Phone: 612.370.1400
Toll Free: 800.372.3131
800.528.1234
Things To Do in Downtown Minneapolis
Minneapolis is the banking, economic and cultural center of the upper Midwest. The Minneapolis - St. Paul metropolitan area is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the United States, and is home to 3,200,000 people. Minneapolis was founded in 1858 as a milling town at the Falls of St. Anthony on the Mississippi River. Today the city is a vibrant cultural center offering numerous world-class museums, theaters, entertainment venues, shops and restaurants.
Downtown Minneapolis is a lively mix of businesses, residences and entertainment with more than 35,000 residents, and is a fun and interesting place for sight seeing and wandering.
The Normandy Inn is located only three blocks from the Hiawatha Light Rail line with convenient service to The Minneapolis - St. Paul Airport and The Mall of America.
Here is a list of the most notable area attractions:
Family Entertainment(Within 10 miles of the hotel)
Como Zoo
Located about 5 miles from the hotel in St. Paul. This is a great old City zoo with modern and varied exhibits. It includes a very cool Japanese garden (you can attend a tea ceremony here), and a fabulous conservatory that is especially great in cold winter months. This zoo is entirely free.
Mall of America
Located 9 miles south of the hotel in Bloomington. America's largest mall, featuring endless entertainment and dining. Includes year-round, in-door amusement park, and a cool marine life park called Underwater World. The Mall can be reached via Light Rail that runs only three blocks from the hotel.
Minnesota Zoo
Located about 15 miles south of the hotel. This is a world class zoo with fascinating and varied exhibits both indoor and outside. Features a monorail and the Omni Theater.
(952) 431-9500
13000 Zoo Blvd.
Valley Fair Amusement Park
Located 18 miles southwest of the hotel in Shakopee. It features the the latest and greatest thrill rides, from mild to extreme.It also features a water park. Kids absolutely love this place. Open summers and limited schedule in spring and fall.
(952) 445-76001
Valley Drive, Shakopee
Mueseums & Galleries(Within 10 miles of the hotel)
Bell Natural History Museum
A noted museum of natural history with many very life-like exhibits located on the University of Minnesota campus (about 4 miles from the hotel).
(612) 624-7083
10 Church Street SE
Mill City Museum
This museum exhists in a mill ruins on the Mississippi. It consists of engaging and educational exhibist of Minneapolis' milling past, and is about 6 blocks from the hotel
Minneapolis Institute-Arts
Extensive galleries of classical art, including major permanent exhibits of renaissance period art and Egyptian antiquities. Frequent traveling exhibits.
(612) 870-3131
2400 3rd Ave. S
Minnesota Science Museum
Located about 8 miles from the hotel in St. Paul, this is a world class science museum with extensive intriguing displays and interactive exhibits. One of the prominent features is the Omni Theater. Frequent traveling shows
(651) 221-2550
120 Kellogg Blvd. W
Museum of Russian Art
(612) 821-9045
5500 Stevens Ave.
Walker Art Center
One of the country's primier museums of modern art. The Walker features an extensive outside sculpture garden and conservatory. Prominent exhibits of Warhol, Lichtenstein, Mondrian. There is a great outside sculpture garden here. Frequent traveling exhibits.
(612) 375-7600
725 Vineland Pl
Weisman Art Museum
Multiple galleries of both modern and classical art, based on the collections of the University of Minnesota. The Weisman is an intriguing building, designed by architect Frank Gehry with views of the Mississippi River.
(612) 625-9494
333 E River Parkway
Music
Dakota Jazz Club
A variety of top local and national jazz artists perform here. (5 blocks from the hotel)
Downtown Minneapolis
Fine Line Music Café
A popular Minneapolis music venue featuring top local and national music performers of all genres (jazz, rock, pop, hip hop. About 8 blocks from the hotel)
First Avenue
This club has some notoriety for it's connection to local star, Prince, and it's prominence in the movie Purple Rain. This club features the latest and best local and national music performers. It's definitely a scene - loud, hip and fun. (6 blocks from the hotel)
First Ave. No. at N. 7th Street
The Minnesota Orchestra (Orchestra Hall)
(612) 371-5600
111 Nicollet Ave.
Recreation & Parks(Within 10 miles of the hotel)
Grand Rounds Parkway
The Grand Rounds Scenic Byway of Minneapolis is a 50 + mile network of parkways, paths and bike trails that winds through the natural beauty of Minneapolis, including a dozen lakes, two waterfalls, gardens, creeks and rivers. It's most fun to rent a bike from a local shop for this tour, but driving is pleasant also. (6 blocks from the hotel)
Lake Harriet Rose Garden, Japanese Garden and Roberts Bird Sanctuary
These parks are on the Northeast shore of famed Lake Harriet. Great for picnicking. Peaceful and beautiful with fountains. The Lake Harriet Band Shell is nearby where there are free nightly performances in the summer. There is a great swimming beach on the lake nearby. The historic Harriet-Como Street car line also runs near the band shell in the summer. (about 15 minutes from the hotel)
Loring Park
A classic, old city park with a large pond and beautiful walking. Public tennis, basketball, shuffle board and playground. Surrounded by old neighborhoods with restaurants and coffee houses. Connected by pedestrian bridge to the Walker Sculpture Garden. Free "movies in the park" on summer nights. Walk from the hotel.
(612) 370-4929
1382 Willow Street
River Parkway and Mill Ruins Park
This park exists around the mill ruins on the Mississippi, and is a nice spot for a walk along the river and to view the St. Anthony Falls. There's a historic stone arch bridge that you can walk across the river on, a functioning lock, and an outside interpretive exhibit on hydro-electric power that is generated there.
Minnehaha Falls and Park
A 50 foot falls in the Minnehaha Creek as it descends to the Mississippi River. There's a fun hiking trail from the falls to the river. Take light rail to the Minnehaha Station (about 20 minutes from hotel).
The Walker Sculpture Garden
A formal garden with displays of a wide variety of sculpture. There is a conservatory here also. It is part of the Walker Art Gallery, and is free to the public. It's walkable from the hotel.
Shopping
Mall of America
This is America's largest shopping mall. It features an (in-door) amusement park, a multiplex movie theater, a huge number of restaurants and a marine park. You can take the light rail from near the hotel. The Mall of America is the last stop. (about 30 minutes from downtown via light rail)
The Nicollet Mall
This is downtown's premier shopping avenue. This street is designed for pedestrian walking, and cars are not permitted on Nicollet Avenue here. The street features fountains, sculpture, art galleries, numerous and varied restaurants and bars and dozens of shops including Macy's, Nieman Marcus, Ann Taylor, Hubert White, Cole Haan, and Target. There is a farmers market here every Thursday in the summer that is always packed with people. (4 blocks from the hotel)
Theater & Dance(Within 10 miles of the hotel)
Children's Theatre Co.
(612) 874-0500
2400 3rd Ave. S
Guthrie Theater
(612) 377-2224
725 Vineland Place
Jungle Theater
Dudley Riggs Brave New Workshop A Minneapolis icon. Comedy ala Second City and Saturday Night Live. Casual and very fun.
(612) 623-7660
345 13th Ave. NE
Mixed Blood Theater
Penumbra Theater Company
Theatre De La Jeune Lune
(612) 332-0048
105 N. 1st Street
The State Theater, The Orpheum Theater, The Pantages Theater
These theaters are grand, restored old theaters and vaudeville houses that now feature the latest and greatest broadway shows in addition to performances by top national performers, comedians and dance companies.
With so many wonderful activities for young and old, you’ll never run out of things to do in downtown Minneapolis!
