Flying into Minneapolis

I am flying to Chile from Winnipeg connecting through to Minneapolis and Miami. As a Canadian citizen do I have to have a written declaration of what%26#39;s in my luggage when I go through American customs in Winnipeg??

Flying into Minneapolis

Excellent question and congrats for what should be a great trip. To be honest, I don%26#39;t know the answer, but suggest a few websites to check out:

Of course, contact the airline you%26#39;re flying. They should be able to offer some information.

Also look up the US Department of State website. I can%26#39;t guarantee it will be immensely helpful, but shouldn%26#39;t hurt either. http://travel.state.gov/. It%26#39;s obviously geared towards US citizens, but you%26#39;d think you could do some research on the website. Perhaps there%26#39;s a Canadian counterpart website?

From my most recent travels and what I heard of non-US citizens passing through the States, plan on plenty of time and patience through US Customs (perhaps as much as 2-3 hours for a non-citizen, your airline may have other information). Always be polite (honey catches more flies than vinegar) and my experience is always let Customs agents ask the questions - don%26#39;t offer more information than is asked for (but offer the info requested). Even as a US citzen, I always started with a pleasant ';hello'; and offered my passport and card from the airline when coming home, but nothing more. I waited for the agent to ask me questions. Usually, I was moved through with little questioning (though did have to have a box of souvenirs from Nicaragua re-inspected in Miami one time).

In any case, it certainly can%26#39;t hurt to have a handy list of what%26#39;s in your luggage, if requested. If nothing else, you should be able to at least show you%26#39;re trying to act in good faith with Customs agents.

I hope my suggestions are of at least some help...

Flying into Minneapolis

when I%26#39;ve flown Toronto to Minnneapolis, I%26#39;ve never had to have written declaration for my packed belongings.

Only when I%26#39;ve purchased a bunch of stuff and want to declare items over the limit to pay duty.

Wow...even the US Customs web site does not have an FAQ about international in-transit customs process. But from many other sites (like these: businessdirect.co.nz/before-you-fly/internat… and foreignborn.com/visas_imm/entering_us/3custo… ) it appears that no, you do not need to make any specific declaration when transiting immediately from your home country. Transiting from Chile back to Canada would be a whole different thing. In the second link note in particular the sections on Personal Exemptions and the Transit question with regard to dutiable posessions (mainly relating to alcohol and tobacco).

But given that the originating flight is the home country and with documentation (ticket) of on-going travel at most you would just say or check mark the ';I have nothing to declare'; option. On the other hand for any high value items (computer, cameras, video recorders, etc...) it would be extremely useful to have copies of receipts showing purchase prior to leaving Canada for the return trip....both for U.S. Customs as well as in Canada.

So in short the only written declaration might be for alcohol or tobacco if it exceeds the in-transit exemption.

Language schools

Hello,

I%26#39;m going to Minneapolis on a twelve-week assignment, starting on January 5th, and I%26#39;m looking for a language school (English or French) for my wife. We had looked into the Alliance Francaise, but it looks like they%26#39;re not going to open the morning lessons, as not enough students have enrolled. I%26#39;ve looked on the web, but I don%26#39;t seem to find anything. We%26#39;re not going to be in Minneapolis per se, but in Bloomington, and we%26#39;re worried that she will get too bored.

Can anybody help, please? I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

Julian

Language schools

I did a Google search for ';language lessons in Minneapolis'; and came up with several options you might find helpful.

bright makeup

Men's Pedicure... Edina/Hopkins/Bloomington?

Does anyone have any recommendations for a decent experience and price for men%26#39;s pedicures that aren%26#39;t a far drive from the Hwy 100/Crosstown (Hwy 62) area? Thanks.

Men's Pedicure... Edina/Hopkins/Bloomington?

Since you haven%26#39;t received any answers yet, I%26#39;d go to TwinCities.CitySearc.com and check out their spa reviews. It%26#39;s a better site to search for services like this.

Men's Pedicure... Edina/Hopkins/Bloomington?

Sorry, use this URL instead, no typos: TwinCities.CitySearch.com

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Looking for an AWESOME venue to take a date!

I live in Minneapolis, go to school here, but I just recently moved a couple of months ago. I am sure there are some places that are not known by the mainstream where you can take a girl to impress her.

For example back home there%26#39;s a place not many people know about which is a deck that overlooks the city. It has a full bar/restaurant and a pool. It%26#39;s an awesome place not many people know about because it caters mainly to the people who stay in the building (it%26#39;s a hotel).

Any ideas? Like a restaurant in downtown that overlooks the whole city?

