A practical day trip from Radisson Blu Mall of America: downtown Minneapolis
Take the METRO Blue Line or a 20-minute drive from Radisson Blu Mall of America to reach downtown Minneapolis for museums, riverfront parks, and stadiums. Plan a full day: morning transit to Target Field/U.S. Bank Stadium, midday museum or food hall visit, and an evening return via light rail or hotel shuttle.
In this guide
Getting downtown from Radisson Blu Mall of America
Radisson Blu Mall of America sits at 2100 Killebrew Dr and connects directly to the Mall of America via an indoor skyway. The METRO Blue Line light rail runs from the Mall of America station into downtown Minneapolis.
Expect about a 20-minute ride by METRO Blue Line to downtown Minneapolis stops. A taxi or rideshare drive typically takes roughly 20 minutes depending on traffic; the hotel also offers a complimentary airport/area shuttle for short local trips based on availability.
- METRO Blue Line: direct to downtown (Target Field, U.S. Bank Stadium) — ~20 minutes
- Taxi/rideshare: roughly a 20-minute drive (time varies by traffic)
- Hotel shuttle: complimentary airport/area shuttle available; check availability at Front Desk
| Option | Typical time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| METRO Blue Line | ~20 min | Direct rail from Mall of America station |
| Taxi / Rideshare | ~20 min | Time depends on traffic |
| Hotel shuttle (request) | Varies | Complimentary shuttle; confirm with Front Desk |
Morning: arrive and choose a downtown focus
If you ride the Blue Line, get off at Target Field Station for the North Loop, restaurants, and the Twins ballpark, or at U.S. Bank Stadium stop for the riverfront, the convention center, and Vikings game-day access.
Alternatively head to the Nicollet Mall/Walker Art Center area for museums or the Mill District for the riverfront trails and Mill City Museum.
- Target Field / North Loop — dining and ballpark
- U.S. Bank Stadium / Convention Center — events and riverfront access
- Walker Art Center / Guthrie Theatre — arts and museum district
| Downtown stop | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Target Field | Ballpark, North Loop dining |
| U.S. Bank Stadium | Stadium events, riverfront proximity |
| Nicollet Mall / Walker | Museums, theaters, shopping |
Midday: eat and explore
Downtown Minneapolis has a range of options — from casual food halls to sit-down farm-to-table restaurants and stadium concessions. If you prefer staying on property, FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar at the Radisson Blu serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a farm-to-table focus.
FireLake accepts reservations and offers a Private Dining Room for groups of six to sixty. Dining at FireLake also qualifies for validated parking at the hotel.
- FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar: breakfast 6:30–11 am, lunch 11 am–2 pm, dinner 5–10 pm; lounge service 3–11 pm
- Reservations accepted and recommended at FireLake
- Validated parking for FireLake diners (ask staff)
| On-site dining | Notes |
|---|---|
| FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar | Farm-to-table menu; reservations accepted; private dining room |
| Room service | Available 24 hours |
| Hotel bars/lounges | Two on property; lounge hours align with FireLake |
Afternoon options in downtown
Choose a cultural visit (Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Institute of Art), a riverwalk stroll (Mill District, Stone Arch Bridge), or a sports-related stop depending on schedules. Many downtown museums and attractions are walkable from the central light-rail stops.
If you're traveling with kids, consider scheduling attractions around game or show times; the Mall of America side activities (Nickelodeon Universe, SEA LIFE) are also reachable if you prefer to stay closer to the hotel.
- Walker Art Center / Minneapolis Sculpture Garden — modern art and outdoor sculptures
- Mill City Museum / Stone Arch Bridge — river views and local history
- Target Field / U.S. Bank Stadium tours or game attendance — check schedules
| Attraction | Why go |
|---|---|
| Walker Art Center | Modern and contemporary art |
| Mill City Museum | Mississippi River history and ruins |
| Stone Arch Bridge | Scenic riverwalk and skyline views |
Practical tips and hotel services for the day trip
Check-in at Radisson Blu Mall of America begins at 3:00 PM and check-out is by 12:00 PM (noon). The hotel provides free high-speed wired and wireless internet in rooms and public areas if you need to check transit times or tickets while out.
If you plan to return to use hotel facilities, note the indoor saline pool hours and Laughing Waters Spa schedule before you go. Pool hours and spa hours can change, so confirm availability with the Front Desk.
- Check-in: 3:00 PM; Check-out: 12:00 PM (noon)
- Free high-speed Wi-Fi in rooms and public areas
- Indoor saline pool: open to guests daily (hours listed by hotel; confirm current hours)
- Laughing Waters Spa: Mon–Sat 10 am–9 pm, Sun 11 am–7 pm (reservations required for treatments)
| Service | Detail |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Free high-speed wired & wireless in rooms/public areas |
| Pool | Indoor saline pool for guests; confirm current status before arrival |
| Spa | Laughing Waters Spa on Level 3; reservations required |
Accessibility, families, and practical considerations
Radisson Blu Mall of America is family-friendly and welcomes children; facilities and nearby attractions make family day trips straightforward. The hotel is connected to Mall of America attractions via the skyway, which keeps travel indoors between the property and the mall.
Accessibility features include an elevator, 15 accessible parking spaces, assistive-listening devices, and wheelchair-accessible meeting spaces and front/registration desks. For questions about child policies, pet fees, or parking rates, check with the Front Desk at the hotel.
- Families: Mall access, pool, and kid-friendly attractions nearby
- Accessibility: elevator, accessible parking and meeting spaces
- Pets: pet-friendly with a fee; service animals exempt (confirm with Front Desk)
- Parking: self-parking and valet available (surcharge); validated parking for FireLake diners
| Topic | What to do |
|---|---|
| Child-friendly | Kids up to 17 stay free on some offers; bring ID for check-in |
| Pets | Pet fee applies; service animals exempt |
| Parking | Self and valet parking for a surcharge; check current rates |
