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Downtown is a district in Minneapolis.
[edit] Get in
[edit] Get around
Although most of the city's grid is along a strict north-south/east-west layout, the area near downtown on both sides of the river lies at an angle to the rest of the city's grid to better align with the river. Here streets run parallel to the river, and avenues run perpendicular. Downtown contains mostly numbered streets and avenues, although a few important ones are named. Most of Downtown is within South Minneapolis, although the Warehouse District extends into North Minneapolis. Keep in mind that this is the only part of town where you will encounter streets as well avenues designated "South". The intersection of S 2nd Ave and S 5th St is many blocks from the intersection of S 2nd St and S 5th Ave!
Much of downtown is uses a series of Skyways, [1] to connect downtown shops and businesses. Navigating the skyway system can be confusing since one often has to take a curcuitous route to reach their destination. However, it's often a welcome alternative to walking outside in Minneapolis' harsh winter cold.
If you get tired of walking, Metro Transit buses are only $0.50 per ride within the Downtown Zone; keep in mind that no transfers are issued when paying the downtown fare. You can also ride a light-rail train between Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue and Downtown East/Metrodome stations for this same fare.
- Minnesota Orchestra, [2].
[edit] Theater
- Orpheum, 910 Hennepin Ave, +1 612 373-5600, [3].
- Historic State Theater, 805 Hennepin Ave, +1 612 373-5600, [4].
- Pantages Theater, 710 Hennepin Ave, +1 612 373-5600, [5].
- Hennepin Stages, 824 Hennepin Ave, +1 612 373-5600, [6].
- The Guthrie, 818 S 2nd St, +1 612 377-2224, [7]. Just relocated to their brand new theater by the Mississippi River near the old milling district.
- Theatre de la Jeune Lune, 105 N 1st St (corner of N 1st St and 1st Ave N), +1 612 333-6200, [8].
The Skyways boast an excellent variety of retailers, and one can find almost anything, though the distances between stores can be very inconvenient. That said, it's like a mall for the agoraphobic or claustrophobic. The best times to find what you want are between 10AM and 2PM, as many excellent food shops are opened just to handle lunch hour.
- The Rock Bottom Brewery located Downtown Minneapolis (9th & Hennepin) hosts a variety of refreshing, innovative beers. The pints are great, and the food is even better. Stay away from the "Angry Hippie," though, as most people seem to dislike it. On busy nights you may expect a long wait, but it's not so bad if you can manage to get a pint before your meal. On the less busy Sunday nights, the bar is open only until 12AM, but there is fewer customers so the servers are far more attentive. Around the time the offices are let out (5PM), expect a longer wait. A good plate costs around $25, and is well worth it.
- First Avenue, 701 1st Ave N, [9]. Probably the oldest and most legendary club in town. Dance nights of various flavors (House, Salsa, etc.) are hosted as are local and national bands and the occasional "other" event such as the Pro-Wrestling and the new Roller Derby League. Housed in the former Minneapolis Greyhound station, the club is located at the corner of 1st Avenue and 7th Street (hence the name), and can be easily identified by its black exterior decorated with silver stars of all the noteworthy artists who've played there. First Avenue gained national notoriety in the mid-eighties as the club where Prince played out his rivalry with Morris Day and The Time in Purple Rain.
- The club is divided into two main parts:
- The Main Room. Where the dance nights are held and national touring acts perform. The Main Room is regarded as one of the premier sites for live music in the country. Often compared to Chicago's Metro, or San Francisco's Filmore. The Main Room offers nightly drink specials and a limited kitchen.
- 7th St. Entry. A smaller room off to the side where one is more likely to see local bands or lesser known national touring acts. Don't be put off by the small size. Hundreds of touring bands have graduated from the 7th St. Entry to become major touring acts. Son Volt, Wilco, The Replacements and Jane's Addiction are among the list of bands that played first in the Entry before moving on to the Main Room, much bigger venues and even arenas.
- The Fine Line, [10]. A smaller-sized music club located on 1st Avenue, the Fine Line features national and local acts. The main level provides a close proximity to the acts, while the mezzanine offers meals and seating for a more expensive price.
- O'Donovan's Irish Pub, [11] A rather small-looking pub with a big inside at 700 N 1st Ave, this is a good place to go for a pint. They have a nice variety of drinks on tap, from cider to stout to both ("Poor Man's Black Velvet"), and some authentic Irish food in case that isn't thick enough. The help can range from decent to good, and the regulars may even be rather welcoming as well. Fair prices, good beers, and even better food.
- Crowne Plaza, 618 2nd Ave S [12]. Situated in the heart of Downtown, this Minneapolis hotel is connected by the city’s enclosed skyway to shopping, dining, entertainment, and the business district. The hotel offers 223 luxurious guestrooms.
[edit] Contact
Minneapolis Public Library - Central Branch, 300 Nicollet Mall (entrances on both the Nicollet Mall and Hennepin Avenue sides), +1 612 630-6000, [13]. Hours at the Central Branch library are Tu-W 10:00AM-6:00PM, Th 10:00AM-8:00PM, F-Sa 10:00AM-6:00PM. The library has computer workstations with internet access. You can access the internet for free for up to one hour within a 6-hour block of time. As an out-of-town visitor without a Minneapolis library card, you will need to obtain a Temporary Internet Access Card from a librarian; proper photo identification is necessary to obtain one. Free wifi is also available throughout the library, and many tables have electrical outlets.
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