What to see in Minneapolis in mid-November?
Oct 5th, 2010, 07:47 AM
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What to see in Minneapolis in mid-November?
I see that the Twin Cities Highlights tour that I wanted to take is only offered on the one day a week that I won't be able to take it. Wondered if there was some other practical way to see the highlights on a very short trip there? We won't have a car. Are there things to see and alternate transportation around the Marriot?
Oct 5th, 2010, 12:06 PM
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You can always hire a taxi or black car to give you a tour around town. The light rail will get you out to the Mall of America if you have interest. I'm sure some sporting events might be going on at one of the arenas. They have several good museums, and couple of live theaters that might interest you. Lots of restaurants and shopping, also you could visit the University of Minnesota.
How long will you be in Minneapolis and how did you come to pick November?
We were in Minneapolis last year on Memorial Day weekend and had great weather. We took the highlights tour and it drove through residential areas as well as downtown and St. Paul, saw Mary Tyler Moore's house and the Minihaha falls. We had breakfast at the Marriott, it's a very nice hotel. We stayed at the Westin a few blocks away, we got a great deal, you might want to check it out.
How long will you be in Minneapolis and how did you come to pick November?
We were in Minneapolis last year on Memorial Day weekend and had great weather. We took the highlights tour and it drove through residential areas as well as downtown and St. Paul, saw Mary Tyler Moore's house and the Minihaha falls. We had breakfast at the Marriott, it's a very nice hotel. We stayed at the Westin a few blocks away, we got a great deal, you might want to check it out.
Oct 5th, 2010, 12:47 PM
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I used to be a guide for the City Highlights tours. When the itinerary says "drive past" that is exactly what it means. You aren't missing much as the tours really just zip around town while you look out the window.
You can easily see much of the same with a taxi. The sculpture garden, Mary Tyler Moore house, Walker Art Center (great restaurant inside) historic homes around the City lakes (Lake of the Isles, Calhoun and Harriet) are all within an easy taxi go round of downtown. Have a driver take you to The Walker & Sculpture Gardens to tour and have lunch. Then taxi past MTM house, historic homes and "the lakes" to the "Uptown" area (Calhoun Square) for a bit of shopping or a drink. From there you can quite easily take a city bus or taxi back to your hotel.
The new Guthrie Theater is about 3 minutes by taxi. Have dinner next door at Spoon River before a show.
Our Minneapolis Institute of Art is wonderful and will have a great exhibition on Native American Art during November. They also have a wonderful restaurant for lunch and are connected to The Children's Theater for a great show -- not just for kids.
Grand Avenue in St. Paul is a wonderful walking street for shopping "if the weather is good". You can take a taxi there, asking for a drive past the mansions of Grand Ave. on the way. Have lunch at Caffe Latte.
You can easily take the light rail to the Mall of America and back.
The entire downtown Minneapolis is connected via SkyWays, so you never have to go outside. If you visit after Thanksgiving the animated Christmas show might be going on in the Macy's auditorium on the main mall.
Vikings and Timberwolf games are within the walking area of downtown Minneapolis. No transportation needed.
If you are a bit adventuresome and don't want to take taxis, try our Metro Transit (bus) system. Its very user friendly. You can plan a trip using the following web site.
http://www.metrotransit.org/tripplanner/
You can easily see much of the same with a taxi. The sculpture garden, Mary Tyler Moore house, Walker Art Center (great restaurant inside) historic homes around the City lakes (Lake of the Isles, Calhoun and Harriet) are all within an easy taxi go round of downtown. Have a driver take you to The Walker & Sculpture Gardens to tour and have lunch. Then taxi past MTM house, historic homes and "the lakes" to the "Uptown" area (Calhoun Square) for a bit of shopping or a drink. From there you can quite easily take a city bus or taxi back to your hotel.
The new Guthrie Theater is about 3 minutes by taxi. Have dinner next door at Spoon River before a show.
Our Minneapolis Institute of Art is wonderful and will have a great exhibition on Native American Art during November. They also have a wonderful restaurant for lunch and are connected to The Children's Theater for a great show -- not just for kids.
Grand Avenue in St. Paul is a wonderful walking street for shopping "if the weather is good". You can take a taxi there, asking for a drive past the mansions of Grand Ave. on the way. Have lunch at Caffe Latte.
You can easily take the light rail to the Mall of America and back.
The entire downtown Minneapolis is connected via SkyWays, so you never have to go outside. If you visit after Thanksgiving the animated Christmas show might be going on in the Macy's auditorium on the main mall.
Vikings and Timberwolf games are within the walking area of downtown Minneapolis. No transportation needed.
If you are a bit adventuresome and don't want to take taxis, try our Metro Transit (bus) system. Its very user friendly. You can plan a trip using the following web site.
http://www.metrotransit.org/tripplanner/
Oct 5th, 2010, 01:10 PM
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Thank you all for your help.
We'll only be there a couple of days. Our main purpose is to see a favorite niece perform in her college's production of Cabaret, which will be in it's last weekend when we're there. I just hated to go all that way from Hawaii without seeing some of the city. I understand that the Twin Cities are always rated among the top places to live in the U.S., so they must be wonderful cities. Unfortunately, we could not choose a nicer or warmer time to visit.
BigRuss: Yikes!
We'll only be there a couple of days. Our main purpose is to see a favorite niece perform in her college's production of Cabaret, which will be in it's last weekend when we're there. I just hated to go all that way from Hawaii without seeing some of the city. I understand that the Twin Cities are always rated among the top places to live in the U.S., so they must be wonderful cities. Unfortunately, we could not choose a nicer or warmer time to visit.
