River Falls

Tobacco fields and expansive greenspace welcome residents into the northern suburb of River Falls. Named for the winding river that runs through it, Kinnickinnic combines a small-town lifestyle with a thriving outdoor scene and proximity to urban conveniences. “The area is known for fishing and hiking,” says long-time local Melissa Wiegele, Realtor with Wiegele Real Estate Group. “That outdoor lifestyle is the main draw for people. But it’s also close to so many amenities.” The area's natural beauty extends to the streets, where mature trees shade sidewalks that invite neighbors to stroll through developing subdivisions. Locals are less than 10 minutes from downtown River Falls on State Highway 65 and mainstays like the Kinni Cafe or Tattersall Distillery. And with U.S. Interstate 94 on the northern border, daily commutes into the Twin Cities are accessible within a 40-mile or 45-minute drive. The real estate market in Kinnickinnic is desirable for its larger lot sizes and proximity to more metropolitan areas like River Falls and the Twin Cities. “Houses do not come up for sale very often in Kinnickinnic,” says Wiegele, who has been selling in the area for over a decade. “It’s a neighborhood where people want to live, and they stay once they buy.” With an average sales price of $400,000, Kinnickinnic's home prices have been on par with properties in the Minneapolis Metro Area over the last four years. Single family homes in Kinnickinnic are more significant than the national average home size. Kinnickinnic features home styles ranging from split-levels and ramblers to modern Craftsman and newer developments on the southwest side of Kinnickinnic. Multi-family options, such as Twin Homes or townhouses, often closer to the downtown River Falls area, are available. Single-family options range from the low $300,000s to upwards of $800,000 for more acreage or riverside views, while multi-family options range from the high $100,000s to upwards of $500,000. Country-style roads make up most of the area, while sidewalk-lined subdivisions develop closer to River Falls. Homes often feature paved driveways, and multi-car garages are standard. Outdoor recreational opportunities in Kinnickinnic are abundant in this western Wisconsin suburb. “It has a know-your-neighbor feel, and people here tend to be more outdoorsy,” says Konnor Garrido, Realtor with Edina Realty. The 40-acre Glen Park is a local favorite, with a playground, community swimming pool, pickleball courts, splash pad, hiking trails and picnic tables. Located on the banks of Lake Louise, Glen Park is the oldest city park in River Falls. Hikers take advantage of the miles of forested hiking paths along the Kinnickinnic River Trail, while anglers enjoy trout fishing on “the Kinni,” as locals call the spring-fed river. Hoffman Park offers a playground, baseball diamond and a nine-hole disc golf course in the northeastern quadrant of the neighborhood. Golfers practice their swing on the 18-hole course at the private River Falls Golf Club, which offers seasonal membership options and an on-site restaurant with classic American fare. And when the weather moves plans indoors, the Falls Theatre on Main Street dates back to 1927 and offers a family-friendly environment for screenings of the latest movies. In July, the River Falls Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau hosts the annual River Falls Days at Heritage Park. This four-day event is highly anticipated for its parade, music performances and selection of food vendors and local breweries. Known as the largest event in the city, the River Falls Days foster a know-your-neighbor atmosphere and commemorate the history of the community. Residents shop in downtown River Falls along Main Street for groceries and everyday essentials at retailers like Family Fresh Market, Whole Earth Market Co-op, Aldi and Walgreens Pharmacy. Locals will need to head north up Highway 35 to the town of Hudson, where they’ll find a more extensive selection of name-brand stores, like Walmart, Target and Home Depot. A few boutiques, like Lund's Fly Shop for fishing supplies and Fox Den Books for the latest good reads, contribute to the community's small-town feel. When dining in the area, locals enjoy an all-day breakfast and a homestyle meal from Kinni Cafe, which has served the community for over a decade. And check out The Table on Main, a family-owned cafe with made-from-scratch cinnamon buns and a community-oriented atmosphere founded on a history of restaurants dating back to 1915. Or enjoy craft cocktails at Tattersall Distillery, known for its selection of locally crafted spirits, outdoor seating on the patio and public distillery tours. Families in Kinnickinnic are zoned to the River Falls School District. Students may attend schools like Greenwood Elementary, Meyer Middle School and River Falls High School, which have earned ratings of A-minus, B-plus and B-plus from the educational review site Niche. Greenwood Elementary School offers a student-teacher ratio of 14:1 and before or after-school childcare in partnership with the River Falls Kids Club. Meyer Middle School offers a wide selection of extra-curricular activities, from football and basketball to wrestling, track and cross country. River Falls High School offers an advanced curriculum with 11 AP courses to choose from. Private options like St. Bridget Parish School is also available. For higher education, students can look to the University of Wisconsin at River Fall nearby. Kinnickinnic is primarily car-dependent, and residents rely on State Highway 65 for easy access to River Falls and U.S. I-94 when heading into the Twin Cities 30 miles west. Those interested in public transportation utilize the shared-ride taxi program, which operates within a 5-mile radius of the City of River Falls. When traveling further outside the community, the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is 40 miles away. For healthcare, the River Falls Area Hospital is 6 miles from the community. Kinnickinnic received a CAP Index crime score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.