Minneapolis/Downtown

By METRO Light Rail

The Blue Line and Green Line run on 5th Street through Downtown Minneapolis. The Blue Line links to South Minneapolis, the airport, and the Mall of America in Bloomington, while the Green Line links to the University of Minnesota and Saint Paul. The METRO is probably the easiest way to get into Downtown if you are coming from any of those areas.

By commuter rail

The Northstar Line runs from the northwest suburbs and terminates in Downtown Minneapolis at Target Field Station, which is also a transfer point to the light rail. However, service hours are limited and geared more towards weekday commuters than average visitors. Trains mostly run inbound during weekday mornings and outbound during weekday afternoons. There is also some limited service on weekends and special service timed around Twins and Vikings games.

By bus

Numerous buses serve Downtown Minneapolis, far too many to name individually. Local buses from Southwest or Northeast Minneapolis generally run along Hennepin Avenue or Nicollet Mall (a pedestrian/transit mall). Buses from the University of Minnesota and Saint Paul mostly run along 4th Street. Buses from North and South Minneapolis are less predictable, and may run along 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th Streets depending on the route and the direction it is traveling in.

By car

• Interstate 35W from the south suburbs or the northeast suburbs.
• Interstate 94 from Saint Paul and the east suburbs or the northwest suburbs.
• Interstate 394 from the west suburbs. I-394 directly connects to some parking garages along the western edge of downtown.
• Hiawatha Avenue (Minnesota State Highway 55) from the airport and the southeast suburbs.

Although most of the city's grid is along a strict north-south/east-west layout, the area near downtown on both sides of the river lies at an angle to the rest of the city's grid to better align with the river. Here streets run parallel to the river, and avenues run perpendicular (except for Washington Avenue, which parallels the river). Downtown contains mostly numbered streets and avenues, although a few important ones are named. Most of Downtown is within South Minneapolis, although the Warehouse District extends into North Minneapolis. This is the only part of town, other than the West Bank, where you will encounter streets as well avenues designated "South". The intersection of S 2nd Ave and S 5th St is many blocks from the intersection of S 2nd St and S 5th Ave!
Much of downtown uses a series of Skyways to connect downtown shops and businesses. Navigating the skyway system can be confusing since one often has to take a curcuitous route to reach their destination. However, it's often a welcome alternative to walking outside in Minneapolis' harsh winter cold. For example, one could walk from the Convention Center in Minneapolis to Washington Avenue (a block before the Mississippi) without going outside, and without stopping at a pedestrian traffic light. Interstate 394 feeds into heated parking garages, so that a Wayzatan suburbanite could enter her vehicle, drive the length of 394 to the heated lot, go to work, shop at Target or Neiman-Marcus, see a movie, have dinner, and return home - all without having to wear a coat or change clothes, even in weather.
If you get tired of walking, Metro Transit buses are only $0.50 per ride within the Downtown Zone; keep in mind that no transfers are issued when paying the downtown fare. You can also ride a light-rail train between Target Field and U.S. Bank Stadium stations for this same fare. In addition, certain buses on the Nicollet Mall are marked "Free Ride"; specifically, they are the northbound Route 18 and southbound Route 10 buses. You can board these buses without paying a fare.

• Music Wall

  address: 94 S 10th St
  Giant five-story mural on the side of the old Schmitt Music Building, considered a landmark of the Minneapolis music scene.

Parks and gardens

• Gold Medal Park

  phone: +1 612 904-5607
  address: S 2nd St and 11th Ave S
  Gold Medal Park is a 7.5-acre park next to the Guthrie Theater. A 32-ft-high mound, reached by a spiral walkway, offers great views of the riverfront.

• Mill Ruins Park

  phone: +1 612 230-6400
  address: 102 Portland Ave
  Archaeological site at the location of former flour mills and other industrial buildings. A canal that ran through the area has been restored.

• Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

  phone: +1 612 230-6400
  address: 726 Vineland Pl
  The Sculpture Garden is an outdoor exhibition of sculptures from many different artists, including the famous Spoonbridge and Cherry. It takes up 11 acres and is one of the largest urban sculpture gardens in the country.

• Stone Arch Bridge

  address: Portland Ave and W River Pkwy
  A former railroad bridge of the Great Northern Railway spanning the Mississippi River; it was abandoned in 1978 and sat idle until it was repaired and adapted for pedestrian and bicycle use in the early 1990s. The Stone Arch is famous for its graceful arches and breathtaking views overlooking the Saint Anthony Falls.

Museums

• Foshay Museum

  phone: +1 612 215-3783
  address: 821 Marquette Ave
  Museum of the Foshay Tower, the former tallest building in Minneapolis from 1929-1971. The art deco tower was modeled after the Washington Monument. Outdoor observation deck on the 31st floor offers spectacular views of Minneapolis landmarks.

• Mill City Museum

  phone: +1 612 341-7555
  address: 704 S 2nd St
  This interactive museum, an arm of the Minnesota Historical Society, recounts Minneapolis' history as the flour milling capital of the world. The eight-story "Flour Tower" ride describes life in the mills, and leads to an observation deck atop the Washburn A Mill, formerly the world's largest flour mill.

• Walker Art Center

  phone: +1 612 375-7600
  address: 1750 Hennepin Ave
  One of the "big five" modern art museums in the United States, which underwent expansion in 2005.

Architecture

• Dayton's Building

  address: 700 Nicollet Mall
  This building was once the flagship store of Dayton's, a highly-renowned Minneapolis institution that was the dominant department store chain of Minnesota, and also had some presence in surrounding states. That all ended when it was rebranded as Marshall Field's in 2001; five years later the Marshall Field's brand would also become a thing of the past when the chain was bought by Macy's. The store floundered under Macy's ownership and was closed in March 2017. The building is vacant but is being redeveloped for offices and retail, and is expected to open in 2020.

• Basilica of St. Mary

  phone: +1 612 333-1381
  address: 88 N 17th St
  Opened in 1914 as a pro-cathedral, Pope Pius XI lifted its rank to that of minor basilica in 1926, making it the first basilica in the United States. It serves as co-cathedral for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis along with the Cathedral of St. Paul.

Theater and performing arts

• Orpheum Theatre

  phone: +1 612 373-5600
  address: 910 Hennepin Ave
  Opened in 1921 as the Hennepin Theatre, a Beaux-Arts style building that was said to be the largest vaudeville house in the country at the time. It later became a movie house around the 1930s and 40s, and also started hosting live theater in the late 1950s. The theater was renovated in the early 1990s to host larger Broadway productions (a couple musicals debuted here before moving on to Broadway), and it also hosts the occasional concert.

• Guthrie Theater

  phone: +1 612 377-2224
  address: 818 S 2nd St
  This internationally renowned theater opened in 1963 and is known for its productions of both classical literature and new work from contemporary playwrights. In 2006, the theater moved into a new building along the Mississippi River near the old milling district. Designed by award-winning architect Jean Nouvel, this building houses three stages, and also acts as a public space, with restaurants, a cafe, and a 178-foot cantilevered bridge (the "Endless Bridge") looking out over the river.

• State Theatre

  phone: +1 612 373-5600
  address: 805 Hennepin Ave
  The State opened in 1921 and was designed in an Italian Renaissance style. It mostly operated as a movie house, although the theater occasionally hosted vaudeville acts and live music. The theater closed in 1978, but was later renovated and reopened in 1991, and now hosts live theater and concerts.

• Pantages Theatre

  phone: +1 612 373-5600
  address: 710 Hennepin Ave
  Opened in 1916 as a vaudeville house run by theater magnate Alexander Pantages, later converted to a movie house. It was built as a Beaux-Arts, twelve-story complex, but it was later significantly reduced to two stories. It operated as the Mann Theater from 1961 until closing in 1984. A five-year restoration led to its reopening in 2002 under the original name, now hosting theatrical and occasional live music performances.

