Stay Downtown or near Airport in Minneapolis later this summer? (St. Paul: hotels, home)

[bachslunch]

I'm going to visit Minneapolis/St. Paul for several days later in August, with plans to go to a Twins game and see the standard sights (Minneapolis Institute of Art, Walker Art Center, Weisman Art Museum, attractions in St. Paul near Summit Ave. and downtown).

I had originally intended to stay downtown in the Nicollet Mall area, but am now concerned about the likelihood that the area has deteriorated badly and may be deserted or unsafe, given what I've read. At this point, I'm currently debating staying at a hotel near the airport and taking the Light Rail to town instead. It's only a half-hour ride to downtown Minneapolis from there, and I was expecting to take light rail to St. Paul and buses to the art museums from downtown anyway. Staying at the airport would just add an extra half hour each way to the commute, which is okay by me.

Would appreciate any knowledgeable feedback on this. Thanks!

[demtion35]

Please stay safe. The city is beautiful that time of year.

Have a good trip.

[jmgg]

Originally Posted by bachslunch

I'm going to visit Minneapolis/St. Paul for several days later in August, with plans to go to a Twins game and see the standard sights (Minneapolis Institute of Art, Walker Art Center, Weisman Art Museum, attractions in St. Paul near Summit Ave. and downtown).

I had originally intended to stay downtown in the Nicollet Mall area, but am now concerned about the likelihood that the area has deteriorated badly and may be deserted or unsafe, given what I've read. At this point, I'm currently debating staying at a hotel near the airport and taking the Light Rail to town instead. It's only a half-hour ride to downtown Minneapolis from there, and I was expecting to take light rail to St. Paul and buses to the art museums from downtown anyway. Staying at the airport would just add an extra half hour each way to the commute, which is okay by me.

Would appreciate any knowledgeable feedback on this. Thanks!

Taking the light rail from airport hotels makes sense to me. If I planned on coming to the Twin Cities right now, which I don't, I wouldn't be staying downtown.

The last couple times I came there (2 years ago) I stayed in motels over by the Mall of America, of which there are plenty. The light rail from the MOA didn't take that long to get to downtown Minneapolis.

[Isaysos]

I would just stay Downtown. Your probably more likely to run into “interesting” people in the light rail than walking Downtown. Save yourself the time. Downtown is seeing more activity and street life now, so it’s not so scary. Just don’t hang out at the clubs at 2am.

[CARas2020]

I have stayed in Bloomington twice and the light rail is fabulous. It stops right in front of Target Field.

I stayed at Embassy Suites which was a quick walk to the light rail. The other time we stayed at a LaQuinta but that was a bit further from the light rail. We also spent one night in Roseville. Home town of my favorite actor.

[demtion35]

One poster says "stay downtown",,, and another poster says "do not stay downtown" lol,

[bachslunch]

Originally Posted by Isaysos

I would just stay Downtown. Your probably more likely to run into “interesting” people in the light rail than walking Downtown. Save yourself the time. Downtown is seeing more activity and street life now, so it’s not so scary. Just don’t hang out at the clubs at 2am.

Thanks. Except for baseball games, my sightseeing days end after dinner time (no clubbing or other evening stuff), so no problems there.

[Cruz Azul Guy]

To the OP - to be closer to the areas you plan on visiting I would recommend staying downtown. We’ve been down there recently and although you may see a few boarded up businesses (most of which are still open) I would say that things have generally gone back to normal.

The hotels near the MOA are fine but if you didn’t plan on spending time there then why bother?

[lookingaround12345]

I stayed on Nicollet Mall at the Millennium around 5 years ago ion a trip back home. I am from MPLS originally and was shocked at the atmosphere there even back then. If you like panhandlers, crackheads and people who want a cigarette this area is full of those types.

I was never scared but it did occur to me that this place isn’t what it was and that was a long time ago. Before that visit i would have almost 100% have said you must stay downtown but that’s not the case these days. It’s so sad because Minneapolis used to be such an exciting vibrant place.

It had more the feel of downtown LA.

[bachslunch]

Thanks, this has been very helpful. It sounds like I'll probably be okay if I stay downtown close to a light rail stop, with an airport hotel as a backup.