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Local Information

The Local Arrangements Committee has prepared some suggestions for conference attendees! You can also check out the Minneapolis-St. Paul travel guide from Explore Minnesota Tourism for additional information on hotels, restaurants, and things to do around the Twin Cities:

Screenshot of the Explore Minnesota Tourism website shows text on the left side and a picture of a sunset over downtown Minneapolis and the Mississippi River on the right side. Text reads: "Things to do in Minneapolis and St. Paul: Minnesota's capital, St. Paul (opens in new window), and its biggest city, Minneapolis (opens in new window), stand side by side along the Mississippi River and boast some of the Midwest's best cultural institutions, a thriving food scene, sprawling green spaces, and attractions with year-round family appeal. Here is how you can start planning the ultimate 2-for-1 trip in the Twin Cities..."

Hotels

The OLAC block at the Marriott Courtyard Minneapolis Downtown is full, but we are working to add more rooms at the group rate of $185/night. If you intend to stay at the Courtyard, please fill out the form to put yourself on the list. Requests are due by September 20. (Please note: this is not a reservation! If we get more rooms added, OLAC will contact you to provide information to access the group block and make your own reservation.)

The Graduate Minneapolis is another hotel option on the University campus, one light rail stop away from Andersen Library. Downtown Minneapolis has more hotels as well, reachable via the Green Line light rail. Options near Andersen Library include:

  • Courtyard Minneapolis, group rate available; 1500 Washington Ave S, 3/10 mile library to hotel; 3 minutes by bike or car, 6 minutes walking
  • Aloft Hotel, 900 Washington Ave S, 7/10 of a mile to hotel, 5 minutes bike or car, 16 minutes walking
  • Canopy by Hilton Minneapolis, 708 S. 3rd Street, 6-8 min. by car or bike, 21 minutes walking
  • Graduate Hotel, 615 Washington Avenue SE (East Bank of river) 8/10 mile from library; 19 minutes walking, 10 minutes by car or Metro Green Line (7 minute walk to station from library, 3 minute trip)
  • Moxy Minneapolis, 247 Chicago Ave. S., 5-6 minutes by car or bike, 19 min. walking
  • Radisson RED Minneapolis, 609 S. 3rd Street, 6-8 min. by bike or car, 23 min. walking

Transportation to the conference

Minneapolis is well connected via airlines, trains, and driving.

Planes

Minneapolis-St.Paul International airport (MSP) is a hub for Delta airlines. MSP has 756 arrivals per day and is easy to get to from almost anywhere in the US. The airport is only 20 minutes by car or 50 minutes by light rail (same station transfer required) from Andersen Library.

Trains

Amtrak’s Empire Builder has daily service from Chicago, Portland (OR), and Seattle through St. Paul’s Union Depot. Beginning May 21, the Great River train will offer a second daily round trip from Chicago to St. Paul via Milwaukee.

Union Depot is 30 minutes from the UMN campus direct via light rail or 20 minutes by car.

Automobiles

Minneapolis is served by Interstates 35 and 94, with Interstate 90 approximately 90 minutes south.

Local transit

Metro Transit offers bus and light rail service to the University of Minnesota campus. The closest transit options are:

  • UMN GopherTrip campus buses (free): 121, 122, 123
  • METRO bus routes: 2, 3, 7, 22
  • METRO light rail: Green Line (East Bank station)

Minneapolis and St. Paul Restaurant Guide

Some suggestions for selections near West and East Banks at the University of Minnesota in addition to Downtown Minneapolis

West Bank Locations

Food

Beverages

  • 7 Corners Coffee

  • Caribou Coffee (Hanson Hall)

    • Only open during the fall and spring semesters

Access via Public Transportation from UMN

Light Rail (Green Line)

Access the Light Rail at West Bank Station

Use either the MetroTransit app or the pay stations to pay

Eastbound (To Downtown St. Paul)

East Bank Station

Food
Beverages

  • Coffman Memorial Union

    • Starbucks

  • Caribou Coffee

  • Starbucks

Stadium Village Station

Food

Prospect Park Station

Food

Westbound (To Downtown Minneapolis)

U.S. Bank Stadium Station

Food

Government Plaza Station

Food

Nicollet Mall Station

Food

Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue Station

Food

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