scenic observation deck in Mpls?

I will be taking the Lightrail from the MOA to downtown Mpls. Where can I go to get a good view of the city? I heard you cannot use the Foshay Tower no longer...is there another place along the Lightrail route?

scenic observation deck in Mpls?

The Foshay is under construction to become a W Hotel, but when it re-opens this summer, they stated they will bring back the observtion deck.

The only other place would be the IDS Tower. They do a Sunday Brunch every Sunday. You can walk around and take in the great views. We%26#39;ve even had a table next to the windows.

Here%26#39;s the site - and click on Sunday Brunch.

http://www.marquettehotel.com/windows.htm

If you are not doing this on a Sunday, maybe you could go up to the 50th floor and just look out thru the lobby area. The dining rooms might not be open.

There is a security desk on the main floor, so you have to look like what you%26#39;re doing and don%26#39;t ask them. The elevator bank, as you are heading from the inside Crystal Court, is the bank to the far right - to go to the top.

Good luck !

scenic observation deck in Mpls?

I will be visiting Minneapolis in late June and like the above traveler would like to see the city from a high vantage point, preferably a restaurant. I understand that there is or was a revolving restaurant in St. Paul. Is that still there?

Second problem- I%26#39;d like to go to a Twins game. Is there a reasonably priced ($100 +/-) place to stay within a safe walk of the stadium?

Thank you.

I%26#39;ve heard of Priceline bids as low at $40 for 3/4 star hotels in downtown Minneapolis.

They would be all close to Twins if you stated downtown.

The stadium at the edge of downtown.

A close hotel would be at the ';depot';, there are two there: Renaisance and Residence Inn.

Another good choice for less would be the Holiday Inn Metrodome.

I don%26#39;t know much about your price point though. Hotel rooms in downtown are actually quite scarce at times.

As far as safe or not, I would not be particularly concerned especially around game time. However as a rule of thumb I would say avoid walking due south of the metro-dome.

Sandshot,

Also, this far north the sun goes down quite late here. It can be ligt as late as 10pm in the summer - so check the sun-set time if you have any worry about walking around in the dark.

Thank you. This is good advice. The hotels suggested are a little pricey. Is there decent public transportation/subway in Mpls?

Yes, there is public transit in Minneapolis. For anyone desiring to see a Twins game, the light rail system stops right outside the Metrodome, home of the Twins. It terminates at the Warehouse District downtown, and runs out to the Mall of America. There is also bus service.

http://metrotransit.com/

You could stay at a hotel downtown and get to the Metrodome, and you could also stay out near the Mall of America or the airport. As long as they have a shuttle to the Mall or the airport, you can catch the light rail at both locations.

After the game, the trains will be packed with fans, so there is no need to worry about being in a ';bad neighborhood';.

As to a place to get a good view of the city, there is a restaurant on the 50th floor of the IDS Tower called Windows on Minnesota. They have a Sunday brunch that would afford you quite a view of the entire area.

Thanks, Rocco. That is helpful as is the link. I looked at Windows but it appears that they do just functions/banquests instead of dinner?

I did call the Carousel restaurant in St. Paul but they are just banquets/functions now.

Sandshot, I believe the only time Windows on Minnesota is open to the general public is the Sunday brunch; all other things are private parties, etc.

That%26#39;s what I got from the website, brunch only. Is there another site with a good view in Mpls/StP?