We are staying at the Holiday Inn near the university in mid- December. Any suggestions for Australians new to the US for getting around on public transportation. What to see? And how to see it?? Thanks in advance!

We have a great public transportation system here. The Holiday Inn can arrange or advise for whatever you need.
The Mall of America is definately worth seeing. There are a few museum type places, art institutes, a planetarium. All of these places you can get to by using the transit system/ or taxi.
It will be chilly up here. Bring as many warm clothes as your suitcase will fit. You will also need mittens, hats, scarves,boots (warm) and a outer coat that will ward off the coldness. You do understand that the day time high temps can hover about 10 degrees f
Pretty damn cold. Anyway, hope you enjoy Minnesota. It really is a beautiful state.

Well, I will disagree with Michele. There are TONS of wonderful things to to in Minneapolis, but Mall of America is only worth seeing if you are someone who loves to go to a mall. It is just like any other mall only bigger, and there is an amusement park in the middle. I have lived here 37 years and am only 10 minutes from the Mall and I only go maybe 3 times a year because my daughter likes the rides. The planetarium WAS wonderful but it recently closed. Our public transportation is just OK, buses are pretty good in Minneapolis proper, just get the schedules and bring warm clothes. We have FABULOUS theater here, many small inexpensive venues in the area you are staying as well as the Guthrie, Jungle Theater (my favorite), Children's Theater, etc. Go see an independent film Uptown at the Uptown Theater or Lagoon Theater, shop around in Uptown and then eat at Lucias, Campiellos or Bar Abileene. For a "funky" night out, go to the Bryant Lake Bowl-they have a cabaret style theater with unusual shows, an old retro bowling alley and really good reasonably priced food. Extremely wide variety of clientelle, great atmosphere. Eat at any D'Amico & Sons (small chain) for excellent deli food reasonably priced (not to be mixed up with D'Amico Cucina-excellent but VERY expensive!). For a high buck but fabulous dinner, we have tons of choices: D'Amico Cucina, Goodfellows, Lucia's, Aruiga. For the best Pizza downtown eat at Pizza Luce, but be warned that the staff and clientelle are pierced, tatooed and spike haired (adds to the fun if you ask me!) but the pizza is the best in town. Go see the wonderful art at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts or the Walker Art Center. If the weather is good enough, walk around Lake Calhoun then eat a great meal at Dixie's Calhoun. If you get a car, drive down Summit Avenue in St. Paul for a street of some of the most beautiful old mansions you have ever seen. Start at St. Thomas University at Summit & Grand Ave and drive East on Summit. It goes for several miles. Then eat at Vine Street Brewery not far from there. Pick up a City Pages for lots of lists of things to do. Have fun, post again if you have more questions! I love Minneapolis even though is is cold here!

Hi!

If you are going to be here in December, I recommend seeing a HolliDazzle parade while you are here.

It is a parade held in downtown Minneapolis during the Christmas holiday season. It is held at night and most of the parade floats and people are lit up with holiday lights. It's a lot of fun (providing the temparature is not too low). I believe it is held Wednesday - Saturday nights at 6:30 p.m.

Have fun!

SERIOUSLY.
Try to borrow fur coats from friends to bring with you. I am from Chicago, lived with blasting icy winds all my life and literally would have died if not for a full-length fur coat in winter in Mpls. It can get so cold you literally feel like you are having a heart attack, your lungs freeze over. This has nothing to do with frivolous slaughter of animals, this is survival. That is why Mpls has a system of skyways, walkways, etc. connecting the main downtown. I would stay instead at the Marquette or any hotel connected to the skyway system. Mpls is a lovely city of lakes, and there are countryside getaways where you can do x-country skiing and even downhill. Hopefully you can borrow all these clothes and bring with you. If you haven't seen the terrific movie FARGO, rent it and watch it a few times to get the drift of what I am talking about in terms of cold...it takes car heaters about 20 minutes to warm up enough to get the heater in the car working. I used to beg any guy at the office to go out and start my car for me, so when I got there it was less frigid. When I had manicures I would leave the engine running in my car THE ENTIRE TIME so that when I left I could stand it without gloves. Check out Lake Minnetonka and Edina, two nice suburban areas. If the Blue Point Oyster Bar is still in business, out by Lake Minnetonka, this is worth a trip. I cried when I moved there, cried harder when I left and still here from people I used to work with over 10 years ago...Minnesotans are very loyal. But it is COLD!!!!!(#*#

