The skyway system in Minneapolis is so very cool. With over 10 miles of connecting walkways, you are able to traverse all of downtown without ever stepping outside. It's a shame they close it on weekends. You can go from an office to a hotel, a restaurant to a convenience store, a sewing studio to a massage pop-up... I even saw connection to a church. It is very helpful to have a map. There are signs directing you where to go, but it can be kind of confusing if you don't know the streets/building names well. People are friendly and happy to provide directions. Whether you feel like a rat lost in a maze, or a productive ant part of a communal tunnel system, you have to admit this is a very unique method of transportation. Many other cities could benefit, but I can only imagine the cost and time it took to plan and build this. I did notice a number of vacant spaces inside the Skyway system, and I noticed that the streets of the city seem really quiet because so much activity is happening on the second floor. I hope that the city can invest in bringing small businesses to the skyway and keeping it open for locals and tourists alike. read more

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Downtown Minneapolis Skyway is an excellent way to get around the city area businesses, hospitality, shopping, sports arenas, entertainment and banking. This walkway has it all! It's a great alternative to walking in the streets in extreme hot and cold weather. Very clean and temperature set just right anytime of the year. The map (see attached) will lead you to wherever you want to go. Connects and links you with hotels, buses and trains too! Great for walkers as you can put some serious steps in if you do the whole thing. Portions could be closed after hours or on weekends. You'll need to check the website to see what sections are open and timings. read more

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My husband and I enjoyed walking the Skyway System on a rainy day in Minneapolis. We were able to visit some stores, eat, see the city, and we had some cocktails for happy hour. I am glad we took a picture of a map we saw when we started our journey because there are so many buildings you can walk through. There were also friendly people we briefly chatted with while walking. The downside is that bathrooms are not readily available except at limited places or maybe on the ground level. When we found a bathroom, we had to go outside of Walgreens to walk to a place that lets you use their bathroom and fill up water bottles. Overall though, it was a good experience and a cool system to have. read more

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. read more

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This system dates back to 1960, if you can beleive that. Today, it is a series of enclosed pedestrian footbridges that connect various buildings. Building connected include various office towers, hotels, banks, corporate and government offices, condominiums, apartment complexes, restaurants, retail stores, the Mayo Clinic Square, the Target Center, Target Field and US Bank Stadium. This system was part of the reason that the the city, a cold weather one, was awarded the Super Bowl in 2018. To strengthen their bid, US Bank Stadium became connected to the Minneapolis skyway in 2016. The System covers 80 full city blocks, spanning over 9 and a half miles. It is an nice alternative to public transit. As you are probably aware, Minneapolis is known for its brutal winters. This system enables people to transit in climate-controlled comfort year-round. I also like that it allows you to bypass the traffic and busy streets and avoid going outside during a rain or hot days (if that is even a thing in Minneapolis) as well. Each segment of the Skyway are owned by respective individual buildings. With that being said, they may have different closing/opening times or other restrictions. The Skyway was very clean and was very safe (I was there in the middle of the day though and cannot vouch for how it is at night). You will find a lot of eateries and shops along the system. I was able to go from the Federal Building to the central food court, without stepping foot outside. It was relatively easy to navigate and maneuver. I hope that more cities take a page out of Minneapolis's book and build these type of Skyways. This is a marvelous concept and I really liked being able to use a climate controlled system to get to lunch. read more

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. read more

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Seriously, tried two times to use this system as the streets of Minneapolis do not feel safe in the night (some places not in the day) and it's like a rat maze. Do not count on using it easily. Maybe if I had 6 months to explore it, I might be able to do more than get from my hotel to the one across the street. It looks wonderful. But, no. Not useful unless you know the route already. Even the map is complicated. read more

