Mayer is a rural town situated along the Crow River
Mayer is a small town in rural Minnesota with around 2,500 residents. Located about an hour west of Minneapolis, it has a peaceful, small-town vibe with a handful of restaurants on Ash Avenue and quiet residential streets that fan out around it. Outdoor recreation is bountiful, with plenty of opportunities to kayak, canoe and fish along the South Fork of the Crow River. “I like it because it’s a small town with no stoplights. It’s quiet, but it’s very friendly. Everybody knows each other,” says Cynthia Favela, a server at Knucklehead’s Bar and Grill in Mayer.
A state trail, river activities and community parks
Mayer residents can take advantage of a plethora of parks and trails. At the center of town, there’s a trailhead for the Dakota Rail Regional Trail, a paved pathway that winds through idyllic scenery on the way to Lake Minnetonka. “We get a lot of cyclists coming through on the trails,” Favela says. The Crow River runs along the town’s western border, and is a well-known spot for fishing, kayaking and paddleboarding. Community parks are also available, including Old Schoolhouse Park, the Mayer Splash Pad, Bluejay Park and West Ridge Park. Every summer, the Lone Oak Rodeo brings spectators from all around for bull riding, tailgating and live music.
Locals can dine and drink on Ash Avenue
Mayer has a few shops and restaurants centered around Ash Avenue. Knucklehead’s Bar and Grill is a local standby for American cuisine. It’s also a popular stop for motorcyclists. “We have live music every weekend, and it brings out a lot of out-of-towners,” Favela says. There’s also Heldts Bar for ice cold beverages and El Jimador for classic Mexican cuisine. For everything else, residents head to Watertown, which has a locally owned grocer, Marketplace Foods, and a local pharmacy.
Homes in Mayer were largely built in the last 30 years
Mayer primarily features single-family homes in small, residential subdivisions that sit between its small downtown district and the Minnesota countryside. The town has more than doubled in size in the last 20 years, accompanied by a boom in new housing. Most of the homes in Mayer were built between the late 1990s and today. Spacious, Traditional homes are the most common home style, although some older architecture is also found here. Prices range from around $350,000 to $500,000.
Students attend a well-rated public school district
Students can attend well-rated public schools in neighboring Watertown. Kids begin their education at Watertown-Mayer Elementary School followed by Watertown-Mayer Middle School and Watertown-Mayer High School. All three earn B-plus ratings from Niche. The high school offers over 30 extracurricular programs across a wide variety of interests and subjects. For a private option, students might consider Mayer Lutheran High School, which gets a B rating and is located within the town.
Getting to the Twin Cities from Mayer
State route 25 cuts through the town, offering a route towards the Twin Cities. It’s about 38 miles to Downtown Minneapolis, or about 50 minutes without traffic. There’s no public transportation in town, so locals will need a vehicle to get around. Methodist Hospital, the nearest major medical center, is about 28 miles away in the city of St. Louis Park. Those who need to catch a flight can head to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, about 39 miles away.
