Hello Gents, I am booking a spring trip ( the first of many to your area this year) and was just wondering if you feel more comfortable visiting downtown hotels, or if I should look into a private AirBnB or VBRO unit?  I tried asking this in the discussion board but was told I had to do it here instead.  
So sorry for jumping the gun a bit, I just wanted to get it booked asap,

Thanks!
Addie jame

Hi Addie,
Welcome in advance!
For what its worth, the overwhelming majority of providers that I have seen
have been in the Bloomington / Mall of America / Airport area...in nice hotels.
Downtown Mpls seems to be a close second!
Hope that helps.

Thank you! Having not been, I wasn't sure if I stayed downtown if people would visit with parking and such.  I have been warned off the Mall area, so was thinking perhaps splitting my time between St Paul and Minneapolis, so I can explore a bit.
 

I love exploring new cities, but I don't want to put myself in an area that no one wants to come visit!
I have been a bit warned off the mall area, so was thinking of the stadium area in Minneapolis and perhaps something near downtown St Paul for a few days

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Downtown Minneapolis. Forget St. Paul.

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Stay out of St. Paul----Actually, all of Ramsey county and use 411

411? is that the same as P411?  I will keep self away from the area. Thank you for the heads up!!
 

Hi Addison,

The areas mentioned are pretty accurate. The Bloomington / Mall of America area are quite familiar to local hobbyists and are easy to navigate. That's probably the busiest area when it comes to the hobby--probably the reason you were told to avoid it. Traffic in Bloomington is never pleasant to deal with, either. Downtown Minneapolis is pretty nice and is where you will likely find the most interesting entertainment while you are here, but parking can be challenging at times. St. Paul tends to have fewer providers, which can be either a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you look at it.

You mentioned renting a place while you are here.  I don't know what other hobbyists think, but for me the intimacy of a home is much nicer than nearly any hotel. I don't know what AirBnb/VRBO rates look like, but if you want something between Minneapolis and St. Paul, the Highland area of St. Paul is a good compromise. It's just next to the river (which separates the two cities) and is  residential with a very Minnesotan feel to it. NE Minneapolis is a central area that's mostly easy to get to, but there are pockets of very nice areas mixed with less desirable neighborhoods so it might be hard to find the right place to rent there. Personally, I like the Uptown area.  Parking and traffic aren't great, but there are some places with real character you might be able to rent and it's close to some interesting shops, restaurants, and entertainment.

I hope you enjoy your trip

Thank you!  I am having trouble finding a airbnb to rent that is not attached to the owners residence - but I will keep looking. I appreciate the neighbor areas to check out. Its hard to come into an area bling. I have booked by dates, it will be March 18-25 for this first trip, and I will be splitting my hotel stay between downtown and the mall area. But I prefer private places personally, so I will just keep looking for the perfect-for-hobby-guests place.