Windom Park - Minneapolis, MN

Windom Park is named after Minnesota Congressman and Secretary of the U.S. Treasury William Windom, the only Minnesotan to have his face on U.S. currency. The neighborhood land, purchased in the 1880s, quickly developed with the city’s streetcar lines. By 1911, residents were leaving central Minneapolis for this quieter setting.

With five art galleries between Windom Park and the Mississippi River, residents enjoy an ever-changing art scene. The Abstracted Gallery, Casket Art Building and Potek Glass all stage exhibitions of local and regional artists.

Art, community and music combine north of Windom Park on Johnson Avenue at the annual Johnstock Festival. The event, organized for the benefit of the city’s whole northeast region, features a tent for local merchants, live music acts, artist stalls and food vendors.

Travel the world with a fork and knife as you dine at the ethnic restaurants along Central Avenue, between Windom Park and its northern neighbor, Audubon Park. Though El Taco Riendo may look like a hole in the wall, residents know better than to pass up its fresh corn chips and salsa. This taqueria shies away from traditional tacos and burritos for more adventurous Mexican dishes like horchata and chilaquiles. Big portions and a casual environment make it a family-friendly restaurant.

Karta Thai's menu veers away from typical Thai dishes, and the drunken noodles and green curry come highly recommended. Patrons should also try seasonal specialties like pumpkin curry and spicy mango salad. Test your spicy limits here, where meals are seasoned according to Southeast Asian standards, and "mild" may be much hotter than expected.

For some of the city's most popular pizza, stop by the Crescent Moon Bakery. This establishment's football-shaped pizzas come with Afghani-influenced toppings: Afghani beef, eggplant, gyro and hot peppers. Follow dinner with baklava and chai smoothies. Planning ahead for the weekend? You can pre-order pizzas frozen for takeaway.

The best bars and nightlife spots lure locals down to Sheridan, St. Anthony West and Marcy-Holmes. Here, bars, clubs and lounges overlook the Mississippi River. Belt out the classics at 1029 Bar's karaoke nights. Open until 2 am, this dive bar serves seafood meals from the Smack Shack next door. The lobster mac and cheese is a must-try. You can listen to live music on Psycho Suzi's Motor Lounge's outdoor patio. Come for the Polynesian tiki bar-themed decor and cocktails, massive pizzas and an elaborate Bloody Mary bar; stay for live music on the weekends.

Further entertainment choices include St. Anthony's Main Theatre, the Ritz Theater and The Front Club, where DJs keep the dance floor full with hits from the 80s and 90s.

The Metro Transit Light Rail's green line runs along the river, with the nearest stop southeast of Windom Park at the West Bank Station. On this line, passengers access downtown Minneapolis and Target Field to the west and downtown St. Paul to the east. Buses move through the neighborhood along Central Avenue.

Interstate 35 curves just below Windom Park; hop on and cross the river to reach the city center in approximately 13 minutes. Alternatively, avoid the traffic and book a cab with area business Black & White Taxi & Limo. The ride-sharing service Uber operates around Minneapolis, and the service’s convenient app allows you to access potential lifts around the city from your phone.

Due to the area's size and flatness, pedestrians and cyclists should feel safe and welcome here. On 22nd Avenue, one of the city’s bicycle boulevards runs from east to west and cuts through the neighborhood.

Windom Park’s tapestry of cultures comes together in the neighborhood’s recreational indoor and outdoor spaces.

At Windom Northeast Park, there are facilities for football, tennis and baseball. In the winter, residents play hockey and ice skate on the rink. The adjoining recreational center serves the community through its gym, public computer lab and meeting spaces. Dogs can play off-leash at St. Anthony Parkway Dog Park, which is just north of Windom Northeast Park.

Windom Northeast Park also features sporting grounds, as well as soccer and sand volleyball courts, horseshoes and walking paths. Two special attractions are the Grand Rounds Miniature Golf Course and the Jim Lupient Water Park. On sunny days, get wet and wild with swimming lessons, a tube slide and a log water walk at this exciting attraction.

The cost of living in Windom Park is 0.5 percent lower than the city-wide average. While goods and services cost roughly the same as they do elsewhere in the city, the neighborhood’s housing costs are slightly lower. The median rent for a one-bedroom unit is also lower here than in other parts of the city. Rental costs for a one-bedroom unit range from about $900 to $1200, depending on the type of building.

A bus ride from West Bank Station to the downtown area costs $1.75. If you choose to drive, you’ll pay approximately 1 percent less for gas than the national average. Within Windom Park, you’ll pay $5 to $7 for a pint of beer at the local pub. A mixed drink costs $10 or more.

Shops and malls around Windom Park reflect the area’s diversity. Small businesses and second-hand stores line Central Avenue; national chain stores draw customers to The Quarry shopping center south of the neighborhood and popular brands and high-end outlets crowd downtown Minneapolis.

One consignment store, Rewind Vintage, is located on 29th Street in Audubon Park. This well-organized closet sells good-quality gently used accessories, clothing and decor. Whether you’re shopping for a costume party or looking for vintage fashions, it’s difficult to leave here without a bargain.

Back in Windom Park, Mother Earth Gardens Northeast repeatedly sells out of its natural and organic plants and gardening implements. Helpful staff are quick to point you in the direction of pesticide-free fertilizers, native flowers and garden art. Plant availability depends on the season.

Minnesota chain Cub Foods provides the neighborhood’s largest food selection. Head to Holy Land in Audubon Park for Middle Eastern goods and fresh meals. Find organic and locally-sourced produce at the Eastside Food Co-op on Central Avenue. Though the store has no deli counter, it does promote a recycling program and socially conscious foods.