THIS SKYWAY SYSTEM IS INCREDIBLE. Seriously. What an ingenious solution to a severe problem. The only thing I can't understand is why it's closed on the weekends but I'm guessing it's because the network is downtown and why have it open when the people who use it the most are not there. At first, I thought people were joking when I read online that you'd see people in shorts and a tank top in the skyway in the middle of winter. It wasn't a joke. Sure, it was just one young man but most people were wearing their normal work attire, not winter gear. The system can get a bit confusing but there are maps dotted along the walls and some really clear signage. There's even an interactive online map you can use. It's so interesting to see the shops and eateries lining the walls. I wish more stuff was open and it wasn't as sad but I know how downtowns in America are doing so I wasn't shocked to see it. I wish I took some pictures but my hands were full of winter gear and a map but I'd highly recommend exploring if you get the chance. read more

I've been to Minneapolis once, and that was a rather unfortunate February visit. I am not a fan of cold weather, and definitely wasn't keen to use surface streets. I heard about the Skyway, though, so I picked up a map at the hotel and ventured out. Really, this is a marvel. Ingenious! It's so cool that all these businesses are connected via the Skyway. Honestly, why don't all cold weather cities have this system? (I mean, I guess I'm looking at you, Chicago; the pedway isn't the same and it gets really cold here!) I made it about halfway to my destination without any problem, but because I was given questionable directions and there was some construction happening in the Skyway at the time, it made it pretty tricky to figure out where I should go so at that point I made my way outside to head the rest of the way to my destination. It was Sunday, you see, so there were few people using the Skyway so little chance to ask for directions, and the Skyway closes early on Sundays (yes, there is in fact open hours for the Skyway). I didn't really relish the thought of spending the night so heading out to the street seemed the safest bet. I don't know how hot it gets in the summer, but I'm sure that the Skyway might be nice then, too, depending upon the weather. But regardless of what time of year you're visiting you should use the Skyway because where else can you do it? read more

Los Angeles is famous for its freeway system, Venice is famous for its canal system, New York City is famous for its subway system, and Minneapolis is famous for its skyway system. Covering approximately 80 city blocks and eleven miles, the Minneapolis Skyway System are interconnected climate control bridges with second and third level promenades that connect downtowns attractions and buildings. They include Target Center, Target Field, theaters, Target Department Store, Hennepin County Government Center, City Center, hotels, US Bank Stadium, and numerous downtown destinations. The heart and soul of the Minneapolis Skyway System is where it travels through the tallest building in Minnesota: The IDS Center. From its Crystal Court, the four skyways march in each direction to the numerous destinations that include the convention center at the westernmost point, the Warehouse District at the north easternmost point, and US Bank Stadium at the south easternmost point. Although the skyway system provides a contiguous climate controlled system of corridors and bridges they are independently owned. The skyways leading to the Emery Hotel are owned by that business where the skyways leading to Skyway Theater are owned by that organization. The upshot is that different parts of the skyway have different rules and hours of operation. Unlike a Las Vegas pedestrian bridge connecting resorts, they are not open 24 Hours. So, if your like me and you think it would be cool trying to get lost in the labyrinth of skyways after a few beers in a bar following a nighttime Timberwolves or Twins game, that is not going to happen because parts of the system will be closed. In similar style to the majority of downtown hotels, Embassy Suites where I stayed was skyway-connected. In a way you can say that I stayed in Embassy Suites but lived in the skyway for a week. This is my way of saying that I went out of my way to explore the majority of the skyway system. And after several skyway hikes, saying that it is awesome is an understatement. The drastic changed within minutes was a cool urban experience. One minute I am in a skyway passing through a mall that abruptly changes into the second level of Target Center with Timberwolves memorbelia that suddenly changes into a skyway overlooking Target Field. Then on another skyway walk I am in a skyway oveooking Target Field that changes into a second level Promenade in a theater with classical music that transitions into an urban college campus that leads into the second level of Starbuck's. On another skyway walk the adventure starts off at the westernmost point in a condo building that changes into office buildings then into the upscale Emery Hotel and into crowded office buildings that lead into the heart of the skyway in the atrium of the tallest building where the skyway overlooks an indoor rainforest. It is hard for a skyway adventurer to never encounter a random dead-end. Like many skyway adventurers I encountered a couple of random dead-ends that made me retrace my steps and start over. The most rememerable when I set out for a walk to US Bank Stadium, and I was making progress until I reached a dead-end in a Judge's Chambers closet at the Court House. In this paragraph this review touches on more positives. The skyway is advantageous when the streets and sidewalks fill up during peak times. It was nice to walk nonstop instead of stopping at red lights and slowing to a crawl in people jams. In the sketchy parts of downtown such as Hennepin and Fifth, the skyway has the perception of being the safe alternative. The skyways do a fantastic job of complementing the buildings they connect to. The bridges provide prime views of downtown. An example the Target Field skyway providing a first-rate view of the stadium. Another example is a Hennepin Avenue skyway providing a first-rate view of the Theater District. Ultimately the obvious positive is that they protect people from the harsh Minnesota winters. Although they are only two to three levels high, Minneapolis has an awesome pedestrian highway in the skyway. They are functional at the same time that they create hours of climate controlled urban exploration for the adventurer. I am an urban adventurer that couldn't get enough of them. read more