BigRuss: Yikes!
Oct 5th, 2010, 01:18 PM
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Coming all the way from Hawaii, you're a great Aunt and Uncle I hope your niece appreciates you.
The deal we got at the Westin was pay full rate the first night and get the next night or two for the year of your birth. The older you are the cheaper the rate, if you were born in 1950 you paid $50 per night for nights 2 and/or 3. I looked at the website and it's still being offered in case you're interested. The hotel was top notch.
The deal we got at the Westin was pay full rate the first night and get the next night or two for the year of your birth. The older you are the cheaper the rate, if you were born in 1950 you paid $50 per night for nights 2 and/or 3. I looked at the website and it's still being offered in case you're interested. The hotel was top notch.
Oct 5th, 2010, 02:56 PM
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TC gave you great ideas. My favorite museum is the Minneapolis Institute of Arts; free admission, world class museum, nice cafe and gift shop. Stroll over the stone arch bridge over the Mississippi River and take in the view of the University of MN, the Guthrie and the old flour mill ruins. Good eats: Solera, Birchwood, Kafe 421. I also like Spoonriver (aforementioned)near the river area. Minnehaha Falls (made famous by Longfellow) and our city lakes are lovely for a stroll if the weather permits. Enjoy!
Oct 5th, 2010, 03:42 PM
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My niece is very talented (okay, I'm biased!), and is playing the lead, so this is very special. I wouldn't miss it for the world.
No matter how warm it is in Minnesota in November, it will be cold for us, though. We're looking forward to a little adventure!
Thank you for your kind words and advice.
No matter how warm it is in Minnesota in November, it will be cold for us, though. We're looking forward to a little adventure!
Thank you for your kind words and advice.
Oct 5th, 2010, 05:59 PM
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Well, mid-November won't be tropical but it might not be that bad. We trick or treated last year with just a sweater on.....
There are some great things to do, despite the chill. The Walker Art Center and Sculpture Garden are not to be missed. Spend the morning and then cross the bridge and have lunch at Cafe Lurcat. Wolfgang Puck has a restaurant in the Walker but I prefer Lurcat.
The MIA is another great idea. A surprisingly wonderful and large museum.
Make it a Theatre weekend and see something at the Guthrie as well. Have dinner in the up and coming area around the theatre...Northeast Social or Psycho Suzies or Anchor are all great (but very different from one another) options.
Good restaurants around the Marriott include Solera, Barrio & D'Amico's Kitchen. Might want to make a reservation at one of those.
If the weather isn't too cold for you (and coming from Hawaii I suspect it will be) you could always walk around Lake Calhoun or one of the other Lakes in the city. End up in Uptown for a drink or a quick bite at Chino Latino, Stella's, Lucia's, Uptown Cafeteria or even Bryant Lake Bowl.
Have a great time. I just LOVE this city.
K
There are some great things to do, despite the chill. The Walker Art Center and Sculpture Garden are not to be missed. Spend the morning and then cross the bridge and have lunch at Cafe Lurcat. Wolfgang Puck has a restaurant in the Walker but I prefer Lurcat.
The MIA is another great idea. A surprisingly wonderful and large museum.
Make it a Theatre weekend and see something at the Guthrie as well. Have dinner in the up and coming area around the theatre...Northeast Social or Psycho Suzies or Anchor are all great (but very different from one another) options.
Good restaurants around the Marriott include Solera, Barrio & D'Amico's Kitchen. Might want to make a reservation at one of those.
If the weather isn't too cold for you (and coming from Hawaii I suspect it will be) you could always walk around Lake Calhoun or one of the other Lakes in the city. End up in Uptown for a drink or a quick bite at Chino Latino, Stella's, Lucia's, Uptown Cafeteria or even Bryant Lake Bowl.
Have a great time. I just LOVE this city.
K
Oct 7th, 2010, 03:19 PM
#15
Leburta, since you only have one or two free nights I will not suggest anything except this....go shopping as soon as you land and buy some smartware undergarments. They are thin, warm and you will not know you are wearing them. Layers are the way to dress to stay warm. Please go into the outdoors and enjoy the 'freshness' of the air, it is so different from the tropic air. City Pages and Mlps-St.Paul magazines will also give you some ideas. I am changing my mind about suggestions, how about trying a little ice fishing on a Minnesota lake. Enjoy your time in Minnesota.
Oct 8th, 2010, 06:23 AM
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Oh Zizzy......ice fishing!?!?..really?...ice fishing??
Sitting in a little wooden "outhouse", drinking beer, hovered over a hole in the ice, hoping for a fish before asphyxiating from the fumes of your heater?
Where is the fresh air in that?
Sitting in a little wooden "outhouse", drinking beer, hovered over a hole in the ice, hoping for a fish before asphyxiating from the fumes of your heater?
Where is the fresh air in that?
Oct 9th, 2010, 04:02 PM
#18
TC, you hogged all the good ideas and since my favorite city to visit is St. Paul but the poster asked about Minneapolis there wasn't much left!!Cali is absoultly correct that the ice will not be thick enough anyway. I was serious about warm clothes though, a stocking hat and gloves are also a must.
Oct 10th, 2010, 08:01 AM
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Ziggy...Too bad, Laburta isn't here this week. Wow...what beauty! The trees are outstanding in their colors and the sunny, warm weather is spectacular for hiking around the lakes. I'm headed to the Arboretum this week to take in the Fall offerings and see Patrick Dougherty's "Uff-da Palace" -- "a natural sculpture created from branches and sticks".