I know Drink in uptown and a couple other places in uptown who have a great view (which are only open during the summer) but I am looking for something which is not mainstream/well known.

Any ideas would help. TIA

Looking for an AWESOME venue to take a date!

when it%26#39;s winter, the options of restaurants with a view shrivel up because you%26#39;re inside. That%26#39;s why in winter I usually look for a cozy spot with nice atmosphere (that few people have heard of).

Still, there are places that can impress and have nice views in winter -- depending on where you are seated in the building.

2021 at the Walker has a gorgeous view, although I%26#39;m not the biggest fan of the interior of the room, although many people are. The view is fantastic, though. And so is the food.

Not far from there is Cafe Lurcat in Loring Park, which offers a nice spot (if weather permits) for a pre-dinner stroll to see the sights. There is a nice window with a view of the park if you%26#39;re seated in the right spot. Food is great but spendy.

For cozy and warm, the Riverview Wine Bar in South Minneapolis fits the bill. Fantastic date spot. Food menu is short but you can split a cheese plate and a pizza and be plenty full and impressed. Italian-style pizza with olive oil and thin crust -- fantastic. Very cozy and warm with fantastic service and a retro budget theater across the street.

Another cozy option (no view) is the bar area of King and I. Don%26#39;t be seated in the dining room -- ask to be seated in the bar and get a reservation. When you walk in, there is a great table to the right in the nearest corner -- a nook of sorts. very private setting and nice lighting.

The best view of all used to be the restaurant Windows at the top of the IDS but I think it%26#39;s mostly catered events and weddings now, though you could probably find out by calling to see if they still do dinners there.

Looking for an AWESOME venue to take a date!

I second 20.21 at the Walker Art Center. Ask for a table by the window. You will see the Loring Park area with views of downtown. Great food, great atmosphere and bring your credit card. Sure to impress.

One more place...Cue at the Guthrie. Both Cue and 20.21 reservations can be made on www.opentable.com where you can view the menus and make special requests all from your computer. Very convenient. Cue is located on the Mississippi Riverfront.

Great call on 2021. FYI, if you go this month, you should also try and catch the British Advertising Awards - they%26#39;re outrageous and a really fun date. Admission is included in the ticket price.

I actually would recommend Bar Lurcat over Cafe Lurcat, only for the ambiance. It%26#39;s darker, more relaxed and have great bar food.

I love the vibe at the Loring Pasta Bar. The gothic interior is mood-setting, a scene out of Moulin Rouge. They often have something entertaining after the supper crowd.

If you can be there during a snowstorm, the lounge at the Marquette Hotel is an awesome place to have a cocktail, enjoy the people watching on Nicollet AND catch the Holidazzle Parade. The Local also has great atmosphere, but gets really crowded and crazy. Their window seats fill up fast, and their awnings partially block the view.

There are a couple restaurants in tall buildings downtown, the IDS and I think the HIlton. But I%26#39;m unfamiliar with them, so you%26#39;d need to do the research or rely on other TripAdvisors.

If I remember correctly the view of downtown from the Nicollet Island Inn is also quite good.

If you%26#39;re adventerous enough to go to the ';dark'; side-- St. Paul-- try this.

While the view from the place itself isn%26#39;t impressive (or existent), eat at (Caspers%26#39;) Cherokee Sirloin Room in West St. Paul. Good old-fashioned steakhouse menu and atmosphere.

http://www.cherokeesirloinroom.com/

Before/after or both, continue on Smith Ave. to take a drive or stop at the overlook site on Cherokee Avenue, which is the last street south before you cross the High Bridge. I just love the view of St. Paul from there (excepting the power plant... but at least it%26#39;s gas-fired rather than coal!)

Thanks for your responses. I will research them closely. If anyone else has any ideas please share them.

I would also like to hear about the restaurants in the IDS or Hilton. Those seem interesting.

Thanks again and cheers!

She%26#39;s probably never been to anyplace like the Ice Chamber at the Chambers Hotel. The bar is made of ice, but not to worry. Even though you are outside, there is a huge fire pit to stand or sit next to while you enjoy your drinks. It%26#39;s open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to close. If that gets too cold, you can always go upstairs to the RWFB bar on the fifth floor. As soon as you walk in, you%26#39;ll see why they call it RWFB. Cool views of Hennepin Avenue from up there.

http://www.chambersminneapolis.com/

Like a couple of the other posters have said, you can%26#39;t go wrong with Cafe Lurcat.

Airport Conditions

We will be flying through Minneapolis on Sat. morning and see they are expecting snow. I know Minnesota gets a lot of snow, so I was wondering if this slows down the airport or does traffic flow as usual?

