Minnesota, known for its stunning natural beauty and friendly Midwestern charm, is also home to many walkable cities that offer residents and visitors alike the opportunity to explore and enjoy their surroundings on foot.
From the vibrant streets of Minneapolis and St. Paul to the historic charm of Stillwater and the small-town ambiance of Excelsior, these cities have embraced the concept of walkability, creating pedestrian-friendly environments that promote health, community, and sustainability.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at ten of the most walkable cities in Minnesota, highlighting their unique features and the benefits they offer to those who choose to explore them on foot.
| City | Walk Score | Top Neighborhood | Population | Notable Attractions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | 71 | Downtown | 382,578 | Chain of Lakes, Stone Arch Bridge | |
| St. Paul | 60 | Downtown | 285,068 | Como Park, Cathedral of St. Paul | |
| Hopkins | High | Downtown, The Avenues | Small | Mainstreet, historic district | |
| Robbinsdale | High | Downtown, along Main St | Small | Charming downtown, Crystal Lake | |
| St. Louis Park | 82 | Excelsior & Grand | 45,250 | West End, Excelsior & Grand | |
| White Bear Lake | 80s downtown | Downtown, historic area | Small | Lake, boutique shopping | |
| Stillwater | 90 downtown | Downtown, historic homes | Small | St. Croix River, historic charm | |
| Edina | 90 | 50th & France | 47,941 | 50th & France shopping district | |
| Excelsior | N/A | Downtown | Small | Lake Minnetonka | |
| Duluth | 36 | Downtown | 86,265 | Canal Park, Aerial Lift Bridge |
10 Walkable Cities in Minnesota
1. Minneapolis
What are the most walkable neighborhoods in Minneapolis?
Some of the most walkable neighborhoods in Minneapolis include Downtown, Loring Park, Uptown, and the North Loop. These areas are characterized by their high density of amenities, well-maintained sidewalks, and pedestrian-friendly streets.
How does the city’s layout contribute to its high walkability?
Minneapolis has a grid-like street layout, which makes it easy for pedestrians to navigate and find their way around. The city also has an extensive network of bike lanes and trails, which further enhance its walkability and encourage active transportation.
What amenities and services are easily accessible on foot in Minneapolis?
Minneapolis offers a wide range of amenities and services that are easily accessible on foot, including restaurants, cafes, shops, parks, and cultural attractions.
The city also has a robust public transportation system, which makes it easy for pedestrians to access other parts of the city without the need for a car.
2. St. Paul
What makes St. Paul a walkable city?
St. Paul is a walkable city thanks to its compact size, well-maintained sidewalks, and pedestrian-friendly streets.
The city also has a strong sense of community, with many neighborhoods featuring local businesses and amenities that are easily accessible on foot.
Which neighborhoods in St. Paul are known for their walkability?
Some of the most walkable neighborhoods in St. Paul include Downtown, Lowertown, Cathedral Hill, and Grand Avenue.
These areas are characterized by their historic architecture, vibrant street life, and diverse array of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions.
How do public transportation options enhance walkability in St. Paul?
St. Paul has an extensive public transportation system, including buses and light rail, which makes it easy for pedestrians to access other parts of the city without the need for a car.
The city also has a network of bike lanes and trails, which further enhance its walkability and encourage active transportation.
3. Hopkins
What historical aspects of Hopkins contribute to its walkability?
Hopkins has a rich history as a small, walkable community. The city was originally founded as a railroad town in the late 19th century, and its compact size and grid-like street layout have remained largely unchanged since then.
This historical legacy contributes to the city’s walkability and sense of community.
What are the key features of the walkable areas in Hopkins?
The walkable areas in Hopkins are characterized by their well-maintained sidewalks, pedestrian-friendly streets, and diverse array of local businesses and amenities.
The city also has several parks and green spaces that are easily accessible on foot, providing opportunities for recreation and relaxation.
How does the community at Hopkins benefit from its walkable design?
The walkable design of Hopkins promotes a strong sense of community and encourages residents to interact with one another regularly.
The city’s local businesses also benefit from the increased foot traffic, which helps to support the local economy and create a vibrant, thriving community.
4. Robbinsdale
What makes Robbinsdale a walkable city?
Robbinsdale is a walkable city thanks to its compact size, well-maintained sidewalks, and pedestrian-friendly streets.
The city also has a strong sense of community, with many neighborhoods featuring local businesses and amenities that are easily accessible on foot.
How does the community structure of Robbinsdale support pedestrian activities?
The community structure of Robbinsdale is designed to support pedestrian activities, with many neighborhoods featuring a mix of residential and commercial areas that are easily accessible on foot.
The city also has several parks and green spaces that provide opportunities for recreation and relaxation.
What are the main attractions accessible on foot in Robbinsdale?
Some of the main attractions that are accessible on foot in Robbinsdale include the historic downtown area, which features a variety of local shops and restaurants, as well as several parks and green spaces, including Lakeview Terrace Park and Sanborn Park.
5. St. Louis Park
What are the characteristics of walkable neighborhoods in St. Louis Park?
The walkable neighborhoods in St. Louis Park are characterized by their well-maintained sidewalks, pedestrian-friendly streets, and diverse array of local businesses and amenities.
