3 days enough?

Hi:

We are thinking of taking a trip to Minneapolis later this year, possibly late September/early October, and are wondering if 3 days would be enough to tour all these - Mall of America, a couple of the downtown museums (Science, Art), Guthrie Theater, and one of the casinos?

We plan to stay near the Mall of America, take the light rail to downtown museums and theater, and utilise the free shuttle bus service (not renting a car) for the casino trip from MOA.

Thanks.

3 days enough?

First off, the science museum is not in Minneapolis. It%26#39;s in neighboring St. Paul, far enough to require a car or use of public bus.

Also, the Art Institute of Minneapolis is not downtown, it%26#39;s closer to Nicollet Avenue and 26th Street -- a ways from any light rail station.

That%26#39;s enough time for those activities (although you would probably need a car to do those specifically), but it leaves little time for anything else.

And I really don%26#39;t think the casino is anything much to see. Pretty much the standard casino, only it%26#39;s a 40-minute drive from Minnepolis. And the Mall of America ... well, I%26#39;m just not a fan of malls, but to each his own.

3 days enough?

If you%26#39;re interested in museums that would be close to each other, you might consider the Walker and Mill City Museum. I must admit that I enjoy the Walker when there are special exhibits or special shows, but it%26#39;s still a pretty cool place. The sculpture garden %26amp; Loring Park are beautiful in the fall. And 20.21 Restaurant has a great Sunday brunch and view over downtown. Mill City Museum is very close to the Guthrie, and it%26#39;s become an interesting area to explore, also beautiful in the fall. However, the colors don%26#39;t peak around here until around mid-October.

The Art Institute is more my style as far as art museums, but it is slightly out of downtonwn on a bus route. The view from the cafe area is spectacular - like looking out onto Central Park in NYC!

I would say 3 days is enough for what you%26#39;ve stated, the Mall can be exhausting if it%26#39;s a weekend.

Thank you both for the quick replies. I guess I need to do a little more research on the sights and things to do at Minneapolis before I come back for more questions/suggestions. Thanks again.

Oh, the Mill Museum does sound very interesting, we might do that. Thanks.

Mill City %26amp; Guthrie are side by side at the same location.

Walker and Art Institute are a few $ taxi ride from each other and a light rail stop.

If I can tack-on to the original post, my partner and I are planning a 3-day visit in July (arriving Thursday noon, departing Sunday late afternoon). We will stay downtown at the Marquette, and plan to see whatever is recommended to see. We definitely want to see a show at the Guthrie, tour some fun neighborhoods (we are both into architecture), eat at some cool restaurants, check out museums and sculpture garden. My main question: do we need a car? We are not at all averse to taking public transit, unless it%26#39;s a pain or doesn%26#39;t get us to where we need to go. Even a cab or two would be less $ than a car for the weekend. Thanks, and any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Hi RandBrad,

If what you want to see is in Minneapolis (and what you%26#39;ve specified so far is) then you absolutely do not need a car.

I would get familiar with the downtown-Uptown bus routes, because I really thikn you should experience Uptown and definitely the Chain of Lakes area for architecture of the houses around Lakes Calhoun and Harriet.

How old are you and your partner, if you don%26#39;t mind me asking? Might affect the restaurant suggestions.

To RandBrad - I think if you%26#39;re open to walking and paying for an occasional cab, it%26#39;s doable without a car. I%26#39;ve listed great area restaurants in parentheses:

While at the Guthrie (Cue), also check out:

St Anthony Main (Pracna on Main)

The river walk

Northeast (Nye%26#39;s World Famous Bar, The Red Stag, Mairin%26#39;s Table)

Downtown near your hotel, check out:

The Walker %26amp; Sculpture Garden (20.21) %26amp; beautiful homes in the neighborhoods behind there

Loring Park (Nick %26amp; Eddies, Bar Lurcat)

Nicollet Mall (The Dakota (food+jazz), Vincent, Masa)

Brits Pub for drinks %26amp; also rooftop patio, lawn bowling

Orchestra Hall - I think they have live music on their fountain terrace Thursday %26amp; Friday

Thursday Farmer%26#39;s Market on the mall

Or Hennepin Ave

(Solera, Chambers Hotel Bar %26amp; Gallery, both have rooftop patios)

Live music at 1st Ave

A little past downtown in the Warehouse District:

Fine Line Music Cafe

112 Eatery - an absolute must

Gay Nineties - I think they%26#39;re still open and have fabulous drag shows

Cab or bus it to Uptown

(Chino Latino, Chang Mai Thai, Famous Daves BBQ, Barbette)

LOTS of great houses here if you want to walk the lakes and people-watch

Cab or bus it up Nicollet Ave:

Art Institute

Eat Street (Azia, Sinbad, Black Forest Inn patio)

Hope that helps, it should be a beautiful time to visit then!

Thanks to both Creason and Mntoathens for your replies! To Mntoathens, I will be 50 (yipes) by the time of the Minneapolis visit and my partner is 53. We are foodies to some extent, but will typically prefer a fun restaurant to a solemn ';food temple.';

Foodie or not, if you%26#39;re in town, I would call about a month in advance (or even now, why not?) for reservations at 112 Eatery.

It%26#39;s no secret gem -- everyone knows about it. But it%26#39;s not a trend. It%26#39;s because the food is excellent, the atmosphere is cozy (small place, but nice feel) and the service is excellent.

I%26#39;ve been four times. Generous wine pours and all-around quality, IMO. Basically, I feel like I%26#39;m at a place where my wife and I would be paying far more than the final bill. And that%26#39;s the kind of place I like!

112 is downtown, but might require a cab ride -- $5-$6. Depends on what kind of time (and footwear) you have. You could walk from the Marquette if you are up for a stop or two along the way for a cocktail. No shortage of nice places for that.

It%26#39;s a 7-8 block walk. You could break it up with a coacktail at the Imperial Room on 1st Avenue (the main strip of bars in the Warehouse District). It%26#39;s a little more upscale than the surrounding (clubbier) places but not over the top or expensive.

Of course, you should have drinks at Nye%26#39;s if you%26#39;re here on a Friday or Saturday. An absolute must. That is a definite cab ride, just on the other side of the Missisippi from Downtown. It%26#39;s half polka bar and half piano bar -- and the two sides couldn%26#39; be more different. Charming place and a Mpls. instiution. I prefer a spot at the bar on the polka side, but it can get crowded. The live performances are a hoot.

For brunch, it%26#39;s spendy, but Ike%26#39;s has the best one that I%26#39;ve had downtown. It%26#39;s justa a couple blocks from the Marquette -- on 6th Street. Try a Weekender Bloody Mary -- $10 but it%26#39;s a meal in itself. And they serve complementary dinner rolls the size of your head.

Another cozy spot if you like Thai food is King and I -- specifically if you get seated in the bar area, which is a must if you go. The main dining area is a bit bland. Excellent bartenders at the King and I. Fun towatch hem work.

Once again I am stunned by the depth and breadth of the responses on this board.

Amazing.