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    Minneapolis Skyway System

    4.2 (54 reviews)

    Minneapolis Skyway System Photos

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    Nicole E.

    The Skyway system spans 10 miles long and through 150 buildings. This is great to avoid the hot sun during your walk and during inclement winter weather. We started around Dayton and are traversing all over downtown. This is the one thing my husband wanted to see while we were here. 510 Marquette Skyway is closer today, bummer, we had to walk outside a couple of blocks to get back into the Skyway system again to continue.

    V W.

    IF YOU DON'T FIND IT ON THE STREET LEVEL, LOOK IN THE SKYWAYS! We explored the Skyway System as tourists on a late spring Friday morning as they are something quite unique and we were curious to see what they were all about. This, we discovered is where a lot of the cafes, coffee shops and restaurants are hidden! We encountered everything from coffee shops and fast casual food to clothing boutiques, nail and hair salons, bars, coin sellers, apartment buildings and hotels. Eventually, we made it all the way to Target Field! WATCH OUT FOR DEAD ENDS We entered the Skyway at our hotel (Tru by Hilton) and following the maps that were posted along the route, headed first for the IDS Center where we purchased some donuts and relaxed in the IDS Crystal Court which is a very attractive seating area. Keep your eye on the map because it's easy to 'dead end'! GOOD, BUT COULD BE BETTER My first reaction was that the Skyways were really cool, but then after seeing quite a lot of businesses shuttered and that the Skyways weren't that vibrant or busy, I thought they were a little lame and lifeless. CLEAN, WELL MAINTAINED, WELL LIT Having said that, I was surprised how clean and well maintained they were. I had *imagined* that they would be unsafe with druggies and vagrants, dark and dingy like subway undergrounds, but they were quite the opposite! They were well lit, there was no litter, they were carpeted, vacuumed and we saw windows being cleaned. We didn't see any vagrants and people using them seemed like mostly professionals or tourists like us. WE SKIPPED THE PAID TOUR AND DID OUR OWN You can pay for a tour of the Skyway System, but it was expensive, so we looked up the history on our phones while enjoying our donuts. You get the gist of it. Then just follow the maps and get lost in the maze of tunnels and buildings! If you have the time while in Minneapolis, I recommend exploring the Skyways for at least a couple of hours and maybe making a few stops along the way for food or drinks. I'm glad we did.

    Kyle H.

    Skyway- You take the Skyway, high above the busy little one-way In my stupid hat and gloves at night I lie awake Wonderin' if I'll sleep Wonderin' if we'll meet out in the street But you take the Skyway It don't move at all like a subway It's got bums when it's cold like any other place That's warm up inside Sittin' down and waitin' for a ride Beneath the Skyway Mmm, mmm, hmmm Mmm, mmm, hmmm Mmm, mmm Mmm, Mmm... Oh, then one day, I saw you walkin' down that little One-Way! Where, the place I'd catch my ride most everyday There wasn't a damn thing I could do or say... Up in the Skyway... Skyway... Skyway...... from Pleased to Meet Me by the Replacements copyright. P. Westerberg

    A view of downtown from inside the skyway
    Jack G.

    The major benefit of the skyway system is being able to escape from the biting Minnesota winter. It's a handy way of getting around downtown without getting frostbite. Once the obvious benefit of being warm is apparent, I found I was getting frustrated at the crazy layout and confusing directions to get from point A to point B. If you are new to the skyway system like I was then you need to either plan your toe ahead or take a map. Kind of embarrassing I'll be honest. Overall, the benefit of the system means that I will always use it, but Damn is gonna take me some practice to get used to! On a further note, I should point out to any other first time users of the skyway that you can get from past the convention Centre to a couple blocks from the river all inside. I also saw parts of downtown I would never have done before

    IDS/ Macy's Skyway, love that Manhattan looking old department store backdrop
    Josh M.

