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Downtown is a district in Minneapolis. It is sprinkled with architecturally interesting skyscrapers, most of which are interconnected, mainly on the second level above the street level, by a growing web of Skyways, now approaching eight miles in total length. Nicollet Mall is the main semi-pedestrianized shopping street in downtown Minneapolis.

[edit] Get in

• By Light Rail from the MSP Airport. The easiest way to get to downtown from the MSP airport is to take the single existing Light Rail line, the Hiawatha, which will stop at Nicollet Mall, the main north-south shopping street of downtown Minneapolis.
• By Bus. Numerous buses run frequently through the Nicollet Mall. See the Metro Transit website[1] for detalis.
• By Car. Numerous parking lots are connected to the Skyways.

[edit] Get around

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. Keep in mind that 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, [2] 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 Lexus, drive the length of 394 to the heated lot, go to work, shop at Target or Nieman-Marcus, see a movie, have dinner, and return home - all without having to wear a coat or change clothes, even in 20-below 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 Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue and Downtown East/Metrodome stations for this same fare.

[edit][add listing] See

• Minnesota Orchestra, [3].  edit

[edit] Theater

• Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave, ☎ +1 612 373-5600, [4].  edit
• State Theater, 805 Hennepin Ave, ☎ +1 612 373-5600, [5].  edit
• Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Ave, ☎ +1 612 373-5600, [6].  edit
• Hennepin Stages, 824 Hennepin Ave, ☎ +1 612 373-5600, [7].  edit
• Guthrie Theater, 818 S 2nd St, ☎ +1 612 377-2224, [8]. Relocated in 2006 to their brand new theater by the Mississippi River near the old milling district.  edit
• Music Box Theatre, 1407 Nicollet Ave (at 14th St), ☎ +1 612 871-1414, [9].  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit][add listing] Buy

The Skyways[10] 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 [11] is not an enclosed mall but the main downtown street in Minneapolis, running more or less north-south. In the five blocks between 5th Street and 10th Street, Nicollet Mall becomes a two-lane wavy roadway to reduce traffic and make it more pedestrian friendly for shoppers. Although the street, Nicollet Mall, extends north and south for several more blocks, the main shopping area is along this 5-block wavy corridor. 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.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• The Rock Bottom Brewery located Downtown Minneapolis (9th & Hennepin) hosts a variety of refreshing, innovative beers. The pints are great, and the food is even better. Stay away from the "Angry Hippie," though, as most people seem to dislike it. On busy nights you may expect a long wait, but it's not so bad if you can manage to get a pint before your meal. On the less busy Sunday nights, the bar is open only until 12AM, but there is fewer customers so the servers are far more attentive. Around the time the offices are let out (5PM), expect a longer wait. A good plate costs around $25, and is well worth it.

[edit] American

• Market Bar-B-Que, 1414 Nicollet Ave (at 14th St), ☎ +1 612 872-1111, [12]. M-Sa 11:30AM-2:30AM, Su noon-1AM.  edit
• Cafe Lurcat, 1624 Harmon Place, ☎ +1 612 486-5500. Highly recommended. Chic establishment with French/Fusion offerings. $18-$40.  edit
• Murray's Restaurant and Cocktail, 24 S 6th St (between Hennepin and Nicollet), ☎ +1 612 339-0909, [13]. M-F 11AM-2:30PM and 5PM-10PM, Sa-Su 5PM-10PM. 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 $100+ and share it with the entire family.  edit
• Taxxi: An American Bistro, 1300 Nicollet Mall (at 13th St), ☎ +1 612 370-1234. Su-Th 6:30AM-2PM and 5PM-10PM, Fr-Sa 6:30AM-2PM and 5PM-10:30PM. A great new chef has revitalized the Bistro in the Hyatt. Serving high end American and International fare at reasonable prices, Taxxi is best known for its special buffets during the holidays and Mother's Day. But the daily menu, which features soup, sauces, and steak, is worth the visit. $30-$75 per person for a three-course meal with wine.  edit
• Gluek's Restaurant and Bar, 16 N 6th St (between Hennepin and 1st Ave N), ☎ +1 612 338-6621 (party@glueks.com, fax: +1 612 343-9790), [14]. M-F 11AM-2AM, Sa noon-2AM. 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 original building burned in 1989, but was rebuilt and reopened in 1990.  edit

[edit] Chinese

• Ping's Szechuan Bar & Grill, 1401 Nicollet Ave (at 14th St), ☎ +1 612 874-9404, [15]. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F 11AM-11PM, Sa noon-11PM, Su noon-9PM.  edit

[edit] Indian

• India House, 1400 Nicollet Ave, ☎ +1 612 813-0000, [16]. Daily 11AM-2:30PM and 5PM-10PM.  edit

