Well I was planning to stay at a hostel. It's a long story, but after getting on the plane at 2am and arriving Saturday morning at 7am I was in no mood for being stuffed around with. After 30 minutes and getting incomplete directions to the hostel I was back at the airport terminal. Once again I asked for public transport instructions. I was told to use Prime Shuttle for $15. The cost of these shuttle buses tend to add up and since Minneapolis has a light rail to take you downtown for $1.50 I said if I take Prime Shuttle you can pay for it. The guy hung up on me and of course I went elsewhere, leaving me with a bad taste in my mouth for Minneapolins.
Minneapolis is a great city with a lot of diversity and lots of Swedish Americans. The people are very nice and the city is beautiful. Set on 10 or so lakes, it is a perfect summertime get away.
I've lived in Minneapolis for four years, and can honestly say it is a great city with lots of things to do, great parks, surprising bike culture, and really great people (once you get to know them). The winter is probably the worst thing about it though. Make sure to eat at one of the small Mexican restaurants on Lake Street, but brush up on your Spanish before you do.
I lived in Minneapolis for four years. The cool thing about that place is probably the lakes and the diversity of people that inhabit the area. I suggest checking out all kinds of restaurants there. You can have Mexican food in the south side (check out the Supermercado at Bloomington and Lake), Somalian food on the west bank, as well as the best cup of coffee in town at the Hard Times, Vietnamese food on Nicollet (try Pho Quan, on Nicollet and Eighteenth, I believe -- it's not much for ambiance, but the mock duck soup is fantastic and cheap, and also the Jasmine Deli). And then you can head over to Nye's Piano Bar in the Northeast and rock out some old time tunes with some old timers. There's great stuff in Northeast, too. Emily's is a winner. For vegetarians, you'll be in seventh heaven. You've got the Seward Cafe, Hard Times once again, and most places have veggie options galore just out of knowing so many liberals that patronize their businesses -- one of the many benefits of…
Minneapolis … Be sure and get on a bicycle to enjoy the many bike paths around the city's numerous lakes. Also kayaks and canoes can be rented. The 12-acre outdoor sculpture garden is exceptional and the Metropolitan Museum of Art is free and has a great collection of Asian art.
Minneapolis … Finally the first light rail line is open between the centre and in the direction of the airport and Mall of America. I lived in the Twin Cities and can't say enough good about them. Of course, winter is a shock but presents many opportunities like bright sunny days, ice fishing, winter sports, festivals, great museums, and theater.
The Old Barn Resort & Hostel in Preston … This hostel has everything. The hostel itself is located in the basement of an big, old converted barn. Upstairs is a classy restaurant, tavern, game room, small convenient store, and office. Attached to the side of the barn is a building with an indoor swimming pool. The premises also hosts a campground and a golf course. The hostel is clean and comfortable. People are friendly. Surrounded by fields and woods, the evening air is filled with the peaceful sound crickets.
Minneapolis International Hostel in Minneapolis … I stayed here in May of 2005 and found that this place was great. The surrounding area is very nice. People told me to stay out of certain areas after midnight, but it was mainly just paranoia, and maybe a bit of naivete (after staying in Detroit nothing in Minneapolis was scary). People gather in the living room and you can meet people from all around the world. I, for example, met a guy from New Zealand, a guy from LA, a guy from New York, a guy from France, and a woman from Great Britain. The staff are cool and most of them will hang out with the rest of the people. The only people that won't enjoy this hostel are the people that have never been away from home and just want to sit around here all day. Get out and enjoy the city! This hostel is within walking distance of downtown Minneapolis (but I still recommend the $1.25 for bus 18 to downtown). Next time I'm in town I will most definitely use this hostel.
HI - Mississippi Headwaters Hostel in Lake Itasca … We stayed here in September and it exceeded our high expectations. It is in an old log building that has been completely updated inside. The kitchen is excellent and the bathrooms modern and spotless. The hostel is located in a real gem of a state park, featuring one of the most lovely mountain lakes I have ever seen. About three kilometers away, just outside the park, is a local bar/restaurant with considerable local color and good food. There were farmers wearing overalls drinking their evening beers along with day trippers who had visited the park.