    The Minneapolis Skyways are in alot of ways a gigantic mall, but a much more interesting one. Personally I don't mind our cold temperatures in Minnesota most of the time. I can't stand extreme heat and humidity however and that's the way the Twin Cities can be on some Summer days, and pretty much the whole month of July, at least for me. Thankfully we have the Skyway's, and the ones in Central Downtown usually have good air conditioning. It keeps me from feeling like I'm melting and suffocating to death so I greatly appreciate having this option available to me. In the Winter Downtown is like a Winter Wonderland when it's snowing out. Not alot of other places have that feel anymore, and there isn't anywhere like it during holiday season. No place can beat the backdrop of city lights and olde tyme grandeur that Downtown has. The view from the Skyway's is spectacular and there are very popular holiday events like the Hollidazzle Parade that you can get a good view of from the Skyways as well. My only complaint is that with the exception of our large Downtown stores, retail centers and places accesible by but not in the Skyway the Skyways don't have much open in them after 4:00 in the afternoon.There are a few dining places that are open til 5, even 8 at night but those are mainly fast food chains like Arby's, Subway, Leann Chin, Taco Johns, and McDonalds. Before 4 you can find practically every sort of business in them, for example you got repair shops, art galleries, designer apparel shops, jewelers, lots of proffesional services, and of course an endless variety of food options. You can get you're shoes shined, you can find Minnesota souveniers and you can go to a travel agency. You're sure to be overwhelmed, our Skyway system is almost 5 MILES LONG. I'm more into the local, independent places that you won't find elsewhere, and unlike at malls there are alot of those kinds of places in the Skyways. Bayou Cajun (open til 6), Brothers Deli (open til 2:30), Andrea Pizza (open til 3:30), and the Shanghai Wok (open til 8) are some of my favorites. You can easily access the system from outside by entering most any building in Central Downtown. If there isn't an obvious way to get up to them once you enter a building they'll usually be signage to direct you. I've heard that there is actually a GPS system available now for navigating the Skyways. I know them end to end so I have never used it, but you should have a way to navigate the Skyways if you're new to them unless you feel like going on an adventure. There are maps on the walls of the Skyways every now and then, and if you're good with using landmarks as a point of reference you won't get lost too bad. The free Downtown newspaper, The Journal which can be found on almost every block has a Skyway Map in it too.

    Skyway Atrium
    Brian M.

    What an amazing idea, what better way to avoid the harsh brutal northern winters than to just stay inside. Minneapolis has seems to solve one of the biggest problems with getting from point A to point B during a brutal northern winter, how you might ask? By staying inside and taking the Skyway and walking between buildings where the temperature is always 70 degrees year round. In addition to making travel easier you no longer need to worry about the outside elements and traffic when trying to get from one building to another. The Skyway is not only a convenient means of transportation, but it's also home to numerous shops and restaurants all inside what almost feels like one giant mall connecting most of downtown Minneapolis. Getting from point A to point B is not always a straight shot, so it might take you a few more minutes and extra steps to get to your final destination however you no longer have to deal with the outside elements when doing so.

    See the lil people bridge? That's one of the corridors that connects downtown! INSIDE!
    T A.

    Technically, I was in the St Paul Skyway system but that's not on Yelp to review. It was a Sunday evening and we were walking the city and ended up in some bank...that ended up in the mall ...with stores (all closed).. and restaurants (closed too). What the fuck? Where am I? How am I in a mall and all we did was walk off the streets into this bank? What?... How?.... *head spinning* My man busts into the story of the Skyway and how it's this indoor method to keep people warm as they venture thru life downtown in the brutal winters here in MN. This was so awesome!! It's basically a gigantic 2nd story mall that's all enclosed and each building downtown is connected by a walking bridge/corridor that allows you to look out over the city. This is INCREDIBLE!! It's a mall.. all day, every day (except weekends of course). But, WOW! Do you know how much money we'd all spend if this was everywhere? Lining our days within a fucking mall?! I'm still taken by the awesome innovation of this place! I'm still telling folks here at home about it and we all want one! I get it, we don't have winters here but, all enclosed malls that line the streets? Sign me UP!!

