Como - Minneapolis, MN

Hidden among the cozy homes and tree-canopied streets in Como is a profound history as old as the Twin Cities. Through the construction of Como Road in 1856 that ran from downtown Minneapolis to Lake Como and a population boom in the area after World War II, Como kept pace with the growing city while retaining some of its mid-19th century farmhouses and its rural spirit.

A proud rural history representing idyllic Midwest values allows museums and a naturalist art scene to flourish. Located along the Mississippi River, the Bell Museum of Natural History features permanent and temporary exhibits reflecting Minnesota's diverse plant and animal life. Browse among nearly four million specimens, or discover the universe above at the ExploraDome Planetarium.

The Minnesota State Fair takes place around Labor Day every year, inviting kids and families from all over the state to enjoy national musical acts and a fun-filled carnival atmosphere.

An eclectic population of undergrad and graduate students contrasted by established and wealthy families contribute to a restaurant scene founded on the value for quality eats at lower prices. Tourists to the Twin Cities typically look for their ideal diners along Nicollet Avenue, leaving the selection of international restaurants and Americana quick-eateries along Hennepin Avenue and near the university for the locals.

Known as narrowest restaurant in the Twin Cities area, Al's Breakfast remains the culinary award-winning staple of this neighborhood, and nowhere else in the entire city can you experience a breakfast similar to what you would find at Al's. With only 14 stools lined along the counter, customers willingly and patiently wait along the restaurant's back wall until a stool opens up, and while eating breakfast, you may have to move down the line of stools as others finish their meal. This restaurant only stays open until 1 PM, so make sure to arrive early to try out the famous corn beef and hash or the most-popular item, the bacon waffles.

Expand your palate without breaking your wallet by trying out the international fare offered at the Obento-Ya Japanese bistro. Popular among the university students looking to stretch their dollar for first-class sushi and sashimi, Obento-Ya provides a modest atmosphere suited for a slow-paced meal. Despite its acclaimed status, you'll never have to wait for more than 10 minutes on even the busiest nights, making it ideal for an impromptu weeknight dinner. Be sure to try out the vegan maki sushi, or if you have a hearty appetite but you don't want a calorie overload, the sake-salmon bento box features a large grilled salmon and a seaweed salad sufficient for even the largest stomachs.

Stout's Pub stands as the ideal watering-hole for Como locals looking to grab an authentic American hamburger and a pint of beer within a family-friendly sports bar atmosphere. Although this bar fills up during Minnesota Vikings or Gophers games, Stout's Pub provides a hearty menu of meaty, fried foods in a warm atmosphere that you can enjoy for a quick lunch or dinner. Bring along your friends and dine on the cheese curds, or sit down with hungry stomachs and pig out on the highly-acclaimed pig wings dinner.

As far as the nightlife goes, weekends can be as wild as you like, considering Como's vicinity to downtown Minneapolis and the abundance of university bars in the area. Stir up some fun right in your background at any of the local music venues. Turf Club provides an oasis of live, local music several nights a week without making a compromise for expensive drinks and cheap food. Sit back and relax within the spacious atmosphere of this venue while enjoying a rotating door of international, national and local acts, such as Paolo Nutini and Lydia Loveless. Make sure to check out the venue's sandwich or soup of the week, and never underestimate the power of brunch and music for your weekends.

Nestled within I-35W and I-94, Como's location enables instant access to the main interstates connecting the Twin Cities area to outlying neighborhoods and suburbs. Abundant public transportation throughout the city combined with a respect for smaller carbon footprints keep these highways relatively free from traffic jams outside of normal rush hour periods.

Travel by car remains convenient and necessary in the Como neighborhood, where spacious streets and abundant parking space such as along Hennepin Avenue allow for easier daily commutes and shorter road trips. Don't expect to instantly flag a cab from the curb, but various taxi services, including Uber, serve the area.

As with many spots in the Twin Cities, biking remains the most common method for residents to get around. Pancake flat streets and wide biking lanes abound, allowing for safe and convenient travel between Minneapolis and St. Paul. Due to the beautiful streets and large Victorian-era homes, walking also remains a popular way to travel, and residents can complete many daily errands by foot. Nice Ride Minnesota bike sharing services also allow residents to go from walking to biking in the middle of their trips.

