The Walkable Minnesota Town That’s Known for Its Charming, Historic Downtown

We have no shortage of charming small towns and walkable cities in Minnesota. From Pipestone and Park Rapids to Preston and even St. Paul, pedestrian-friendly communities abound in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. One of my favorites is nestled in among the western suburbs of the Twin Cities. A standalone town and a bedroom community before getting wrapped into the Metro Area suburbs, charming and historic Hopkins is one of the most walkable cities in Minnesota.

Although settlers first arrived in the Hopkins area in 1852, it did not become a formal community until 1893, when its 1,100 residents incorporated the village of West Minneapolis. A streetcar line arrived a few years later, in 1903, and connected the village with its eponymous city. In 1928, the village changed its name to Hopkins, and in 1947, its residents adopted a charter and officially became a city.

Many of Hopkins' original downtown buildings still stand, which resulted in three blocks of the city's historic commercial district - along Main Street between 8th and 11th Avenues - being placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The oldest buildings in this stretch date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, mile-long Main Street is home to a vibrant collection of restaurants, bars, shops, and service providers - and is perfect for walking. Hopkins is especially renowned for its antique shops and thrift stores, like Hopkins Antique Mall.

Hopkins is also a paragon of civic pride, where you'll find all manner of events and celebrations throughout the year, including parades on Main Street and concerts at the bandstand in Downtown Park. The latter also serves as ground zero for the city's premier annual celebration, the Hopkins Raspberry Festival, a July tradition since 1934.

The city is also a strong supporter of the arts. Hopkins Center for the Arts and Stages Theater Company is the epicenter of the arts scene, but you'll find several galleries, studios, and public art installations throughout the community. Annual events like ArtStreet and Walk of Art Hopkins showcase local and regional talent. One of the Twin Cities' premier record shops - Mill City Sound - is also located right in downtown Hopkins.

Dining options on Main Street range from casual institutions like Hoagies Family Restaurant, which has been satisfying customers for decades, to newer, more upscale entrants like Hendrix and Siena, with its modern takes on Tuscan comfort food. There are even several local coffee shops to choose from, including funky Munkabeans, as well as a locally-owned Dunn Brothers outpost, and Cream and Amber, which also sells books and beer (making it one of my favorites!).

You could easily spend a whole day - from coffee to lunch to dinner - exploring downtown Hopkins' historic Main Street. Want to stay longer? Reserve a nearby rental, like this charming guest suite, just a few blocks off Main Street. Have you walked downtown Hopkins? We'd love to hear your picks for the most walkable cities in Minnesota. And find some of our fave local Minnesota spots using our new Travel Planner!