From Midway to Minnehaha:

Plot Your Green-Blue Adventure

Jeremy Iverson with a tray ready for delivery at Sea Salt Eatery in Minnehaha Park. (Photo by Jill Boogren)

By JILL BOOGREN

With the Green Line getting all the attention for connecting our two downtowns, it’s easy to overlook the Blue Line. But more than just a route to the airport and Mall of America, the Blue Line gets you to an area of south Minneapolis that is rich with award-winning eats and treats, vintage shopping, renowned parks, and entertainment – all within a short walk from the stations.

In the mood for sushi? Or piping hot Indian food? Or maybe you want to take a leisurely stroll in a park or catch a music festival. Go exploring by train, and you’ll feel like you’re taking a vacation right here in the city. Get a day pass and hop aboard!

50th STREET / MINNEHAHA PARK STATION

Why not start here? It’s been a banner year for the park, with the falls raging and President Obama dropping by. Besides, it’s summer time, and there’s no better time (okay, autumn is pretty sweet, too) to visit Minnehaha Park. We don’t always think about taking transit to visit our parks, but we should. Here, it’s especially easy. Get out at the 50th St. Station, cross the street, and you’re in. No parking headaches, no waiting in traffic.

Minnehaha Falls is at the north end of the park. Check out the waterfall from above, or descend the stone steps to catch a view from below. While you’re down there, walk along the creek to where it pours into the Mississippi River (wait ‘til flood waters recede).

Pedal the trails on a Wheel Fun Rental bike (for single and up to eight riders), or listen to free music at the bandshell (7pm Wed.-Fri. www.mplsmusicandmovies.com). In the Wabun Picnic area at the east end of the park is a frisbee golf course and a brand new fully-accessible playground.

Be sure to grab a drink or bite at Sea Salt Eatery (4801 Minnehaha Pkwy). Housed in the historic pavilion beneath majestic oaks and just a stone’s throw from the falls, Sea Salt is situated in one of the most picturesque settings in the Twin Cities. Serving seafood from Coastal Seafoods, Sebastian Joe’s ice cream, Surly and other local beers, wine, and Peace Coffee, they make it pretty easy to camp out a while. Try their grilled catfish po’boy for a mouth-watering feast. Or if it’s a Wednesday, try a Sri Lankan dish served up by The Curry Diva. Kick back and enjoy the view and, if you’re lucky, music performed on the patio steps. Open daily.

Tip: You place your order at the counter, and the line for food gets very long on gorgeous weekends. Grab a beverage at a separate counter first and enjoy a drink while you wait in line. Ice cream is available at a separate counter, too.

If you want to do more exploring, there’s a great bike ride from Minnehaha Park to Fort Snelling (see "Bike ‘N’ Ride: Minnehaha Falls to Fort Snelling," pg. 10)

46th STREET STATION

A block north of the train station, you can take a walk along the creek well above the falls. Or cross over Hiawatha Ave. to Minnehaha Ave. The Pink Closet (4024 E. 46th St.) carries consignment clothing for men and women. Open Tues.-Sat., closed Sun.-Mon. Kitty corner the King Taco food truck serves tacos, tortas, burritos, and quesadillas. There’s a fruit stand, too, if you want to add to your picnic.

38th STREET STATION

There are tons of food options, here, and thrift shops, too. At the station you can’t miss the Cardinal Restaurant & Bar (2920 E. 38th St.), which hosts pool leagues and karaoke nights. Open daily. A block west is Ted Cook’s 19th Hole Barbecue (2814 E. 38th St.), offering up pit-smoked barbecue and soul food (take-out only). Try hickory and cherry-smoked barbecued beef and JoJos potatoes with hot sauce. Open Tues.-Sun., closed Mon.

