West of Washington – A Walking Tour for Doors Open Minneapolis

Itinerary created by Rethos Volunteer Tsue French & Rethos Deputy Director Erin Hanafin Berg

Washington Avenue runs parallel to the river through downtown Minneapolis – and the character of this area has changed dramatically over the decades. Throughout the first half of the twentieth century, this corridor was the dividing line between the railroad tracks and industrial buildings that served the riverfront mills and the small-scale commercial buildings that bumped up against downtown. As milling operations ceased and Urban Renewal took hold in the 1960s, Washington Ave. and its surroundings transformed; eventually, there were more surface parking lots than extant buildings. That began to change in the late 1990s, as the mills were repurposed as housing, the Milwaukee Road Depot was turned into a hotel and event center, and infill development took hold. Today’s version of Washington Ave. is a lively mix of buildings and spaces catering to residents and visitors alike.

This walking tour in the heart of Minneapolis runs parallel to the flowing water of the Mississippi River, the current of energy and change that invigorates the city and its people. The route is an eight-block long loop that connects seven venues on the Rethos Doors Open list. Discover places that you may have missed from your car window and that are best experienced at a walking pace.

Park at Jerry Haaf Memorial Ramp 424 S. 4th street - Exit near the Bar Zia Restaurant at 420 4th street and re-enter the parking facility here as well. This is a secure facility, so be sure to take your parking ticket with you for re-entry to the building. 

Start the tour at the Jerry Haaf Ramp. Look to your right and you will see your first destination, the huge, red Ortonville granite building and tower with a pretty green roof…City Hall.

Stop #1: Minneapolis City Hall and Hennepin County Courthouse

350 South 5th Ave (Access limited: 4th Street Rotunda, Ground-3rd floor, Courtyard/Green Roof area, and the 3rd Floor Mayors Office (newly remodeled!) Enter from 4th street)

Head inside to see the marble atrium and the Father of Waters statue and to get a sense of the scope and scale of city government.

Open Saturday and Sunday

Fully accessible

After exiting City Hall, head east on S. 4th St.  towards US Bank stadium. On your way, you’ll pass by some of the new apartment buildings that have come to redefine this area. As you walk along (or detour through) the Commons park, look to your right to see the Minneapolis Armory – the original home of the Lakers pro basketball team before they moved to Los Angeles. This exceptional Art Deco style building was saved from the wrecking ball by the Minnesota Historical Society, which sued to prevent its demolition. After standing vacant for many years, the Armory is now a successful music and events venue.

At the end of the Commons, you’ll see US Bank Stadium, which Rethos Executive Director Heidi Swank considers a great example of mimetic architecture – its jutting form resembles the prow of a ship, an appropriate image for our Minnesota Vikings. Although the design is one-of-a-kind, the translucent-panel roof of the stadium is a much-copied feature in other NFL venues.

Take a left on Chicago Ave. S. and then a right on S. 3rd St. Walk one block to the corner of 3rd and 9th to visit…

Stop #2: Red Lake Nation College 

900 3rd Street South  

The path to higher learning begins here for many, and all are welcome at the higher up event space that features an indoor /outdoor experience with accordion doors. Existing brick buildings were incorporated into this new structure by Native-led firm Full Circle Planning. What can you see from this lofty perspective? Are you able to catch a glimpse of the Mississippi, just blocks away?

Open Saturday

Fully accessible, public restrooms

Continue along the 3rd St. sidewalk to 10th and take a left. You’ll see a turret over an entrance gate that marks one of downtown Minneapolis’ most unusual buildings – formerly a residence that some people have compared to Hogwarts – on 10th Ave. S. between 3rd and Washington.  

At Washington, pause for a moment and look left and right. You’ll see a blending of historic and new architecture – and an intermediary skyline of tall apartment and condominium buildings that is a recent transformation.

Head to your right to visit the next Doors Open venue:

Before leaving Open Book, discover the secret rooftop garden on the third floor - you can see the yellow brick end of the Red Lake Nation building and many other famous Minneapolis landmarks. After closing the door to Open Book, pick a side of Washington Avenue to stroll along – odd side of the street still holds historic brick facades, while the even side is all recent construction. Head back towards the heart of downtown.

At Park Ave., hang a left and walk into the JI Case Building.

Continue down Park Ave towards Third Street and then turn left in the alley to enter the Canopy by Hilton via the rear lobby.

Stop #5: Canopy by Hilton

708 S Third St

The fireplaces are cozy, the chairs are comfy, and the cafe offers French fare; but check out the installation sculpture hanging from the ceiling between the room floors. What does it look like?  What does it remind you of?

This historic property is actually two buildings, constructed shortly after the turn of the twentieth century as farm machinery factories and dealerships. In the 1980s, the buildings were converted to offices – the atrium and exposed heavy timbers are left over from that phase of rehab development. In 2019, the Canopy by Hilton hotel was born, serving as an anchor of activity on this block of new and historic buildings.

Open Saturday and Sunday

Fully accessible, public restrooms

*Accessible entrance (ramp & elevator lift) located on Park Ave.

As you exit the hotel on Third, make note of the ornamental terra cotta on the façade before heading back towards the central business district. At the corner of Third and 5th, take a right and go into the newest fire station in downtown.

Leave behind the beautiful, shiny fire engines and keep on trucking along 3rd towards your final destination…Coco LLC in the Grain Exchange. Take a left when you get to 4th Ave S. and walk to the corner of S. 4th St.

Return to your vehicle in the Haaf Ramp and start planning the next leg of your Doors Open Minneapolis journey!