Will be traveling to Minneapolis July 25 - 28 with my 12 y/o daughter, staying at Marriott City Center, and looking for suggestions on activities and types of family fun.
We plan to take in WNBA Lynx games on Friday and Sunday night, and perhaps visit MOA on Saturday, but would like to hear from locals regarding downtown weekend fun and restaurants. Since I do not plan to have a rental car, I would appreciate feedback on things to do closeby or accessible via light rail.
I understand Nicollet Mall is close, and will probably spend time there, but I am curious to know about the possibility of renting bikes? walking/biking trails? water parks? downtown shopping? etc.
Also - Can anyone provide insight on where visiting WNBA teams stay? Running into some of the LA Sparks would be a treat!
Any insight is appreciated!
Lynx weekend with my 12 y/o daughter
You will be in Mpls. during the Aquatennial celebration. Check www.aquatennial.com for scheduled events while you are in town. You will be here on Saturday night for the big fireworks display over the Mississippi River. Also check www.exploreminnesota.com for other activities going on.
Lynx weekend with my 12 y/o daughter
Hi,
Downtown minneapolsi would be a lot fun. Rather than renting bikes I suggest you take a QUICK short bus ride down to lake calhoun and rent a canoe - best way to see our parks -
www.wheelfunrentals.com/listlocations/97
You can catch a bus to an area known as ';uptown'; where you can easily walk to the lakes.
This link is for the bus system - pull up the map for downtown and zoom-in to your location at the hotel - the 6,12, and 17 will get you there - it is about a 15 minute ride.
metrotransit.org/serviceInfo/mapSystem.asp
Shopping: Some here will tell you that downtown shopping on Nicollet is wonderful. I work downtown and maybe I am just a bit bored, but there really is nothing amazing about it - Nevertheless some of the major shopping choices:
Macy%26#39;s, Nieman Marcus, A BIG saks-off-fifth. Also along the Mall - Talbots, Cole Hann, Barnes and Noble, Target, A very nice jewelry store, and a very cool used book shop.
I think the nicest thing about downtown - is that it is just a very pleasant place. It is clean, well planted and fun. Nicollet Mall is lively with people and there are many restaurants with outdoor dining starting at 9th street and headed south (larger numbers to the s).
West of Hennepin will take you toward the Traget Center and into the warehouse district - a good place for night life
You can rent bikes at Minnehaha Park, which is easily accessible by light rail.
Take the light rail out of downtown toward the Mall of America/airport. Get off at the 50th Street/Minnehaha Park station. Be careful as you cross Hiawatha Avenue/Hwy 55 (45 mph). Enter the park through the gap in the tan wall and cross the small parkway street. Head to the left and when you hit the creek bridge you should see the large red-roofed park center that has a little stand renting all kinds of bikes, includiing quads. Great park for biking. You might want to download a map of the park to see just how expansive it really is. You can even make the trek to Lake Nokomis, where there is a beach. Or Fort Snelling. All safe, paved bike trail.
For treats, there is a Dairy Queen on the northwest corner of the park (just outside the park actually).
Great Ideas! Thank you to all for your feedback. One last question ... as we plan to take in the 7/26 fireworks (thanks PLanetR for the Aquatennial info), hwo saef is the downtown area at night? Since there will be a lot of other folks viewing the show that night, I%26#39;m sure it%26#39;l be fine, but what about on other ';quieter evenings';, in and around the Traget Center, IDS Center, Nicollet Mall?
I%26#39;m of the opinion that it%26#39;s a safe downtown, but anything can happen. I wouldn%26#39;t go into this visit with the impression that it is dangerous -- because in comparison with other big cities%26#39; downtowns, it is very safe. But I also would not go into it thinking nothing can happen to you.
The only area I would avoid is Hennepin Avenue between 7th Street and 4th Street, particularly near the bus stop NE of 7th. There just seem to be a collection of loiterers around there at all times, even though I%26#39;ve walked by there hundreds of times and not felt bothered in the least.
Nicollet Mall is even safer than the Warehouse District area (Target Center) so I can%26#39;t isee any issues there.
oops, I meant that I would go into this visit with the impression that it is NOT dangerous.
oy, nevermind. I misread myself twice now.
mntoathens -
thanks.
Of course, I do realize as a traveler it%26#39;s best to stay alert and on guard at all times. That being said, I%26#39;m certain good judgment will prevail.
Interesting comments about Hennepin Av; obviously we%26#39;ll be walking across @ 7th going to/fro the Marriott/Target center for Lynx games.
Will keep your advice in mind.
Thanks again!
If you walk like you know where you are going and ignore any unsavory looking characters you will be fine. There is a noticeable uniformed police presence in this area at night. You should be fine.
I think the note about the bus stop should not be any concern to you at all.
The poster is referring (I think) to a stop that is about halfway up the block between 6th and 7th.
You won%26#39;t be passing, and I myself would never think twice about it anyway.
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