Welcome to the Twin Cities!
The Twin Cities artistic, architectural and theatrical renaissances have made it one of the most culturally exciting metropolises in the U.S. There are five major art museums including the newly remodeled Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. There are seven history museums, including the Mill City Museum, built within the ruins of the original General Mills flour mill. You will find several science museums, including the Bakken Museum of Electricity in Life, and the Science Museum of Minnesota. The Twin Cities is also home to numerous artist communities, including HighPoint Center for Printmaking, Minnesota Center for Book Arts, the Loft Literacy Center making the Twin Cities the most literate city in the United States, along with numerous paths and parks making Minneapolis the most bike-friendly cities (there's no inappropriate weather, only inappropriate clothing choices). In addition, there is a continuing explosion of local art and art galleries in every corner of the Twin Cities and beyond. Below you will find some guides and suggestions for how to plan a little conference downtime. Much more information will be available at the registration desk or visit our blog.
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• Getting Around Town
• Restaurants
• Restaurants Outside Downtown
• Museums and Galleries
• Shopping - Minneapolis
• More Shopping
• General Resources
Click here for Airport/Hotel Transportation Information
Getting Around Town
Skyways
"Visitors may see the skyways as one giant hamster habitat trail, but we see it as the ultimate tunnel in the sky-bright, friendly and above all, warm." Amy Klobuchar quoted in the New York Times, 2006
Minneapolis Skyway App: free on itunes; http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/minneapolis-skyway/id357249312?mt=8
Skyway PDF map: http://www.minneapolismeetings.com/content/PDF/maps/map-skyways2010.pdf
Interactive Skyway map: http://www.skywaymyway.com/
Buses & Light Rail
"Savvy travelers hop the new light rail train and quickly end up at the end of the line in the heart of downtown." Executive Travel, 2007
Metro Transit Trip Planner: http://www.metrotransit.org/tripplanner/
Fares at peak time are $2.25; downtown zone is $.50.
Note: Many buses travel down Nicollet Mall 1 block away, including the 10, 18, 11,25 and 59. The Nicollet Mall Station is the closest Light Rail location, approximately 5 blocks from the hotel.
Restaurants
Though our Farmer’s Markets may be closed, you will still find vibrant, seasonal culinary fare across the Cities. Here are some local foodie lists, reviews and blogs:
Vita.Mn 2010 Restaurant Guide
CitiesPages
Mpls St.Paul Magazine.
Minneapolis is home to the some of the country’s most renowned chefs and offers a wide variety of world cuisines in all price ranges. Here is a list and map of restaurants in the vicinity of the hotel (not all are within walking distance). The Hilton Minneapolis is the yellow star in the lower middle of the map.
Location Pin |
Name |
Address |
Phone Number |
Price |
Cuisine |
Local’s Advice |
A |
80 S. 9th St. |
612-332-4700 |
$ |
American |
The lemon-ricotta hotcakes are a must |
|
B |
114 9th St S |
612-339-6399 |
$ |
American |
Great overall breakfast |
|
C |
820 Marquette Av. |
612-312-2800 |
$ |
Indian |
Good lunch buffet, many vegetarian choices |
|
D |
City Center, 601 Marquette Ave # 206 |
612-436-0330 |
$ |
American |
Burger and malt joint |
|
E |
1070 Nicollet Mall |
612-338-6272 |
$$ |
Mexican |
Maybe the best 3 items for $10 M-F lunch spot in town |
|
F |
925 Nicollet Mall |
612-333-9953 |
$$ |
Mexican |
Sample a few small plates, including the fish tacos |
|
G |
1110 Nicollet Mall |
612-332-3908 |
$$ |
British |
Traditional pub fare, great atmosphere |
|
H |
931 Nicollet Mall |
612-904-1000 |
$$ |
American |
Traditional pub fare |
|
I |
1225 Hennepin Av. |
612-332-9997 |
$$ |
American |
Downtown bar & grill, good grilled cheese and mac n’ cheese |
|
J |
825 Hennepin Av. |
612-332-2739 |
$$ |
American |
Great microbrews |
|
K |
750 S. 2nd St. |
612-436-2236 |
$$ |
American |
Chef Brenda Langton was one of the 1st locovores in the Cities. |
|
L |
533 Hennepin Av. S |
612-338-1479 |
$$ |
Asian |
Great dim sum |
|
M |
1612 Harmon Place |
612-486-5800 |
$$ |
American |
Contemporary comfort food |
|
N |
1010 Nicollet Mall |
612-332-1010 |
$$ |
American |
Great live music at nice; good American classics |
|
O |
Oak Grill @ Macy’s |
700 Nicollet Mall |
612-375-2938 |
$$ |
American |
Cozy restaurant 8th floor; great affordable deli/food court in basement |
P |
900 Hennepin Av. S. |
612-338-0062 |
$$$ |
Spanish |
Over 50 tapas |
|
Q |
1100 Nicollet Mall |
612-630-1189 |
$$$ |
Italian |
A great Italian splurge with great risotto |
|
R |
645 Hennepin Av. |
612-338-1344 |
$$$ |
Brazilian |
All-you-can-eat steakhouse |
|
S |
700 Hennepin Av. S. |
612-238-7777v |
$$$ |
Japanese |
Nighttime hotspot |
|
T |
1115 2nd Av. S. |
612-353-3500 |
$$$ |
American |
Minnesota-raised game featured on the menu w/ creative twists |
|
U |
77 S. 7th St. |
612-339-1000 |
$$$ |
American |
Good roasted chicken and homemade ice creams |
|
V |
831 Nicollet Mall |
612-333-7000 |
$$$ |
American |
Dressy Italian-influenced dining |
|
W |
901 Hennepin Av. S. |
612-767-6960 |
$$$ |
Italian |
Cracker-crust pizzas & over-the-top lobster gnocchi are well-known items |
|
X |
903 Washington Av. S. |
612-339-5058 |
$$$ |
American |
M-F a 5 course tasting menu for $35 |
|
Y |
825 Marquette Av. |
612-339-9900 |
$$$$ |
American |
The classic steakhouse in the Twin Cities |
|
Z |
818 S. 2nd St |
612-225-6499 |
$$$$ |
Seafood |
Premier Guthrie dining venue; sustainable seafood focus |
Restaurants Outside Downtown
More amazing restaurants are a quick bus, light rail or car ride away! Here is just a sampling:
Piccolo – Seasonal fare, Anthony Bourdain approved
112 Eatery – Try the bacon and egg sandwich
Bar La Grasse - Cauliflower gnocchi to die for
Black Sheep Pizza – Coal fired pizza
Matt's Bar or 5-8 Club – Both are home to the Juicy (Jucy) Lucy
Al's Breakfast - 3D feature and beloved breakfast greasy spoon on the UMN campus
Café and Bar Lurcat - The sea bass and pot roast are some of the best in the city
Heartland - Local flora and fauna
Psycho Suzie's Motor Lounge - Tiki torches and tropical libations in the middle of winter
Mickey's Diner - A classic St. Paul diner
Café Maude – Bistro and bar
Happy Gnome - Great food and over 70 beers on tap!
