Keys to the City

Facts & Fundamentals

From "Best Place to Live," Greenest," "Most Educated," "Best Place to Cycle," and even "Place with the Most Courteous Drivers," accolades have been piled on this charming city that sits to one side of the mighty Mississippi River, yet rides under many travelers' radar.

If you do get a chance to visit this gem of the midwest, know that you'll be hitting an urban center that is as dynamic as any you're likely to encounter, with a burgeoning population of close to 400,000, a plethora of museums, entertainment and dining options.

The Minneapolis metro area is also a hub of business and economic development that is emerging as a leader in the medical devices industry and also fostering a vibrant life sciences cluster.

Weather

Though Minneapolis winters are long and cold, nothing shuts down, so the city bustles with activity in any kind of weather. Temps well below freezing are the norm, so dress in layers and don't forget a hat, scarf and gloves.

Spring and fall are crisp and lovely but it is not unheard of to have snow as late as April or as early as the beginning of October so be prepared.

Summers are a delight, with long, sparkling days and moderate heat, but humidity can simmer in the sultry zone so be sure to wear loose, comfortable clothes.

Holidays & Business Hours

Many offices and businesses close or have truncated hours on state and federal holidays. Policies vary, but these are generally observed

Coming & Going

Conveniently located between the Twin Cities on I-494, Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is approximately 16 miles south of downtown Minneapolis. The airport is a hub for Northwest Airlines and is also served by several major domestic airlines and foreign carriers.

Smart travelers will skip the taxi line and head instead for the buses run by the Metropolitan Transit Commission to both Minneapolis and St. Paul. They also operate a speedy light rail service into Minneapolis.

Amtrak trains operate out of a station at 730 Transfer Road in St. Paul.

Making Your Way

Minneapolis is extremely pedestrian-friendly, even in winter, thanks to the skyways, but you'll need a car to reach many attractions outside downtown and in the suburbs.

However, if you want to make a pilgrimage to shopping mecca at the Mall of America in Bloomington, the Metropolitan Transit Commission operates the Hiawatha Light Rail which runs along Hiawatha Avenue from the Warehouse District to the airport and the Mall of America with several stops in between.

News & Views

The large general-interest newspaper for the city is the Star Tribune. Additionally, the Minnesota Daily serves the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus and surrounding neighborhoods. There is also the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder and the Finance and Commerce which cover business. For arts and entertainment news, Minnesota Monthly is a great source of information.

On the radio you'll find KNOW FM 91.1 is the local MPR station. On television, KARE TV 11 is the NBC affiliate, KSTP TV 5 is ABC, KTCA TV 2 is PBS and WCCO TV 4 is CBS.

Quirks & Curiosities

Both Minneapolis and St. Paul have extensive skyway systems that allow pedestrians to walk from downtown shops, restaurants and businesses despite subzero temperatures. If that isn't appealing enough to those who enjoy shopping 'til they drop, keep in mind there is no sales tax on clothing or shoes in Minnesota. Should you get footsore, you may do well to stop into a cafe or nearby park to sit for a spell; roaming taxis can be hard to find.

Getting Your Bearings

When visiting a new city, it's helpful to know where to find help should you need it. Check out the visitor information center:

Meet Minneapolis
250 Marquette Ave S
Suite 1300
888-676-6757

To take advantage of the best routes and avoid traffic delays check out www.minneapolisroads.com, a great resource for planning your downtown travel. Lines on the map show current lane closures as well as those anticipated.

Necessities - Post Offices

There are several post office branches in Minneapolis, as well as drop boxes throughout the city. Should you need to conduct serious postal business, stop by the main post office branch at:

100 S 1st St
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Open Mon-Fri 7am-8pm, Sat 9am-1pm

Common Courtesies

Tipping is not an exact science but is customary if you consider service to your satisfaction. Restaurants consider 15% the standard, unless a gratuity is already included in your bill (frequently added automatically for groups of six or more). Bars in Minneapolis typically have a tips tray on the counter for you to show your appreciation.

You can offer taxi and limousine drivers anywhere from 10-20% of the cost of the ride, and a dollar or two for bag handlers and valet parking.