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 read more

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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 read more

Minneapolis Skyway System - A view of downtown from inside the skyway - Local Flavor Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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. read more

Minneapolis Skyway System - IDS/ Macy's Skyway, love that Manhattan looking old department store backdrop - Local Flavor Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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There are so many things I love about Minneapolis and the Skyway system is magical. I had heard about it for years but since I had only visited during the summer, I didn't see the need to use it. As it turns out, walking at street level downtown is quite boring as all of the businesses are located on the Skyway level where there is foot traffic. Despite my best efforts to walk outside, I finally caved after an encounter with a car that nearly splashed muddy water all over me after a summer rain. Enough, I thought, and inside I went. As I walked through downtown in the comfort of the Skyway, Minneapolis looked so beautiful. And everything I needed from meals to pharmacy to clothing stores was all right there. read more

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. read more

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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!! read more

Minneapolis Skyway System - See the lil people bridge? That's one of the corridors that connects downtown! INSIDE! - Local Flavor Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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One of the first things my husband inquired about on his first visit to Minneapolis was the "hamster" tubes". It seems like a fair amount of people liken the look to something a hamster would navigate through. I used to work downtown and would travel the Skyways every single day. Everyone else in my district received mileage reimbursement. I inquired about a shoe allowance reimbursement since most of my stores were in walking distance. Didn't get the shoe allowance, but I got a work out in almost everyday. Thankful I didn't have to go outside. The "hamster tubes" did come in handy during the long daunting winter months. They are nice for staying warm in the winter and cool on the hot days. The Skyways can be entertaining and slightly annoying at the same time. Lots of characters traveling through each and every day. -Singers with their guitar cases open -People asking for money (although not many) -Brisk walkers with their company lanyards swaying back and forth in a hurry to get back to their next team builder. -People trying to avoid contact at all costs scrolling through their iPhone or Ipod. Sometimes its nice to just hang back on one of the railings and just watch all the people walking by. They are relatively clean and serve a nice purpose getting to and from a destination without having to go outside when it's too hot or too cold and to grab something quick when on the go. read more

Gotta love skyway systems - a great alternative to walking next to polluting cars and you don't have to wait for walk signals. There's also good signage and it's nice to be able to look outside from the skyway - the same can't be said for an underground system. Also it can get pretty hot/cold outside on some long downtown blocks. Only downside is that a few skyways aren't air conditioned and can get pretty hot in the summer as the heat builds up. Also the skyway system is showing some signs of age, although not a big deal. read more