Many of these neighborhoods also feature a mix of residential and commercial areas, which helps to create a vibrant, thriving community.
How does St. Louis Park integrate walkability with suburban living?
St. Louis Park is a suburban community that has successfully integrated walkability into its design.
The city has several walkable neighborhoods that are easily accessible from the surrounding suburban areas, providing residents with the best of both worlds – the convenience and amenities of urban living, combined with the space and privacy of suburban living.
What community amenities are accessible on foot in St. Louis Park?
Some of the community amenities that are accessible on foot in St. Louis Park include parks and green spaces, such as Wolfe Park and Meadowbrook Golf Course, as well as a variety of local shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
6. White Bear Lake
What historical elements make White Bear Lake walkable?
White Bear Lake has a rich history as a resort town, with many of its historic buildings and landmarks still intact today. This historical legacy contributes to the city’s walkability, with many of these landmarks and buildings easily accessible on foot.
How does the layout of White Bear Lake promote walking and biking?
The layout of White Bear Lake is designed to promote walking and biking, with a network of trails and bike lanes that connect the city’s various neighborhoods and amenities. The city also has several parks and green spaces that are easily accessible on foot or by bike.
What are the local hotspots that are easily accessible on foot?
Some of the local hotspots that are easily accessible on foot in White Bear Lake include the historic downtown area, which features a variety of local shops and restaurants, as well as several parks and beaches along the shore of White Bear Lake itself.
7. Stillwater
What makes Stillwater a desirable walkable city?
Stillwater is a desirable walkable city thanks to its historic charm, well-maintained sidewalks, and pedestrian-friendly streets. The city also has a strong sense of community, with many local businesses and amenities that are easily accessible on foot.
How does the historic charm of Stillwater contribute to its walkability?
The historic charm of Stillwater contributes to its walkability by creating a unique and inviting atmosphere that encourages people to explore the city on foot.
Many of the city’s historic buildings and landmarks are easily accessible on foot, providing a glimpse into the city’s rich past.
What are the benefits of living in a walkable community like Stillwater?
Living in a walkable community like Stillwater offers many benefits, including improved health and wellness, increased social interaction and a sense of community, and reduced dependence on cars and other forms of transportation.
Walkable communities also tend to have higher property values and stronger local economies.
8. Edina
What are the walkable areas in Edina?
Some of the most walkable areas in Edina include the 50th & France neighborhood, which features a variety of local shops and restaurants, as well as several parks and green spaces.
The city also has several other walkable neighborhoods, including Grandview Square and the Southdale area.
How does Edina blend boutique shopping with walkability?
Edina blends boutique shopping with walkability by creating pedestrian-friendly shopping districts that are easily accessible on foot.
The 50th & France neighborhood, for example, features a variety of local boutiques and specialty shops that are housed in historic buildings and connected by well-maintained sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly streets.
What community features make Edina attractive to pedestrians?
Some of the community features that make Edina attractive for pedestrians include its well-maintained sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly streets, as well as its many parks and green spaces.
The city also has a strong sense of community, with many local events and activities that bring residents together and encourage social interaction.
9. Duluth
How does Duluth rank in terms of walkability?
Duluth ranks highly in terms of walkability, with a Walk Score of 36 out of 100. This means that some errands can be accomplished on foot, but the city is still largely car-dependent.
What areas in Duluth are considered walkable?
Some of the most walkable areas in Duluth include the downtown area, which features a variety of local shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, as well as the Canal Park neighborhood, which offers stunning views of Lake Superior and easy access to the Lakewalk trail.
How does the geographic layout of Duluth affect its walkability?
The geographic layout of Duluth, with its steep hills and winding streets, can make walking and biking more challenging in some areas.
However, the city has made efforts to improve its walkability by investing in pedestrian infrastructure and creating a network of trails and bike lanes that connect its various neighborhoods and amenities.
10. Excelsior
What are the key features that make Excelsior walkable?
Some of the key features that make Excelsior walkable include its compact size, well-maintained sidewalks, and pedestrian-friendly streets.
The city also has a strong sense of community, with many local businesses and amenities that are easily accessible on foot.
How does the small-town feel of Excelsior enhance its walkability?
The small-town feel of Excelsior enhances its walkability by creating a sense of community and encouraging residents to interact with one another regularly.
The city’s compact size also makes it easy for pedestrians to access its various amenities and attractions without the need for a car.
What local attractions are accessible on foot in Excelsior?
Some of the local attractions that are accessible on foot in Excelsior include the historic downtown area, which features a variety of local shops and restaurants, as well as Commons Park and the Port of Excelsior, which offer stunning views of Lake Minnetonka and opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Wrap Up
Minnesota’s walkable cities offer a unique and engaging way to experience the state’s natural beauty, cultural attractions, and vibrant communities.
By prioritizing pedestrian infrastructure, mixed-use development, and community-oriented design, these cities have created environments that promote health, social interaction, and economic vitality.
Whether you’re a resident looking for a more sustainable and connected way of life, or a visitor seeking to immerse yourself in the local culture and charm, Minnesota’s walkable cities have something to offer.
As more cities across the country recognize the benefits of walkability, Minnesota serves as a shining example of how to create livable, vibrant, and sustainable communities that put people first.