• Minnesota Orchestra

  phone: +1 612 371-5656
  address: 1111 Nicollet Mall
  Minneapolis' symphony orchestra dating back to 1903. Puts on the annual Sommerfest every summer.

• Brave New Workshop

  phone: +1 612 332-6620
  address: 824 Hennepin Ave
  An improv and sketch comedy theater that has been around in various locations in Minneapolis since 1958; the theater had a long history in Uptown but moved to its present location in 2010.

Professional sports

• Target Field

  address: 3rd Ave N between 5th and 7th Sts
  Opened in 2010, this outdoor stadium is home to Major League Baseball's Minnesota Twins, who moved in after a 28-year-long stint at the since-demolished indoor Metrodome.

• Target Center

  address: 600 1st Ave N
  Home of the NBA Minnesota Timberwolves and the WNBA Minnesota Lynx basketball teams.

• U.S. Bank Stadium

  address: 900 S 5th St
  New home of the NFL's Minnesota Vikings; also hosts a few early-season Minnesota Golden Gophers (University of Minnesota) baseball games. Fixed-roof stadium built on the site of the Vikings' and Twins' former home of the Metrodome.

Tours

• Magical History Tour

  phone: +1 952 888-9200
  address: 125 Main Street SE
  Ride a Segway as you enjoy the history of the Minneapolis Riverfront area from 10,000 BC to present. Tour goes for 5-7 miles on a beautiful historic route. The tour lasts around three hours and includes a stop for refreshments at the Mill City Museum.

• The Hitching Company

  phone: +1 612 338-7777
  address: 1300 Nicollet Mall
  Tour downtown Minneapolis in a horse-drawn carriage with the Hitching Company. Carriages accommodate up to four people.

The Skyways boast an excellent variety of retailers, and one can find almost anything, though the distances between stores can be very inconvenient. That said, it's like a mall for the agoraphobic or claustrophobic. The best times to find what you want are between 10AM and 2PM, as many excellent food shops are opened just to handle lunch hour.

Nicollet Mall

Nicollet Mall is not an enclosed shopping mall but rather the downtown portion of Nicollet Avenue, one of the major streets in Minneapolis, running more or less north-south. The Mall is a two-lane busway with wide sidewalks that stretches from Washington Avenue to Grant Street, about one mile, and private automobiles are prohibited from it, except for the southernmost block between Rainville Place and Grant Street. Retail is heaviest on the wavy portion of Nicollet Mall, between 5th and 10th Streets. Many national chains such as Banana Republic and Target all call Nicollet Mall home. The Skyways cross Nicollet Mall in only three places and integrate the indoor malls with Nicollet. Buses running frequently through the Nicollet Mall, the Light Rail running along 5th Street, and numerous parking decks connected to the Skyways combine to provide good access to downtown.

• Hubert White

  phone: +1 612 339-9200
  address: 747 Nicollet Mall
  Men's clothing store with in-house tailor. They have been in Downtown Minneapolis (in a couple different locations) since 1936 and started out in Saint Paul in 1916.

• Gaviidae Common

  phone: +1 612 372-1230
  address: 651 Nicollet Mall
  A shopping center divided between two adjacent buildings on Nicollet Mall. Gaviidae I and II house exclusive department stores, specialty retailers, and delicious restaurants. Below is a small selection of stores located in Gaviidae Common.

• Indulge And Bloom

  phone: +1 612 333-1091
  address: Gaviidae Common I
  A floral and small gift store.

City Center

address: 40 S 7th St

A brutalist monstrosity of a shopping center from the early 1980s. It went through rough times at the end of the 1990s and through the 2000s; only now are retailers trickling back in.

Other areas

• James and Mary Laurie Booksellers

  phone: +1 612 338-1114
  address: 250 3rd Ave N
  Bookseller offering antiquarian printed maps and used classical and jazz albums.

