Linden Hills is a Southwest neighborhood of Minneapolis, bordered by both Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet. The neighborhood has a small town feel with beautiful views and an abundance of linden trees, hence the name of the neighborhood. Linden Hills was first developed in the 1800’s, when lake cottages were built for people to enjoy nature and escape the busy city life. It is a charming neighborhood with many craftsman style houses and eclectic shops. These days, many of the cottages and 50’s ranch style ramblers are being replaced by new construction.
Most homes in Linden Hills are single-family homes, lake front houses, townhouses, and condominiums. With a median estimated home value just north of $500k, the area is a bit pricey compared to other neighborhoods in Minneapolis, but you get what you pay for when it comes to desirable location and square footage. According to City-Data, the population of the Linden Hills neighborhood is 8,345. The median age is 38.5. There are 46.9% males, and 53.1% females. An impressive 92% of the residents here have a 2-year degree or higher, and median household income is nearly 2x the Minneapolis average!
Linden Hills has a downtown called “The Village,” a historic area where many unique restaurants and shops are located. One place you should be sure to check out is the Wild Rumpus bookstore – it’s a great place to bring your kids since it has a great selection of children’s books, and they actually have animals (anything from cats to chickens) roaming around the store! The store definitely lives up to its “wild” moniker.
Another great place to visit for breakfast and brunch is The Zumbro Cafe. It’s a cozy place known for its delicious buttery pancakes and fresh sandwiches. This eatery has been around for twenty years – that’s how you know it’s good!
Another place worth visiting is Tilia restaurant. It’s a great neighborhood joint that has a cozy feel and great food; they even have vegan options and options for those who are lactose intolerant.
If you’re looking for a fun indoor way to entertain your kids during the winter, you won’t want to miss Creative Kidstuff, a three-level store filled with books and educational materials, that also hosts fun events for your young ones.
Another local hotspot: Linden Hills Co-op. It isn’t too big or too small, but it has everything you need; if you prefer to shop local, organic, and fresh, this is the place to go!
Linden Hills is a great neighborhood for outdoor activities year-round. There are many walking and biking trails, and Linden Hills Parks has playgrounds and tennis courts. Around Lake Harriet you can find the Rose Gardens and Peace Gardens. Every winter, Lake Harriet also plays host to the annual kite festival. During the spring and summer, there are many events held at the Lake Harriet bandshell.
Linden Hills Festival is another entertaining event that people of all ages will enjoy. Held annually at Linden Hills park, festivities include live music, games, pony rides, a silent auction and art fair! It takes a lot of volunteers to organize such a big event, so check it out if you’re looking for volunteer opportunities.
The Heritage Streetcar museum was built to preserve the rail heritage and street-running rail vehicles. It currently operates two heritage streetcar lines, and the streetcars themselves are 100 years old that have been restored to function. Here you can find more information and tickets (just keep in mind that they don’t operate on rainy days).
This neighborhood offers so much to love – from great schools, friendly people and eclectic restaurants to many outdoor activities for the whole family. If you enjoy all that, Linden Hills is the neighborhood for you!
Neighborhood Resources
