Minneapolis is generally lumped in together with its Twin City of St. Paul, and there are some good reasons for that. The cities share a border, and most locals move back and forth between the two without thinking they are traveling between cities. But of the two Minneapolis is much larger, both in terms of size and population, and it is, in fact, Minnesota’s biggest city. As such, it has not only lots of things to do and see but there are also plenty of cheap hotels in Minneapolis for you to choose from.
Whereas in most big cities the cheap hotels are further from the city center and require either taking public transport or driving to get to what you want to see and do, the cheap hotels in Minneapolis are largely right in the downtown area – this is great news for travelers who do not want to rent a car for their trip, or for those who usually think they cannot afford to stay in the city center. The other bunches of cheap hotels tend to be right around the University of Minnesota, which is handy for the families of students or those attending sporting events.
Between the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, there really is so much to see and do that you would be hard-pressed to fit it all in in a short visit. In Minneapolis alone there are three major league sports teams, a fantastic orchestra, some great museums and art galleries, and 22 lakes. Yes, there are 22 lakes in the city of Minneapolis. The city (and really, the whole area) is very nature-oriented, despite the bustling downtown area, and you will find lots of parks and trails to enjoy on foot or on a bicycle.
Some of the cheap hotels in Minneapolis that you may want to check out are Minneapolis Doubletree (downtown, few blocks from Convention Center, 230 rooms, all-suites hotel, on-site parking available for a fee, laundry service, WiFi & internet access available, on-site restaurant & Starbucks), Ramada Grand Rios Water Park Hotel (not far from downtown, 224 rooms, includes indoor water park, WiFi access available, indoor pool, fitness center, poolside rooms available, free parking, free shuttle service within 7 mile radius, on-site restaurant & bar), Holiday Inn Minneapolis Metrodome (few blocks from downtown, 265 rooms, free internet access, free WiFi in lobby, fitness center, indoor pool, sauna & whirlpool, on-site restaurant & bar, kids eat free & stay free, laundry service, free shuttle service to Metrodome Light Rail Station), Comfort Inn Brooklyn Center (near the Target Center & Nicollet Mall, 60 rooms, free WiFi & internet access, fitness center, indoor hot tub, pet friendly hotel, free continental breakfast), and Quality Inn & Suites Airport (near the airport, near the Mall of America, 142 rooms, free continental breakfast, free WiFi & internet access, indoor pool, indoor hot tub, fitness center, free airport transfer, free coffee all day, on-site restaurant).