We will be staying downtown near the convention center around May 1st - May 8th. During the weekdays, my time will mostly be spent at the convention center all day, but my husband will be free to explore the area.
I have spent about 15 hours reading all of the info on your forum and Googling other things as well. I think I have a general idea of the sites, but would like to start narrowing down a bit.
The things we are considering on non-convention days are:
1. The Grand Rounds trip via car and hopefully some walking/light hiking too. How much time do you think we should allot for this? It seems like the complete drive is 50ish miles. Is there a good map onl-line that can be printed that shows the sites and parking?
2. We will go to a Twins game one night--probably on Sat. the 2nd at 6:00 pm. What would you recommend to do before that?
3. Minnehana Park %26amp; falls area. Maybe Ft. Snelling?
4. Some of the walking tours of St. Paul found here: tcdailyplanet.net/blog-entry/2008/07/01/diy-… Especially to see the cathedral and maybe the state capitol.
5. We are also considering the Como Zoo with the botannical conservatory.
During the weekday evenings, we will need to see things that take less time. I figure this would be a good time to: see the cherry %26amp; spoon sculpture, stroll around the stone bridge and other nice areas, visit some gardens that are open late,....
We will likely see both Minnehana Falls and St. Anthony Falls, but I know there are others around Minneapolis may be worth a drive.
I LOVE waterfalls, fountains, parks, gardens, and sculpture. Knowing how many you have and how limited our time will be, I am hoping that you might take some time to share which ones are your favorites and why.
Oh, I do have a parking question too. Many of the hotels charge for parking. Is there free parking on any of the streets?
Also, is the May Day Parade %26amp; Festival anything really special?
Thanking you in advance for your time. :D
Lakes, Parks %26amp; Gardens
You might find a ramp where you could park your car just during the day when the meters are active (8-6 Mon thru Fri), for maybe $10 earlybird price, but then pull the car out when the meters are free (after 6, and weekends). Some meters chared daily 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., so just look around.
Looks like you hit all the hot spots. Before the game, consider some food %26amp; beverages at the Red Wagon near the dome. It will fill up, so get their early. Or even Ikes is good.
Here%26#39;s a Lakes Area map -
a relaxing walk is around Lake of the Isles, and then Lake Calhoun will be buzzing with activities. It%26#39;s near the Uptown area - check that out too.
minneapolis.org/media/…amlakesarea.pdf
Here%26#39;s a site devoted to the RiverFront area
consider walking the paths that include Nicollet Island, Boom Island, St. Anthony Main, Father Hennepin Park, and the Stone Arch Bridge. Check out the free observation ledge at the new Guthrie, and explore the Mill City Museum next door.
If the paddleboats are sailing, consider a day or evening paddleboat ride on the river.
Here%26#39;s a page devoted to the Minneapolis Grand Rounds.
www.minneapolisparks.org/grandrounds/home.htm
You could avoid the parking costs by just using the light rail to get from airport to downtown. And once downtown, most things %26amp; riverfront are a brisk walk. You could even walk from downtown, thru Loring Park, to the SpoonCherry park, and then you%26#39;ll be at the northin tip of Lake of the Isle.
Maybe rent a car just for a day, to do the grand rounds. The light rail has a stop at Minnehaha Park.
I%26#39;m not sure of anything going on May Day.
Lakes, Parks %26amp; Gardens
Forgot to include the RiverFront page link --
http://www.minneapolis-riverfront.com/
For that Saturday Twins game, it depends on if you%26#39;re a baseball fan. If you enjoy places with a little baseball (and sports) history grab a few beers at Hubert%26#39;s. Keepin mind it will be PACKED, as will the Wagon (as mentioned). I still like to get into Hubert%26#39;s despite the crowd. That%26#39;s the center of Twins mementos and where the hardcore fans still go. It%26#39;s a big place, and unles2 you%26#39;re there at 4ish, you%26#39;ll likely be relegated to the beer garden area, which is where I like to be anyway.
If you like military history you could combine Minnehaha Falls/Park with Fort Snelling. If you can arrange a bike rental (google Minneapolis bike rental -- many places do it) you can bike down the riverside trail to the fort from Minnehaha Park.
As for the falls area, it will be a little blemished with the work being done on the creek walls below the falls -- which means they probably won%26#39;t allow walkers down there below the falls. But the views from the main area above will still be gorgeous. And you can descend down the set of stairs farther down the creek to see the pretty little clearing area and even follow it down a mile or two to where it flows into the Mississippi. It%26#39;s a beautiful walk.
If you go at lunchtime, a fantastic place for lunch is about 100 feet from falls -- called Sea Salt. Fresh seafood with beer and wine. Great setting and very inexpensive and casual. Nice place to be on a spring afternoon. I just walked by it 20 minutes ago on my post-dinner walk and their shining it up for a April 24 opening.
Maybe you could do that for lunch, then take the light rail up to the Dome from there. Get off and head over for some beers at Hubert%26#39;s. If it%26#39;s too packed (occasionally they have to form a line so as not to exceed capacity at Hubert%26#39;s) I%26#39;d try the Wagon. Walking distance. Both are within two blocks of the Dome -- Hubert%26#39;s is across the street.
Lake Calhoun is also a place you might consider a bike rental so you can enjoy the entire chain of lakes. Don%26#39;t miss Harriet, which i think is the prettiest of them. A place called Calhoun Rental offers bike rentals. You can find them online.
Good luck.
To me, Minnehaha Park and the chain of lakes are the two jewels of Minneapolis.
And of course, from your hotel you can walk through Loring Park to the Scultpure Gardens. Given your post, I would think that%26#39;s a must-see.
Wow! Thank you both for taking so much time, and for posting such great information. I have been taking a little break from planning out this trip, but I so look forward to researching your suggestions some more. If you have any further suggestions, I would LOVE to hear them.
Thank you again for your time. It is much appreciated. :D
P.S. We%26#39;ve figured out where we are staying. We chose the Doubletree Guest Suites because they have a ';Cars Park Free'; special.
I highly recommend doing a boat cruise on the Mississippi River through downtown. It%26#39;s a great way to view the city and enjoy the sights. The cruises go through the lock and dam system. Check out www.twincitiescruises.com for more info. Also, I would recommend renting bikes and doing some portion of the Grand Rounds on the bike trails. It%26#39;s really where Minneapolis excels as a city. Our trail systems are top notch. Another great website to view is www.exploreminnesota.com for all kinds of great info. Have a great time!
If you are hoping to see Spoonbridge and Cherry, your timing is perfect. The cherry is currently off being painted, but should be back in place before you arrive:
www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp…
As for a viewpoint from which to see St. Anthony Falls, the Endless Bridge (already mentioned) at the Guthrie Theater is great, but for an even better vantage point, take the elevator to the ninth floor of the Guthrie complex to the lobby of the Dowling Studio theater, to the area known as the amber box. It has a great view of the falls, the beautiful new I35W bridge, Gold Medal Park, etc.
The Doubletree is right next door to Brits Pub
great pot-pie, and a 2nd floor outdoor patio with lawn bowling
ENJOY !!
No comments:
Post a Comment