Minneapolis experts...lots of questions
 

I may be visiting Minneapolis and Lake Minnetonka (sp). I am interested in knowing if this trip can be done without a car...I have friends in Minnetonka who could pick me up at a public transportation drop off. Is there public trans. in the city and how reliable is it? I am especially interested in art, history, cultural events & architecture. How many days would I need in the City and how long in the Lake area? Thanks.

anyone?

We have buses, taxi and light rail in the city. Now going out to the lake good luck. There are buses but not many mostly during working hours Monday thru Friday. Then of course taxi cab service. The lake is a large area so do not know what area you are talking about. Right in Minneapolis you would not have a problem. There are many things to see and do. Walker Art Center is a beautiful Art Center. St Paul has a Historical and Science museum and the option is bus or taxi they do not have the light rail. There is a Swedish Art Institue also in Minneapolis. Number of days could not tell you depends on what you are planning to see and do. And Lake Minnetonka like I said is large includes Wayzata, Deephaven, Excelsior, Mound to name some. All on or near the Lake.

Last summer, our group stayed a week near the convention center end of the downtown mall. We had a car but barely used it. We walked to a different mall restaurant every night, and visited the Walker Center, Guthrie, Orchestra Hall and the Nicollet Island/St. Anthony's area on foot. The kids took the light rail to Mall of America. The only places we drove to were St. Paul and the lake region, but the distances aren't far and they seem like they would be reachable by cab without it costing too much.

We spend a lot of time in Mpls. but always have a car so have no idea if it is doable to Lake Minnetonka Area - as others have said it is a big area. You can get around downtown Mpls. and to the Mall of America Area pretty easily without a car but wonder if your Minnetonka friends know more about transportaion to their area than we do. I am sure there is some transportation to some areas of Minnetonka as I am sure some commmute from there but perhaps your friends will know best. We love Mpls. and also the Minnetonka Area so hope you have a great time.

As others have already suggested, the public transportation in Minneapolis is great. Good bus coverage and light rail. You will have no problem getting around in downtown without a car. There is only 1 bus line that will take you to the Minnetonka area. That would be the SW Transit buses. Their website is as follows:
http://www.swtransit.org/

Keep in mind that this is a separate bus service then the Metro transit buses you will see all over downtown.

If you hop on a SW Transit bus, you could get to Eden Prairie, which is a suburb adjacent to Minnetonka. There is a large transit station in Eden Prairie near the Eden Praire Mall. On the SW Transit website it is referred to as the Preserve Village Park & Ride. This would be an excellent spot for your friend to pick you up. You don't say what time of year you will be visiting. If it is during the winter, you will not be able to enjoy Lake Minnetonka as much as a summer visit. However there are still some great little towns around the lake to check out such as Excelsior and Wayzata. Lots of great resturants with lake views.

My Minneapolis recommendations:
The Mpls. Art Institute (free admission, good cafe, good gift shop, extensive collection)
The Stone Arch Bridge/Mississippi River area (new Guthrie Theater nearby-architecture!, Mill City Museum, see the river and stroll the bridge)
Check out the new public library (architecture!)
The Swedish Institute is pretty during the holidays

Public Transportation is very reliable in Minneapolis/St. Paul, but it will take some configuring to get to Lake Minnetonka. However, it really is only a 15 minute car ride on hwy 394.

In addition to what's mentioned, downtown MPLS has fabulous theaters with anything from Broadway to stand up. There's also the Ordway in St. Paul that's equally wonderful if not more so depending on the show. You can check the Twin Cities Calendar for activities and events going on throughout the year. You can go to Minneapolis.org and find all kinds of things going on. There is even a calendar where you pick the dates and it comes back with all the goings on for a particular length of time. It seems very accurate and up to date, for what's booked anyway.

Found elsewhere where someone posted how incredibly reasonable and wonderful "Affordable Town Car Service" was. Could be an option for transportation! 952-736-3733.

Don't miss the ARt Institute, it is amazing!

The buses are decent and reliable and the light rail is fine ... but do not expect a major metro transit experience. The light rail is very limited. Keep your expectations low to moderate.