Metro transit serves the entire Minneapolis and St. Paul area, and you can find a few public transport options from Como to the city centers and outlying suburbs. The Metro Green Line runs right through this neighborhood along University Avenue West, connecting Eden Prairie to the West and the famous Union Depot within St. Paul. Several bus lines service the Como neighborhood along East Hennepin and Como Avenue, including the 3 U of M bus and the 61 and 25 city buses. Trips to downtown Minneapolis by bus typically take around 20 minutes, while trips from I-35W to Union Depot in St. Paul can take around 30 minutes on the Green Line.

Despite the rows of urban housing developments, Como residents can still enjoy many opportunities to get outside and stay active. Area parks cater to residents of all ages, while panoramic views of the Mississippi River and the Minneapolis skyline offer endless inspiration for the aesthetic.

For over 100 years, Como Park has played an essential role in meeting the recreational needs of both local residents and tourists. Including both free and reasonably priced amenities and attractions spread among 384 acres of gorgeous green space, this park receives around two million visitors annually. Highlights of this park include the zoo and the Como Lake, where you can visit the renowned Gorilla Forest or enjoy a quaint picnic along the shores of the lake. When winter comes around and Lake Como freezes over, feel free to bring along your skates or take photos of stunning ice sculptures from local artists. Expansive green space and well-manicured trails provide dogs with abundant space to run around.

On the northern end of Lake Como, the Como Park Ski Center stands as the central hub for the neighborhood's winter athletes. This comprehensive ski area features over 5 kilometers of intermediate and advanced-level trails suited for the recreational cross-country skier.

A population of university students and young Twin City professionals maintain Como's modest cost of living, while nearby golf courses and cultivated housing districts allow residents to enjoy the luxurious side of life. You should expect to pay similar prices for common household staples and entertainment as you would in the rest of the Minneapolis and St. Paul area, and the cost of leasing most apartments in Como remains generally reasonable. Along East Hennepin Avenue near the University of Minnesota, typical prices for a two-bedroom hover around $850, less than state averages. Near the Como Park Zoo, you can often find rental prices for a one-bedroom apartment around $750.

A Metro ride to the city center costs $1.75 during non-rush hours, and $2.25 from 6-9 AM and 3-6:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Gas prices typically settle in about 7 percent lower than national averages. You can expect to pay around $4 for a pint at the local pubs.

Modern convenience and well-trusted brands contrast with trendy boutiques and vintage mom-and-pop shops to provide an eclectic shopping scene in Como. For young college students and the wealthy, established residents alike, the shopping culture in Como makes it easy to find household staples as well as hidden gems. University Avenue West stands as the central hub of all the shopping activity in Como.

Explore great appetizers and holiday foods at Lunds & Byerlys, outfit your wardrobe with vintage shirts and designer clothing from Classic Retro at Pete's boutique shop and stock your refrigerator with Lebanese-American foods from Joe's Market & Deli, all while cruising down tree-lined University Avenue West or Como Avenue.

If slowly browsing through old wooden bookshelves lined with new and dusty old books happens to be your scene, then seek out gems such as Micawber's Books near the intersection of Como and Carter Avenue. Combining a cozy, at-home atmosphere reminiscent of your grandfather's study, half the fun of this store rests in the intimate atmosphere and the helpful staff. At the same time, you can find the latest bestsellers and a comprehensive collection of children's books. Make sure to ask about the frequent-buyer program, and don't forget to take the time to search for unknown literary treasures in the discount section.

Custom Airbrush Tan & Salon features all kinds of salon services, including skin brightening, tanning and makeup. The business also hosts fitness competitions and sponsors several local events. The business prides itself on making brides look their best on their big day and getting people ready for beauty pageants. Custom Airbrush Tan & Salon touts 18 different shades of spray tans.

Como residents can buy their groceries at several locally-owned grocery stores. Kim's Oriental Market stands as the ideal Asian food oasis, stocked with imported noodles and authentic Korean ingredients for your next spicy fare. The Hmongtown Marketplace introduces both locals and tourists to one of the largest international food farmer's markets in the Twin Cities area. Stop by for a quick curry coconut noodle soup, or take home massive pieces of ginger and authentic holistic Hmong medicines.