Cafe rooftop and the basement of Williams Pub & Peanut Bar, all within a three-block radius.
It is not uncommon to see new construction efforts in Uptown, where properties are constantly being updated to be larger and more innovative. These new developments aim to attract new residents to buildings where they can live directly above up and coming shops and restaurants. As the neighborhood grows, so does the value of real estate. Condos and apartments continue to appreciate in value as the Uptown neighborhood continues to remake itself into a destination that’s constantly fresh and new.
On the western side of Uptown lies Lake Calhoun, Lake Harriet, and Lake of the Isles, all of which are a popular destination for exercisers, beach-goers and sailors. Lake Calhoun, the closest lake to the heart of Uptown features a sailing school for young sailors, boat rentals for a leisurely afternoon paddle, and extensive biking and jogging trails that circles the three lakes. Whether you are looking for shopping in a bustling commercial district or a quiet place to relax or exercise, Uptown can provide it all.
It is no surprise that such a unique neighborhood spawned one of the most exciting and creative music scenes in the Midwest. Located on the 2400 block of Hennepin Avenue, Fifth Element acts as the retail center for Rhymesayers Entertainment. Since 1995, Rhymesayers has consistently been the leading voice of Minnesota Hip-Hop culture with artists ranging from Atmosphere to Brother Ali to Aesop Rock signed to the label. Fifth Element serves as their retail outlet, which also features in-store performances by label artists. From around the Midwest, Fifth Element is known as one of the best destinations in Minnesota for quality vinyl, fashion and concert tickets.
Being in the heart of Minneapolis has its advantages for commuters of Uptown. Eight major bus lines run through the Uptown Transit Center, where riders have the option to store their bicycles safely and warm up when the weather is cold. Additionally, residents of Uptown can be seen biking or riding Segways on bike trails that run throughout the Twin Cities. For those who don’t own a bike or can’t store them, Nice Ride Minnesota offers an annual bike rental program for only $65 ($55 for students). Bikes can be rented from or returned to any of the 170 stations located across Minneapolis and St. Paul.
As the season changes, Uptown offers a wide range of events to match. In the summer, the Uptown Art Fair attracts visitors from across the Midwest, where attendees can admire artwork in almost any medium imaginable (painting, ceramics, glass blowing, jewelry, sculptures, etc), eat great local cuisine from AZ Canteen and Falafel King, have drinks from Schells’ Beer Garden or Barefoot Wine, and listen to live music all afternoon.
During the fall, Wheels of Italy attracts Italian automobile enthusiasts and owners where they can show off their Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and Ducati’s for an afternoon right next to Lake Calhoun. Since its inception, Wheels of Italy has been a centerpiece for Italian automobile and cycle culture and has allowed the community to become one of the largest of its kind in the Midwest.
During the winter, Minneapolis residents line up at the Lake Harriet Band Shell for the annual Valentines Day 5K Run. Participants can adorn their race outfit with “single”, “taken” or “its complicated” labels, allowing them to easily announce their relationship status to other runners who can later offer to buy them a drink at Cooper’s Irish Pub.
In the spring the Calhoun Area Residents Action Group hosts their annual Super Sale where the Uptown neighborhood comes together for one massive garage sale at Bryant Square Park. There shoppers search for the perfect unique used item and sellers work to clean out their cluttered closets while making some good money.
For those looking to find a stimulating environment that combines wild nightlife with serene natural beauty, Uptown, Minneapolis is the perfect place to settle into. In a city where people are constantly in motion, Uptown serves as a center for the younger generation of Minneapolitans, where they have the best of both urban living and natural escape. As Uptown continues to grow and thrive, it is clear that it will retain its balance of calming neighborhoods and exhilarating commercial districts.