Why would I want to experience a beautiful spring day when I could be encapsulated in a glass tube with all the charm of an airport terminal and corporate mini-mall? I get that Minneapolis has cold winters, but so does Boston, New York, Chicago, Calgary and a host of other northern cities. The Twins play baseball outside for six months a year yet downtown workers need to experience 72 degrees year round? My biggest complaints on the skyway system are: 1. The impact on the street life. Want to see a vibrant street in Minneapolis? Try the ones with no skyway. As soon as I got away from the downtown core (and the skyways), I started to see street life! Shops, cafes, and actual retail on the street level. I wonder if these places close for the long, cold winter? Probably not. Yet downtown has a slew of vacant storefronts because the businesses are all located on the second level. 2. The inefficiency of walking. While the skyway does allow you to skip the stop lights, it forces you to walk an incredibly inefficient route (up the escalator, left, straight, right, left, etc) just to go a block or two. I just want to walk to my destination! 3. Finding a business. As a visitor, on three occasions I spent WAY more time than normal trying to simply find a business when I had its exact location on a map. I was forced to go into a bank lobby, upstairs, and around a giant mall just to find the darn Walgreens. In any other City, I would have been in/out in no time. Plus, unless you are a local, navigating the City is very difficult from 25 feet up. I didn't see any signs and was constantly looking for street signs below to get from one location to another. This may have been a good idea to get suburbanites back into the City in the 1970s but we are way past that. Minneapolis is a world class city with thousands of downtown residents. Breathe some life back into your streets and close this corporate hamster tube on May 1st every year. read more

Its really COOL............ How can you beat walking indoors here in the winter.... Well lets say: Lots of places to have lunch, easy to git around, friendly people who can help you, confusing next steps (sometimes).... Very NICE read more

Our Minnesota "Hamster Cage" as I call it, helps me to get to and from work when the snow falls. I get on near the Greyhound station near the Twins stadium and travel as far as the Franklin Light Rail Station near Nicolet Mall on a daily basis and have found that the skyway is both fun and horrific, depending on the segment and the crowd. Yes, I usually spot two homeless men, one which will beg for money and follow me a few feet and the other that sings a happily good morning hymn to all that pass by. You'll find food locations that fill the walkways with delicious smells but that promptly close by the time you're off work and in some places the carpet is stained with who knows what and in other spots the segment is clean and shiny, smelling of fresh bleach. read more

Minneapolis Skyway System - Local Flavor Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Um, it's probably the best idea since sliced bread. And, what's nice is with the Skyway, the bread ain't frozen. I'm going to ask Mayor Daley for a system like this in Chicago. I'm sure it'll be an easy sell... Besides keeping your extremities free from frostbite, it's fun to walk around on the 2nd floor of everything, overlooking all the freezing people below. Sort of like one of those hamster maze things, but with shopping and coffee. Perfect. :) read more

Oh Skyway... my love for thee is only matched by my love for wine (which subsequently can be acquired within you). You are so warm in the winter, temperately controlled in the summer, so wonderful when there is rain or snow! You have saved me all winter from having to brave the ravaging wind and cold of the harsh Minnesota winter, and you will continue to save me now from the steamy unbearable heat/humidity combo that the summer will bring! Well now that I'm done talking it up, let's get honest. The skyway is full of people. FULL. They are all business professionals, students, or homeless. The majority of them are carrying WAY too much in their arms at any given time (usually including a shoulder bag and cellphone incessantly pressed to the ear) and don't really care to use what I like to call courtesy rules. Such As - 1) Do not practice douchebaggery, please move to the side to have a conversation, do not stop and stand in the direct center of the walkway and ebb the flow of traffic 2) For those that have a problem hitting the off button on the cellphone, I do not wish to hear about your lady problems, your toe-nail fungus, your bad dinner date, or your flatulence. 3) Please PLEASE stop riding in tandem with your electric power chairs. 4) Oh, and please stop plugging in your power chairs as well That about covers the majority of the courtesy rules. On to the shops, the food, the liquor store, and the maze like structure that will get you from one side of the city to the other. You can go from Target Field up until about two blocks from HCMC. That's pretty impressive! I imagine there is a reason that The Skyway system in Minneapolis receives national attention. Try your hardest not to push yourself into unimaginable debt (I assure you it's quite difficult) you are literally forced to walk through Macy's, Target, Saks, and several other stores, just to get to your final destination. **involuntarily shivers... still don't like saying that after the movies. All said, it is the most useful and inventive thing that this city has as far as transportation goes. And for Minneapolis, that's really saying something! read more

