I totally agree with the votes for Mpls./St. Paul. You do get two cities (with different things) for the price of one. I have been to all three and liked things about them all but Mpls. is the best. Whatever you decide. Have fun.

I have to agree with Clifton on this one. I have lived in St. Louis (actually on the IL side) all my life and the crime rate is always blown out of proportion. Sure, the crime may be high, but most of it is all concentrated on a small area that no visitor would end up in anyways. While there may not be much to do downtown, there is plenty to do within a 5-10 minute drive from downtown. There are great restaurants, including one of the best neighborhoods for Italian restaurants in the US. The museums are fantastic, as is the zoo and Forest Park. St. Louis is trying to revitalize its downtown and so far its making a good effort. I have been to Indy many times (my in-laws live there) and find the city nice but would be bored after a day. Minneapolis was great, although freezing when I went so I don't have that great of memories.

While all three cities are fine, I just thought I would stick up for my home city!

Flaming Monkey - where do you get your info?
Most of what is special about StL is not in the "downtown" area. One needs to go more mid town. Other than Clubs and the sports venues there is not a lot to do down town - that I would agree with.

I never said downtown STL was supposed to be special. In fact, I said it was just the opposite, that it's barely surviving, which apparently you agree with. In my last post I was countering the assertion that was made that downtown CHICAGO is deserted. I completely agree that downtown STL is dead.

flamingomonkey, I think what we're saying is that we agree regarding STL downtown. The reason we're agreeing is to say that while we're saddened that you don't enjoy STL, the point that downtown isn't an attraction is sort of stating the obvious (unfortunate as it may be) and kind of shows that someone stating so doesn't really know all that much about St. Louis and probably didn't see the stuff worth seeing and doing. Not the best source for accurate info.

I do enjoy Chicago but the attempt to compare STL to Chicago of course doesn't really work, nor would most of us from St. Louis do so. But then, why expect it to be something it isn't? That's not what traveling is about, is it?

Might be redundant at this point, but Minneapolis (& St. Paul) definately tops the other two in terms of character and entertainment.

St. Louis and Indy both have their merits, however, and I hope you find time to visit all three someday.

There isn't a lot to see in Indianapolis, but what they do have downtown is very nice. White River State Park is one of the nicest urban parks I've ever seen.

Minneapolis has the Nicolet Mall, where if the weather is nice you can dine outdoors and look for the spot where Mary Tyler Moore tossed her hat in the air. The nicest places in Minneapolis are outside of downtown. They have a system of parks around small lakes that is very nice. They have incredible theatre there, too.

Of these three, I think St. Louis offers the most. Get a Priceline room at Hyatt Regency Union Station (mine was $46 plus tax). Take in all the attractions at Union Station, and ride the Metrolink to the Arch or Forest Park (zoo, science center, skating rink, etc.) The Hill is about 4 miles southwest of downtown and has a great collection of Italian restaurants (Bartolino's has a nice atmosphere, great food, and is relatively inexpensive...it's on Hampton Ave.)

Get some Ted Drewes frozen custard about two miles south of The Hill on Chippewa (intersects with Hampton, turn right). It is smooth and unlike anything you've ever eaten.

well, just wanted to let you know I picked minneapolis, I went, came back and now here is my report:

Not impressed! sorry folks but I guess afrer living in NYC and now chicago, no other city comes close to impressing me! the mall of america was probably the highlight of the trip, although I'll admit, we did have a nice dinner and Solera- funky tapas place. overall, i though the city was ok. kinda shabby, didn't seem like a whole lot of action going on. walking nicolet mall was nice, but how can it be compated to 5th ave NY or the mag mile in chicago! found a few good pubs and stuff for nightlife, checked out a few neighborhoods - whs district, uptown, drove over to st paul. overall - no reason to go back! but i am glad i got to visit : )

You go to Minneapolis and are disapointed it doesn't compare to Chicago or NYC? Sounds like you were setting yourself up for disapointment. Every city is unique and has its own pros and cons. If you were looking for Chicago, why not just stay home? I've never been to Minneapolis so I can't comment on the city, but as far as giant malls go - no thanks - I prefer quality to quantity. For the record, I've traveled to Chicago and enjoyed it several times, but left feeling it lacked a real personality (unlike Boston, New Orleans, San Francisco which are so fabulously unique).

