Where to Stay in Minneapolis, Minnesota – 5 ULTIMATE Areas

Are you looking for historic museums, unique art galleries, theme parks, shopping centers, or nightlife? I have good news for you: Minneapolis has it all! So, if this sounds like a good destination for your next trip, you should start thinking about where to stay in Minneapolis. 

After comparing all the Minneapolis neighborhoods, I selected the 5 best spots for your stay in the city. I also handpicked the top hotels in each recommended area, and for every type of budget, you’ll definitely find something that meets your preferences!

The best area to stay in Minneapolis is Downtown East, a lively neighborhood situated right on the Mississippi River. In this part of the city, you’ll find everything from relaxing green spaces to fabulous cultural attractions and many restaurants and cafes. 

As soon as you decide where you’ll be staying, hurry up and make a reservation! Hotels in Minneapolis, Minnesota, are quick to sell out, and you don’t want to miss out on your chance for a comfortable stay. 

Let’s start our Minneapolis city tour! 

Quick Picks for Your Stay

Want to book quickly? Here’s a list of the best hotels in Minneapolis, all situated in Downtown East:

Here’s a map of the 5 best neighborhoods to stay in Minneapolis that I’ll be talking about in this post:

1. Downtown East – where to stay for the first time

Set by the beautiful Mississippi River, Downtown Minneapolis is actually split into 2 smaller neighborhoods – Downtown East and Downtown West. Both of these neighborhoods have a lot to offer and attract plenty of visitors, but if you’re visiting the city for the first time, the lively and historic Downtown East is the best neighborhood to stay in Minneapolis. 

Start discovering Downtown East with a stroll along the Mississippi River, specifically, in the Mill District (map). This district is part of the larger Downtown East neighborhood and has a very distinct character; a former industrial area, the Mill District has been completely transformed and now hosts several cultural attractions and green spaces. 

Here, you will see Mill Ruins Park (map), an urban park centered around one of the historic mills! From the park, you can also admire the views of the river and the historic Stone Arch Bridge (map), a former railroad bridge that overlooks St. Anthony Falls!

However, if you want something more relaxing and serene, Gold Medal Park (map) is also situated right here in the Mill District and features a spiral walkway and great views of the river. 

FUN FACT: The ruins that you will see in Mill Ruins Park belong to the Washburn A Mill, which was the largest US mill until it exploded in 1878. This accident helped to improve mill safety standards in the USA. 

On the site of the former Washburn A Mill, you’ll find the Mill City Museum, which covers the history of the flour industry in Minneapolis. After you go through the interactive exhibitions in the museum, you can catch a performance at the Guthrie Theater or simply grab a drink at one of the theater’s lobby bars. 

Moving out of the Mill District and further into Downtown East, you’ll come across The Commons (map), a spot where you can see the locals playing various sports and even catch a live performance by local artists. And if you’re a football fan, don’t miss your chance to see the Minnesota Vikings play at the U.S. Bank Stadium! 

Staying in Downtown East is also convenient in terms of transportation; firstly, the neighborhood is extremely walkable, but more importantly, it provides access to the Minneapolis Skyway System.

NOTE: From Downtown East, you can easily reach the area of the University of Minnesota (map), and although most of it is occupied by the university campus, there are some cool spots you can check out, like the Weisman Art Museum. 

The Minneapolis Skyway is a system of second-level pedestrian bridges – the largest in the world – that connects many buildings throughout the city and allows you to walk around the city comfortably and stay sheltered from the elements, regardless of the time of year or the weather conditions. 

Now that we’ve covered getting around this part of the city let’s check out the best East Downtown Minneapolis hotels!

Other accommodation options in Downtown East

Things to do in Downtown East

• See the historic ruins of an old mill at Mill Ruins Park in the Mill District
• Learn about the history at the Mill City Museum
• Catch a show at the Guthrie Theatre
• Admire the architecture of the historic Stone Arch Bridge
• Do some Saturday shopping at the Mill City Farmers Market (map)
• See the impressive sculptures at the Gold Medal Park
• Attend a local performance at The Commons
• Watch a football game at the famous US Bank Stadium
• Check out the collection at the Weisman Art Museum
• Walk around the Minneapolis Skyway

2. Downtown West – best place to stay for nightlife

As you can probably guess from the name, Downtown West is situated directly next to Downtown East, and is the best place to stay in Minneapolis for nightlife. This vibrant neighborhood hosts numerous nightclubs, trendy bars, and events venues, so make sure to pack your dancing shoes! 

Besides serving as the hub of Minneapolis nightlife, Downtown West is also the main business district in the city. So, seeing as the neighborhood consists mainly of office buildings and entertainment spots, you won’t find too many historical attractions. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of fun things to do in Downtown West! 

My first suggestion would be to go up to the observation deck of the Foshay Museum and Observation Deck – you will enjoy the best views of the city! Then, you can check what’s on at the Minnesota Orchestra and maybe attend one of their performances before moving on to one of the many bars and restaurants. 