WHY can't Los Angeles or other major cities create skywalks? When walking the skyways it really makes you feel like you've stepped into the future of architecture! Why hasn't Los Angeles, California come this far? It gets people walking, and in a safe place. There are many police officers walking the skyways and watching who is hanging around the courtyards (I honestly don't know what they call them). There was a homeless person sitting, they watched her until she decided it was time for a nap, then they asked her to move on. It was actually funny watching 4-6 of them gather and stand on the upper level and look down upon the little people;) Seriously, way to go MN!! This is really a wonderful way to cut across city blocks or town and get to where you need to be without dealing with the weather or traffic!! AWESOME!! read more

I can see the reason why there's a Skyway System in Minneapolis. During those cold Minnesota winters, traveling through the an indoor system of sidewalks makes lots of sense - only if you're easily able to find our way around. S was so excited to show me the Skyway System - but when it came time for us to navigate our way through, it turns out that each part of the Skyway has its own operating hours. Parts of the Skyway opens at 9am or 10am while other parts of the system have different closing times - not easy when you're trying to get from one end of downtown to the other! Very frustrating! When asking locals if we could take the Skyway to certain destinations in Minneapolis - most advised us to stick to city streets as they also commented that it was hard for them to find their way around! read more

The Skyway is one of the many reasons that I adore Minneapolis. I'm appreciative that I can still explore the area in comfort even if it's pouring rain, brutally cold, messy snow slush, or disgustingly humid outside. Love! read more

We all know what the skyway is: 2nd floor corridors connecting buildings downtown. The second floor of most buildings is public/commerical space, with bridges spanning streets between buildings. When I got my first job downtown St Paul, I felt so grown-up travelling the skyways, I loved it. When I moved to a position downtown Minneapolis, I loved them even more - because there's far more restaurants, shops, and services in Minneapolis skyways. Most of the things in the skyways are there for there convenience of the downtown workers, right down to the actual stores/services to the hours. Most locals refer to places in the skyway in by the building name, which can be confusing for new people to find. Almost every buidling has a coffee shop and a convenience store. There are large blue Skyway maps posted on walls throughout the halls, with streets and buildings named, and some landmarks. There are also signs in the skyway bridges telling you which street you are crossing, which streets are to the left and right, and most buildings have a sign letting you know the building name that you're entering. The city of Minneapolis tried to institute Skyway Hours across the board due to complaints about buildings being closed. However, it doesn't seem to be enforced. I prefer to walk in the street at night anyway, rather than an isolated building. I have seen the weirdos/homeless in the skyway, but not all that much. They seem to be much more prevalent on Nicollet Mall, which is the transit thoroughfare through downtown. I honestly don't notice that many; it's usually business people, as downtown is still largely daytime commuters. Hence the importance of Skyway Etiquette: - Stopping to converse? Move out of the center - Walking slowly? Move out of the center - Cell phone? Keep your voice low In a nutshell? Get the F out of the way Things I can do without leaving the skyways: - shoes resoled (Skyway Shoe Repair) - hair done (Juut Salon in Gaviidae) - shop (Target, Macy's, Marshall's, Saks, Banana, Gap, Len, Brooks Brothers, Ann Taylor) - coffee (Caribou, Dunn Bros, Starbucks) - floral shops - eat (Cosi, D Brians, Au Bon Pain, Potbelly, Panera, Zen Box, Dave's, Skyway Wok, Cousins, Subway, Taco Bell) - banks - post office (hidden on the first floor on 8th St, but still skyway accessible) And it's so awesome in the winter to do all that and leave my coat behind. Cons: - Difficult to navigate at first - Crowded during pre-work rush, lunch rush, after-work rush - Non-uniform hours as each building is managed independently - Primarily convenient for business people Pros: - Protected from elements and weather Despite some negatives, the Pro a thousand times more beneficial than any of the drawbacks combined. read more

