Originally Posted by
thecoldhandoftechnology
There is a small museum on the top floor that details the history of the building and a small observation deck IF the weather is pleasant. If you are into architecture it is worth a few minutes and entry is free for guests. We prefer the Prohibtion Bar on the 27th floor to the Living Room, decent happy hour and generally less crowded but still lively. Lots of restaurants nearby, if you are a carnivore (or like Bourbon) try the Butcher and the Boar on Hennepin.
Cheers
I totally agree except for the restaurant suggestions.
The in-house restaurant is a good steak place (SPG points or at least good treatment if the hotel books your table). Another traditional favorite for dead cow is Murrays, although I liked it better before the renovation.
For more modern architecture, visit the Guthrie Theater. When the box office is open, you can go to the top to explore, including the porch cantilevered over the river on the fifth (?) floor, with views of the new I-35W bridge and memorial. It's walkable from the W, and you can also catch the Saturday morning (to about 2 pm) Mill City Farmers' Market and the Mill City museum in the area. On the way, you pass the Depot, a restored train station which is part of the Renaissance hotel. Slightly to the north, at about Nicollet and 3rd street, check out the old Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank "suspended" building and the new downtown public libraary, plus the ned Fed building along the river just north of Hennepin and the historic grain belt beer sign. From the Mill City area, you can also take the historic Stone Arch pedestrian and bike bridge, but try to check out the little lock museum first. Another interesting building is Nicollet Island Inn, which is good for (served) breakfast and brunch/lunch.
In another direction and a longer walk would be the Walker Art Center, also an interesting piece of modern architecture, with its sculpture garden. The historic cathedral is on the way.
The Westin has a good restaurant and upscale happy hour bar called BANK. I haven't yet eaten in the new restaurant in the LM, which is in two historic buildings and has lots of art, including its own small commercial gallery.