StayAreasIs Downtown a good place to stay in Minneapolis?
Yes, especially for a first visit, a show or a convention. The skyways and light rail make it easy, though it's quiet on winter nights.
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
Hotels in Downtown
All Downtown hotels on Booking ↗Typical rates for a double outside peak events, not live prices. Updated Oct 2026 · How we rate areas · Booking through our links costs you nothing extra and may earn us a commission. Learn more
Staying in Downtown
Downtown is the most convenient place to stay in Minneapolis for a first visit, a show or a convention. Nicollet Mall, the theatres on Hennepin Avenue and Target Center are within a few blocks, and the Blue Line runs straight to the airport and Mall of America.
The area is shaped by the cold. The skyways let you walk between hotels, shops and offices above the streets, and on weekdays they fill with office workers at lunchtime. In the evenings, the crowd moves to the theatres and bars on Hennepin Avenue.
The downside is that downtown can feel empty on winter nights and weekends, when office workers stay home. Homelessness is visible on some blocks, and the city's best independent restaurants are in the North Loop and other neighbourhoods.
What makes downtown worth it is how easy it is in any weather. You can ride the light rail from the airport, walk to a show through the skyways and be at the Walker or the river in minutes. For a short stay, it's the practical choice.
Getting around
- IDS Center3walk
- Target Center10walk
- Guthrie Theater11transit
- Mill City Museum11transit
- Walker Art Center13transit
- Target Field15walk
- Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)25
Downtown questions
Is Downtown a good area to stay in Minneapolis?
Yes, especially for a first visit, a show or a convention. The skyways and light rail make it easy, though it's quiet on winter nights. It suits first-time visitors, theatre-goers and convention and business travellers.
How much does a hotel in Downtown cost?
A typical double is around $125 a night at a budget hotel, $390 mid-range and $470 for luxury, outside peak events.
How do I get from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) to Downtown?
About 25 minutes door to door: METRO Blue Line light rail from the terminals to downtown.
How far is Downtown from the main sights?
Door to door from Downtown: IDS Center 3 minutes on foot, Target Center 10 minutes on foot, Guthrie Theater 11 minutes and Mill City Museum 11 minutes.