Republican National Convention
Amidst the lush prairies and deep blue lakes of eastern Minnesota, the Twin Cities are once again host to the Republican National Convention. Taking place from September 1 - 4, the convention's central point is the Xcel Energy Center of downtown Saint Paul. Just west from Saint Paul, across the Mississippi River, Minneapolis opens up the doors to further big-city opportunities and sights. Use this page to learn more about the convention and Saint Paul's local flavor, from restaurants to hotels to nearby destinations.
Getting Here
Due to the large number of convention-goers and increased security measures in the area, getting into downtown Saint Paul will require some advance thought. Plans are already in place to ensure that the area's major thoroughfares will be open, minimizing the impact on both locals and visitors.When arriving by plane into the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, the Xcel Energy Center is less than two miles away, affording an easy jaunt between locations. The Minneapolis-Saint Paul Metro Transit system provides both bus and light rail transportation throughout the greater area, and for those who prefer, there are also plenty of taxis available.
Hotels and Restaurants
Finding a hotel downtown may be difficult, since most have been fully booked in anticipation of the RNC. Nevertheless, there are some options for highly-rated hotels within a reasonable distance, and nearby Minneapolis' top-tier hotels may have many more vacancies. Call around to get the latest information on availability.Well known for its fine dining, the Twin Cities have no shortage of restaurants, ranging from Mexican to Italian to Thai. Minneapolis' Eat Street on East 27th is one of the most popular destinations for a variety of ethnic restaurants and downtown Saint Paul is known for its spectacular American and fusion dining, with restaurants like Kincaid's and Downtowner Woodfire Grill.