Fitzgerald theatre and surrounding area

Going to a concert at the Fitzgerald theatre. What is the area like? Is this a nice area to stay in or should we think about downtown Minneapolis. Like nice restuarants and nightlife.

Only there for the weekend so need ideas for activities on Saturday.

Like a variety of things,,, the arts, just walking around exploring, main attractions,

We are going the May 2 weekend

Thanks

Fitzgerald theatre and surrounding area

There are some nice hotels in downtown St. Paul. I don%26#39;t believe there%26#39;s one close enough to the Fitzgerald to be considered in the area. But not too far.

It really depends on what kind of nightlife you are looking for. Maybe you can describe what you like and we can suggest some spots. Minneapolis has a little more variety, but St. Paul has some very good restaurants and bars as well, maybe a bit more subdued, which might be right up your alley. The bars along West Seventh Street are really the only concentrated area for nightlife in downtown SP. The rest are scattered about downtown. I find the best St. Paul bars to be off in the neighborhoods. Like Selby and Dale neighborhood.

In Minneapolis, there%26#39;s a bit livelier downtown than SP. SP%26#39;s downtown is very quiet at night with the exception of West Seventh.

I also think for someone looking to do some walking and sightseeing, there is more to see downtown Mpls -- theaters, museums, shopping on Nicollet Mall. And you can take the light rail down to Minnehaha Park, which will be beautiful in may. As I said, not as much to walk to in downtown St. Paul, in my opinion. But a walk along Grand Avenue (which is a little ways out of downtown SP) would be lovely. Lots ot see, lots of places to eat. Quaint.

Fitzgerald theatre and surrounding area

There are a few hotels withing (what I would consider) walking distance of the Fitz. The first and best is The St. Paul Hotel. 1st class all the way. The hotel has a nice restaurant and bar and at least some Saturdays, they do an afternoon tea if you%26#39;re into that. There%26#39;s a Radisson and a Crown Plaza that I would also consider walking distance. Otherwise, there is a Holiday Inn which wouldn%26#39;t be a huge walk and an Embassy Suites which is in a deserted part of downtown St. Paul. My two favorite downtown St. Paul restaurants are Sakura (Japanese) and Pazzaluna (they call themselves an ';urban trattoria'; - I%26#39;d say new Italian). Pazzaluna has a pretty nice late night happy hour. Great Waters Brewing brews some great beers on premises as has fantastic Happy Hour deals. There is an Irish restaurant in the Holiday Inn which can be hit or miss for food but has a nice whisky selection. Things also depend on what%26#39;s going on at the XCel Center. If there%26#39;s an event, downtown will be hopping (for St. Paul). If not, it will be dead. Also know that many of the downtown restaurants serve an ';event menu'; on event days so if you care to have a large menu selection, hope it%26#39;s not an event day. Also, the first weekend of May is high time for high school proms. If there%26#39;s a restaurant you want to try, you might be wise to call for a reservation (and request a table away from the prom-goers!).

As for things to do, the Science Museum of MN is really nice. They have some amazing traveling displays and their permanent collection is first rate. You might enjoy the Wabasha Caves tour. Gangster, Al Capone, bullet holes in the wall - the whole deal. There%26#39;s a nice Mexican section of town if you%26#39;re into that sort of thing. I%26#39;d recommend Boca Chica for lunch or dinner. If you want to spend some of your Canadian money, the Macy%26#39;s in downtown St. Paul has a smaller collection compared to the Mpls and suburban stores, but has fantastic customer service on the weekend (because there%26#39;s nobody there!).

There is definitely more of a ';scene'; in Minneapolis but I think most people could have a good time for a weekend in St. Paul.

Stay in Minneapolis

taxi or drive to the Fitz -

check out the Minneapolis riverfront while you%26#39;re here

http://www.minneapolis-riverfront.com/

I would recommend staying at the Crowne Plaza or the HolidayInn by the Rivercenter. Both are within fair distance of the Fitzgerald (the Crowne Plaza would be closer). As for things to do, there is the history museum, the science museum, an art museum right next to the science museum, and if you have a car you can always go up to Grand Ave and shop. If you just want to walk around there is the riverwalk by the Mississippi river or Summit Ave. is always fun to walk down.

Also on Saturday and Sundays there is a farmer%26#39;s market in Lowertown that is worth going to, they not only have produce, but also flowers and other things. It is a wonderful event that supports local farmers.

As for places to eat, 7th street offers a good selection at resonable prices. For breakfast I would recommend the M street cafe in the St. Paul hotel. If you want something more upscale there is Kincaids, Pazzaluna%26#39;s, or Meritage, all right on St. Peter Street. All three are very delicious.

Minneapolis might offer more restaurant choices but really a person could find plenty to do in a weekend in St. Paul.