safe to walk?

I%26#39;m going to be staying at the Marriott Towneplace Suites Downtown for 4 days at the end of March and will be going to a conference at the convention centre while I%26#39;m there. From the map, it looks like a walkable distance but I%26#39;m wondering if it%26#39;s considered safe to walk (single woman, etc. etc.) Also, any recommendations about best bets to check out for eating, entertainment close to the hotel?

safe to walk?

I would say it%26#39;s safe, but like anywhere, anything can happen.

If it%26#39;s during the day, you might want to get to Hennepin Ave, then walk south, til you can hook up with the Skyway (Block E, CityCenter, etc.).

Here%26#39;s a skyway map -

www.stthomas.edu/mpls/visitors/skywaymap.htm

Otherwise, it%26#39;s just a quick $5.00 taxi ride each way I%26#39;d imagine.

Near your hotel is Origami sushi - one of the best in town.

If you cross the bridge on Hennepin heading north, there%26#39;s a Lunds grocery store, with a pretty good hot / cold - ';to go'; section %26amp; salad bar. You could stock up there too.

Near there is also Nye%26#39;s Polonaise (fun bar %26amp; food too), the Times (for awesome fondue), Chipotle, and other places to eat.

safe to walk?

I would say that it is not walking distance. It%26#39;s pretty far. Taxis are plentiful and not expensive. I would guess $6-7. Minneapolis is safe, but even in the safest places you can be seen as a target when you%26#39;re by yourself. I would just eliminate any anxiety and hop a cab.

For entertainment, yes, Nye%26#39;s is absolutely the best bet near you. You have to cab over Hennepin Bridge, past St. Anthony Main. Will be on the right side a few blocks past end of the bridge. I was there Saturday night, maybe my zillionth time there. Every time there is a treat. Make sure you don%26#39;t miss the Ruth Adams polka band (with 90-some-year-old Ruth!) and Lou the pianist on the other side of the bar. She%26#39;s a sweetheart. Those two and the bartenders and the lovely hostess are institutions there.

For eats, I agree with Origami. You could also make your way up to Washington (about 2 blocks) and head southerly toward 1st Avenue north. Before you get there you%26#39;ll see Cafe Havana. Cuban-style food in a beautiful setting. Maybe do that for dinner and hit up Nye%26#39;s afterward.

The convention center is 1-1/2 miles from your hotel. Walkable in my opinion if you have the right shoes and it is not too cold. I am single, female and live downtown. I feel comfortable walking downtown alone at night but choose certain routes over others. Nicollet Mall is better than Hennepin Avenue or 1st Avenue. I%26#39;d suggest taking Washington Avenue to Nicollet on your way to the Convention Center. The skyways are nice when it is cold but can be confusing if you are not familiar with the routes and buildings and hot if you are walking a longer distance and dressed for the cold.

As for eating near the hotel, I%26#39;d suggest Monte Carlo or the Loop. There are also many places along Nicollet Mall that you could stop at on your way back to the hotel and if you didn%26#39;t want to walk, could easily pick up a cab.

Yeah, it%26#39;s relatively safe.....kinda far, though. ; )

A cab would probably only be $5-$6.....then again, it makes a huge difference if the weather%26#39;s actually nice by then.

The hotel is close to the Warehouse district, which has the citie%26#39;s highest concentration of nightclubs, along with some good live music venues (Fineline, First-Avenue, Shouthouse duling pianos. Bunkers is also close, up washington).

Yep, safe to walk but I agree with the suggestion to head down Nicollet Mall if you%26#39;re alone. If you walk indoors there are a number of maps of the skyway system posted in the skyways, although it isn%26#39;t a straight shot and can be confusing. For a quick lunch, check out the lower level of Macy%26#39;s (variety of food counters - deli, salads, Lee Ann Chin, soups, pizza, etc.) or the Skyroom on Macy%26#39;s 12th floor (cafeteria-style).

I lived downtown for many years and still work downtown... I walked at night for years (convention center was on my way home) and had a few scary episodes but nothing major. I agree - walk Nicollet Mall during the day - it%26#39;s just easier to navigate and it%26#39;s nice and bustling. Take a cab at night. It will be $6 max. Also agree with Bunkers - live music every night for a small cover charge. The crowd there is really fun and diverse. The Depot is also right by where you are staying if you want to ice skate indoors - that can be fun if you%26#39;re that type of person. If you like Thai food go to Sawatdee on Washington (OR the one in warehouse district for that matter but Washington will be closer for you). Awesome recommendation to go to Nye%26#39;s. The Local is a great bar on Nicollet Mall - great crowd there too (and a kissing room!). The Guthrie Theater is also on Washington if you are into theater. I don%26#39;t recommend seeing Peer Gynt however if it is still playing there. First Avenue is a great place too for live music/DJ%26#39;s/salsa depending on the night www.first-avenue.com I hear Fogo de Chao is amazing if you are hungry for a ton of meat. Block E has a movie theater that is usually pretty dead but a nice escape. Solera is also a great tapas restaurant/bar.

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