The Minnehaha neighborhood is found in south Minneapolis and within the Nokomis community. Minnehaha, as well as its neighbor, Hiawatha, derived its name from an Ojibwe phrase cited in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, The Song of Hiawatha. Minnehaha means “laughing waters,” as the waterfall in Minnehaha Park was nicknamed in Longfellow’s poem.

Tree-lined streets characterize the neighborhood with homes ranging in many types of architectural styles. The lovely and alluring neighborhood is home to around 3,000 residents, all of which appreciate the features that Minnehaha has to offer. The housing styles comprise of comfortable single-family homes. Most of the homes were built between 1920 through 1960 and were constructed as bungalows, and mini-Tudors, with occasional one-story ranch styles.

Minnehaha is a part of the Nokomis East Neighborhood Association. Every year, NENA puts on several community-wide events. The annual NENA garage sale brings buyers and sellers together for a neighborhood-wide sale. Whether you’re looking to clean out the basement or seeking reasonably priced hidden treasures, this is the event for everyone. Another event held in early fall is the Monarch Festival. The festival offers everything from food, music, and dance, to Monarch and habitat education, to hands-on art and native plant sales, all while highlighting the Minnesota-Mexico connection and celebrating the Monarch butterfly’s amazing 2,300 mile migration. The Night Before New Year’s Eve celebration on December 30th, is a family-oriented, free event, that offers parents and kids a chance to celebrate the coming New Year a night early. The celebration includes food, carnival games, live music, marshmallow roasting over a bonfire, hayrides, a photo booth, the famous Nokomis Fish Pond, a “midnight” (7:55pm) countdown complete with noisemakers and much more.

Al Vento is a popular Italian restaurant in the area that offers many special dishes. The restaurant serves a buffet, as well as appetizers and entrees. This dining location is a must visit, and is the perfect place for a date night or a celebration. Al Vento will be sure not to disappoint. Sassy Spoon offers visitors a truly unique dining experience. An entirely gluten-free restaurant, Sassy Spoon serves “wholesome food with attitude.” What began as a food truck quickly became a popular hit among health enthusiasts and those with dietary restrictions. Today, Sassy Spoon operates its own restaurant and delights customers with its healthy, wholesome approach to food.

Cap’s Grille is another unique restaurant located within the neighborhood. Specializing in BBQ, namely their BBQ pork ribs, Cap’s Grille offers delicious food in a scenic location. Additionally, their unique “Picnic in the Park” service is popular among visitors. Customers can call ahead and order all of the supplies needed for a picnic meal in the nearby Minnehaha Regional Park. Like all great things, mastering the perfect BBQ ribs takes time, and Cap’s Grille has put the time in. Pioneer Press named them “Twin Cities Best BBQ’D Pork Ribs”, the Star Tribune proclaimed them “Best Pork Chops in the Twin Cities”, and City Pages declared that they have the “Twin Cities Best Weekend Breakfast” and one of the “Ten Great Takeout Spots”. With accolades such as these, one can not go wrong visiting Cap’s Grille. For those looking for something entertaining to do in the Minnehaha neighborhood, the Town Hall Lanes hold the answer. A bowling alley, bar, and grill, Town Hall Lanes provide the perfect venue to get together with friends.

While the Minnehaha neighborhood does not have any parks located entirely within its neighborhood area, it does house a portion of a large regional park that shares its name:

Minnehaha Regional Park: Minnehaha Regional Park is one of the oldest and most visited parks within the entire state of Minnesota. This is largely due to its beautiful scenery and unique attractions. At 167.24 acres, the park encompasses a significant portion of the Hiawatha neighborhood. The biggest attraction at the park is its 53-foot waterfall. Minnehaha Falls is incredibly scenic year-round, with gushing water during the warmer months and a frozen ice crystal drop off in the wintertime. Visitors from all around travel here to see the falls and take pictures. Other attractions include limestone bluffs, a river, bandstand, biking paths, decorative fountains, a disc golf course, gardens, picnic areas, a playground, numerous art sculptures, volleyball courts, a wading pool, and trails. Also located within the park is the Sea Salt Eatery which offers fresh seafood, wine, beer, ice cream, and more. Encompassing the southern half of the Hiawatha neighborhood, Minnehaha Regional Park is an integral part of the local community, and each year it draws in more than 850,000 visitors. The Minnehaha neighborhood hosts the Longfellow Gardens and a section of the Minnehaha Creek.

If you have any questions regarding the city of Minneapolis, the Nokomis community, or if you would like to sell or buy a house in the area, please feel free to visit Twin Cities Property Finder or call 1-800-909-1953.