St. Paul Rivercentre

[snowbunny]

I'm attending an event with my DD in St. Paul next weekend, the event is at the Rivercentre and we are staying at the St. Paul Hotel.

I know St. Paul is a safe city in general. The hotel is only a couple of blocks from the Rivercentre. Will we feel safe walking from the center to the hotel at night? Our event will finish approximately 10 pm both nights.

 

[elgerber]

I'm attending an event with my DD in St. Paul next weekend, the event is at the Rivercentre and we are staying at the St. Paul Hotel.

I know St. Paul is a safe city in general. The hotel is only a couple of blocks from the Rivercentre. Will we feel safe walking from the center to the hotel at night? Our event will finish approximately 10 pm both nights.

I think you will. I have attended evening stage shows and concerts in the area with and without my dd, and have never felt unsafe walking back to the car afterwards. 10 is early enough that there are probably still a lot of people out and about at that time. Between events at the Rivercentre and The Ordway (which is right across from your hotel) there should be plenty of people walking around, which makes me feel safe.

 

[pugdog]

It is very safe. You will only have to walk a kitty corner block through the park to get there. The only trouble you might have will be from me if my beloved Gophers lose the hockey game that night at Xcel Energy center right next door.

 

[snowbunny]

Awesome, thank you. I am looking foward to seeing St. Paul.

 

[FoggyToad]

I totally agree regarding your safety. St. Paul is a safe, secure place and I have never left an event there without plenty of police officers around directing traffic, etc. Enjoy our lovely city and a hearty welcome!

 

[pouncingpluto]

Last summer, I had a convention at the RiverCenter in conjucnction with nightly events at the XCel center. We stayed about three blocks or so down the street and felt very comfortable walking home every night. There are also lots of restaurants around, catering to people who go to events, so things tend to stay relatively busy until later.

 

[dudspizza]

I have to agree that the area around Xcel is a nice area.... St Paul in general is a nice town.... I spent many a night running around the St Paul Civic Center after the high school hockey tourney let out.... never an issue... and that was a stupid HS student.... Now I am older and wiser and still feel fine!

Enjoy!

Duds

 

[snowbunny]

Thank you again, we are looking forward to it. I grew up in Madison but for whatever reason, never made it up to St. Paul.
When we travel to the midwest my DD13 is semi freaked out about how nice people are....why are people always saying hi to us??

 

[dudspizza]

When we travel to the midwest my DD13 is semi freaked out about how nice people are....why are people always saying hi to us??

It can be weird if you are not from an area where people greet perfect strangers..... Minnesota nice........

Duds

 

[snowbunny]

Oh no...I just discovered how close Mall of America is to MSP airport. My DD is going to insist on going over there.

Personally I would rather stay in a historic hotel downtown, but Marriott next to the mall is offering a $99 rate, which would save me about $100 over the St. Paul Hotel. I have a $149 rate there.

We would have only a few hours to go to the mall, would it even be worth it?

Also does anyone know how much it would cost to park at Rivercentre if we stayed out at the mall...I can't find any info on parking prices on the convention center website.

Also is Mickey's Diner on 7th street good to try?

 

[dudspizza]

Oh no...I just discovered how close Mall of America is to MSP airport. My DD is going to insist on going over there.

Personally I would rather stay in a historic hotel downtown, but Marriott next to the mall is offering a $99 rate, which would save me about $100 over the St. Paul Hotel. I have a $149 rate there.

We would have only a few hours to go to the mall, would it even be worth it?

Also does anyone know how much it would cost to park at Rivercentre if we stayed out at the mall...I can't find any info on parking prices on the convention center website.

Also is Mickey's Diner on 7th street good to try?

Parking is going to run about $10 give or take.

The MOA is always worth it. We always go just to walk around and people watch.... and maybe a stop at the Disney Store!

Duds

 

[pugdog]

Oh no...I just discovered how close Mall of America is to MSP airport. My DD is going to insist on going over there.