Buster's - Choose 5 drafts for a flight , only $10, plus really good food
ChinDian - Great food, friendly staff
Brasa - Delicious food, locally grown, gluten free options
Punch Pizza - Really fast, wood fired, Neapolitan pizza
Haute Dish – Trendy new take on your favorite home cooked favorites – you have to try the Tater Tot Hautedish.
King and I Thai – Some of the best Thai food in town with heaping portion sizes. Their spicy hot Holy Basil dish and the Gaeng Puk are delicious!
Ghandi Mahal – My favorite Indian restaurant, hands down. Everything on their menu is fantastic and their spice ratings are scaled down for MN taste buds.
La Belle Vie – The restaurant is pricey but their lounge is one of the best in town.
Chambers Hotel – Great cocktail menu, a funky modern space, an amazing modern art display (they are known as an ‘Art Hotel’), an outdoor fire pit and an ice bar.
Pancho Villa– My absolute favorite Mexican restaurant in the city. Authentic food and a great crowd - most weekends they offer Spanish karaoke!
Museums and Galleries
Walker Art Center - Minnesota arts center which features contemporary visual and performing arts exhibits and programs.
Minneapolis Institute of Arts - A free museum of visual arts from around the world from ancient to modern.
Weisman Art Museum – The Weisman will unfortunately be closed during this time for renovations.
The Museum of Russian Art
The American Swedish Institute
Mill City Museum
Minnesota Historical Society
The Bakken Museum
Science Museum of Minnesota
Northeast - Northeast is home to over 400 artists and each spring hosts “Art-A-Whirl” – the region’s largest 3-day open studio and gallery tour.
Nina Bliese Gallery
The Soap Factory
MnArtists.org - A database of Minnesota artists and organization.
Shopping - Minneapolis
Uptown - Calhoun Square recently underwent a $47 million makeover and includes Kitchen Windown and the restaurant IL Gatto; around the Hennepin & Lake area you will find many trendy and unique clothing and gift stores; Bookstores Magers & Quinn and BookSmart are a must visit. Take in an independent movie at the Lagoon Theater.
Downtown - Aveda, Saks 5th Avenue, Ann Taylor, Neiman Markus, Target, Len Druskin, Macy's (including the Mary Tyler Moore statue)
More Shopping
Mall of America - More than 400 stores and over 40 million visitors a year, what more needs to be said? Access via the light rail.Grand Avenue in St. Paul - The Victorian Crossing hosts numerous stores including J. Crew, Birkenstock and Aveda. Many small shops along the street in old Victorian homes, along with the Red Balloon Bookshop, a favorite independent bookstore. Another owned by owned by Garrison Keillor is Common Good Books.
Stillwater - A 45-minute drive away on the scenic banks of the St. Croix River, this town has great shopping, antiquing and restaurants
France & 50th, and the Galleria Theater - Home to many upscale retailers in Edina.
General Resources
Nearby drugstores/pharmacies:Loop Pharmacy - 933 Marquette Avenue South - (612) 333-2481
Walgreens – 815 Nicollet Mall – (612)-339-0363
Target - 900 Nicollet Mall - (612) 338-0085
Want to talk and be in-the-know like the locals? Check out these websites on what's happening in the Twin Cities:
Secrets in the City - All things local from shopping, etc.
Heavy Table - A favorite foodie site.
Metro Mix - Looking for a show tonight? Check out MetroMix for music, movies and more.
Star Tribune - The Minneapolis newspaper.
CityPages - A great place to find reviews and local happenings.
Meet Minneapolis - http://www.minneapolis.org/
Explore Minnesota Tourism (Minneapolis & St. Paul) - http://www.exploreminnesota.com/
MN Travel Guide for people with Disabilities - http://www.accessminnesota.org
City Search - http://twincities.citysearch.com/
Star Tribune Newspaper - http://www.startribune.com/
Minneapolis Parks & Recreation - http://www.minneapolisparks.org
Saint Paul RiverCentre Convention & Visitors Authority - http://www.stpaulcvb.org/
Saint Paul, MN Chamber of Commerce - http://www.saintpaulchamber.com/visitor/index.asp
Welcome to the City of St. Paul - http://www.ci.stpaul.mn.us/leisure/