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    10 years ago

    Need more maps, and arrows. Easy to use, but can be rather tricky if you are not familiar with your area. (Streets, places around you)

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    15 years ago

    It's like a super awesome Mall. Tons of different stores and places to go. Just walking around the skyway is a good time.

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    You are so warm in the winter, temperately controlled in the summer, so wonderful when there is rain or snow!

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    The Lookout

    The Lookout

    5.0(2 reviews)
    3.3 miNortheast

    I was out for a run while in town for a conference....I was looking for a Yelp entry for the…read moreMinneapolis Diagonal Trail (which I was running on) but couldn't find one so I searched "park" and the Lookout came up. Since it was on my way back to my hotel from the running trail, I figured I'd take a look. I will say if you're running up from New Brighton Blvd and you're a husky guy like me, the hill upon which the Lookout sits seems pretty impressive. If you drive up, you might not even notice it. But once you huff and puff your way there, you're rewarded with a lovely skyline view. In this instance, the view is worth the climb. This is right across the street from a cemetery and there's a nice path along this road - Ridgeway Pkwy -as well as St. Anthony's Blvd. Those two road form the two legs of an approximate right triangle with the Minneapolis Diagonal Trail making up the hypotenuse. It's a nice, level, asphalt path almost all the way around (a little section is concrete) and you do get a little elevation change in so if you want a nice run, about three miles, do that loop and reward yourself with the beautiful view at the end.

    This is honestly the most spiritually guided place I have ever been to in this city. Never before…read morehas a view made me think of our accomplishments as man both large, and small at the very same time. From this hill where you can park your vehicle (be aware that you should never actually leave it there), you can look out and see the entire valley containing downtown Minneapolis, North East, and North. It is truly an experience that warrants mentioning, especially on a site like this! There is a walking trail through here that gets a decent amount of traffic, and there are three benches lining the hill side so you can also sit and have a good look. One of my favorite memories from here... The night my ex and I first professed our love for one another, I had parked my car at the very far right spot so as to see the entire downtown skyline lit up. We watched as a thunderstorm rolled across South Minneapolis that never quite reached the northern edge. With my moon-roof open we could smell the rain, and hear the thunder, and the lightning show against the buildings was spectacular!!! It is also a great place to come and watch 4th of July fireworks!!! But get here early... as the years have gone by, more and more people seem to be discovering this place!

    Photos
    The Lookout
    The Lookout

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    Purple Rain House

    Purple Rain House

    4.5(10 reviews)
    3.2 miLongfellow

    It might look like a simple house at first, but once you realize what it is, it hits differently…read more Knowing this is the actual house from Purple Rain made it feel so special and almost surreal to be there. I had fun just standing there, taking pictures, and really taking in the moment. It honestly felt like I was stepping into something iconic. If you're a Prince fan, you'll understand. It's not just a house, it's a piece of history. Being there gave me that nostalgic feeling, like I was connected to the music and the movie in a real way. The area is quiet, so it's more of a quick stop, but I'm so glad I went. Sometimes it's the simple places that leave the biggest impression, and this was definitely one of those moments for me. Overall, I loved it. It was fun, meaningful, and something I'll always remember. If you're in Minneapolis, I definitely recommend stopping by especially if you love Prince

    This is probably not the house that you are thinking about. This is the house from the movie Purple…read moreRain that Prince lived in. Don't mistake it for Paisley Park, the actually place that prince lived in and recorded. It is just a little old house, that is not very well maintained and looks vacant. It is locate in a event neighborhood, located just outside of downtown. You can easily find street parking available near or in front of the house. As a Prince fan, and a huge lover of the movie, I just had to check it out. I will probably have to review the movie though and compare the house now to when it was in the film. The rumor is that Prince had secretly purchased the house before his death. It do not know if it is true or not. What is true is that there are no special markings placed in front of the house letting you know its significance. It is just plain. For me I would have normally given it two stars, but out of respect for the Purple On, I bumped it up to three. I will be honest, I would not have known this was the house from the movie other than a Google search and would have passed it by many times without even knowing. If you do make it here, this is definitely not a long stop. I would say about 5 minutes tops. Also, remember to be respectfully of. The neighborhood's residents, as the house is not on a movie set, but in an actual neighborhood.