• Minneapolis Farmers Market

  phone: +1 612 333-1737
  address: 312 E Lyndale Ave N
  The flagship farmers market in Minneapolis, operated by the Central Minnesota Vegetables Growers Association. Most of the produce is locally grown, although there are some resellers with non-local produce in the mix as well; each vendor should have signage indicating whether their goods are local. The CMVGA also operates a market along Nicollet Mall on Thursdays during the market season.

• Farmers Market Annex

  phone: +1 612 573-0148
  address: 200 E Lyndale Ave N
  Directly adjacent to the main farmers market (many people mistakenly think it's part of the main market), the Annex has many textile and pre-made food vendors mixed in with its produce vendors.

• Pacifier

  phone: +1 612 623-8123
  address: 219 N 2nd St, Suite 102
  Pacifier offers a wide selection of hip and trendy baby gifts, nursery decor, clothing, wooden toys and baby gear. They also have a smaller location with limited hours at City Center.

Budget

• 8th Street Grill

  phone: +1 612 349-5717
  address: 800 Marquette Ave
  Established in 1992 and known for its burgers and 32 on tap beers. 8th Street Grill serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night.

• Black Sheep Pizza

  phone: +1 612 342-2625
  address: 600 Washington Ave N
  The only pizzeria in Minnesota using coal-burning ovens.

• Bombay Bistro

  phone: +1 612 312-2800
  address: 820 Marquette Ave

• Davanni's

  phone: +1 612 338-0000
  address: 1242 Hennepin Ave
  Chicago-style pizza, beer on tap, good hoagies.

• Salsa a la Salsa

  phone: +1 612 813-1970
  address: 1420 Nicollet Ave
  Authentic Mexican food.

Mid-range

• 112 Eatery

  phone: +1 612 343-7696
  address: 112 N 3rd St
  Casual upscale dining with fresh seafood, lamb, bone-in pork tenderloin, baked chicken, country-style ribs, and many other great offerings.

• Atlas Grill

  phone: +1 612 332-4200
  address: 200 S 6th St
  Delicious global cuisine, a wonderful wine list and beautiful surroundings are perfect for an evening out or a celebration with friends and family.

• Barrio

  phone: +1 612 333-9953
  address: 925 Nicollet Mall
  Barrio has extra-cheap happy hour specials on its already-cheap small plates. You can get tacos for less than three bucks. And even during regular hours, Barrio's selection of small plates won't cost much more than $8.

• Cafe Lurcat

  phone: +1 612 486-5500
  address: 1624 Harmon Pl
  Highly recommended. Chic establishment with French/fusion offerings.

• Gluek's Restaurant and Bar

  phone: +1 612 338-6621
  address: 16 N 6th St
  Gluek's is a 4th-generation brewery and restaurant. The food and the beer are good, but it is the history of this restaurant that sets it apart. Gluek's has been brewing beer since 1857 and there has been a bar on this site since 1902, except during Prohibition. The building burned in 1989, but was repaired and reopened in 1990.

• Hell's Kitchen

  phone: +1 612 332-4700
  address: 80 S 9th St
  A chef-owned restaurant known for its damn good food. Awesome atmosphere and full bar.

• Pizza Lucé

  phone: +1 612 333-7359
  address: 119 N 4th St
  Full bar, punk rock staff. You can get pizza by the slice or sit down and order a whole pie. It also offers brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10AM-2PM and a gluten-free menu.

Splurge

• Manny's Steakhouse

  address: 825 Marquette Ave
  Voted favorite steakhouse by Mpls.St.Paul magazine.

• Murray's Restaurant and Cocktail

  phone: +1 612 339-0909
  address: 24 S 6th St
  Murray's opened in 1946 and could be considered to be the best white tablecloth restaurant in Minneapolis, with prices to match. If on a budget, consider eating during lunch when you can enjoy the atmosphere without worrying about breaking the bank. Or go all out and get the 4-pound golden butter knife steak at over $100 and share it with the entire family.