Airport Conditions

I only know it will snow-- haven%26#39;t seen a forecast for snowfall totals. All I can tell you is snow -- if heavy enough -- can significantly slow your travel or even cancel a flight because of decreased visibility and traction. Although few airports are equipped to handle snow as well as MSP international. It%26#39;s nothing new to the folks there. My flight to London last year left in a total whiteout. I swear I couldn%26#39;t even see the tip of the wing and we got the go-ahead to take off. A testament to snow-removal and de-icing crews and others.

I would suggest you do what I have done in these situations. Go to the airport armed with the departure times of flights on your airline for the day -- or at least have the airline customer service number in your phone. That way you can be armed with info and beat your competition (fellow travelers) to the punch when it comes to finding alternate flights (perhaps later ones if yours is canceled and visibility clears up later in the day). I%26#39;ve waited on hold for up to 3 hours to get through in those cases but I also got on a same day flight that saved my trip!

Wish I could help more but I%26#39;m afraid you%26#39;re left to the whim of our curiously evil weather god up here. He likes to mess with people%26#39;s travel.

I hope all my worst-case scenario stuff ends up being for naught. Maybe we%26#39;ll just see light snow all day Saturday and then you%26#39;ll be fine.

Airport Conditions

Traveler,

MNtoathens pretty much hit it on the head. I haven%26#39;t flown in a snowstorm, but if there is any airport that would be prepared for snow and storms, it would be MSP. Follow his advice and pray for the best. You%26#39;ll make it, but perhaps a little late at worst.

Also, a big thing to keep in mind is that if your plane is late arriving due to snow, almost all other planes will be late, too, so the chances to make connections is rather good.

this sounds like a no-brainer, but ...

A lot of times when flights are cancelled, they are canceled hours (sometimes as long as 24 hours in advance) if FAA and airline knows that the visibility will be too poor for takeoff or landing. It happened to me. A flight to Orlando was canceled 24 hours before hand -- I just happened to check my itinerary online with the airline and saw it was canceled. After getting over my initial anger (';Quitters!';), I realized it was a much better situation than having it canceled once I got to the airport. It enabled me to call a day in advance and get on an earlier flight that got out of Minneapolis before the brunt of the storm/

Getting steady snow this morning -- at least on the west side. I%26#39;d assume things are slow at MSP, but probably nothing that they can%26#39;t deal with. This is really just and average snowfall and the wind is very light.

Need a place for breakfast near St. Louis Park

Staying in St. Louis Park the weekend after Christmas and need a place for breakfast. Are there any good local places? Don%26#39;t realy want a Perkins or IHOP.

Need a place for breakfast near St. Louis Park

I%26#39;m coming up blank. Can you give us an intersection to work with--100 and Excelsior, etc?

That might be because I love Perkins omelets.

Need a place for breakfast near St. Louis Park

The Good Day Cafe on 394 and Xenium in the strip mall that used to be Ruperts. Very popular breakfast spot. The actual address is 5410 Wayzata Blvd. Near the junction of 394 and Highway 100.

I second Good Day Cafe.

A few miles out, but Crossroads Deli on Cedar Lake Road is good, especially the weekend breakfasts and Sunday buffet.

http://www.crossroadsdelicatessen.com/

we%26#39;re staying at the Marriott at 9960 Wayzata Boulevard

A nice hotel. I hosted a large group there with 20 rooms a while back. All my guests loved the hotel. The Good Day Cafe is just a few miles down the road. Go east on 394 from the hotel and exit on Xenium, turn left and the strip mall is on the other side of the freeway to your left off of Xenium. Wayzata Blvd. is like a frontage road to 394. Less then 5 minutes from your hotel.

Sorry the strip mall will be on your right after you make a left onto Xenium, sorry to confuse. It%26#39;s really easy to find.

Bunny%26#39;s Bar %26amp; Grill. 5916 Excelsior Blvd. Pretty good breakfast. Also have brunches.

tptr

Somewhat IHOP-like, but a little more local and better, IMO, is Pannekoeken Huis, 4995 Excelsior Blvd (East of Hwy 100 on Excelsior). Order the eggy baked pannekoeken... several topping and filling options. Often (it should be every time), the waiter/waitress will yell ';Pannekoeken!'; as he/she brings it from the kitchen.

Not very adventerous menu or excellent coffee, but I love their signature dish. Other normal breakfast fare has been satisfactory.

Good Day Cafe is a safe bet. One caution is that it gets crowded and loud. If you want to drive west 5-10 minutes to Wayzata there is an Original Pancake House along with a couple of other places that are open for breakfast ... Patrick%26#39;s Bistro is another good spot.