Well, you asked which one of the cities would be better of the three to visit. You didn't ask if any of them were comparable to Chicago or NYC, which is a good thing because, while each of them have their own good qualities, none of them come close. That should have been obvious before you even started looking, so I don't really think its fair to even compare Minneapolis to either Chicago or NYC.

That being said, while I defended St. Louis (my home town) I have been to all three and find all three to be okay. None of them are that exciting, really, but they all have their own things to offer.

Tracy

Thanks for checking back on this thread, not enough people do that!

IMHO you erred on the time of year that you visited Mpls.

Should have gone in mid winter for the carnival. Could have toured the ice castle and done a ton of outdoor things. Oh and the other thing is the take your breath away cold plus of course the mounds of snow combined with the challenging driving! Now that's fun.

I have been in all three cities. Minneapolis gets my vote. Its beautiful, clean, and friendly. Mpls/St. Paul metro has over 200 lakes.

jor,

While you clearly see actually reading the thread as a chore, the least you could do beofre responding is to see what has been said TODAY.

I agree with the rest....you didn't ask if the three potential choices were better than NYC or CGO. YOU picked the original three choices so you only have yourself to blame for an unfulfilling weekend. With a little more homework, you would have known exactly what to expect in each city and should have known that you would be disappointed. This type of miscommunication is exactly why I don't work in the travel field any longer.

Mike, I don't get it. Why would anyone just pick a city and go there and look around? Surely most urban areas have some good points such as museums, ball parks, historic sites, special features that locals would take you to. But you just picked a city without any particular purpose or interest? Glad you at least found an enjoyable dinner!

Personally, I always enjoy time in Chicago or St. Louis (I was born in one and lived in the other). But if I was to choose some other city I sure wouldn't make it a random choice without reasons. Sorry, but you sound like you have a little New York snobbishness (and I have a son living there BTW).
Ozarks Bill

placeu2,

What is your problem and why are you slamming me? I read the prior posts and posted my opinion. BTW Miss Perfect, beofre is not a word.

Get off my back.

jor - Although the response you got was a bit rude, the point being made was that the original poster has already made the decision, gone on the trip, and posted a "trip report". I seriously doubt he's still looking for opinions on which city to visit, so why bother posting one?

jor,

While my response had sarcastic overtones there is lots of truth to what jlm said. I ain't buying that you read the thread.

Thanks for the spelling lesson, how's my grammar?

here is my deal. i moved to chicago from the east coast 2 yrs ago. this is a temporaray thing so i want to make the most of it while here. i love chicago! live downtown, it is fantastic! but while i am here in the midwest i figure i may as well explore a bit! i am a city guy (as you can tell) so i wanted to explore the cities in the midwest, that is why i asked about these 3. i was not expecting MINN to be like chicago or NYC. but it was other things that were disappointing. I did not set myself up for it! but anyway, i am still glad i got to visit. i can check the twin cities off my list! next stop...oh who knows. so far i left chicago twice (Milwaukee and Minneapolis). maybe i'll just stick around chi town! actually, catching a ball game in st louis, that might be next venture!

OK, thanks for telling us more. Interesting about enjoying life in downtown Chicago. So you expect to move back East and are just doing some exploring in the Middle West?
You might enjoy a German festival in Milwaukee or exploring the Dells up in Wisconsin. Or you could take in a jazz festival in Kansas City or the Nelson Art Gallery there. Sure, why not come to St. Louis to see a ballgame (but not playing the Cubs I hope). Have fun!
Ozarks Bill