ChristyB in TN Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 We plan to stay downtown for a long weekend and I need some ideas, please! No kids, just my husband and myself, we love craft beer, great vegan food, active stuff. I need to know where to stay that's in the middle of lots of places I can walk to. thanks! Looking on Priceline, so far I am loving the looks of The Saint Paul Hotel. Thoughts? Christy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 How fun! From downtown Minneapolis, there is an amazing trail system that runs along the Mississippi River. There is also the Nice Ride bikes all over the place for easy rental (some bike shops will also rent nicer bikes). It's also possible to take a Segueway tour downtown Minneapolis and the river front. There is the Gutherie and Orpheum Theaters(as well as some smaller theaters), the Mill City Museum, the Walker and sculpture garden. It would also be possible to go down to the Minneapolis chain of lakes and utilize that trail system (which is actually accessible all by trail from downtown). You can rent canoes or kayaks down there. It is also possible to do a paddleboat tour on the Mississippi. Target Field is downtown as well if you're into professional baseball. You can easily take the light rail to downtown Saint Paul where there are plenty of other things to do too. Public transit has gotten easier here. Do you only eat vegan? I can think on some options. There are an ever increasing number of tap rooms in Minneapolis and St. Paul. http://www.visit-twincities.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 Oh St. Paul Hotel. We had our wedding reception there and have done overnighters on anniversaries! That is a gorgeous hotel. That is downtown St. Paul. From there you can still access river trails, the Science Museum, The History Center, The Landmark Center (where there are events and a musical instrument museum), the St. Paul Farmer's Market (which is a fun place to walk and people watch on the weekend and pick up some yummy local fare). Downtown Minneapolis would still be easily accessible via the Light Rail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 Check out the "Chain of Lakes" website - canoeing, walking, bird sanctuary, etc. I love Lake of the Isles. The Cathedral of St. Paul is lovely, as is the surrounding area of old tree-lined avenues with historic homes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Marmalade Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 Vegan Restaurant Options: French Meadow Bakery The Depot Tavern has local brews and has a decent selection of vegan items on their menu. Gingerhop- a fusion place with a decent vegan selection. Common Roots Cafe There are so many options in the area for a vegan- it's a great place to be veg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristyB in TN Posted August 13, 2014 Author Share Posted August 13, 2014 That is so helpful! Thank you! Just knowing there is an easily accessible public transportation system helps soooooo much. We have the kayaks already arranged. :) We only take 1 weekend off from work every month and decided to make those weekends count. That particular weekend is our anniversary! I picked Minneapolis because it is beautiful and have never been there. We can't wait! How do you feel about the Renaissance Depot? The W? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristyB in TN Posted August 13, 2014 Author Share Posted August 13, 2014 My husband is pescatarian, I'm vegan. Our last weekend away was in Louisville, Ky and we some of the best food we've ever had in the local brewpubs! It was awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 I used to be vegetarian - this is a veg friendly community for sure! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristyB in TN Posted August 13, 2014 Author Share Posted August 13, 2014 I can't decide and have decided to decide tomorrow. :) I love these weekends, keeps me going. Thank you all so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claire up north Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 Another great vegan restaurant...maybe just open for breakfast and lunch? Modern Times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EthiopianFood Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 Ecopolitan is an awesome raw food restaurant in Minneapolis that I love! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeLovePassion Posted August 14, 2014 Share Posted August 14, 2014 Grand Avenue in St Paul is nice. The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is Free to visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted August 14, 2014 Share Posted August 14, 2014 Downtown Minneapolis has so much going on these days. St. Paul's downtown -- though I love it and think its buildings are old and beautiful -- can be quite dead on weekends and evenings. If you want to be in the heart of more busy-ness, I'd suggest you stay in the downtown Minneapolis area instead. (Even though the St. Paul Hotel is beautiful.) Someone else suggested the Renaissance Depot Hotel and I'd agree that that is a great hotel right on the edge of the downtown and close to the Stone Arch Bridge on the Mississippi, which I'd recommend walking across. (The hotel also has an ice skating rink.) It's also just a few block from the Guthrie Theater, Mill City Museum, and the Spoonriver Restaurant, which I believe serves organic, veggie style dishes among its offerings. The Warehouse area is an up and coming neighborhood also in Minneapolis, just beyond the downtown. We've stayed at the Marriott TownPlace Suites in that area which is really nice, and also has a nice outdoor pool. The area has lots of "hip" cafes and pubs. The Warehouse area is about 8-12 blocks from the downtown center, and the Renaissance Depot Hotel about 6 blocks. Both places are walkable to the downtown center in the daytime; we've walked to the Renaissance at night, although I'd probably drive or taxi to the Warehouse area at night. If you stay right in the downtown, it's a lot of fun to stay in a building connected by the many skyways to all the various main d.t. buildings. (And there are many.) A good breakfast place downtown is Keys Restaurant, although most hotels offer breakfast. Have fun! It's really a great city! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted August 14, 2014 Share Posted August 14, 2014 The sculpture garden at the Walker Art Center is fabulous. I was there for a conference in grad school long long ago. I know we took a bus because we were poor grad students and couldn't have afforded a taxi. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toawh Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 Stuff we've loved Como Park Zoo and Conservatory Minnehaha falls and park Minneapolis institute of art Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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