Bryn Mawr
Charming, small-town feel
Directly west of downtown Minneapolis lies the Bryn Mawr neighborhood. With a charming intersection of shops and cafes surrounded by roughly 650 acres of parks, lakes and trails, Bryn Mawr has a quaint, small-town feel. Here are our picks for things to do, where to shop, and where to grab a bite to eat in the neighborhood.
Things to Do
Bryn Mawr is for nature lovers. You’ll want to hang out outside at Theodore Wirth Regional Park, because at 740 acres, it’s the largest park in Minneapolis. There are year-round activities, including cycling, golf, archery, soccer, tennis, sledding, cross-country skiing, fishing, picnicking and pretty much anything else you can imagine in a huge, grassy space. Theodore Wirth Parkway is a component of the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, a 51-mile loop composed of parkways, trails, lakes and the Mississippi River Boulevard. It’s the only scenic byway in the country located entirely within an urban area.
Within Theodore Wirth lies the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary. Follow the narrow, winding trails to see more than 600 plant species and 130 bird species. Directly south of the garden is Brownie Lake – the smallest and northernmost lake in the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes. Enjoy a shady stroll and lake views along Brownie Lake Park's paved walking trails, and if you’re visiting in the summer or fall, take a kayak or canoe out on the water.
Where to Shop
If the outdoors isn’t calling your name, do some light shopping instead. Check out independent bookstore Big Hill Books for a wide selection of engaging titles. They also carry home and garden goods and gifts. Say hello to the shop cat, Goose while you’re there.
Have dreams of making your living space like an eclectic Pinterest board? Browse the collection of sustainably sourced home goods and furniture at BLEU. Pillows, vases, figurines, furniture and more, you’ll score some quirky finds.
Right next door is Harpers Bryn Mawr, a boutique above Studio 411 Salon, which stocks luxury candles, beaded accessories, small art pieces, and more. Finally, check out Greenhouse Salon & Shop for vintage gifts, selfcare items and plants.
Where to Eat & Drink
For breakfast and lunch or coffee and drinks, go to Cuppa Java — Bryn Mawr’s most popular café. Grab a seat inside, or people watch from the small tables on the sidewalk patio. Down the road is La Mesa, a bistro serving Ecuadorian- and Latin-inspired food. Order queso for the table, and then try the llapingachos (potato cakes), roasted olives, or pork tacos. Bryn Mawr Pizza & Deli has been a neighborhood staple for over 30 years. Family owned and operated, this hole-in-the-wall serves award-winning pizza, delicious sandwiches, salads and homemade desserts.
And don’t skip Utepils Brewing. Nestled on the banks of Bassett Creek, this 18,000-square-foot brewery has unique craft beer and a serene outdoor beer garden. Utepils serves a variety of German, Czech and Belgian beers and also hosts food trucks and events like, like “Beer + Yoga”, trivia and large outdoor concerts in the summer.
Getting to and Around Bryn Mawr
The shopping and restaurant scene in Bryn Mawr is very walkable — most shops and restaurants are just a couple doors down from each other or within a couple blocks. Theodore Wirth Park and Utepils brewing are just a short drive or bike ride away.
From downtown, you can get to Theodore Wirth Park on the 7 Bus. It’s about a 25-minute trip. For most locations within the Bryn-Mawr neighborhood, take the 9 Bus.