You could take the train over to the mall for a few hours and then head back to the airport to get your car rental.

Personally I would rather stay in a historic hotel downtown, but Marriott next to the mall is offering a $99 rate, which would save me about $100 over the St. Paul Hotel. I have a $149 rate there.

The St Paul Hotel is a very nice place, plus the chocolate cake they make is to die for.

We would have only a few hours to go to the mall, would it even be worth it?

It is fun people watching atleast and there are some good stores.

Also does anyone know how much it would cost to park at Rivercentre if we stayed out at the mall...I can't find any info on parking prices on the convention center website.

Depends on the event. Since there is going to be hockey at the Xcel over the weekend is will be around $15. Plus the Twin Cities marathon is also this weekend and that goes through St Paul.

Also is Mickey's Diner on 7th street good to try?

If you have the time make sure you walk up there to eat. Yes it is a little bit of a dive but once again the food is well worth it.

.

 

[snowbunny]

You could take the train over to the mall for a few hours and then head back to the airport to get your car rental.

Is that a train that runs from the airport to the mall? Or is there a train from downtown?

If we keep our ressie at the St. Paul (which I think we are going to do, she decided for herself thaat being close to the event she's competing in is more important than being out at the mall ), I was going to take a cab into town so I would not have to pay $18/night for parking at the hotel.

 

[disneymom3]

The train goes from the MOA to the airport and into dwntn Minneapolis, but not into St Paul. If you are not renting a car, you could either take a taxi to the mall or take a bus there.

I personally do not like the Marriot out by the Mall. I have also stayed at the St Paul Hotel and no way would I switch. Plus the convenience of being right there instead of driving in each day will be nice, I would think. Don't miss the hot tea and coffee bar downstairs in the mornings. And the toiletries.....ooooh oooh oooh.

The Twin Cities Marathon is actually running tomorrow so that should not be something you have to deal with.


As for the MN nice thing. I moved here in college and one of my sisters came to visit me. We were going to dinner in downtown St Paul one night very soon after she got here. For the first several times someone said hello, she just said hi back and we kept walking. Then she finally burst out, "How the heck do you know all these people??? You have only lived here for like 6 months!" I cracked up and explained that I didn't actually know ANY of them!

 

[snowbunny]

Ok you guys thank you very much. I'm canceling the Marriott by the mall/airport and keeping the St. Paul Hotel.
We're flying out on Friday and will probably just take a taxi to downtown St. Paul.
It is tempting to hop over on the train from the airport to the mall first, except there is our luggage to deal with.
She would love to go to the mall but I'm proud of her that she is focusing on the reason we are going to be there which is her tournament.
We'll enjoy ourselves walking around St. Paul

 

[pugdog]

Taxi's should cost about $25 to get you downtown STP. Another good place to eat is Kincaids just behind the hotel. Or just about any of the places downtown are good.
And good luck to your daughter with her karate.

 

[snowbunny]

And good luck to your daughter with her karate.

Thank you very much

 

[snowbunny]

Just back yesterday and I wanted to thank everyone who gave me information. We had an awesome time, enjoyed the hotel and the pretty walk over to the RiverCentre. We ate at both Mickey's Diner (fun although we both smelled like the fryolater for hours afterward) and Kincaid's. So thanks again

 

[dudspizza]

Just back yesterday and I wanted to thank everyone who gave me information. We had an awesome time, enjoyed the hotel and the pretty walk over to the RiverCentre. We ate at both Mickey's Diner (fun although we both smelled like the fryolater for hours afterward) and Kincaid's. So thanks again

Right on! Glad you enjoyed our part of the country! I really do enjoy it here... but it is starting to get dang cold! Went out to the golf course I work at on weekends to pick up my last paycheck and there were players out there with winter hats and gloves on! Fun Stuff! Minnesotans will do whatever they can to get that last round of golf in!

Duds

 

[pugdog]

how did she do in the tourney?