SERIOUSLY.
Try to borrow fur coats from friends to bring with you. I am from Chicago, lived with blasting icy winds all my life and literally would have died if not for a full-length fur coat in winter in Mpls. It can get so cold you literally feel like you are having a heart attack, your lungs freeze over. This has nothing to do with frivolous slaughter of animals, this is survival. That is why Mpls has a system of skyways, walkways, etc. connecting the main downtown. I would stay instead at the Marquette or any hotel connected to the skyway system. Mpls is a lovely city of lakes, and there are countryside getaways where you can do x-country skiing and even downhill. Hopefully you can borrow all these clothes and bring with you. If you haven't seen the terrific movie FARGO, rent it and watch it a few times to get the drift of what I am talking about in terms of cold...it takes car heaters about 20 minutes to warm up enough to get the heater in the car working. I used to beg any guy at the office to go out and start my car for me, so when I got there it was less frigid. When I had manicures I would leave the engine running in my car THE ENTIRE TIME so that when I left I could stand it without gloves. Check out Lake Minnetonka and Edina, two nice suburban areas. If the Blue Point Oyster Bar is still in business, out by Lake Minnetonka, this is worth a trip. I cried when I moved there, cried harder when I left and still hear from people I used to work with over 10 years ago...Minnesotans are very loyal. But it is COLD!!!!!(#*#

Michele has never been to a real city.
Otherwise she'd recognize that Minneapolis has a dismal public transport system relative to major cities like NYC, Chicago, SF, Sydney.

Foreign visitors should not assume they'll have an easy time getting around MSP metro area with public transport.

The busses are okay if you stick to the main downtown shopping area or between there and the University. If you want to get out and about and explore a wider circle, you will need a car. It is not impossible that you can make some friends quickly, and they will take the time to show you around. Again, if you are doing something related to the U, certainly you will meet people to take you under their wing.

Your post reminds me of the guy who came from the south, to Minneapolis in winter to start his new job. After two days he quit and moved back home. He had no idea how cold it is here. But Australians are tough and I know you will have a good time here.

Here's my 2 cents:

The public transportation in Minneapolis is not great, but not bad either. Until the light rail line is finished (2004, I believe), the main public transportation is by bus. By the university and in downtown Minneapolis and south Minneapolis there are many more bus choices. But ... be prepared ... if you have to transfer buses, you may have to stand out in the cold for a while until the next bus comes along. If you want to do some research on the Minneapolis/ St. Paul bus system before your trip, the website is www.metrotransit.org.

Now, the cold weather. Average high temperatures are in the 20's (farenheit)in December. If there is no wind, that's not really that bad. However, it CAN get much windier and colder - so check the long range forecast before you pack.

Personally, I think you should at least check out the Mall of America once - just to see it and for the people watching. Once is more than enough for most people. If you do go to the M.O.A., my restaurant recommendations are: For good food - Alamo Grill (get a seat overlooking Camp Snoopy for good people watching), California Cafe, Tucci Benucch or Twin Cities Grill. Rainforest Cafe and Cafe Odyssey have food that is OK, but are fun places to eat also (kids love them).

Most of the rides at Camp Snoopy are for children, but if you want to try a ride, go for the Mystery Mine Ride.

You've already received some good recommendations for places to see and eat. I would like to add: Palominos, Buca's, and the Nicollet Island Inn.

And, yes, try to see a play while you are here. There are many, many choices - from touring Broadway shows to great local theaters.

Have fun! And please post a trip report when you return.