Longfellow Neighborhood
Longfellow is a neighborhood within the larger Longfellow community in Minneapolis, United States. It is bounded by Seward to the North, Cooper to the East, Howe to the South, and Corcoran and East Phillips to the West. It was named after Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who wrote The Song of Hiawatha. It is populated by a diverse, predominantly middle-class (working class) population. More expensive homes are located closer to the river, and almost all of the housing stock is composed of Sears Modern Homes in the Bungalow style.
The Eliel Saarinen-designed Christ Church Lutheran, First Free Methodist, and the East Lake Community Library building are located in this neighborhood.
Longfellow was the centre point of riots during the George Floyd protests in Minneapolis–Saint Paul in May 2020.
Things to Do
Nature provides plenty of free activities in the Longfellow neighborhood, thanks to the abundance cycling, running, hiking, and walking opportunities along the Mississippi River’s scenic East River Road.
No trip to this area would be complete without exploring the many attractions of Minnehaha Regional Park, including the Falls themselves, plus several gardens, playgrounds, and historical sites. And if you want to go for the surrey with the fringe on top, you’re in luck! Family surreys and other fun wheels are available for rent at Minnehaha Falls from Wheel Fun Rentals. Nighttime fun can be found year round at Longfellow’s Trylon Cinema. This tiny venue is step back in time using authentic 35mm projectors to screen many of its classic films, six nights a week. Though compact, the Trylon features 90 brand new comfy seats with ample spaces for wheelchairs. Local tip: the cinema is cash only at the door—though tickets can be purchased online in advance. Check their website for current and upcoming showings! For more physical fun, both day and night, head to Tapestry Folk Dance center at 3748 Minnehaha Ave. This non-profit organization is dedicated to dance, and classes go well beyond folk with offerings of Zumba, Flamenco, even Karate. It’s a great place to meet the locals and drop-ins are welcome. Check the website for times and offerings.
References:
“Longfellow, Minneapolis” │ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longfellow,_Minneapolis
“Longfellow, Minneapolis” │ https://www.minneapolis.org/neighborhoods/south/longfellow/