StayAreas logoStayAreas

Where to stay in Minneapolis

Minneapolis keeps most of what visitors want within a short walk of the Mississippi. Stay Downtown for the skyways, theatres, Target Center and the light rail to the airport; in the North Loop for warehouse restaurants, Target Field and the riverfront; or in the Mill District for the Guthrie, the Stone Arch Bridge and US Bank Stadium. The Blue Line runs from downtown to the airport and the Mall of America.

Find your area, then your hotel

Tap one of our picks, or any area, to see its hotels on the map, what it costs, where we'd book and how long it takes to get around.

In short: our pick for each kind of trip. Tap one to see why.

Should you stay in

Downtown?

Skyways, theatres & the light rail

What a night costs

Budget
$125
Mid-range
$390
Luxury
$470

2nd cheapest of 3 areas, about $20 a night less than North Loop.

Where we'd book

The verdict

The centre of Minneapolis, with Nicollet Mall, the Hennepin Theatre District, Target Center, the convention centre and nearly ten miles of heated skyways.

  • Stay here if
  • First-time visitors
  • Theatre-goers
  • Convention and business travellers
  • Look elsewhere if
  • You want neighbourhood character
  • You want busy streets in winter
  • You're driving and want free parking

Minutes to the sights

  • IDS Center3 minwalk
  • Target Center10 minwalk
  • Guthrie Theater11 min
  • Mill City Museum11 min
  • Walker Art Center13 min
  • Target Field15 minwalk

Stations and airports

5 min to Downtown Minneapolis. The METRO Blue Line runs to the airport and Mall of America, and the Green Line to the University of Minnesota and Saint Paul. Skyways link most hotels to the shops and offices.

  • From Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)METRO Blue Line light rail from the terminals to downtown25 min

Typical rates for a double outside peak events, not live prices. Updated Oct 2026 · How we rate areas · Minutes planned with the Transitous (MOTIS on published GTFS timetables and OpenStreetMap) for a weekday, including walking and waiting · Booking through our links costs you nothing extra and may earn us a commission. Learn more

Minneapolis questions

What is the best area to stay in Minneapolis for first-timers?

Downtown puts the big sights within easy reach and is 5 minutes from Downtown Minneapolis. Mill District are good alternatives.

Which area of Minneapolis has the cheapest hotels?

Mill District and Downtown, with budget hotels from around $125 and mid-range around $230–$390 a night.

Where should families stay in Minneapolis?

Mill District has the best mix of parks, calm streets and sights for kids.

Where is the best nightlife in Minneapolis?

North Loop has the most bars, restaurants and late nights.