Downtown East, Minneapolis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Downtown East
Neighborhood
Location of Downtown East within the U.S. city of Minneapolis
Country	United States
State	Minnesota
County	Hennepin
City	Minneapolis
Community	Central
Founded	1849
City Council Ward	3
Area
• Total	0.384 sq mi (0.99 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	3,231
• Density	8,414/sq mi (3,249/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	55401, 55415, 55454
Area code(s)	612

Downtown East is a lively neighborhood located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the United States. It's an important part of the city.

This area is part of what's called "Ward 3." A "ward" is like a section of a city, and each ward has a person called a "council member" who helps make decisions for that area. Right now, Michael Rainville is the council member for Ward 3.

Downtown East has clear borders. To the north, you'll find the mighty Mississippi River. To the east, there's Interstate 35W, a major highway. To the south, its border is 5th Street South, and to the west, it's Portland Avenue. It shares its edges with other Minneapolis neighborhoods like Downtown West, Elliot Park, and Cedar-Riverside.

Across the river is the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood. While there isn't a direct road for cars to cross, you can walk or bike between them using the historic Stone Arch Bridge.

A wide view of Downtown East. On the left, the arched bridge is the Stone Arch Bridge, crossing the Mississippi River. The dark blue building is the Guthrie Theater. Behind it, the long, straight bridge is the I-35W Mississippi River bridge. The clock tower in the front is part of Minneapolis City Hall. This picture also shows parts of Hennepin County Medical Center and old mill buildings.

The Mill District: A Historic Hub

Within Downtown East, you'll find a special area called the Mill District. This place is full of old industrial buildings. Long ago, Minneapolis was known as the "flour milling capital of the world," and these buildings were once busy factories where flour was made.

Today, many of these old mills and factories are being turned into homes and apartments. This change is bringing many more people to live in Downtown East. Because of this, the Mill District is one of the fastest-growing parts of Minneapolis!

Exciting Places to Visit

Downtown East is packed with fun and interesting places to explore. Here are some of the highlights:

• US Bank Stadium: This is a huge stadium and the home field for the Minnesota Vikings, a professional football team.
• Mill City Museum: This museum is built inside the ruins of an old flour mill. It teaches you all about Minneapolis's history as a milling powerhouse.
• Mill Ruins Park: Right next to the museum, this park lets you explore the remains of old mills and learn about the city's past.
• Gold Medal Park: A beautiful green space perfect for relaxing or playing.
• Day Block Building: A historic building that now hosts events and businesses.
• Guthrie Theater: A famous theater complex known for its unique architecture and amazing plays. It moved to this location in 2006.
• Stone Arch Bridge: The western end of this historic bridge is in Downtown East. It's a great spot for walking, biking, and enjoying views of the river and city skyline.
• 35W Bridge Remembrance Garden: A peaceful garden that remembers the I-35W bridge, which collapsed in 2007.

Getting Around: Transit in Downtown East

It's easy to get around Downtown East and to other parts of Minneapolis thanks to the METRO light rail system. The neighborhood is served by the U.S. Bank Stadium Station. This station makes it simple for residents and visitors to travel by train.