D/T Minneapolis parking recommendations (Eagan, Roseville: extended stay, credit card, how much)

[jben]

I am going to visit Minneapolis and the U next month and probably will get a hotel downtown for a somewhat central location. I don't mind walking a few blocks to avoid the $30-40 that some of the hotels like to add to park your vehicle.

If anyone knows of some parking lots/ramps that might be $5-10 for the night I'd like to learn of them, or any other safe parking options near d/t that I may not be aware of.

[Azul91]

Originally Posted by jben

I am going to visit Minneapolis and the U next month and probably will get a hotel downtown for a somewhat central location. I don't mind walking a few blocks to avoid the $30-40 that some of the hotels like to add to park your vehicle.

If anyone knows of some parking lots/ramps that might be $5-10 for the night I'd like to learn of them, or any other safe parking options near d/t that I may not be aware of.

I tried looking up information about overnight parking but came to a dead end. Here are some links of the ramps they have downtown but none of them state whether you could park overnight, you may have to call them and ask, but judging from their prices, $30-40 hotel fee may be your best bet. Good luck.

Parking Ramps & Rates - City of Minneapolis

Hennepin At 10th - Downtown Minneapolis - Minneapolis, MN

*|*Minneapolis Parking || Minneapolis Monthly & Contract Parking

[Beenhere4ever]

Bunch of ramps right around the U. I'm guessing you get cheaper parkiong there than downtown. Check it out.

[golfgal]

I'd stay in one of the closer suburbs like Eagan-you will have a free parking and many have shuttle service that can take you to the transit center or they all go to the Mall of America where you can catch the lightrail and hoof it to the U of MN from one of those stops--or possibly get a shuttle to the U of MN from the hotel. The rates in the suburbs are less too.

If you are driving, you can then just drive to the U and use a lot around there--but they aren't cheep--but maybe they pay for parking for campus visits??

[MplsTodd]

I also hate hotel parking fees. We're staying in downtown Pittsburgh this weekend and I'm considering park in a garage to avoid the exorbitant daily pking fees.
Anyway,if you're anywhere near the south end of downtown, I'd recommend The Leamington Ramp. I parkedthere for 20 years when I worked downtown and never had a problem. It's connected via 24-hour skyway to the Hilton. I'm not sure how much the overnight charge is, but This ramp is listed on one of those links. Maybe you could give them a call or email them. Note that they've adopted the automated payment system, so be prepared to pay via credit card in a machine on the skyway level. If you want in/ out priviliges, you may be out of luck though.

I was just at the U of M for my son's freshman orientation. I parked at The Coffman Memorial Union Ramp and they validated my card for discounted parking. Maybe they'llalso give you a validation too.

[jben]

Thanks for those parking links Azul91...

Originally Posted by golfgal

I'd stay in one of the closer suburbs like Eagan-you will have a free parking and many have shuttle service that can take you to the transit center or they all go to the Mall of America where you can catch the lightrail and hoof it to the U of MN from one of those stops--or possibly get a shuttle to the U of MN from the hotel. The rates in the suburbs are less too.

If you are driving, you can then just drive to the U and use a lot around there--but they aren't cheep--but maybe they pay for parking for campus visits??

Maybe this is a better idea for someone not used to driving and navigating in downtown. Thanks for this suggestion.

I see a lot of 2.5 and 3 star hotel choices in Eagan and the Airport/Mall of America area. The both appear to be south of the Metro area.

Would there be much difference b/t these two locations as far as a drive to the University / SE Como area each day? (My student will be moving into a shared home in SE Como. We will stay a few days to help get settled in (and find some winter clothing) since we are coming from across the country and this is going to be a big change. I have enjoyed reading so many post learning about the Twin Cities from those of you on the ground there.)

[1stpontiac]

If you drive to the U, you can park in the surface lots around the football stadium (TCF Bank Stadium) for ~$5/day. I think its called the Gold Lot.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by jben

Thanks for those parking links Azul91...



Maybe this is a better idea for someone not used to driving and navigating in downtown. Thanks for this suggestion.

I see a lot of 2.5 and 3 star hotel choices in Eagan and the Airport/Mall of America area. The both appear to be south of the Metro area.

Would there be much difference b/t these two locations as far as a drive to the University / SE Como area each day? (My student will be moving into a shared home in SE Como. We will stay a few days to help get settled in (and find some winter clothing) since we are coming from across the country and this is going to be a big change. I have enjoyed reading so many post learning about the Twin Cities from those of you on the ground there.)

It's a tad bit easier to get from the hotel area in Eagan to the Como area but you are talking a difference of 5 minutes, maybe. There is some construction going on around the MOA that has closed some of the exits around there so for someone not familiar with the shortcuts around that, I'd say stay over in Eagan. There are a couple hotels on Lone Oak and highway 35 that are easy, clean and convenient. There is a Hampton Inn, Microtel (cheap but clean--small rooms though), Residence Inn (which usually has free breakfast and dinners on weeknights), and an Extended Stay. They are all fine. If you want a nicer place, there is a Holiday Inn on Corporate Center Drive and Pilot Knob--used to be a Crown Plaza. There are a couple places across 494 from there too, a Fairfield Inn and a Courtyard Inn that are all in easy locations to get places that you need to go.

You are 5 minutes from the Mall of America there too so shopping is easy. Personally I would wait and just give him money to shop for winter clothing later. He won't need them for a while yet and then he can see what other kids are wearing and whatnot. If he has a pair of jeans or two and a hoodie or two, he will be fine until Mid-October or so.

[StanleyVegas]

For accommodations outside the city you might also check out Roseville if you're going to be driving around. It's immediately northeast of the U side of Minneapolis, so it's quite a bit closer to the U than MOA or Eagan. It also has lots of shopping around Rosedale Center.

[RC01]

If you do park at the U and don't get your parking validated, it's $12 per day or $3 per hour in the ramps. Like someone pointed out, the surface lots are cheaper