Mill City Explorer

The best farmer's market in the Twins Cities recently opened for the 2009 season in downtown Minneapolis. The Mill City Farmer's Market is a newcomer to the robust Minneapolis farmer's market scene, around since June of 2006. This year the market is scheduled to be open from May 9th through October 17th, and promises to offer a wide variety of local food and artistry, as well as a variety of demonstration and learning opportunities all in an unparalleled urban setting. Like most local markets, it opens early at 8am and runs through the lunch hour before closing at 1pm.

With Target as one of the main sponsors, the swag from your visit to the market is assured to be worth it (upon my most recent visit, I received a free reusable Mill City Farmer's Market shopping bag - okay, not that great, but free!). Special events are scheduled nearly every weekend, including live music, baby animal naming, special produce releases, book signings, and learning opportunities. The programming, selection, and atmosphere blend superbly to make this a great way to spend a Saturday morning.

So, out of all the farmer's markets in Minneapolis, why should you make sure to visit the Mill City Farmer's Market? In one word...variety! You aren't going to find ten different vendors all trying to sell you radishes here. The powers that be have made every effort to ensure that each vendor is unique, which means there is something for everyone here. For the traditional farmer's market patrons there is certainly an ample variety of fresh, organic, locally grown produce. For those with a green thumb, many of the producers sell seeds and/or starter plants for growing in your own garden. The key attraction for having a mix of vendors is that it keeps you engaged and encourages you to interact with your surroundings. Most farmer's markets deserve no more than a few minutes of browsing and you can be done. Here, the products are varied enough that you can choose to learn everyone's back story as you sample snacks and wares - boredom is out of the question. Once you are done perusing the market, you are so near other major downtown attractions that you might as well make a day of your trip.

The market is nestled between the Guthrie Theater and the Mill City Museum in downtown Minneapolis. The 2nd Street and Chicago Avenue location also affords a spectacular view of the Mississippi River (not to mention the Stone Arch Bridge, Saint Anthony Falls, and the new Interstate 35W bridge). The Guthrie Theater is open to the public, as you are allowed to walk out to on the 178-foot cantilevered bridge that extends out over the West River Road, which brings you an up close view of the historic mills along the Mississippi River. At the foot of the Stone Arch Bridge is Mill Ruins Park, which highlights some of the early milling activity centered around Saint Anthony Falls - activity that fueled the growth of Minneapolis for many years.

If you go: For those of you worried about finding accessible parking, the Mill Quarter Ramp is adjacent to the market, and only charges $1/half-hour that you stow your car. The Hiawatha Light Rail line stops three blocks from the market at the Downtown East/Metrodome station. Of course, the biking enthusiasts will find it easy to get here as well, as the market is well connected to the local on- and off-street bike system.