The Highland Park neighborhood finds itself in a natural oasis in the midst of a major American metropolis. Nestled in the junction of the Mighty Mississippi River and the Minnesota River, buffered by lush parks and trails, Highland Park boasts easy access to both downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul as well as the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, a major hub for Delta Airlines.
With more than its fair share of schools, including a university, Highland Park’s residents are well educated and enjoy a delicate balance of downtown living and natural beauty. Dwellings ranging from college housing to spectacular riverside homes occupy Highland Park’s residential blocks filled with people from all walks of life. Whether residents wish to enjoy a round of golf at Highland Park Golf Course or a casual dining experience at the Rusty Taco, the neighborhood has something for everyone. With a circus school, ice arena and Frisbee golf courses Highland Park is full of quirks and offbeat activities. Additionally, the area boasts one of the city’s largest dog parks where owners can let their pups run free off the leash with other dogs in an expansive 6.4 acre fenced-in area along the Mississippi River.
Although there is easy access to all the downtown metro area has to offer, you’ll find that you won’t need to leave the shadow of the neighborhood clock tower to have a successful night out. Residents of Highland Park have a diverse selection of local restaurants to choose from, which include The Nook, Joan’s in the Park, and Cecil’s and afterwards catch a film at the Highland Cinema or try their hand at dancing in the Cinema Ballroom.
In the heart of Highland Park’s commercial district The Chatterbox Pub is a small, family-owned restaurant chain that, simply put, does things differently. Serving a self-described “renaissance of American Home-style” to a loyal customer base, The Chatterbox Pub strives to create a comfortable and enjoyable family atmosphere. In addition to traditional booths and tables, the Chatterbox Pub provides laid-back seating where patrons can eat and drink while kicking back on comfortable couches and play classic videos games chock-full of 90’s nostalgia. Carefully selected ingredients from local vendors fill the Chatterbox kitchen where the culinary staff is constantly adapting the menu to reflect what’s fresh and in season. The bar hosts a wide array of over 150 bottled beers that include hard-to-find microbrews and are served by a staff well versed on the craft of brewing, making the Chatterbox a magnet for beer and cider connoisseurs.
Local events keep the community of Highland Park active and engaged, with Farmer’s Markets every Saturday during the summer and fall months, sports leagues and summer camps for students, and activities at Fort Snelling State Park. The Twin Cities Light Rail runs near Highland Park, with stations across the river at Fort Snelling and Minnehaha Park. This is an exciting growing point for the community, allowing residents to easily commute all over Minneapolis, St. Paul and surrounding suburbs. By promoting increased use of transportation, Highland Park hopes to reduce street traffic, while allowing the mainly residential neighborhood to keep its community-centered character.
Highland Park is a community full of families from all walks of life. Their children attend Highland Park Senior High School and some go on to college such as St. Catherine’s. They read The Villager, St. Paul’s local newspaper. They walk their dogs on the trails along the Mississippi River, and they see movies on Cleveland Avenue. The residents of Highland Park live comfortably in a neighborhood that balances family life with a strong collegiate atmosphere.
