Midwest - Three hour Layover at Minneapolis, lunch?

I land at MSP at 12:02, and leave at 3:02.
Is this enough time to go into Minneapolis to get lunch?
Any suggestions?

I think it could get really tight. It would be 12:20 at least by the time you are off the plane. Depending on your gate you may have a hike to the exit. Then you have to get to the light rail stop.

The best possibility is to get the light rail to the Mall of America. Google around to get the timetable for the light rail so that on the day you can see how the travel times could work out for you.

I think it could get really tight. It would be 12:20 at least by the time you are off the plane. Depending on your gate you may have a hike to the exit. Then you have to get to the light rail stop.

The best possibility is to get the light rail to the Mall of America. Google around to get the timetable for the light rail so that on the day you can see how the travel times could work out for you.


How would timing work?
I need to be back at 2.
How long will it take me to get into the "Downtown area" (Not familiar with name)?
Any lunch spot ideas?
I will be arriving in 2 hours.

There are a variety of good places to go out and eat around the Minneapolis/ St. Paul area. Actually there is a shuttle that runs to the mall of America from the airport, forget the name of it. However, MSP is a large airport with long walking distance from gate to gate so I would caution you that leaving the terminal may not be the best of ideas.

For further discussion, please follow the thread to as it moves to the Travel->Midwest forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

I would eat at Ike's in the Terminal.....

Half an hour to get off the plane and to the Light Rail station. Half an hour each way to downtown with wait time, and could be more. Back at 2:00pm.

I can't see any point in it. A nice downtown restaurant would be an hour plus.

A quick scurry to the Megamall would work, but I can't imagine why anyone would want to do that, myself.

Food options at MSP are not wonderful but not awful either.

You could take a cab to a S. Minneapolis restaurant like this one:

http://www.opentable.com/cafe-ena

Google maps drive time is 15 min., but you would have to call and wait on a cab to get back. Don't know if you would need a reservation at Ena for a Sunday lunch or not. Probably would be advised and check to be sure they are open although web shows they are.

I would eat in the airport. I haven't been to MSP in a while but as I recall, there were plenty of options. That way you're not rushed and don't have to deal with going through security again.

I landed early.
I got on light rail.
I got to warehouse district at 12:40.
I had a good lunch and am on the next flight now.

Next time try a great lunch within view of the Minnehaha Falls.

Light Rail downtown is about 25 minutes, instead go to the 46th Street stop (only 4 stops from the airport, about 10 minutes). Just east of the stop (well marked) is Minneapolis' Minnehaha Park, where you can eat at a quirky and excellent seafood joint, Sea Salt, within view of the water fall. This is spot most tourists miss, and a truly beautiful park and falls, cascading into the gorge of the Mississippi River. Take a brief walk down to the falls after you eat, then hop on the train back to the airport. Sea Salt is not open in the winter, here is more info on Sea Salt: http://seasalteatery.wordpress.com/

Next time try a great lunch within view of the Minnehaha Falls.

Light Rail downtown is about 25 minutes, instead go to the 46th Street stop (only 4 stops from the airport, about 10 minutes). Just east of the stop (well marked) is Minneapolis' Minnehaha Park, where you can eat at a quirky and excellent seafood joint, Sea Salt, within view of the water fall. This is spot most tourists miss, and a truly beautiful park and falls, cascading into the gorge of the Mississippi River. Take a brief walk down to the falls after you eat, then hop on the train back to the airport. Sea Salt is not open in the winter, here is more info on Sea Salt: http://seasalteatery.wordpress.com/

The only problem with Sea Salt is the wait time. If you have a few hours to spend at the restaurant then Sea Salt can work, otherwise you have to be very careful about the time.

I'm working in Minneapolis right now (about a 10-12 week project) and I did find Sea Salt. It's very tasty, the setting is amazing - it's right in the middle of a nice park near the Minnehaha falls - but if you're there by yourself, the potential 30min+ you need to wait in line just to order food can get pretty boring. Then I waited about 15 minutes to get my food. It was pretty good - the best part was the ambiance, for me (crab stuffed avocado was awesome)

Just want people to be careful - I had 3 hours allotted to go there, and I was sweating on my way to the airport.