Seeing as Downtown West abounds with entertainment options, you may be wondering where to start. Lucky for you, I have a few great recommendations! The Armory (map), right at the edge of the neighborhood, and First Avenue (map) are very popular live music venues, while Manny’s Steakhouse (map) is the ultimate spot for a delicious dinner. 

FUN FACT: Minneapolis is one of the Twin Cities, the other one being Saint Paul. The city of Saint Paul sits across the Mississippi River from Minneapolis and is the state capital of Minnesota and the host of the Minnesota State Fair. You can easily reach St. Paul from Downtown Minneapolis via the METRO Green Line – it’s quick and simple. 

If you like to explore outside the neighborhood’s borders, I recommend renting a car. Even though Minneapolis public transport is quite good, navigating it can be a difficult task at times – a car is definitely more convenient and time-efficient. 

Once you figure out transportation, I recommend visiting the nearby neighborhoods of Loring Park and Lowry Hill. In these neighborhoods, you can explore the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden (map), featuring the famous Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture, and the Walker Art Center, where you can see many contemporary exhibitions. 

P.S. If you’re traveling to the city on business, Downtown West is one of the best areas to stay in Minneapolis. The neighborhood is right next to the Minneapolis Convention Center (map), which hosts many of the most important events in the city.

Other accommodation options in Downtown West

Things to do in Downtown West

• Admire the views from the Foshay Museum and Observation Deck
• See a performance by the Minnesota Orchestra
• Visit the Minneapolis Central Library (map)
• Enjoy a live music performance at The Armory or First Avenue
• Treat yourself to a nice dinner at Manny’s Steakhouse
• Join an all-inclusive craft brewery tour of Minneapolis
• Take the LightRail and visit the neighboring city of Saint Paul
• Go out to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and admire the Spoonbridge and Cherry
• Explore the exhibitions at the Walker Art Center
• Join a candlelight ghost trolley tour of Minneapolis

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3. The Warehouse District (North Loop) – the coolest neighborhood

The Warehouse District, also known as the North Loop, is situated by the Mississippi River and just a 7-min drive North of Downtown East. If you are looking for cool neighborhoods in Minneapolis, the Warehouse District should be your top choice, with its lively and upbeat atmosphere, hipster cafes, trendy bars, designer boutiques, and street murals. 

The best way to get a real feel of the neighborhood is just to walk around, spot some street art, and admire the now-converted warehouses. Yep, you guessed it – the neighborhood was named after the many warehouses dotting its streets back when this was the city’s central shipping hub. 

One of the most popular attractions in the neighborhood is the Target Center, a large music venue that hosts concerts for world-renowned artists and other events like basketball games and other sports events. 

Other popular venues in the Warehouse District include the Fine Line (map), an intimate music venue, and the Acme Comedy Company (map), a cool comedy club. The neighborhood also abounds with great restaurants, such as the Smack Shack (map) and the Butcher & The Boar (map). 

There’s plenty more to explore on the streets of the Warehouse District, but if you want something a bit different and you’re up for a day trip, visit Brooklyn Center, a suburban city that’s just a 15-min drive North of the Warehouse District. This is a quiet residential area that is very different from the Warehouse District – a great spot if you want a change of scenery! 

TIP: If you’re exploring Minneapolis by car, you need to think about parking. Although many hotels in the city offer parking, it’s usually at an additional charge ranging from US$15 to US$40 per night. This can add up quickly, and you probably won’t leave your car at the hotel for the entire day. So, if you need an alternative, use the SpotHero app, which will show you all the parking lots in the city. 

Now, let’s see the top-rated hotels in the Warehouse district!

Other accommodation options in The Warehouse District

Things to do in The Warehouse District

• See a concert (or a basketball game) at the Target Center
• Listen to a live music performance at the Fine Line
•  Catch a comedy show at the Acme Comedy Company
• Have fun playing an escape game at Trapped Puzzle Rooms
• Enjoy a meal at the Smack Shack or the Butcher & The Boar
• Do some of your daily shopping at the Minneapolis Farmers Market (map)
• Take a day trip to the suburban city of Brooklyn Center

4. St Louis Park – where to stay in Minneapolis for families

St Louis Park is located 8 miles (12 km) West of Downtown East and is a very nice neighborhood with lush green parks and beautiful lakes. This is a quiet and serene suburb and one of the safe places to stay in Minneapolis, which is why it’s the best area to stay in Minneapolis for families (and for couples). 

In St Louis Park, you will find kids’ playgrounds in almost every beautiful park, and you can do activities such as cycling or kayaking on the stunning lakes. Doesn’t it sound like an excellent place for a vacation with the family?

Compared to the Minneapolis neighborhoods we talked about so far, St Louis Park does lack cool attractions, so you’ll definitely want to venture outside the neighborhood and explore more of the city. So, if you’re staying here, and especially if you’re traveling with kids, you’ll need to have access to a vehicle – whether your own or a rental car. 

Besides exploring the Westwood Hills Nature Center (map) and sampling the local bakeries and eateries, there’s not much to do in St Louis Park. So, I recommend visiting the Uptown neighborhood (it’s just a 15-min drive away) and stopping by the Lake of the Isles Park (map) – I’m sure the whole family will enjoy it. 