Great concept, crappy execution on time and some areas were blazing stinking hot even when it was about 65-70 degrees. There's tons of videocameras, so why don't you all just get together and make it open from 6am-11pm?!? Hello????? read more

Oh the skyway. I had no idea what you were like until I got a job in a big ass Downtown building. But you are a daily joy that I will always appreciate. Do I need to get a sweaty as I amble down to Target on my lunch hour in 90 degree heat? Hell no. Do I need to freeze my buns on my walk to the bank? Psh. The skyway has me covered. Besides protecting me from the elements, the skyway offers endless shops, food spots, and people-gawking so that when I need to get out of the office for a few minutes, I have a mini-world to explore. Sometimes the signs are a little confusing, as in "Courthouse this way" but then they really mean "go down this escalator and backtrack, then go that way." Which is fine when you can really suss out your route, but kind of not so fun when you just want to get where you're going (and could totally find it waaaay easier outside.) All in all, I'm very glad we live in the land of ice & snow, because we have the Skyway to save us. (You could maybe navigate the Skyway while listening to Jeremy Messersmith's song of the same name. It makes you feel very Minneapolitan.) read more

What a great idea! on a recent visit to Minnesota my friend decided to show me the skyways. Being from the East Coast where we have nothing of the sort, I found the idea not only to be logical but convenient. We must have navigated from one side of the city to the other with our feet never touching ground level. While I suspect the major advantage of the skyway is staying warm in the winter and cool in the summer while you navigate the city, I definitely noticed the impact it had on the city traffic. In Boston we constantly have to stop for pedestrians (who have little regard for cross walk signals), particularly during peak commuter hours. Looking down at the street from the Skywalk I noticed the traffic was always flowing freely in every direction. It was also a very cool way to take in the sights of the city! The skyways themselves, as well as most of the businesses they contained, where clean, well lit and clearly marked with maps to orient you on your way to your destination. read more

Oh, dear home, how I miss you!! Most of the buildings in downtown Minneapolis are connected. You don't have to go outside. Hot or cold, you can always stay inside. Lots of places to eat, shop, drink, buy some flowers, get your shoes shined, etc. Also, great for downtown workers who wish to get away from their cube. Can walk around in circles and get a work out. During the winter you can snag a spot above Nicollet Ave and watch the santas run and the parades. For tourists there are maps available at IDS and probably some other locations. Best thing ever!! read more

Love-hate relationship with the Skyway here. Mostly middling food in superterranean tunnels packed with people, many of whom resemble badly-stuffed dumplings. I had a fugue the other day, in which I patrolled the Skyway with my peevish companion Devilcat. Devilcat is my Id, and lashes out at everything annoying about the Skyway, particularly at noontime. Devilcat is presently sitting on my desk, cleaning the gore from his claws. Today he was forced to eviscerate a) the person who stopped to chat atop the escalator, causing a human jam, b) the doucheknuckle who stepped on my foot while yammering away on his douchetronic Bluetooth headset, and c) the amoebalike children who bounced off each other and the walls into my coffee cup, causing it to spill on my trousers. The Skyway obviates the need for your Minnesota Spacesuit, normally a requisite for going outside December through March. You can arrange your life so that you'll never have to leave, or at least very infrequently. I live three blocks from the nearest Skyway entrance, and quickly duck upstairs while walking to work in colder months. There, I have my gym/swimming pool/racquetball/yoga center (YMCA - Snap also has two gyms in the network). Dozens of restaurants and sub-restaurants are accessible. There's even at least one wine shop, so you can booze away the winter. (There's always a contingent of Skyway drunks lurching about too, backpacks full of Popov and Nighttrain.) There's a distinctly 80s ambiance about the Skyway. Whether it's the fonts in the USBankcorp Building, the presence of Orange Julius, or something else, I still expect to hear Wang Chung piped in from invisible speakers. read more

