Harrison - Minneapolis, MN Area Guide

The ninth U.S. president, William Henry Harrison, gave his name to this neighborhood. It is one of the city’s oldest areas, with original development based on the mills that made Bassett Creek its power center from the 1880s to the 1920s. The International Market Square building now stands where the Munsingwear factory once produced Minnesota-made textiles.

A less-traditional style of art hangs from the walls of the Walker Arts Center, in nearby Lowry Hill. Termed modern and avant garde, the pieces here rotate frequently and include films, paintings and sculpture. The adjoining miniature golf course is free with your entry ticket. Save money by attending the free admission nights on Thursdays.

Though more museums and arts venues tempt residents downtown, be sure to stick around for the Harrison Fall Festival. Sponsored by the Harrison Neighborhood Association, the event draws residents for a shared meal, a film, local artists’ booths and community bonding.

Harrison's restaurants cluster around Glendwood Avenue; venture outside the neighborhood for a night out and find the nearest dining options above I-394, along Broadway Avenue in the Near North neighborhood. Those inside Harrison cater to a quieter, daytime crowd. Milda's Cafe is a breakfast favorite. Only open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., Milda's homestyle food and no-frills menu remind diners of a meal in grandma's kitchen. The beef pasties, baked on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, are so popular it's best to call ahead and reserve one. When Milda's closes for the weekend, head to the Sunnyside Deli and Coffee for another comfort food meal. Southern cooking, including fried chicken, fills the plates of Sunnyside's brunch buffet. Long tables force neighbors and strangers to sit together, adding to the family environment. For more evening meal options, head toward Broadway. The Olympic Cafe serves Greek classics and one of the city's best Philly cheese steaks; Hook Fish & Chicken deep fries everything, including hush puppies and its famous chicken wings. For bars, clubs and lounges, cross Highway 52 into Downtown West. Places like Butcher & The Boar and Eli's Food and Cocktails combine food with fine drinks.The party picks up at city clubs, with something for everyone's taste: gay clubs, karaoke stages, chilled lounges and live music at First Avenue and the Dakota Jazz Club.

The Metro Transit Light Rail's Blue Line Extension runs just east and north of Harrison, linking the neighborhood with Osseo in the north to the Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport and Bloomington’s Mall of America in the south. The nearest stop is the Target Field Station.

By car, you can reach the city center in seven minutes in light traffic. Easy access to Interstate 394 and 94 places Harrison at the center of all north, south, east and west movement. If you prefer to travel by taxi, book a pickup with Reliable Transportation, based out of Near North. The ride-sharing service Uber also operates around greater Minneapolis, and the service’s convenient app allows you to access potential lifts around the city from your phone.

Because Harrison is primarily residential, you should feel safe walking around the neighborhood: but be sure to take the usual precautions if you walk further into the downtown districts at night. Cyclists are encouraged to travel on two wheels, though the area lacks official bike lanes. However, off-road bike paths loop around the nearby Theodore Wirth Park. These paths are naturally surfaced and accessible from the Theodore Wirth Parkway.

Harrison residents need only follow the familiar Bassett Creek to find a quiet outdoor space or a sporting facility.

Bassett Creek connects Medicine Lake, in Plymouth, to the Mississippi River. Bassett Creek Valley Park facilities include tennis and volleyball courts, baseball and soccer fields and a playground. Walk along one of the tended paths or enjoy a picnic in the shade. The park's association draws community members together through ongoing efforts to protect, clean and preserve its natural environment. Cyclists can pedal along the Luce Line Trail, a commuter biking route that runs along the Creek from Bryn Mawr Park to Cedar Lake and threads through Theodore Wirth Park.

Bordering Harrison on the west, the Theodore Wirth Park is Minneapolis’ largest, with over 750 acres adding a splash of green to the city’s center. The expansive landscape contains typical sporting facilities, courts and fields, as well as a few unique athletic attractions. In the winter, rent cross country skies and glide around the park’s multilevel trails. Or, play around on the tubing and sledding hills. Theodore Wirth features the first inner-city snowboard park, offering low cost equipment rentals and lessons to residents.

When the weather warms up, fish from the pier in Birch Pond or lay on its sandy beach. Walking trails and off-road biking routes take pedestrians and cyclists off the casual day-tripper’s path. If none of these options appeal, you can always wander through the wildflower and bird sanctuary, explore the oak forest or play a few holes of golf. Though dogs are welcome, they are not allowed off-leash in unmarked areas.

The cost of living in Harrison is approximately 7 percent lower than the cost of living elsewhere in Minneapolis. While goods and services are equal to the city average, housing costs less than it costs in other parts of the city. The median rent for a one-bedroom unit ranges from $800 to $1,100, with prices influenced by building type. Harrison’s rental options include new single-story homes, older houses from the 1960s and 70s, and even more historic properties built at the turn of the century.

A light rail ride from the Target Field Station costs $1.75. If you prefer to drive, gas is about 1 percent less than the national average. Food prices in the neighborhood also vary depending on the venue. A pint of beer at the local pub costs $5 to $7, and a mixed drink sets you back $9 or more.

Harrison's predominate residential areas mean a wider shopping selection in downtown Minneapolis. West of the neighborhood, across I-94, the city’s shopping centers house any and every national chain. At the Nicollet Mall in Downtown West, Macy's, Brooks Brothers, Hallmark and Banana Republic are available.

But if you prefer to keep your dollars local, stop by the Venture North Bike Walk, above Glendwood Avenue. Both a coffee shop and retail space, Venture makes free repairs, runs cycling courses and sponsors youth programs for the community. Residents claim it’s the best coffee in the city center; and, with friendly owners encouraging you to stick around and relax over a cup, you might end up drinking a few before the morning ends.

International Market Square is your stop for high-end home stores. At Unique By Design, knowledgeable staff with an eye for detail help you pick out the right furniture and decor for your lounge or bedroom. The shop also functions as a showroom, in case you want to drool over pieces without spending a week’s wages to buy them. Wisteria Design, also located in the Market Square building, creates floral arrangements for weddings and other special events.

When it comes to buying groceries, the neighborhood gives you several other reasons to shop locally. The Bryn Mawr Market in Bryn Mawr stock an ample supply of fresh produce and packaged goods. Bryn Mawr also offers organic options. Prices at the family-operated convenience store are slightly higher than prices in downtown’s chain supermarkets, such as Lunds and Cub Food.

In the summer, stop by the Farmers Market in Nicollet Mall for fresh fruit and vegetables. The Minneapolis Farmers Market on Lyndale Avenue is just minutes east of Harrison and gathers one of the largest collections of farmers and produce in the city. Treat yourself to seasonal flowers and freshly squeezed fruit juices.