Need a beer? In another short block, Northbound Smokehouse Brewpub (2716 E 38th St.), named Best Brewpub by City Pages in 2013, makes craft beer and house-smoked meats. Grab a seat at a picnic table outside and admire the hop vines climbing. Try the Reuben, with smoked corned beef, smoked Swiss cheese, homemade sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing on marble rye. Get your crunch fix with house-made potato chips. The Big Jim IPA always satisfies, and look for seasonals, too. Open daily. A Cupcake Social (3800 28th Ave.) across the street will satisfy your sweet tooth. Open Mon.-Sat., closed Sun.

Shopping vintage? East of Hiawatha and a block south on Minnehaha Ave. is E’s Emporium (3911 Minnehaha Ave.). Stepping inside this retro shop is like going to an estate sale for the coolest granny ever. But check the calendar; it’s an occasional shop, open Fri.-Sun. the first and third weekends only.

Next door is SOSA Foods & Deli (3909 Minnehaha Ave.). The food truck for Taqueria Mi Guanajuato serves as a billboard for their walk-up counter inside, where you can get tacos, burritos, gorditas, quesadillas, tortas, and tamales. Add whatever heat sauce you like, and dig in. Open Mon.-Sat.

TNT This ‘N That (3869 Minnehaha Ave.) is a second-hand shop whose profits benefit Stepping Stone Farms, which offers therapy and life-skills through horses. Open daily. Amble up the block a bit more to Paris Apartment Antiques (3721 Minnehaha Ave.), where the goods aren’t all from Paris, nor are they all antiques. Across the street at Selam Coffee Shop grab a cup of Ethiopian coffee and a sambusa made in-house.

LAKE STREET / MIDTOWN STATION

Get past the chain stores and fast food, and you’ll find some treasures here. Cross Hiawatha Ave. under the overpass to Minnehaha Ave. On the corner is Patrick’s Cabaret (3010 Minnehaha Ave.) who, with Harriet Brewing (3036 Minnehaha Ave.), is hosting the 4th Annual Roots, Rock, and Deep Blues Festival July 19, noon-10pm. 30 bands on five stages, plus DJs, dance, arts, crafts, food, and beer. Tickets $20: www.rootsrockdeepblues.com (after the festival Patrick’s Cabaret closes for one month for construction).

Harriet Brewing’s Belgian-styled and inspired beer can be sampled at the festival and in their taproom Tues.-Sat. Entrance is in the back. You’ll often catch live music and food trucks here.

Mosaic Café (3019 Minnehaha Ave.) is across the street. Serving sandwiches on house-baked bread (vegan options available), local beer, and wine. Try their delicious custard, available plain or with toppings – brownie, cookie, or cereals of the old Saturday morning cartoon variety. Enjoy great patio seating with the community-created mosaic on the south-facing wall as a backdrop.

Around the corner is Midori Floating World Café (2629 E. Lake St.), serving sushi, tempura, noodles, tea, and sake cocktails. Open Tues.-Sun., closed Mon.

Across the side street, Gandhi Mahal (3009 27th Ave. S.) serves scrumptious Indian cuisine with a focus on sustainability. Their Moghal Saagwalla is exceptional; try it vegetarian or with lamb. Their nan and other breads are fresh-baked in a traditional tandoor clay oven. Fair warning: food here is spiced India hot not Minnesota hot, so order accordingly. Open daily. Live music Wed.-Sun. evenings.

In the mood to wander? Don’t miss these gems two long blocks south on Minnehaha. Take-Up Productions’ Trylon microcinema (3258 Minnehaha Ave.) is a 50-seat cinema that shows classics like “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” “The Jerk,” “Metropolis,” and anything by Alfred Hitchcock. July is Jackie Chan month. Next door enjoy a cup of fair-trade Peace Coffee (3262 Minnehaha Ave.), open daily. Around the corner is Moon Palace Books (2820 E 33rd St.) with new and used books, open daily, and across the street is Plum Crabby Vintage (3263 Minnehaha Ave.), open Fri.-Sun. first and third weekends only.

The next train station is at 38th St., so decide if you want to keep going or head back to the Lake St. Station. Whether you pick one station or more to explore, have a great trip!