Nicolette Mall
 

Mobil travel guide says that Nicolette Mall in Minneapolis is good to visit. What do they have there? Is is the same one as Mall of America? If not, which one is better/bigger?

I know little about it, and hope some locals will chime in. But, its nothing like a shopping Mall, instead, its a nice pedestrian-friendly area in the downtown on MSP, with shops, restaurants, pubs, etc. Very fun and enjoayble to walk around.

Thanks.. I will visit the place tomorrow.

It is also where Mary Tyler Moore threw her beret in the air at the opening credits of her classic TV sitcom.

Hi NLP. I live in Mpls and wanted to let you know that the difference in the malls is that the Nicollet Mall is the downtown outdoor main street of Minneapolis. The Mall of America is indoors, in the southern suburb of Bloomington. You can get to either mall from the airport. I would let the weather decide as it has been in the 90s and really humid here.

Thank you everyone for the information. I hope the weather won't be too warm to enjoy Nicolette mall. I will certainly visit both malls.
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Hey nlp, here's my take.. and considering I can see the bloddy thing from my apartment window.. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

Nicollet mall is great during the spring/summer months because everyone's outside, hot dog vendors, farmer's markets, fresh fish, yadda yadda yadda. I go there on lunch break and do my produce shopping a lot because it's a) cheap and b) good.

The happening part of it is from 5th street south to about 14th or 15th. Zelo is a great restaurant at the corner of 9th, and they have a terrace during warm sunny days. (Only drawback being the stupid $65million Target construction across the street. Try waking up to that every day http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif)

Orchestra Hall is at 13th, with a bar across from it called Brits (English pub). Good places both. You might also check out the IDS tower at 6th, the lobby of which has some interesting events going on sometimes.

And don't forget to do the skyways! If it rains or whatever, just hang out and go shopping in the skyway.. it's a shopping mall that connects all the buildings downtown. They're manly there for us Minneapolis-ites who don't want to walk outside when it's -20. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

The Mall of America is a zoo! I go there when I need to unwind, or watch football. But other than that, yikes!

Good luck and have fun!

Jeff http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/cool.gif

ps. Dude.. anyone else need info about Minneapolis? I'm all over that! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

mspman, let me take up on that offer! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif
I've been to MSP 20-25 times over the years, always on business, airport-car-hotel-office-back, so next week's trip is a first -- vacation! In Minnesota? http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif
Well, actually, my son's team is playing in USA Cup, which is held in Blaine, MN. So, my questions are mostly related to that:
- how far is Blaine from downtown MSP?
- where in Blaine is Nat'l Sports Center?
- what's the best way to get there (fm downtown and airport)? 35E?
- any good half/full-day attractions within driving distance from there? [with 1 game/day, I expect plenty of time off]
- happen to know where Country Inn and suites is relative to the Nat's Sports Center?
Any other ideas, suggestions. We plan to spend some time on Nicollete Mall, too.


[This message has been edited by MileJunkie (edited 07-10-2001).]

Well, you're in luck. I lived in Blaine for 25 years -- about 1 mile West of the sports center on 105th avenue.

If you take interstate 35W north from downtown about 15 miles, to highway 10 west about 5 miles, to highway 65 north 15 blocks, make a right on 105th avenue, you'll be at the National Sports center. I've driven this route at least 1000 times, and it can take 25-60 minutes depending on traffic. Stay off of 35E -- no local would take that route.

The national sports center is easily visible from highway 65. Simply hang a right on 105th avenue, and you'll run right into it. http://www.nscsports.org

Blaine is trailer park land. There isn't a lot to do there, and no good restaurants either. If you've got kids, the best bet is to take 35W south 40 miles to highway 13 west 15 miles until you hit Valley Fair amusement park -- it's pretty large! Great water park too. Mall of america is always a hit. I would never send a visitor to Nicolett Mall -- you're better off heading to Uptown/Lake Calhoun area. You can take 35W south a liitle past downtown to I94 West, and then exit just before the tunnel onto Hennepin Av. Take Hennepin av south 4-5 miles to Lake street. Take a left on Lake, and then park in the ramp Immediately on the right.

The parking ramp is connected to Calhoun Square, a small mall with a really interesting Famous Daves BBQ joint in it. There is shopping all around, including Cheapo Records - about the largest used CD place you'll ever see! If you go out the back side of the mall, and walk towards the west 2 blocks you'll come across lake Calhoun -- excellent for walking, people watching, and swimming.

Not sure which Country Inns you're planning on staying at, but if it is the Coon Rapids location -- that's nearby and easy to get to. Take Highway 65 south from the Sports center a few blocks past the ramps to State Highway 10, until you get to the Country Road 10 West ramp. Head west on Country road 10, past some strip malls, Northtown mall, LeeAnn chin's chinese on the right (yum yum), past University avenue. Keep going straight! Don't get on the ON ramp. County 10 turns into Coon Rapids Boulevard here. About 2 blocks on the right is the Hotel, behind Tequilaberry's restaurant.

if you kept going a couple miles up tCoon Raoids Boulevard, you'd hit Egret Boulevard. Take a left here and you can go into the county park to see a dam on the Mississippi river. About 2 miles away on Foley Boulevard is a 16 screen movie theater. Almost across from the sports center is a drive in theater! If you head north from the sports center to highway 252 west for 3-4 miles, and then turn right on Foley Boulevard, you'll be in the county park where they have a large wave pool. If you head north from the wave pool past 252 to Bunker Lake boulevard, you'll run into a nice golf course (my parents live there!)

Have fun!

[email protected]

milejunkie, I default to Mr. Spudd for the info on Blaine. Can't say I've been there...

However, I do agree with him on the attraction thing.. Nicollet mall is interesting, but it's not *that* interesting. I was going to say if you wanted to do a day thing, then go for Lake Calhoun.. Get some picnic stuff at the Lund's at Lagoon and Humboldt and spend some quiet time. Bring a ball or something.. I'm sure your son would love the wide open spaces.

But I don't know how much of a family attraction Uptown is. Yes, the Mall of America's always a hit. If it's raining, the Minnesota Science Museum is also usually a hit (in St. Paul).

The Twin Cities is a huge theatre town. We've got more theatres per capita than any other city in the US except New York. To get some theatre listings, go to http://www.citypages.com and I'm sure you can find something.

Also the MN symphony is doing they're little family thing starting this weekend.. check that out at http://www.mnorch.org.

I assure you they are excellent. I heard them at Carnegie hall last Feb and the blew me away.. now I have season tix. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

Minneapolis is a very artistic city.. I always encourage people to go when the come here.. but this is coming from someone with an M.F.A. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif

Have fun.. if you need directions or anything.. send me email..

Jeff http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/cool.gif

Hi, I came back from Minneapolis already. Nicollet Mall is nice. I like the water falls in a building next to Marshall Field and SAKS. Also the Skywalks is really amazing. I have never seen any city having this kind of walkway. By the way I went to Portland after that. The shopping area in downtown Portland is also nice, like Nicollet Mall.

Awesome.. if that area is like Portland.. I am happy.. I really enjoyed Portland.. But I know MSP gets ALOT colder.... LOL!

Anyway.. I am learning alot about what to do!