Hotel recomendation

planning to go to the Vikings game on the 28th I%26#39;m looking for a 1/2 decent hotel that has easy transportation to and from the stadium. I don%26#39;t need 5 star but I also don%26#39;t want a dive.

Thanks

Hotel recomendation

What%26#39;s your budget and how long will you be staying. Is it important to have nightlife nearby (and of so what age range?)

Options I see are Best Western Normandy Inn (walkable to the Dome -- depending on how cold it is) -- a budget option.

Slightly spendier is the Holiday Inn Metrodome -- which is not walkable but often used because of the cheap taxi fare from there (not sure whether they have a shuttle but I would think they would). Nightlife and dining options are more limited here than if you stayed downtown.

Most of the hotels downtown (Radisson, Mariott City Center, Marquette, etc) have access to the light rail line to take you down there. Depending on the hotel, there is not-too-bad walk to the station on Nicollet Mall and then it%26#39;s the second stop down (make sure to take in direction of Mall of America) to the Dome. Or a taxi is $7 tops.

Hotel recomendation

my friends usually have luck with priceline 4star and get the Hyatt or Milennium downtown on Nicollet Mall - sometimes they go for $59 - $79.

otherwise try Holiday Inn Express or the Normandy Inn.

I just checked Expedia - and the Crowne Plaza downtown is going for $69 for 12/28 - I%26#39;d nab that - nice hotel and you can walk to the MetroDome

First a disclaimer...in another life not so terribly long ago, I worked in the Sales Dept. of this hotel. I no longer have a personal financial interest in this hotel, but do have friends who continue to work there.

That said, I would suggest checking out Holiday Inn Metrodome. MNtoathens said it was not within walking distance. I would respectfully disagree, under the caveat of whatever you might call walking distance. I personally walked it for Twins games and it is about a 15 minute walk (though a lot easier to walk in June, July, August as opposed to December/January). I personally did not find it a problem and does have sidewalks all the way there. That said, they did have shuttle service for games if you didn%26#39;t want to walk, and also did pickups after the game. You might want to call to confirm as my understanding is they were making changes to what service they would provide (and, had I still been in the Sales Dept, would have argued strongly against). Hotel received a near floor-to-ceiling renovation of rooms in 2007, so generally a good product, though I know it%26#39;s received a few bad reviews lately. Be sure to look at overall trends for reviews, not only a specific one.

Nightlife within walking distance to the hotel will be more along the lines of bars that would cater somewhat more to the college crowd being on the West Bank of the U of M campus. That said, if you%26#39;re older than that you won%26#39;t feel entirely out of place - especially if there during games. You should see plenty of purple of various ages. However, if you want specifically nightclubs, you%26#39;ll likely be looking at about a $10 cab ride to the core of downtown.

One advantage if you are driving is easier access to the hotel from I-35W than core downtown hotels, though not much better parking. You will pay for parking, but no more than any other hotel downtown.

Beyond HI Metrodome, the other hotels suggested by other posters would all make for good alternatives to look into, all depending on budget and what you want to be immediately near.

Another option would be to stay at one of the hotels out by the Mall of America or the airport. If they have a shuttle to either the Mall or the airport, you could take the light rail to the Metrodome for the game; it stops right out front.

You pegged me right, wouldbeworldtraveler.

To me, it%26#39;s walking distance in June. In July, I%26#39;d spring for the $5 cab. If it%26#39;s zero degrees, take the taxi, I say. That%26#39;s a pretty sizable walk outside that time of year when a taxi is so cheap. And if you walk, then you%26#39;ll be pretty chilly when you arrive and want to hang out outside on the promenade where they sell the beer pregame.

By the way, I%26#39;ll be at the game. I%26#39;ll start the tailgating at 6:30 as usual. Go Vikings.

mntoathens,

Point taken and understood! Despite being a lifelong Minnesotan, the cold gets to me a little more each winter. Especially if you have 3-4 people in a cab, it%26#39;s then $1-2 person, same as a tip to a shuttle driver from a hotel.

Yeah...while I%26#39;d easily walk the distance to see the Twins, probably even in playoffs and on to the World Series next fall for their closing season at the Dome (so the season ticket holder and little kid in me wants), but would almost certainly take a shuttle or taxi in January.

I just read my post. ';July'; should be December. Duh to me!

Lots of places within walking distance. Aloft is a couple blocks from Metrodome. I%26#39;ve been in the lobby/bar and it seems just like any other Aloft. Not sure if it sells out for games or not. A bit further west on Washington is The Depot which has both a Residence Inn and Renaissance Hotel along with a ice skating rink and water park.