Minneapolis International Hostel in Minneapolis … I love this hostel. It is only nine blocks from the convention center, a few blocks from many wonderful and inexpensive restaurants with food from all over the world, and only about 1 mile or so from a great food coop! The guests were from everywhere...Ethiopia, Sudan, Poland, Canada, Ireland, etc. And many of us sat in the kitchen and watched the World Series together. Ok, yeah, the bathrooms are kind of difficult and it is a creaky house, but we LOVED our stay and are planning to go again this October. We really enjoy old and historic hotels and hostels.
Minneapolis International Hostel in Minneapolis … I stayed here (a single girl alone) and felt perfectly safe. I didn't really walk outside at night (aside from my car to the hostel), but I felt perfectly safe. The place seemed pretty clean to me - I stayed in the seven-bed ladies dorm, and they had just redone the bathroom, so it was pretty nice. The beds were VERY comfortable, and the other people staying there were pretty cool. If I'm ever back in the area, I will definitely be staying here!!
HI - Mississippi Headwaters Hostel in Lake Itasca … This is one of the cleanest and most well maintained hostels I have ever been to. It is a hidden gem for cross-country skiers (one of the only places open near the headwaters in the winter). I would recommend this hostel to anyone.
Minneapolis International Hostel in Minneapolis … Beautiful, homey hostel. looks like it's the only one left in minneapolis, all the others seem to have gone under. good thing this one is the kick-ass-est.
HI - Mississippi Headwaters Hostel in Lake Itasca … This is a great hostel in a wonderful spot. The building is excellent, the manager very helpful, the park setting is beautiful/peaceful, and the surrounding adventure opportunities are challenging. We had a great time here and met some great people.
Minneapolis International Hostel in Minneapolis … Wow! What an incredible place! By far one of the nicest Hostels in the world. Who wouldn't want to stay in a MANSION!! Crystal chandiliers, roaring fireplaces, oriental rugs, amazing! This hostel in is a class of it's own!
Minneapolis International Hostel in Minneapolis … I have traveled the world and stayed here many times. It is excellent for the budget-conscious, and meets the adventurer's needs of reasonable price, city access, a kitchen, and freedom. It has one of the best hostel proprietors in the world, who has a great heart and has put endless amounts of unseen effort to provide this niche accommodation. Thank you very much. PS: I didn't find the neighborhood scary--there are lots of busy squirrels and leaves in the fall, though! Do visit. If you want, ask the proprietor if he wants a hand with anything.
Minneapolis International Hostel in Minneapolis … The accommodations are comfortable and friendly without being overwhelming. There are private rooms, but in general all the rooms are pretty noisy (old house). The people who stay here represent a variety of ages and points of departure, which is nice. The location is a semi-scary neighborhood with lots of loitering males and not a few drunks, but on the other hand the art museum is across the street and there are many ethnic restaurants within walking distance. I've stayed here 3 times and would go back because it's a great bargain.
Minneapolis International Hostel in Minneapolis … I visit the area often and I always stay here! You can't beat the price, and the staff are super-nice. I reserved my room for my next trip, and the staff member remembered me from the last time I stayed. It is a very friendly atmosphere and a comfortable place to stay. I always stay in the dorm rooms and the only problems I've had were with the creaky house (you can hear people going up the stairs). Winter is pretty slow, but be sure to get reservations in the summer when the place is jumping! The neighborhood is nice, but at night you do see a few weirder types running around. However, the art museum across the street has its own security people that drive around, so I felt very safe! Don't bother paying for the "secure" parking. Parking on the road is just as safe here — I've never had any trouble parking out on the road. All around, this is a great place to stay in a fun mansion atmosphere!
Hostelz.com is the only hostel guide with complete information and reviews on all youth hostels and backpackers worldwide.
