Mall of America - Downtown (Minneapolis, Bloomington: renting, waterpark, hotels)

[aplusn]

Hello everyone!

I am planning a trip and would love to get some advice.

First my plan was to stay close to mall of america/airport and use the light rail to get downtown to Target Center and Target field. Any recommendations on hotels within walking distance of a light rail station and a shuttle ride to and from mall and airport?

Or would it better to stay downtown? My main reason for coming is for a concert at the Target Center and I would also like to catch a baseball game.

I will not be renting a car.

Appreciate any help you can give!

-Andrea

[MnMomma]

If your budget allows, I'd recommend staying downtown since your activities are more downtown-focused and you can walk to lots of different things during your stay--including the light rail to visit MOA. If you stay near the mall, you'll most likely save money but there isn't much to do/see other than the mall. I'd also check the light rail schedule to see how things match up with your planned activities. Most of the mall-area hotels have shuttles: Transportation - Mall of America

[golfgal]

There is a Country Inn and Suites across the street from the MOA and the light rail stop in the MOA. I've stayed there several times and it's very easy. They have a free shuttle to/from the airport too so you can catch that to your hotel and then use the light rail into Minneapolis.

[xandrex]

If most of your activities are downtown (and your budget allows), I say opt for downtown. You'll certainly have more nightlife choices and MOA/the airport are both on the light rail, so it would be easy to get down there if/when you need to do so. You'd be able to walk to Target Field and Target Center...plus you'll avoid having to take the light rail back after the games. Stations get very full and the train is sometimes crammed like sardines, often until the very end of the line (Fort Snelling and 28th Street Station in Bloomington seem to be favorites of the suburban park-and-ride crowd).

Save yourself some hassle (plus having a cooler environment to explore to boot) and stay downtown.

[1stpontiac]

Are you coming alone or with any family/friends? Are you going to be interested in hitting up the bar/club scene in the evenings?

[aplusn]

Originally Posted by golfgal

There is a Country Inn and Suites across the street from the MOA and the light rail stop in the MOA. I've stayed there several times and it's very easy. They have a free shuttle to/from the airport too so you can catch that to your hotel and then use the light rail into Minneapolis.

Just to be sure, is this the one by Carlson on Killbrew Dr?



And I will be coming with family, so unfortunately the bar/club scene will be unlikely.

[Beenhere4ever]

We have ridiculous downtown "entertainment taxes". Our city governments in Minneapolis are always loading downtown with extra expenses. Of course, when you visit, you'll be paying them. But I would stay near MOA where those downtown taxes aren't attached to every expense you have as a visitor. Bloomington taxes are lower than Minneapolis. If you have dinner or a drink at MOA, you'll save money. I don't know how the room charges match up. But I'm sure they are no higher than downtown.

[1stpontiac]

Originally Posted by aplusn

Just to be sure, is this the one by Carlson on Killbrew Dr?



And I will be coming with family, so unfortunately the bar/club scene will be unlikely.

I'd do the MOA are then. While I do like DT, it is a bit thin on family-friendly activities and shopping and a pool will be more useful towards the end of the day.

[Beenhere4ever]

I go to MOA many times a month. The place is crawling with tiny kids. Not sure if its the amusement park, or a schedule of family activities. But every time I go, toddlers everywhere. I think there's a weekly kid's day. They have a website that you could check and get better info than my fuzzy impressions.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by aplusn

Just to be sure, is this the one by Carlson on Killbrew Dr?



And I will be coming with family, so unfortunately the bar/club scene will be unlikely.

Yes that is the one.

Depending on budget you might want to look at the Radisson with the Water Park of America. There will be a shuttle to the mall from there, it's not all that far away, but it has a huge indoor waterpark if that is of interest otherwise if you just need a place to sleep, the Country Inn and Suites is good.