There are various theories as to the name's origin, but everyone agrees that Dinkytown is one of the more fascinating neighborhoods near Minneapolis homes for sale and St. Paul homes for sale. Spend an entertaining day exploring these Dinkytown attractions.

What to See and Do in Dinkytown

Al's Breakfast - Minneapolis, MN

Address: 413 14th Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414

It's practically a local ordinance that a visit to Dinkytown begins with a stop at Al's Breakfast, where the counter seats only 14 and they famously eschew freezers, deep fryers, and microwave ovens. Their fresh, made-from-scratch food has earned Al's three appearances on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.

Popular dishes include:

• Huevos ala Minnesota, with onions, green peppers, and banana peppers
• Scrambled eggs packed with seven types of cheese
• Wally Blacks pancakes, with blackberries and walnuts

Hours are 6 a.m. - 1 p.m. daily except Sunday, when doors open at 9 a.m.

Varsity Theater - Minneapolis, MN

Address: 1308 4th St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414

From rollicking vaudeville shows to concerts by cutting-edge musicians, the Varsity Theater has been Dinkytown's go-to venue for live entertainment since 1915. At one point, the lobby, marquee, and other exterior elements were restored to their original splendor. 

Here's a look at some of the eclectic upcoming shows:

• Justin Bieber Night (2/6), a sing-along tribute to the iconic pop singer
• American Celtic band Gaelic Storm (3/6)
• An irreverent look at Hollywood movies with the hosts of the "We Hate Movies" podcast (3/20)

Visit the website for full schedule and pricing.

Dinkytown Street Murals - Minneapolis, MN

Glimpse Dinkytown's colorful history through a series of street murals found on buildings and in alleyways. All were done by University of Minnesota Graphic Design major Sergey Trubetskoy, whom the Dinkytown Business Association commissioned to create works commemorating Dinkytown in the 1960s and 1970s. Don't miss "Positively 4th Street," honoring a one-time resident of Dinkytown by the name of Bob Dylan.

Dinkytown Greenway - Minneapolis, MN

Add a touch of nature to your day of adventure with a walk or bike ride along the Dinkytown Greenway. While it spans only one mile, what the Greenway lacks in length, it makes up for in stunning views of St. Anthony Falls, the Stone Arch Bridge, and the Bohemian Flats from atop Bridge No. 9. 

Frank & Andrea - Minneapolis, MN

Address: 1235 4th St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414 

Anyone serving pizza in a college neighborhood has to have serious game, and Frank & Andrea delivers (no pun intended). The family-owned restaurant is a mashup of two earlier concepts: Andrea Pizza, named for the family patriarch, and Frank from Philly, a cheesesteak joint founded by Andrea's sons.

Creative menu items include:

• Fat Tony cheesesteak, with grilled onions, habanero jam, garlic aioli, jalapeño, and bacon
• Paul Bunyan pizza, with Alfredo sauce, macaroni noodles, beef brisket, jalapeño, hot honey, and cheddar
• Gio, a veggie pizza with Alfredo sauce, cheese ravioli, spinach, and ricotta

Hours are 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. - 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. - midnight Sunday

Book House - Minneapolis, MN

Address: 1316 4th St. SE #201, Minneapolis, MN 55414

A word of warning: Don't enter the Book House unless you have plenty of time to spare. With 40,000+ titles on the shelves and a cozy reading nook, you'll be mesmerized until they turn out the lights.

Book House is open 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday.

Dinkytown: Small in Size, Big in Heart

Call today for information and tips about real estate in Dinkytown and all the other wonderful Twin Cities neighborhoods.