East Minnetonka - Minnetonka, MN

The Dakota and Ojibwe Indian tribes originally settled the area, convinced the land was home to an extinct race. When European settlers arrived in force, the area quickly became industrialized. Several saw mills paved the way for the construction of houses. A streetcar line was built to transport workers to and from Minneapolis, and Minnetonka was born.

A mostly residential area, East Minnetonka possesses no museums, theatres or art galleries of its own. To get a cultured experience, most residents travel to Minneapolis; however, during the summer months, the neighborhood hosts the annual Arts in the Park event. Held at various parks, you can see outdoor movies, music and live theater.

Serving mainly American fare, several restaurants are scattered throughout the vicinity, with no particular restaurant or bar hub. No live music venues exist in the area, but many bars enlist house bands to play on Friday and Saturday nights.

Scoreboard Bar & Grill is popular with residents because of the variety of daily specials, featuring dishes such as Mexi-cheese soup and mini corn dogs. Go on the weekends for brunch, when a bloody mary is included for free with breakfast entrees.

BLVD Kitchen & Bar has a lovely outdoor patio that customers frequent when weather allows. The outdoor televisions usually have a sports game on, so you can cheer on the Minnesota Vikings while enjoying lunch or a beer from the extensive tap list. The airy Bistro Salad is a summer staple, and the Lobster Mac-n-Cheese will warm you during the winter. The prices can be a bit high, so drop in during happy hour to enjoy the excellent deals.

The Gold Nugget Tavern & Grille, the best pub in the area, features a large oak bar and a variety of cocktails and beers. Locals enjoy live music on weekend nights and happy hour daily from 3-6pm. Try a flight of local beers while chatting with the friendly and efficient bartenders. The Golden Nugget may be frequented for the superb drink menu, but the food is nothing to sneeze at. The Cheeseburger Wontons are magnificent, and the award-winning Chimichurri burger is a local favorite.

The most common method of transport is driving. With Interstate 494 running vertically right through the middle of Minnetonka, you can get where you need to go quickly and efficiently. Free public parking is provided at most establishments.

There are no sidewalks in most areas, but the side streets are quiet and make for a peaceful walk. Although there are no bike lanes, cyclists can enjoy year-round treks due to the low speed limit and infrequency of vehicles. Be certain to wear reflectors – street lamps can be scarce.

Metro Transit, the local bus line, serves East Minnetonka through the Park and Ride program. You must drive to a specific location, where you may park your car for free, and a bus will take you to downtown Minneapolis. Generally used by commuters and sports game attendees, Park and Ride serves as a cheap alternative to driving.

Residents find that it can be next to impossible to hail a cab from the street so you'll need to call ahead for a taxi. Uber serves this area as well.

Oberlin Park has miles of serene biking and walking trails, making it popular with exercise enthusiasts. This free park also has softball fields and tennis courts open for public use. Lone Lake Park features a 2-mile trail that tours local ecology, including wetlands and woodlands. Shady Oak Beach, which charges a $6 entrance fee, is the only swimming lake in the neighborhood. This 85-acre recreation area has a high dive, canoe rentals, a sand beach, fishing and concessions.

Patrons enjoy the City of Minnetonka scenic parks largely because they are suitable for children and extremely safe. They are also dog-friendly and somewhat unique in that most of them allow your dog to be off-leash in certain areas.

The Summer Festival, held annually on the fourth Saturday in June, brings out families in waves. The main feature is the 8k race, followed by the crowd-pleasing "tot trot." If you would rather not run, take part in the fun child-parent golf tournament, a tradition for many local families.

The cost of living is notoriously higher in East Minnetonka than in surrounding areas. A one-bedroom residence goes for an average of $950 a month while a beer at a local pub costs around $7 a pint. An abundant number of up-market retail shops and stores add to the perception, but residents will tell you it's worth it because the neighborhood has such low crime rates. However, gas is 6 percent lower than the national average, and public transportation to downtown Minneapolis costs under $6.

Ridgedale is the shopping hub of the area, catering to suburbanites and their families. Featuring upscale stores such as Coach and Macy's, this heavily trafficked mall has a children's play area and a gigantic food court. I like you, an affordable boutique store, sells clothes and home goods with an emphasis on local artists and organic materials.

Several grocery stores service the neighborhood. Cub and Trader Joe's have locations here, and there are a surprising number of independent grocery stores that flourish. Paradise Market, located on Main Street, stocks a large supply of European specialty foods. Be sure to try one of the many varieties of bologna and smoked sausages sold here.

The Minnetonka Farmers Market is located at the Minnetonka Civic Center Campus Ice Arena B parking lot. This seasonal market (June through September) features fresh produce, maple syrup, baked goods, honey, and a variety of other local products.