The Great Longfellow Saunter

What: A ~6 mile walk along Longfellow's main corridors, among neighbors.

Who: Anyone who’s up for it, including but not limited to Longfellow Whatever subscribers.

When: May 9, 2026, 10 a.m.

Where: Starting and ending at Minnehaha Falls Park

How much: Free

—

FAQ:

So what is it, exactly?

A minimally structured, maximally fun walking event, based loosely on the longstanding Great Saunter in New York City. It'll also be Longfellow Whatever's first public event, though it's not limited to subscribers of the newsletter.

Basically, we'll begin at Minnehaha Falls Park and take a six-mile walk along the neighborhood's three main corridors. Along the way, you might take in areas that you don't normally see on foot, and have occasion to meet the types of people who, like you, show up to things like this. (But if you want to wear headphones and just walk in the company of others, or only talk to the person you came with, that's fine too.)

Will the roads be closed?

No. We’ll stay on the sidewalks and follow normal traffic rules.

Will there be aid stations?

No. But there will be plenty of convenience stores, coffee shops, restaurants, bars, and shops along the way to meet pretty much any need you might have. Walkers are encouraged to stop for anything that catches their interest.

Will there be activities and entertainment?

If you consider "being in the presence of neighbors while walking along interesting, amenity-rich streets" an entertaining activity, then yes. Beyond that, no.

Can kids come? Dogs?

Walking a long ways in a sometimes-tight crowd might appeal less to kids or dogs than to adult humans. But if you're confident they can handle it, then yes, of course.

How long will it take?

A zippy walker making few stops could do the route in about two hours. Since walking in a group is generally slower, and you'll probably want to stop a couple times, it'll likely be in the 3-to-3.5-hour range for most.

I’m not sure if I can walk that far.

Feel free to join for however long suits you. Between the LRT, 7 bus, and 9 bus, you’ll also never be far from a transit option back to the park.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Longfellow Whatever