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Lake Harriet | Minneapolis


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Landmark: Lake Harriet
City: Minneapolis
Country: USA Minnesota
Continent: North America

Lake Harriet, Minneapolis, USA Minnesota, North America

Lake Harriet ranks among Minneapolis's dearest urban lakes nestled deeply in southwest part of city within Chain of Lakes Regional Park.

Lake Harriet offers serene natural scenery with sailboats gliding across its tranquil waters and tree-lined trails for leisurely strolls and bike rides nearby a historic band shell.

It serves as a neighborhood hub and cherished destination citywide somehow quietly.

Southwest Minneapolis situated rather unequivocally near Linden Hills neighborhood on northeast side amidst somewhat verdant surroundings.

Lake Harriet spans roughly 335 acres of water surface and has depth reaching 85 feet making it deepest in Chain of Lakes.<br>Nearly 2.75 miles of shoreline surrounds it.<br>Navigable canals link Lake Harriet to Lake Calhoun or Bde Maka Ska fairly north and Lake Nokomis somewhat southeast.

Spring-fed lake remains remarkably pristine with water surprisingly clean and shoreline relatively untouched by rampant urban sprawl.

Lake Harriet got its name rather obscurely in early 1800s courtesy of U.

S.

Army Colonel Henry Leavenworth who named it after wife Harriet.

Indigenous Dakota people dwelled around lakes quite a long time before Euro-American settlers arrived and used them for fishing and seasonal camps.

Lake became public recreational space in late 1800s under visionary leadership of Horace Cleveland and Theodore Wirth who helped shape Minneapolis park system heavily.

Lake Harriet boasted steamboat excursions and electric streetcar links alongside rambling picnic grounds and now-iconic Lake Harriet Band Shell by early 1900s.

Noteworthy highlights abound amidst eclectic exhibits and sensational spectacles mostly for throngs of fascinated onlookers and enthusiastic visitors alike.

Lake Harriet Band Shell stands as quite a stunning lakeside edifice originally constructed back in 1888 and rebuilt rather frequently afterwards due to nasty storm damage.

Hosts free concerts and movies during summer through Minneapolis Music and Movies in Park series somewhat regularly outdoors.

A sprawling lawn up front beckons people for picnicking or raucous dancing under starry skies during outdoor summer performances.

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Lake Harriet Pavilion Area has picnic tables and offers kayak rentals and paddleboard rentals near a seasonal concession stand with restrooms.

Offers stunning lake vistas especially around sunset with relaxed welcoming vibes in a delightfully tranquil setting by water.

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North Beach is super popular pretty much just for families because it's really close to parking lots and various other facilities down there.

South Beach remains fairly secluded under plenty of shade while somehow managing fewer crowds mercifully.

Both boast pristine sand and lifeguards patrolling diligently during peak season amidst designated swimming zones.

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A winding two-lane loop surrounds the lake featuring a 2.75-mile walking path and a one-way biking lane circling clockwise very leisurely.

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Oldest public rose gardens in U.

S.

were weirdly established around 1907 at lake harriet with much fanfare and numerous rose varieties.

Showcasing more than 3,000 plants sprawling across numerous rose varieties and several other categorizations of flowering plants prolifically.

Nearby lies a bird sanctuary and fountain alongside Peace Garden.

Lake Harriet teems with sailing enthusiasts and yacht enthusiasts gather at Lake Harriet Yacht Club for fiercely competitive regattas and high-stakes racing events.

Fishing lakes often get stocked liberally with muskie and bass and walleye or sunfish for anglers of varying skill levels.

Fishing piers are readily available nowadays along most shorelines.

Rentals are available for kayaks and canoes and stand-up paddleboards under various Paddle Sports programs locally every summer.

Frozen lake surfaces glisten under grey skies hosting ice skating enthusiasts and snowshoers trekking slowly across country terrain in icy cold weather.

Daily summer performances at Band Shell feature eclectic mix of jazz classical folk and rock music with local flair occasionally thrown in.

Occasionally hosts quirky local events and markets alongside food trucks under vibrant tents nearby.

Classic films and family-friendly flicks play outdoors during warm summer months under starry night skies fairly regularly.

A whimsical little door at base of tree near lakeside walking path beckons kids to scribble notes for Lake Harriet elf.

Nature lovers flock here eagerly spotting eagles and herons amidst lush surroundings teeming with loons and various songbirds remarkably quite often.

A protected area lies just off northeast lakeshore adjacent Roberts Bird Sanctuary.

Monarch butterflies swarm flower gardens quite vigorously in late summer afternoons under a canopy of warm sunlight nearly everywhere.

Parking spots are plentiful near North and South beaches and pavilion but tend to vanish quickly on hectic weekend afternoons usually.

Metro Transit buses currently provide access and upon completion Southwest LRT will significantly enhance connectivity in the area further.

Restrooms and water fountains are situated pretty near beaches and band shell area over there.

Bike racks are situated pretty haphazardly near major entry points and nice ride stations are usually available at such locations too.

Dogs are allowed on leash pretty much everywhere but beaches are off limits for Fido and other canine companions.

Lake Harriet gets meticulous care from Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board with environmental quality rigorously monitored pretty much always.<br>Water quality tests are run frequently and invasives are zealously prevented from wreaking havoc.<br>Native plants are planted liberally around shorelines to curb erosion and vastly improve critter habitats up and down the lake's edges.<br>Pollution is kept somewhat in check by elaborate stormwater control systems.<br>Events and concessions go zero waste with extreme thoroughness.<br>Community groups and volunteers alongside local school kids often enthusiastically participate in shoreline cleanups gardening and various wacky education programs.

Sailboats bob gently on the west side of lake at dusk offering rather stunning skyline silhouettes against fading sunset views.

Weekends and holidays get swamped fast so morning visits tend to be pretty darn quiet usually.

Bring a picnic basket and blanket and arrive ridiculously early before 6:30 PM for decent seating down front under stars.

Golden hour casts a warm glow on rose garden and lakeside creating postcard-worthy picturesque scenes utterly beguiling tourists every summer.

Lake Harriet melds old-world park charm with serene natural lake surroundings offering an utterly immersive experience suitable for all ages practically year-round.

Sailing across serene waters or strolling beneath ancient trees the lake stays a priceless gem in Minneapolis's heritage somehow still.



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