West Bde Maka Ska
West Bde Maka Ska is often said to contain the best elements of both a small town and a big city. Through the Lake Street corridor, residents of West Bde Maka Ska are never more than a few minutes away from downtown’s stadiums and arenas, or Uptown’s lively commercial corridors of Hennepin and Lyndale. The neighborhood also contains many possibilities for quiet and retreat: the lakeside pathways that loop Bde Maka Ska, the wetlands near the Bakken Museum, the many outdoor patios where residents and visitors alike take advantage of sunny days. While the busy traffic of Lake Street and Excelsior Boulevard can create the impression that West Bde Maka Ska is a transitory neighborhood—a place to move through, not within—the neighborhood is a robust and lively destination unto itself. On breezy mornings, the smell of freshly baked bread and coffee drifts across the neighborhood from Rustica’s front doors; and along the shoreline of Bde Maka Ska, picnickers, pedestrians, bikers, artists, and more can be found taking in the city skyline from across the lake. Housed in a historic mansion along the shore, the Bakken Museum—established in 1975 by Earl Bakken, the co-founder of Medtronic—celebrates the neighborhood and the city’s rich history of discovery, innovation, and storytelling: hosting community meetings and events on the verdant roof, leading students through the exhibits and archives, and welcoming tour groups and neighbors alike to the two acres of unique gardens that stretch across the estate. The Tudor and Gothic facade of the museum belies the many interactive science and technology displays inside: just one of the many hidden gems in West Bde Maka Ska, where a little attention and curiosity can lead to unexpected adventure.
West Bde Maka Ska is your go-to for:
Nightlife: You’ll have dozens of bars and restaurants to choose from in the neighbohrood.
Arts: There is a thriving arts scene, with small galleries and independent theaters always showcasing new work.
Nature: Bde Maka Ska has amazing trails and clear water. Rent a boat or a bike and enjoy the outdoors!
Shopping: A mix of nationally-recognized chains and small local boutiques offer unique fashion.
Popular Destinations
