Looking for Budget Minneapolis lodging

[FarmDisney]

Hi! My three oldest kids and I are going to Minneapolis for 5 nights in early November for a convention at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Any advice on affordable hotels in the area? I would really like to use public transportation to get to the convention center if possible to avoid having to drive during rush hour in an unfamiliar city. I heard the LRT goes to the convention center, but when I look at the website, it looks like I would have to also take a bus.

I looked at downtown hotels and they are definitely out of our price range. We don't need anything fancy just a place to sleep at night.

Any help with hotel suggestions and public transport/light rail advice would be great!

Thanks

 

[jessrose18]

I have never stayed at any of the downtown minneapolis hotels, but for transportation check out metrotransit.org that should have all bus/lightrail info. also lightrail will bring you to mall of america, airport etc which is great. there are also many hotels in bloomington near moa/airport maybe some of them would be more affordable? Good luck, sorry I couldnt help more. I actually work at a hotel, but it is in St. Paul and too much money for even me to stay at

nicollet mall in downtown minneapolis is a great shopping area as well.

 

[MN Disneyfan]

Maybe check out hotels in Bloomington (which is where Mall of America is). They have a light rail station right next to the mall and there are a bunch of hotels right there.

 

[jennyf2]

I agree with the other posters! Find a hotel where you can hop on the light rail. Then you will not have to deal with the downtown parking issues

Good Luck !

**where is everyone from in MN?? I'm in North St Paul!

 

[FarmDisney]

Thanks for the replies!

So does the light rail take you far enough downtown that you could just walk to the convention center? How far would it be or do you also need to take a bus?

 

[jldunbar]

I work downtown Mpls. I don't think there are any hotels on the light rail. What you will need to do is find a hotel that offers a shuttle to the MOA. You can hop on light rail from there. When you get downtown Mpls the convention center is on the opposite side of downtown as lightrail. You could take a bus, but it would probably be quicker to walk. The nice thing about downtown Mpls is the skyways. You can get off lightrail and get up into a skyway and walk over to the convention center. There are lots of restaurants and shops in the skyway. The light rail drop off and convention center are probably about a mile apart.

 

[clh2]

I'm curious - DH is taking DD up to the U of M next week for a campus tour. He is getting SCREWED on hotel rates, IMHO. Part of the problem is parking fees, and he needs the hotel room for two nights. Thursday night is an OK rate, but it jacks up to insane on Friday night (I'm guessing due to the football game on Saturday.) DH and DD want to stay over on Friday, since our niece is a freshman their, and actually DD will be staying in the dorm on Firday night.

So - does the light rail get close to the campus?

 

[jessrose18]

I agree with the other posters! Find a hotel where you can hop on the light rail. Then you will not have to deal with the downtown parking issues

Good Luck !

**where is everyone from in MN?? I'm in North St Paul!

Hello! We live in St. Paul as well. Near Grand Avenue.