Apparently the people who buy me plane tickets really enjoy giving me awful layovers.

After four hours in CVG last month, I now have almost FIVE hours in MSP on July 12th (from 5:45 am to 10:15 or so).

I'm trying to see if there are any friends who want to get together, but that seems unlikely. Any suggestions on something to do during that time? I've already walked pretty much the entire airport during a 2.5-hour layover last week, and I'm not old enough to get into the WorldClubs.

This is a topic that's probably better suited for the Midwest section of the Travel & Dining forum, but I'll shoot off an idea here.

Why not take the Hiawatha Light Rail line up to downtown Minneapolis and have breakfast at a place like Hell's Kitchen. I've never been there, but I've heard rave reviews of the place. It's maybe 4-5 blocks south of the light rail station at the Nicollet Mall (which, coincidentially, might be a nice place to take a stroll in the early morning before or after breakfast. You could take the light rail south to the Mall of America, but it doesn't open until 10am, so that wouldn't work for you.

Otherwise, if you don't want to go all the way downtown, there are going to be some nice cafes and other restaurants around most of the other stops heading toward downtown. If you like waterfalls/scenic views, get off at the 50th Street/Minnehaha Park stop and explore around there. With a little Googling, I'm sure you can find some things to do around there that would interest you.

I did same thing a week ago,, as part of DTW-MSP-NRT.

I had 5hours too, and went to Mall of America.

First, I used famous airside locker @ MSP
-It was very large enough to hold my carryon and laptop case.

Second, I used light rail to MOA.
-They sell tickets, but there is no check gate (like Germany subways...)
just buy one they are relatively cheaper than NYC.^
It takes 10 or so minutes to get there by rail.

I was surprised by number of Caribou(sp?) Coffee in there and size of the mall.
(is it the laregest in the states?)

Yeah, you're best bet that early in the morning is to go downtown Minneapolis, I think about 20 minutes. Hells Kitchen is a nice place for breatfast.

Will Gordon be there

Caribou Coffee is the 2nd largest specialty coffee retailer in the U.S. and it is a locally based company. That should help explain it to you...

Here's more info. if you want it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribou_Coffee

Just in case you don't really want to leave the airport, there is always the "WorldClub Meeting Thread" to check out. You may not be old enough to get in on your own, as you said, but there is no age limit for GUESTS of members!

You won't find a bed in there, which would probably be high on your list after what I presume is a red-eye flight from ANC or SEA, but it sure is a lot more comfortable than sitting around at some gate. And there is unlimited Mountain Dew to help keep you awake. If I happened to be there that morning, you would certainly be welcome as my "guest" in the Club, but I will be there on the 4th, 10th, 17th, and 24th of July (assuming NW does not cancel my flights!!)

I believe guests (other than your immediate family) must be 21 years of age or older.

From my experience, they hardly bat an eye at your guests, so unless you look like you're 15 then they won't care....or they'll just think that you're the person's kid....

I'd just dress up a little to make yourself look a little older...

So off it goes.

-slippahs, NW forum co-moderator

I did the Mall of America thing and almost missed my flight after 4 hours of exploration. Truly an incredible place.

If you happen to go to the Mall, it is open before 10 for Mall walkers-- you can see the inside, etc. etc., you just can't buy anything.

There is a 24 hour IHOP across the street from the Mall so considering your early arrival hour, maybe you can stop there for breakfast first. The IHOP has free wifi internet.

If you head in the direction of downtown, there is a 24 hour Walgreens at the 46th St. station, although that may not be very exciting. A Burger King is up the street, between 46th St. and 50th St., so you can maybe grab breakfast there and go on to Minnehaha Park and Falls. A train ticket is good for 2 1/2 hours of unlimited travel, so you can get off at 50th St. or 46th St., see the park for a short time, then continue to somewhere else. The draw of Minnehaha Park is a waterfall which is a 3 min. walk from the 50th St. station platform.

As for other stations, there's not much to see or do at the Ft. Snelling, VA Hospital, or 38th St. stations. Lake St. has a number of businesses, but is of limited tourist interest (unless you want to go to a 24 hour grocery store). Franklin doesn't have much either. The West Bank station is about a 10 min. walk from the edge of the Univ. of Minnesota campus, but the area within 4 blocks of the station is a little bit shady. between the West Bank and the end of the line, Nicollet probably is your best bet. Hennepin (literally 1 block from Nicollet) is more lively at night, but will be quiet dueing the day.

If you have any specific questions, PM me to bring my attention back to the thread. Minneapolis, and more specifically "Hiawathaland" (the area immediately around the light rail line) is my old stomping ground, having lived there all of my youth, and returning a few times a year (on long, intentional NW connections ).

Have fun!

IHOP exists everywhere.

I can't speak for OP, but this FTer prefers a more local venue whenever possible.

I concur with the idea to take the lightrail downtown and have breakfast at
Hell's Kitchen. It would be a couple of blocks walk from the your stop to the restaurant. Excellent place for breakfast!

I visited MOA for the first (and last) time on 7/6/07. The only worthwhile/unique experience was Tiger Sushi. Rides/Aquarium/Macy's?? Pass.