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    Purple Rain House
    Purple Rain House
    Purple Rain House

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    Stone Arch Bridge - View of the Guthrie Theater, Mill City Museum, and skyline

    Stone Arch Bridge

    4.6(102 reviews)
    1.0 miDowntown Minneapolis

    Constructed between 1881 and 1883 in Minneapolis, MN as a railroad bridge, the stone arch bridge…read morewas converted in 1994 as a pedestrian/cycle bridge crossing the Mississippi River. It provides some great views of the old time milling operations in the area, as well as St Anthony Falls. It consists of 23 stone arches spanning 2,100 feet, and is the only stone arched bridge still on the Mississippi. It is on the National Register of Historic Places (1971) and is considered a National Historic Engineering Landmark. The entry from downtown would be via Mills Ruins Park. On my visit during mid March, there was still a lot of snow on the ground from a large snowfall a couple days before, and there was a path cleared, though to get better views on the river, some waterproof boots would have been handy.

    This former railroad bridge crosses the Mississippi River at Saint Anthony Falls in downtown…read moreMinneapolis. It is the only arched bridge made of stone on the entire Mississippi. This is the second oldest bridge on the river. It's now a pedestrian and bicycle bridge and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It's a great place to visit for a walk. You can start at the Guthrie Theater or Mill City Museum, then head across the bridge to get breathtaking views of the downtown skyline, and end up in the neighborhood of St Anthony Main which has cobblestone roads and cute small businesses. I got the chance to see it and walk across it on a snowy December afternoon. It was gorgeous and I'd love to come back when it's warmer.

    Photos
    Stone Arch Bridge - 3rd Avenue Bridge taken from Stone Arch

    3rd Avenue Bridge taken from Stone Arch

    Stone Arch Bridge - Stone arch bridge at night

    Stone arch bridge at night

    Stone Arch Bridge - Beautiful flowers

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    Beautiful flowers

    Zelo - Walleye with Squash Risotto Special

    Zelo

    4.3(1.1k reviews)
    0.0 miDowntown Minneapolis
    $$$

    Amazing service at the bar from the moment I stopped in. The pesto crusted sea bass blew me away…read moreone of the best dishes I've had. The fish was fresh and buttery and the chili beurre blanc sauce was on another level. Upscale seafood restaurant with nice decor and an uplifting vibe inside. Food is great, service is great, and the drinks top it off nicely. Highly recommend. -Mr.

    In a nutshell: expensive prices, small portions, lacking flavor…read more Everything was good, not great. The standout to me was the complimentary freshly baked warm bread they serve after you order your drinks. It would have benefitted from salted butter though. Moving onto our dinner portion, the burrata was yummy but it needed more balsamic and one more slice of grilled ciabatta. The Brussels could have been Caramelized a little longer as they were a little hard when biting into. They were also just sitting in a puddle of honey, so that was the main flavor I was tasting. The pasta dish was so tiny and only has 4 small pieces of chicken. It didn't really have a taste, other than cream. For dessert, we ordered the caramel sea salt custard, seasonal cobbler (peach), and the budino. The standout for me was the caramel sea salt custard, the salted caramel popcorn was a fun crunch amongst the creamy thick custard. My cappuccino was very small, but it was a nice touch to serve it with a little biscotti piece (I would have appreciated a longer piece though). If I'm in the area for a show at the Target Center again or any theaters, I would give them another shot. I would not drive from the suburbs for this though.

    Photos
    Zelo - The Basilica Room

    The Basilica Room

    Zelo - Linguini di Mare

    Linguini di Mare

    Zelo - Wood Grilled Octopus

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    Wood Grilled Octopus

    Minneapolis Skyway System - localflavor - Updated August 2026

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