FUN FACT: Minneapolis is known as the ‘City of Lakes’, featuring over 22 lakes, most of which are great for canoeing or kayaking!

Another great stop would be the Whittier neighborhood and the Minneapolis Institute of Art, featuring a large collection of fine arts and artifacts, including a mummy!

If you’re up for a longer trip, head to Minneapolis’s Twin City, Saint Paul, and visit the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, a really cool zoo that also features a garden and various kid-friendly attractions. Alternatively, you can spend your day enjoying one of the many activities available at the Mississippi National River & Recreation Area (map)!

Other cool places to visit near St Louis Park include The Bakken Museum, featuring kid-friendly exhibitions, and The Museum of Russian Art.

Other accommodation in St Louis Park

Things to do in St Louis Park

• Spend a day out in nature at the Westwood Hills Nature Center 
• Enjoy a family lunch at the Punch Bowl Social (map)
• Explore the Uptown neighborhood
• Stop by and enjoy the scenery at the Lake of the Isles Park 
• Head to Whittier and visit the Minneapolis Institute of Art
• Visit the nearby Bakken Museum and The Museum of Russian Art
• Go on a day trip to the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
• Try kayaking and canoeing at the Mississippi National River & Recreation Area
• Take the kids to play at Aquila Park (map)

5. Bloomington – where to stay near Minneapolis Airport

Bloomington is located 11 miles (17 km) South of Downtown East and 7 miles (11 km) away from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. In Minneapolis, this is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in for an early/late flight and also if you want to stay in a very dynamic area. 

Besides its proximity to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (map), Bloomington is also home to the Mall of America® (map). This huge mall is home to hundreds of stores, as well as many restaurants, a cinema, and even a theme park and an aquarium. 

On your visit to the Mall of America, I highly recommend you visit the Museum of Illusions, try to escape from one of the cool rooms at The Escape Game Minneapolis, and meet the marine animals at the SEA LIFE at Mall of America. 

FUN FACT: When Mall of America was opened in 1992, it was the largest shopping mall in the Western Hemisphere and the 7th largest shopping mall in the world. Its ground area is equivalent to 78 football fields!

If you’re visiting Bloomington with children, you’ll also want to check out The Works Museum, an interactive kids’ museum, but if you want to get away from everything for a bit, then spend a relaxing afternoon at the Hyland Lake Park Reserve (map), featuring many walking trails and picnic spots. 

If you need to get from Bloomington to Downtown Minneapolis, you can use the Metro Blue Line, but if you’re staying in Blooming for more than just one night, I highly recommend getting your own vehicle so you can explore the Downtown area.

Other accommodation options in Bloomington

Things to do in Bloomington

• Spend an entire day shopping at the Mall of America®
• Have fun at the Museum of Illusions and The Escape Game Minneapolis
• Admire the marine world at the SEA LIFE at Mall of America
• Enjoy the delicious Italian cuisine at Luna Di Luna (map)
• Take the kids to The Works Museum
• Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the Hyland Lake Park Reserve

FAQs about where to stay in Minneapolis, Minnesota

🤔 Is it safe to stay in Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota?

Yes, Downtown Minneapolis is a safe place to stay while visiting the city. In fact, all of the neighborhoods featured in this article are safe, but it’s still a good idea to exercise caution while exploring Minneapolis, especially at night. 

✨ What are the nice areas of Minneapolis, Minnesota?

Some of the nicest places to stay in Minneapolis are Downtown East and Downtown West due to the large number of attractions, restaurants, and green surfaces. Other cool places to stay in Minneapolis are the trendy Warehouse District and the family-friendly St Louis Park. 

🗺️ What is the difference between Minneapolis and St. Paul?

Minneapolis and St. Paul are called the Twin Cities. St. Paul is the capital of Minnesota. In Minneapolis, you will see more high-end buildings and in St. Paul, there are more government buildings so I would say that the architecture is different in the twin cities. 

🛎️ What are the best places to stay in Minneapolis Downtown?

🏢 Which hotel has the best view in Minneapolis, Minnesota?

❓ Is Minneapolis worth visiting?

Yes, Minneapolis is definitely worth visiting. Offering numerous historical attractions, museums, a vibrant dining scene, and fun nightlife, Minneapolis is a great place for a trip. 

Final words on the best places to stay in Minneapolis

I hope you enjoyed reading this guide on where to stay in Minneapolis and that it has helped you decide where to stay on your next trip to the city.

However, we talked about many amazing options, so making a decision can be a bit difficult. Don’t worry – I’m sharing my 2 favorite Minneapolis hotels, both located in Downtown East:

As soon as you reach a decision, go ahead and book your hotel! Minneapolis is becoming increasingly popular, and the good places will be gone before you know it!

If you have any questions about the best part of Minneapolis to stay in during your next visit, drop me a comment below – I’ll be more than happy to get back to you!

Enjoy your time in Minneapolis,

Hristina

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