All you can eat salad & soup at Skyroom at Macy's, downtown, is delicious, fresh, and $11.05 (less than how much a Byerly's salad bar runs me for sure). I'm always in the hunt for really great salad bars so if you know of any with exceptional fare please share! read more

Minneapolis Skyway System - All you can eat salad & soup at Skyroom at Macy's, downtown, is delicious, fresh, and $11.05 - Local Flavor Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Oh, Skyway, you save my ears from frostbite and my guts from dehydration. Unfortunately, you are frequently consumed by businesses that *gasp* CLOSE, and you have hours that cause you to *gasp* CLOSE, and sometimes I don't want to be drunk and outdoors. I don't like having to take a taxi to avoid a charge of public intox. I would appreciate a bit more accommodation. Nonetheless, I'd like to give a shout-out to the public workers in this fair city who kick out the rabble and loiterers. I don't like having less room to navigate around the eternally slow people who always end up in front of me while I try to get from point A to point B at somewhere near the speed of light. Now if only we could draw lines throughout the Skyway to teach people, "hey, walk on the right and pass on the left, this isn't England." read more

The Minneapolis skyway system is so good it seems like an alternative universe where everything is elevated and no one ever has to experience cold. If you never looked outside you could pretend you're in Cali. I heard that Minneapolis has the largest skyway system in the world, and I believe it. You can get almost anywhere (or really close) and there are tons of places to stop and shop on your way. (You can find me at Cocoa & Fig or Target.) Tip: During the Holidazzle parade you can even score a good window seat if you come early enough. The only drawback is that it can be confusing to navigate, but it's very similar to driving in that once you learn how it works, you'll know it instinctively. (The first time you try it out make sure to leave ample time to explore.) Anything that prevents me from frostbite is fully deserving of a 5 star rating. read more

The skyway is like a whole new world to discover! As someone from the streets for many years (Yeah, THE STREETS), I had to relearn how to get around, but it's delightful to suddenly find a completely new way to get somewhere familiar. Also, the restaurants! They're so tiny and never stop! Pro: You never have to go outside. Con: You people walk too slow. Move out the way! read more

I love the skyway system. Every work day when the weather outside is miserable (which is often in Minnesota) I walk for my lunch hour (30 minutes) and can make a nearly 2 mile loop without stepping outside. I can park in the warehouse district and walk (inside) to the convention center. While it can be dead in the evening or weekends it's awesome during the week. If you are looking you can see some amazing art (fountains, installation art, paintings). Some people hate the gerbil tubes but I am a fan! read more

When I lived in Minneapolis I could walk around these skyways with a BLINDFOLD on and know where I was located. They haven't changed that much. read more

Have always loved how everything is connected. Always clean, well maintained, and many of them are patrolled by security. Best kept secret for walking. read more

So I don't mind the winter at all, there are times when the only thing that can get me out of a sourpuss phase is walking for miles in a really good crystalline snowfall. But when I'm sane and we've got the negatives, the skyway is nothing to scoff at. It's not lacking on the entertainment front too with distractions like the 'where do they work game'; trying to figure out who works where based on how starched suits look and how comparable phones are to the i-pad. And noting that people actually still sit and have their shoes shined and insightful lesson from nice old men on EVP and supernatural activities in Florida cemeteries. There are downsides too of course like I can't be bothered with the extra distance and lunchtime crowd when I'm not in a completely leisurely mood. And why on earth doesn't the skyway go to the library or is there some route I've missed? Half the time I've got some book or dvd that absolutely needs to be returned and it'll be nice to not have to go back outside when there's only a block left to go. Also it's kinda depressing walking through Saks and Nieman and realizing I couldn't afford some of that stuff even if the decimal was moved back one figure. Though I never see anything I'd want anyway so it's really not that much of a downer. read more