[edit] Japanese

• Ichiban, 1333 Nicollet Ave (at Grant St), ☎ +1 612 339-0540, [17]. Japanese steakhouse.  edit
• Koyi, 122 N 4th St (between 1st and 2nd Ave N), ☎ +1 612 375-9811. Their 5-7PM happy hour features about a dozen different types of rolls for less than $4 each. Good service.  edit
• Nami, 251 1st Ave N (at 3rd St), ☎ +1 612 333-1999. Lunch specials, decor, and very modern, relaxing atmosphere. $10 per person plus tip at lunchtime, and $20 per person in the evening.  edit
• Origami, 30 N 1st St (between Hennepin and 1st Ave N), ☎ +1 612 333-8430. Best known for their sushi. $10 per person plus tip at lunchtime, and $20 per person in the evening. Generally a posh, overly-sedate crowd and indifferent service.  edit

[edit] Mexican

• Salsa a la Salsa, 1420 Nicollet Ave, ☎ +1 612 813-1970, [18].  edit

[edit] Pizza

• Pizza Lucé, 119 N 4th St (between 1st and 2nd Ave N), ☎ +1 612 333-7359, [19]. M-Th 11AM-2:30AM, F 11AM-3:30AM, Sa 10AM-3:30AM, Su 10AM-2:30AM. Full bar, punk rock staff. You can get pizza by the slice or sit down and order a whole pie. This particular Pizza Luce location also offers brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10AM-2PM and a gluten-free menu on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  edit
• Davanni's, 1242 Hennepin Ave (between 12th and 13th St), ☎ +1 612 338-0000, [20]. Chicago-style pizza, beer on tap, good hoagies.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

• First Avenue, 701 1st Ave N, ☎ +1 612 332-1775, [21]. 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 "other" event such as the Pro-Wrestling and the new Roller Derby League. Housed in the former Minneapolis Greyhound station, the club is located at the corner of 1st Avenue and 7th Street (hence the name), 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-eighties 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:  edit
  • The Main Room. Where the dance nights are held and national touring acts perform. The Main Room 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. The Main Room offers nightly drink specials and a limited kitchen.  edit
  • 7th St. Entry. 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 7th St. 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 Main Room, much bigger venues and even arenas.  edit
• Fine Line Music Cafe, 318 1st Ave N, ☎ +1 612 338-8100, [22]. A smaller-sized music club located 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.  edit
• O'Donovan's Irish Pub, 700 1st Ave N, ☎ +1 612 317-8896, [23]. Daily 4PM-2AM. 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.  edit
• 501 Club, 501 Washington Ave S (at 5th Ave S), ☎ +1 612 338-3848, [24]. M-F 11AM-2AM, Sa-Su 10AM-2AM. Bar and music venue on the east end of downtown. Never a cover charge.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• The Hotel Minneapolis by DoubleTree, 215 Fourth Street South, ☎ 612-340-2000, [25]. checkin: 3:00; checkout: 12:00. Recently renovated, 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 billards as well as a full service restuarant known as the Max. $$$.  edit

[edit] Splurge

• Chambers Hotel, 901 Hennepin Ave, ☎ +1 612 767-6900, [26].  edit
• Crowne Plaza Northstar, 618 2nd Ave S, ☎ +1 612 338-2288 (fax: +1 612 673-1157), [27]. In the financial and retail district of downtown, near shopping, dining, culture, and entertainment. Conveniently connected to the climate controlled skyway system, linking guests to the Minneapolis Convention Center, Target Center, Orchestra Hall, Nicollet Mall, HHH Metrodome, various corporate offices, shopping, dining, and entertainment venues. Near the Light Rail Transit system, connecting to both the Minneapolis/St Paul Airport and the Mall of America.  edit
• Graves 601, 601 1st Ave N, ☎ +1 866 523-1100, [28].  edit
• Hilton Minneapolis, 1001 Marquette Ave, ☎ +1 612 376-1000, [29].  edit
• Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, 1300 Nicollet Mall, ☎ +1 612 370-1234 (fax: +1 612 370-1463), [30]. 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.  edit
• Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis, 35 S 7th St (between Hennepin and Nicollet), ☎ +1 800 333-3333, [31]. 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. Found a room here for as low as $99 on off-weekends. During the week they tend to be higher ($179 seems like a decent average), but this place is worth it. They also have an online rate guarantee, so if you can find it cheaper on expedia or whatnot, they'll match it and give you a discount. Good room, great staff.  edit
• Westin Minneapolis, 88 S 6th St (at Marquette), ☎ +1 612 333-4006, [32]. Recently 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.  edit

[edit] Contact

• Hennepin County Library - Central Branch, 300 Nicollet Mall (entrances on both the Nicollet Mall and Hennepin Avenue sides), ☎ +1 612 630-6000, [33]. Tu 10AM-8PM, W 10AM-6PM, Th 10AM-8PM, F-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 12PM-5PM.  edit