Hennepin Avenue is probably the single best-known street for drinking and clubbing in Minneapolis. The street is lined with late-night bars, dance clubs, and music venues. Similairly 1st Avenue which is the next street directly west of Hennepin Avenue, is also lined with late night destinations. There is also a good cluster of bars and nightclubs in the Warehouse District, which is just north-west of Hennepin Avenue and very much within walking distance.

• First Avenue

  phone: +1 612 332-1775
  address: 701 1st Ave N
  Probably the oldest and most legendary club in town. Dance nights of various flavors (house, salsa, etc.) are hosted as are local and national bands and the occasional weird event such as pro-wrestling and the roller derby league. Housed in the former Minneapolis Greyhound station, the club is at the corner of 1st Avenue and 7th Street, and can be easily identified by its black exterior decorated with silver stars of all the noteworthy artists who've played there. First Avenue gained national notoriety in the mid-1980s as the club where Prince played out his rivalry with Morris Day and The Time in Purple Rain. The club is divided into two main parts. The Mainroom is where the dance nights are held and national touring acts perform. The Mainroom is regarded as one of the premier sites for live music in the country. Often compared to Chicago's Metro, or San Francisco's Filmore. it offers nightly drink specials and a limited kitchen. The 7th Street Entry is a smaller room off to the side where one is more likely to see local bands or lesser known national touring acts. Don't be put off by the small size. Hundreds of touring bands have graduated from the Entry to become major touring acts. Son Volt, Wilco, The Replacements and Jane's Addiction are among the list of bands that played first in the Entry before moving on to the Mainroom, much bigger venues and even arenas.

• Fine Line Music Cafe

  phone: +1 612 338-8100
  address: 318 1st Ave N
  A smaller-sized music club on 1st Avenue, the Fine Line features national and local acts. The main level provides a close proximity to the acts, while the mezzanine offers meals and seating for a more expensive price.

• Dakota Jazz Club

  phone: +1 612 332-1010
  address: 1010 Nicollet Mall
  Upscale jazz club.

• Bunkers

  phone: +1 612 338-8188
  address: 761 Washington Ave N

• O'Donovan's Irish Pub

  phone: +1 612 317-8896
  address: 700 1st Ave N
  A rather small-looking pub with a big inside, this is a good place to go for a pint. They have a nice variety of drinks on tap, from cider to stout to both ("Poor Man's Black Velvet"), and some authentic Irish food in case that isn't thick enough. The help can range from decent to good, and the regulars may even be rather welcoming as well. Fair prices, good beers, and even better food.

• Lee's Liquor Lounge

  phone: +1 612 338-9491
  address: 101 Glenwood Ave N

• The Lounge

  phone: +1 612 333-8800
  address: 411 2nd Ave N
  Jeans are allowed inside the club, but the following attire is not: No white tennis shoes, baseball hats, athletic apparel, badly ripped jeans, baggy clothing, or white t-shirts.

• Prohibition

  phone: +1 612 597-2413
  address: 821 Marquette Ave
  Upscale bar on the 27th floor of the Foshay Tower.

• Gay 90s

  phone: +1 612 333-7755
  address: 408 Hennepin Ave
  Historically a gay nightclub, these days the straight patrons often outnumber the gay patrons (sometimes to the chagrin of the latter). Six bars contained inside. Large dance floor with live DJ. Drag shows nightly.

• Aqua

  phone: +1 612 232-3232
  address: 400 1st Ave N
  18+ bar and dance club with a live DJ. Generally very loud and very crowded.

• 19 Bar

  phone: +1 612 871-5553
  address: 19 W 15th St
  This casual gay dive bar is also the oldest gay bar in town. Features pool, darts, an outdoor patio, and cheap beer.

Budget

• Best Western Normandy Inn and Suites

  phone: +1 612 370-1400
  address: 405 S 8th St
  On site restaurant. Indoor pool, spa, and sauna.

• Holiday Inn Express Minneapolis Downtown

  address: 225 S 11th St
  Within walking distance of Nicollet Mall and the convention center.

