Best Things to Do Near Lake Nokomis This Spring (Starting with Coffee)
Spring in south Minneapolis hits different.
The ice goes out on the lake, the trail fills back up with regulars, the dogs come back, the bikes come back, and somewhere in the distance, someone's already playing music in a park. It's that specific kind of Minneapolis spring energy — cautious at first, then suddenly all-in.
And if you're going to do spring near Lake Nokomis right, you start where everyone starts: with a really good cup of coffee.
First Stop: Nokomis Beach Coffee
Before you do anything else, come see us. We're at the corner of 50th St and 28th Ave, right in the heart of the neighborhood, and we've been waiting all winter for this season too.
Spring means our Sips of Spring menu is in full swing — think the Golden Rose Latte (floral, warm, unexpected in the best way), the Dragon Fruit Spritz (bright and buzzy), the Berry Bliss Matcha (earthy meets fruity), and the Midnight Blossom Lemonade for when you want something that looks as good as it tastes.
Grab your drink for here or to go. Either way, you're about to have a great morning.
Hit the Lake Nokomis Trail
Once you've got your drink in hand, the trail is calling. The 2.7-mile loop around Lake Nokomis is one of the best urban walking and biking paths in the Twin Cities — and in spring, it's genuinely magical. The water is silver and still, the trees are just starting to green up, and you'll run into half the neighborhood out doing the same thing.
Walk it, run it, bike it. Bring the dog. Bring the kids. Bring your coffee. It's peak Nokomis season.
Explore Keewaydin Park
Just east of the lake, Keewaydin Park is a low-key gem that comes alive in spring. It's a great spot for a picnic, a slow afternoon with a book, or letting the kids run free while you finish that second cup. The park connects to the broader Minnehaha Creek corridor, so you can keep exploring if the mood strikes.
Take a Slow Walk Down 50th Street
The stretch of 50th Street through the Nokomis neighborhood is one of those quiet, walkable commercial corridors that Minneapolis does really well. Indie shops, familiar faces, no rush. Spring is the perfect time to poke into places you've been meaning to check out, grab a pastry, see what's new. The neighborhood is waking up — might as well wake up with it.
Bike to Minnehaha Falls
If you're on two wheels (or want to be), Minnehaha Parkway is right there. Follow it east toward Minnehaha Falls and you've got one of the most scenic urban bike routes in the Midwest. The falls are especially dramatic in spring — snowmelt has a way of making everything louder and more alive. Pack a snack, take your time, and earn that second coffee when you get back.
Hit the Farmers Market (When It Opens)
The Minneapolis Farmers Market at Lake Harriet kicks off in the late spring and early summer, and it's worth building a whole morning around. Flowers, local produce, baked goods, plants for the garden — it's the best kind of Saturday. Pair it with an NBC coffee beforehand and you've got a perfect neighborhood morning locked in.
Nokomis Beach Coffee is located at 50th & 28th Ave in south Minneapolis. Open daily. Find us on Instagram & Facebook @NokomisBeachCoffee or stop by and say hi — we'd love to see you.
