Visualization 2005 will be held at the Hilton Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 23-28, 2005. (Special Vis2005 rate: $135 per single/double room). Click here to make your reservation.

The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul lie along the Mississippi River. From the night clubs of the Warehouse District to the Depot to the many theaters, night time excitement can be found for anyone. There are also many parks and nature preserves right within the metro area featuring lakes, rivers and beautiful waterfalls.

For convenient travel, try the new Light Rail Transit System that connects the airport, Metrodome, Downtown and the Mall of America. The Twin Cities have many museums including the Walker Art Center, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and the Science Museum of Minnesota.  The Twin Cities are also home to the Minnesota Orchestra and Ordway Center.

Transportation and Travel Directions¹

Minneapolis is served by the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (Airport Code MSP). A number of airlines serve Minneapolis including Northwest, SunCountry, and many others. Most flights arrive at the Lindbergh (main) terminal; SunCountry, Midwest and other charter flights arrive at the smaller Humphrey terminal. Transportation between terminals is free and convenient. For flight information, visit www.mspairport.com.

There are several options for traveling from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to downtown Minneapolis (click here for map of downtown in pdf format). Click here for Ground Transportation Information.

The Tram Level information booth is staffed seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Staff provides information, maps, directions and other assistance to travelers. Travelers may also obtain wheelchairs from the information booth.

Light Rail Service at MSP. Light rail service to and from the airport is now available. The light rail stop closest to the hotel is the Nicollet Mall stop. Exit the train at 5th and Marquette and walk to the hotel 5 blocks south, at 10th and Marquette. Alternatively, use your Light Rail ticket to take a bus on Nicollet Mall to Marquette. Trains stop at both the Lindbergh and Humphrey terminals and connect travelers to 15 other destinations, including downtown Minneapolis to the north and the Mall of America to the south. Trains run between the terminals every 7 to 8 minutes during peak hours and every 10 to 15 minutes at other times of the day. There is no charge for light rail travel between Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport's two terminals. Fares for travel to other locations from the airport are $1.75 during rush hours (Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) and $1.25 at other times. A six-hour pass is available for $3 and an unlimited-ride day pass for $6. Tickets are sold at vending kiosks at the rail stations. For more information, visit the Metropolitan Council's Web site, www.metrotransit.org/rail or pick up a Light Rail map at the information desk at the airport. The Lindbergh Terminal Light Rail station entrance is located near the Transit Center, between the Blue and Red Parking ramps. From the Lindbergh Terminal tram level, (two floors below the Ticketing Lobby), take the automated Hub Tram toward the Transit Center. When you exit the tram, follow the signs to the light rail station, located 70 feet underground. The Humphrey Terminal Light Rail station is located outside of the terminal building. A covered walkway connects the station located at 34th Avenue and 72nd Street, to the Humphrey parking facility, and to the terminal building.

Major car rental companies. Rental car companies have phones and touch screen information kiosks at the Lindbergh Terminal on the Baggage Claim Level opposite baggage carousels 2, 5 and 10. The rental car counters are located in the Hub building located between the Blue and Red parking ramps, on Levels 1-3. Passengers can take the underground tram to go between the Lindbergh Terminal and the Hub building.

Parking at Hilton Minneapolis. The hotel self-parking rate is $12 per day; valet parking rate is $20 per day.

SuperShuttle shared-ride, door-to-door service. Travelers wishing to take a van to the hotel can gain access to those services through the Lindbergh Terminal's Tram Level. The cost is about $15.

Bus service. Metro Transit provides bus service to the Metropolitan Twin Cities area. Buses are accessible at the airport's new Transit Center. You can reach the Transit Center from the Red and Blue parking ramps or by taking the Hub Tram from the Lindbergh Terminal's Tram Level. For a complete list of shuttle companies, visit click here.

Taxicabs and limousines. Taxis are available at the Lindbergh and Humphrey Terminals. Taxi service at the Lindbergh Terminal is accessible via the Tram Level. Signs direct passengers one level up to the cab starter booth, where airport staff will assist passengers obtaining a taxi. At the Humphrey Terminal, taxi service is available at the Humphrey Ground Transportation Center which is located in the Humphrey Parking ramp on Level 1.

Downtown Minneapolis is approximately 16 miles from the airport, with fares averaging $25.00. All taxi fares are metered and include a $2.25 trip fee which allows drivers to recoup airport permit fees.

Hotels

Reservations for other hotels in the area may be booked directly at the Convention Bureau web site.

Hotels Within 0.8 Miles From the Hilton Minneapolis

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites 225 South 11th Street Minneapolis, MN 55403 888-465-4329 612-341-3300

The Marquette 7th Street and Marquette Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55402 800-328-4752 612-376-7452

Hyatt Regency Minneapolis 1300 Nicollet Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55403 800-233-1234 612-370-1234

Marriott Minneapolis City Center 30 S 7th Street Minneapolis, MN 55402 800-228-9290 612-349-4000

Graves 601 Hotel 601 1st Avenue N Minneapolis, MN 55403 612-677-1100

Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Minneapolis at the Depot 225 3rd Avenue S Minneapolis, MN 55401 800-228-9290 612-375-1700

Other Hotels in the Area

Doubletree Guest Suites Minneapolis 1101 LaSalle Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55403 800-222-8733 612-332-6800

Millennium Hotel Minneapolis 1313 Nicollet Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55403 800-522-8856 612-359-2235

Grand Hotel Minneapolis 615 Second Avenue S Minneapolis, MN 55402 866-843-4726 612-288-8888

Embassy Suites Minneapolis Downtown 425 S 7th Street Minneapolis, MN 55415 800-EMBASSY 612-333-3111

TownePlace Suites Minneapolis Downtown by Marriott 525 2nd Street N Minneapolis, MN 55401 800-228-9290 612-340-1000

Four Points by Sheraton Minneapolis North 1330 Industrial Boulevard Minneapolis, MN 55413 800-325-3535 612-331-1900

Residence Inn by Marriott 45 S 8th Street Minneapolis, MN 55402 800-228-9290 612-677-1000

Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis 35 S 7th Street Minneapolis, MN 55402 800-333-3333 612-339-4900

Best Western Normandy Inn Downtown 405 S 8th Street Minneapolis, MN 55404 800-372-3131 612-370-1400

Ramada Inn Downtown 41 N 10th Street Minneapolis, MN 55403 800-423-4100 612-339-9311

Residence Inn Minneapolis at the Depot by Marriott 425 S 2nd Street Minneapolis, MN 55401 800-228-9290 612-340-1300

Radisson Metrodome 615 Washington Avenue SE Minneapolis, MN 55414 800-822-6757 612-379-8888

Doubletree Minneapolis Park Place Hotel 1500 Park Place Boulevard Minneapolis, MN 55416 800-222-8733 952-542-8600

See also: http://www.exploreminnesota.com/destinations/region.cfm?oid=4646

Photos courtesy of Chris Gregerson, Phototour of Minneapolis.

¹Transportation and Travel Directions courtesy of the Acoustical Society of America.