Cheap Flights To Minneapolis

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Cheap Flights To Minneapolis

Overview
When to Go
Airport Information
Weather
Things to Do
Local Attractions
Must See Sights
Insider Tips
Getting Around

Overview
Minneapolis is a vibrant destination with a positive ambiance and progressive energy. The city, the largest in Minnesota, offers the amenities of a metropolis without some of the common hassles. There is a healthy amount of live theater, music and sports for Minneapolis' many citizens to enjoy, 40,000 of whom live in downtown’s thriving core. Epicurean visitors sample cuisines of Scandinavian, Central European and African cultures, while families with children flock to the amusement park at Mall of America.

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When to Go
High Season
Most travelers prefer to see Minneapolis in summer months, when weather is warm and conducive to outdoor exploration. High season runs from April through August.  

Low Season
Low season runs November through March. There are eight miles of enclosed walkways linking popular restaurants and attractions downtown, so weather need not be a problem for those visiting in the winter. Some travelers come specifically for winter activities including skiing and outdoor ice skating.

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Airport Information
Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
Distance: 16 miles north of downtown
Drive time: 20-30 minutes

Minneapolis St. Paul services about 34 million passengers annually. Considered the airport hub of the upper Midwest, the airport serves 131 nonstop markets, including 116 domestic and 14 international cities. Travelers transfer between its two terminals using a light rail transit service, as there is no pedestrian access.

Airport rental car counters are located at the Lindbergh Terminal on the second and third levels, and at the Humphrey Terminal on the ground level. There are also numerous shuttles. Taxi fare to downtown hotels averages $45 to $50. Additionally, a Metro Transit public bus stop is located outside the Lindbergh Terminal's Transit Center.

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Weather
With four distinct seasons, Minneapolis’s weather is attractive to visitors. July is the warmest month, with average daily highs reaching 83 degrees. January is quite cold, with temperatures around 22 degrees, while April and October are comfortably mild at around 60 degrees.

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Things to Do
Theater in Minneapolis
Minneapolis is home to more than 75 live theater companies. The acclaimed Guthrie Theater houses three stages in its landmark Jean Nouvel building. Its company is committed to bringing classic dramas to Minneapolis. The Children's Theatre Company, meanwhile, produces works for young people and families. Another specialized company is Open Eye Figure Theatre, which focuses on puppetry.

Minnesota State Fair
The Minnesota State Fair is the largest state fair in the United States by average daily attendance, with about 1.8 million people stopping by throughout its late-summer run. An abundance of food “on a stick” is popular amongst fair-goers. Unusual offerings include fried alligator and deep-fried candy bars, while chocolate-covered bacon is a new favorite. One of the most unusual additions to this category is hotdish on a stick, a deep-fried version of a favorite Minnesota casserole.

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Local Attractions
Mall of America
Located across the interstate from the airport, the Mall of America is the second largest enclosed mall in the nation. It receives about 40 million visitors annually and features an indoor amusement park, 14-screen movie theater and numerous temporary attractions. An upcoming expansion will include a water park and an NHL-sized ice rink.

Minnesota Fringe Festival
The Minnesota Fringe Festival, a mid-summer, 11-day event, is the Midwest’s largest performing arts festival. Experimental theatrical productions are showcased at affordable ticket prices. The atmosphere is highly social and a great way to meet fellow arts enthusiasts.

Minneapolis Hollidazzle Parade
Minneapolis is the home of the Hollidazzle parade, held every Thursday through Sunday in November and December. Over 300,000 spectators congregate downtown to watch local high school bands and others perform. The best vantage points are from heated pedestrian walkways.

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Must See Sights
The Walker Art Center
The Walker Art Center displays works of 20th century artists including Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore and Alberto Giacometti. Next to the Walker is the outdoor Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, an 11-acre park which holds 40 permanent art installations and several temporary pieces.

The Museum of Lake Minnetonka
The Museum of Lake Minnetonka, an all-volunteer operation, offers summer and early autumn cruises to the public on the historic steamboat Minnehaha. The one-hour afternoon cruise departs from the Excelsior City Dock and tickets are about $10 per person. 

Lake Phalen
Located in neighboring Saint Paul, Lake Phalen and its surrounding 494-acre park welcome around 500,000 visitors annually. One of the most popular fishing lakes in the area, walleyes and tiger muskies swim its waters. Sailing, rowing and other boating is popular, with various competitions held throughout the year. Gas-powered motors are prohibited, but electrical trolling motors are allowed.

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Insider Tips

• The mild-mannered attitude around Minneapolis and around the state is nicknamed Minnesota Nice. Visitors note that locals are subdued and avoid confrontation. Some visitors find the behavior passive-aggressive and aloof, while others like the seemingly unruffled attitude.
• To get a feel for the local sports scene, catch a game of among 156 teams that play high school hockey in Minnesota. While the local NHL franchise, Minnesota Wild, is popular, high school games really bring out the spirit of the locals. High school games—talented girls’ teams included—tend to be less violent, which sits wells with spectators.
• Every February, the Minnesota Historical Society presents three do-it-yourself home brewing workshops. Minnesotans love their brews, and the workshops teach the finer points of beer tasting and beer varieties. Participants also learn to make—and subsequently help eat—a delicious beer and cheese fondue recipe. Classes are $20 each.
• For those interested in international cuisine, Ethiopian restaurants in Minneapolis are a treat. The city has the third-highest concentration of Ethiopian immigrants in the country, many of whom have brought their marvelous gastronomy to the area. Standout restaurants in the area include Blue Nile and Fasika.

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Getting Around

Visiting Minneapolis by car is not as difficult as it is in many other major cities, as traffic is generally not heavy and directional signs abundant. Surface streets throughout Minneapolis are laid out in a convenient grid pattern.

Those opting for public transportation will also be impressed. The local bus system, Metropolitan Council Transit Operations (MCTO), is the second-largest bus system in the United States. There is also bus service offered by five private operators, including Gray Line, which conducts sightseeing tours and other routes of interest to visitors. 

The city’s light rail system, Hiawatha Line, offers efficient service to 17 stations between downtown Minneapolis and thr Mall of America. Dozens of bus routes are scheduled to connect with the trains at Hiawatha Line stations. The rail line continues to be developed with future routes of interest to visitors, including an airport line.

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