Where to stay for a game at the Metrodome?

Some friends of mine and I are planning on attending a football game at the Metrodome - Michigan vs. Minnesota. It%26#39;s basically a ';guys weekend';. We get together every couple of years, as such, we%26#39;d like to stay in a nice hotel while we%26#39;re in Minneapolis. I suppose ideally, it would be nice to stay within walking distance of the Metrodome, though this isn%26#39;t absolutely necessary. What%26#39;s the area like around the Metrodome? Are there good bars and places to eat? What%26#39;s the best hotel in that area? If the area isn%26#39;t that great, and we have to take a cab or some other form of public transportation, what%26#39;s the best hotel to stay at for a game at the Metrodome? Thanks.

Where to stay for a game at the Metrodome?

There are several options within walking distance to the Metrodome. It really depends on your definition of walking distance 2-3 blocks or more.

I have stayed at the Embassy Suites Downtown which is 4 blocks away. The bar is nice and I found the rooms comfortable. Or you could try the Holiday Inn Metrodome, which is about 6 blocks away as the crow flies. The Holiday Inn is right across from U of M and there are several bars there that cater to college kids of all ages.

However, I would not limit my stay to being close to the Metrodome. The light rail line goes right by the Metrodome and can get you right in the heart of downtown. It is relatively cheap ride.

In the heart of downtown is the Radisson, Marriott and the Marquette to name a few. I have never stayed at any of these places, but heard that they are nice. Also is the Graves Hotel and Chambers Hotel. Both are kind of spendy, but right in the heart of the action. With regards to bars, it depends on what you are looking to do.

Where to stay for a game at the Metrodome?

The immediate area around the medtrodome can feel a bit deserted and there is no hotel right on top of it. It would be much more lively with about a 5-10 block walk (not really far) I would stay either in one of the hotels closer to the center of downtown, or maybe at the holiday inn metrodomw. A lot depends on your budget adn how much noght life you want

The light rail does have a metrodome stop, but again you can walk from the core of downtown.

Thanks for the feedback. I consider walking distance to be within 5 to 10 blocks. If the light rail will get us within that distance, that would be close enough. What I%26#39;m looking for is the best hotel within that distance. Price is no object. For a special occasion what is the absolute nicest that would fit the bill?

I just checked out the rooms at the new Hotel Minneapolis a Double Tree Hotel and it is a beautiful new hotel. TA rates it #1 in Minneapolis. It is new and the staff is super nice. Plus free warm chocolate chip cookies! Also look into the Graves 601 and Chambers Hotel. All 3 have great restaurants/bars and are in more of the entertainment area of downtown. The dome is more on the edge of downtown with not much going on there. Not the greatest area. I%26#39;d stay in the main area and either take the light rail or grab a cab.

There%26#39;s plenty of hotels within walking distance of the Dome.

The Dome is on east side of downtown - closest hotel would be min four blocks, but there%26#39;s always a heard of people walking to the dome - it%26#39;s not a big deal.

I%26#39;d recommend do an Expedia search and search by address. Try 200 South 7th Street Minneapolis Minnesota 55415 - it%26#39;s close to the dome.

I%26#39;ve seen nicer %26amp; newer hotels as low at $129 - it all depends what else is going on downtown - games / conventions, etc.

I%26#39;d skip the Embassy Suites (ancient and a dump), and the Normandy Best Western (very old).

the W Foshay, Westin, and The Hotel Minneapolis are all brand new this year.

Graves 601 %26amp; Chambers are pretty pimp.

The Hilton, Crowne Plaza, Minneapolis Grand, Marquette, and Marriott City Center are all in the downtown core too.

As for bars, r.Normans/7 is very new and the hippest place to be - rooftop deck overlooking Hennepin Ave. Chambers has 5th floor bar %26amp; balcony with good views. The W Foshay has a sweet 27th floor bar to check out for a round or two, then check out the lobby bar. It has a Manny%26#39;s Steakhouse attached.

Sneaky Petes %26amp; DrinkBar have a younger crowd. The Seville by Target Center is best strip club in the state (get free VIP passes next door at O%26#39;Donovan%26#39;s - just order a round of drinks and ask for the passes - Tony or Darin will hook you up).

Hit Ike%26#39;s Bar for Sat or Sun breakfast buffet and stiff a.m. cocktails.

Are you flying or driving in? If flying, skip the rental car and just take the light rail from the airport to downtown.

I think DowntownMinneapolis has it right. Those are the hotels I would look into. You don%26#39;t want proximity to the Dome, really, if you want a guys weekend. You want to be near the nightlife and take a cab ($5-$7). I would look at the Graves first, as it%26#39;s close to the nightlife.

The majority of the night life is found in the area centered on 5th Street and 1st Avenue North. About a 3 block radius from there should encompass most of the clubs and bars. And coincidentally, that is the intersection that houses the end of the line for the light rail. So you could hop on there and take that down to the Stadium. But if money is no object for hotels, what%26#39;s $6 in cab fare?

Thanks for all of the feedback. I%26#39;m kind of zeroing in on Graves 601.

At Graves, ask for corner room facing downtown (vs west - no views) - with highest floor possible.

And they either have the 10 jet Multi-Shower - or the ';Rainforest Shower'; head - go for the multi-jet.

There used to be a bar on the first floor, but I think it%26#39;s closed now. There%26#39;s a bar/restaurant on the check-in floor (4th?).

You%26#39;ll be near a bunch of bars - including Seville a 1/2 block south.

Check out First Avenue bar

http://www.first-avenue.com/

Bellenotte Restaurant %26amp; Bar

part of the hotel/mall complex Graves is in

http://www.bellanottempls.com/

and rooftop bar at Seven Sushi/Steakhouse

http://www.7mpls.com/

The Michigan game is closing in. Thanks for all who have provided feedback and advice. We%26#39;re four guys who went to high school together in the mid 70%26#39;s - Madonna was one of our schoolmates - and we get together when we can to hang out. What%26#39;s the transportation situation like in Minneapolis. If we stay at one of the hotels in the downtown area do we need a car? Is there an easy way to get from the airport to the good hotels downtown. We may be in our 50%26#39;s but we can easily walk 10 blocks or more. Do we need a car?

If you are flying in, which I assume you are doing, you can take the light rail to downtown. If you are staying at the Graves, take the light rail all the way to the end, Hennepin Avenue. The Graves is one block away.