Mid-range

• Aloft Minneapolis

  phone: +1 612 455-8400
  address: 900 Washington Ave S
  In the Mill District, across the street from the Guthrie Theater, Mill City Museum, Gold Medal Park, and the Stone Arch Bridge. Includes an on site bar, XYZ.

• Crowne Plaza Northstar

  phone: +1 612 338-2288
  address: 618 2nd Ave S

• The Depot Renaissance

  address: 225 3rd Ave S
  Indoor water park and seasonal ice skating rink in the historic Milwaukee Road train station.

• DoubleTree Suites

  phone: +1 612 332-6800
  address: 1101 LaSalle Ave
  A few blocks from the Minneapolis Convention Center, and one block from Nicollet Mall.

• The Hotel Minneapolis

  phone: +1 612 340-2000
  address: 215 S 4th St
  This boutique-style hotel built in a former bank (the old vault doubles as a wine cellar) offers classy and modern style all at once. Guest rooms are smaller but offer all the amenities of a luxury hotel. The lobby area is inviting with a beautiful lobby bar with free billiards, and a full service restaurant known as the Max.

• Hilton Minneapolis

  phone: +1 612 376-1000
  address: 1001 Marquette Ave

• Hyatt Place Minneapolis

  phone: +1 612 333-3111
  address: 425 S 7th St
  Large, comfortable rooms and free, hot breakfast.

• Hyatt Regency Minneapolis

  phone: +1 612 370-1234
  address: 1300 Nicollet Mall
  Rooms start at $189 per night, but discounts can be had. The Hyatt is also home to two high quality dining experiences: Oceanaire and Taxxi.

• Grand Hotel Minneapolis

  phone: +1 612 288-8888
  address: 615 2nd Ave S
  Luxury hotel and spa with rooms starting at $170 per night. Connected to the climate-controlled Skyway, letting guests walk to the Target Center, Convention Center and other buildings in any weather.

• Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis

  phone: +1 612 339-4900
  address: 35 S 7th St
  Built on the site of the original Hotel Radisson (which opened in 1909), Radisson Plaza Minneapolis has an important historical significance for Minneapolis, and continues to be a thriving hotel. Featuring the outstanding FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar (try the "purple rain" martini at the bar, and the... well, really just about anything from the kitchen), underground parking, skyway access, and affordable packages.

• Westin Minneapolis

  phone: +1 612 333-4006
  address: 88 S 6th St
  Built into the historic Farmers & Mechanics Bank in downtown Minneapolis. The wine cellar is built into the former bank's vault. Appropriately, the bar/restaurant is called BANK.

Splurge

• Hotel Ivy

  phone: +1 612 746-4600
  address: 201 S 11th St
  In the heart of downtown. Connected to 7 miles of skyway, connecting guest to attractions such as the Convention Center, Nicollet Mall, Orchestra Hall and the Guthrie Theatre regardless of weather.

• Le Meridien Chambers Hotel

  phone: +1 612 767-6900
  address: 901 Hennepin Ave
  Luxury hotel with modern art furnishings. Guests get free access to the Walker Art Center. The hotel also houses the Burnet Art Gallery.

• Loews Minneapolis

  address: 601 1st Ave N
  Directly across the street from the Target Center, the hotel is connected by Skyway to the entire shopping and business district.

• W Minneapolis

  phone: +1 612 215-3700
  address: 821 Marquette Ave
  In the Historic Foshay Tower in the heart of downtown. Hotel includes an on-site bar, and famous Manny's Steakhouse. Just a block from Nicollet Mall.

• Minneapolis Central Library

  phone: +1 612 543-8000
  address: 300 Nicollet Mall
  It was designed by Cesar Pelli and opened in 2006, and replaced a hideous 1950s structure that had housed the library. Plenty of computers are available here, and there are plenty of tables on each floor equipped with electrical outlets to plug in your laptop computers if you want to use the free wi-fi.