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Make sure you’re getting the best outdoor space in your next Minneapolis apartment.
Hunting for an apartment in Minneapolis should be fun and not stressful. The first step is to narrow down where you want to live, and maybe seek out a few nearby hidden gems. Next, you need to decide what matters to you in an apartment. Do you want one of those stellar Minneapolis views? Do you need a place that’s pet-friendly?
As you create your list of ‘must haves’ for your next Minneapolis apartment, don’t discount the need for a solid outdoor space. Whether it’s a garden, courtyard or something else, it’s always a bonus to have a place to hang outdoors without leaving home. To help narrow down your options, check out these hot spots with some of the best courtyards and gardens in the city.
Source: Rent. / Dock Street Flats
Chic and ideal for a gathering of any size, the courtyard at Dock Street Flats prioritizes comfortable seating. Pods of couches fill every open space, with a see-through fireplace front and center tying everything together.
Staying focused on the outdoors, this Warehouse District community also provides residents with a community garden for those with a green thumb. Heading out, this neighborhood offers a blend of downtown energy and sophisticated style, giving you plenty of options when it comes to restaurants, cocktail bars, boutique shops and more.
Source: Rent. / Ironclad Residential
Labeled the Great Lawn, this little bit of courtyard at Ironclad Residential is an ideal outdoor gaming spot. There’s a separate, open patch of green that’s perfect for frisbee, as well as this reserved spot already set up for cornhole. Shaded seating off to the side provides a cooler area when it’s time to take a break from the sun.
This Downtown East community is only steps away from so much. Thankfully, it’s a highly walkable neighborhood too, making it easy to get to US Bank Stadium for a concert or a football game, Guthrie Theater for a show or Mill City for shopping and dining. You’re also near the 7.5-acre Gold Medal Park with its stunning views of the Mississippi River and the historic Stone Arch Bridge.
Source: Rent. / Lowa46
While it’s not exactly on the ground floor of Lowa46, this courtyard-like space has quite the amenity package. The swatch of green is just the right length for a bocce game, while the stone-covered spaces include seating areas, an awesome fire pit and a massive outdoor dining table beside the gas grills. You’re also only steps away from the community hot tub.
For true outdoor enthusiasts, Nokomis is the neighborhood for you. Living here puts you beside the city’s best trails, lakes and riverside parks. You can bike along the Greenway, check out Lake Nokomis and Minnehaha Falls or head to the Mississippi River for a scenic walk.
Source: Rent. / New Boston Square Apartments
Multiple courtyards occupy the open space at New Boston Square Apartments. At the front of the building, you’ll find a nice open space with large, healthy trees and thoughtfully designed plant beds. To the back, the railed-off courtyard space is full of grills, red umbrella-topped tables and even a few loungers. Mature trees also help fill in this space as well.
Situated in Minneapolis’ arts district, this Windom Park community provides easy access to downtown without skimping on the local amenities. You’re surrounded by fabulous shopping, excellent restaurants and even a great public library. Windom Park, the neighborhood’s namesake, is also a great place for football, tennis and even ice skating and hockey.
Source: Rent. / Tralee Terrace
The possibilities are endless when you have this much green space to work with. This park-like area at Tralee Terrace is perfect for a peaceful walk, a picnic or even a few outdoor games. Limited patches of bushes and trees mean more lawn to use and more nature to enjoy.
Beyond this fantastic open space, Tralee Terrace also has a large playground, with a jungle gym and swings for the kids to enjoy, as well as an outdoor basketball court. There’s something for everyone to entice them to stay outside and have a little fun, whether relaxing or getting a little exercise.
Source: Rent. / Calhoun Beach Club
The cool courtyard at Calhoun Beach Club does more than deliver a superior outdoor space, it also has killer views. The space seems to run right into Lake Bee Maka Ska. Beautiful landscaped trees and grass along with funky patterns in the stonework give this area a modern touch and exude a super relaxing vibe.
Having a beach across the street from your apartment is quite a luxury, but that’s what you get in the Cedar Isles-Dean community. You can swim, boat or simply enjoy laying out in the sand just steps from your own front door. With several lakes and parks within the area, there’s no shortage of spots for scenic strolls or outdoor recreation.
Source: Rent. / Somerset Oaks
When an apartment community truly feels like a neighborhood, you’re doing something right. At Somerset Oaks, this happy vibe comes out thanks to the expansive lawn that separates buildings. It’s like having a front and back yard all in one, masquerading as a courtyard. A wide stretch of green grass that’s perfectly manicured is offset by a few stately trees and oversized bushes. It’s the perfect pop of nature.
About seven miles from downtown Minneapolis, you’ll find Saint Louis Park. This chill and outdoorsy suburb features a 160-acre Nature Center and over 80 parks for hiking, picnicking and more. You’ll find Somerset Oaks closest in the Oak Hill neighborhood where the park is full of paved trails, open fields, a splash pad and more.
Source: Rent. / Oaks Station Place Apartments
For a sweet gathering spot, you need to check out the courtyard at Oaks Station Place Apartments. Abutting a massive green space, with manicured trees and nicely grouped flowers and bushes, this bricked area offers ideal seating for everyone. You can relax on the lounge chairs, gather on the couches or use the grill to cook a meal you can enjoy at any of the tables.
Another Nokomis community with great promise, the outdoor space here also accommodates those with an active lifestyle. There’s a bike trail and jogging trail on the property. Should you need to head into the city proper, living here puts you right on a bus line, with the train station within a mile. This can help ease the commute since you won’t have to drive all the time.
Source: Rent. / Eitel Apartments
A complete urban feel flows throughout the courtyard at Eitel Apartments. Landscaping is minimal and mostly done in raised planters that hold a variety of small trees and bushes. Limited grass reminds you you’re living in the urban jungle. A nice, large pergola sits roughly in the center, offering a shaded space for hanging out.
Located in Loring Park, this is a neighborhood that takes its green space seriously. You get an expansive area with a lake and walking and cycling paths to keep you busy in the fresh air. There’s also a vibrant art scene here, with plenty of recreational activities and delicious restaurants.
Source: Rent. / Park Glen
There are plenty of well-maintained, garden-like spots all over Park Glen. You’ll find flowering trees and plenty of leafy greens surrounding the fire pit, but the real on-site garden sits just beside the pool. Within this serene garden, you’ll find wide stone walkways that take you around two little pools, large river rocks and beautifully shaped bushes. It’s a little zen and a little local beauty all rolled into one.
Another Saint Louis Park community, you’ll find Park Glen in the Wolfe Park neighborhood. Centered around another great local park, here, there are not only walking trails and a fishing pond but plenty of athletic facilities. There’s space to play basketball, pickleball and sand volleyball. There’s also a playground, picnic shelters and a rentable event space.
Get an apartment with one of the best gardens in Minneapolis
It’s easy to see why Minneapolis is so popular for renters. There are so many cool places to live and there is so much to do indoors and outside.
As you begin to narrow down your list of favorites though, don’t forget to take into account that outdoor space. You’ll definitely want to look at places with solid courtyards and gardens in Minneapolis to take full advantage of what the city does best.
Featured Image Source: Rent. / Park Glen
Source: rent.com