The classic Google Maps, when viewed on a laptop or desktop, is an excellent advance trip planning tool for exploring Minneapolis without a car. When you select the icon for traveling by mass transit, Google Maps uses Metro Transit's data to display trip information alongside a Google Map.
Note: Mobile versions are less fun for planning, but you can still use them to plan trips. You can also use mobile versions while out exploring as a complement to the trip plans saved from earlier work with Google Maps or the Metro transit website. Mobile applications also have the advantage of knowing your location and being able to be used for navigation.
Click on the image below for a larger image. Link to Minneapolis on Google Maps
Some Google Maps Advantages (when used on a desktop or laptop):
(Some of these advantages will be illustrated on the maps gallery page.)
1. Metro Transit does not list all that many locations in their destinations menu. For example, if you wanted to go to Loring Park or the Stone Bridge, you would need to search to find out where they are, and then type in an address. In Google Maps, as soon as I typed Sto, Stone Bridge appeared as an option. Google Maps also keeps a history of places you have searched before and allows you to save locations or to just right click at a desired starting or ending point. Many popular destinations, with links to information and directions, can be found by clicking on "Minneapolis" (as shown on the map image above). Some of these are shown further down on this page.
Note: On the Metro Transit site, the Trip Planner option (from the Maps & Schedules pull down menu in the upper left hand corner of the home page) also saves some history, and it is possible to save trips.
Click on the screen capture below for a larger image.
2. The map appears on the same page as the trip options and, when more than one route is suggested, you can easily compare them by description and by viewing the entire trip routes on a single large map. When using the Trip Planner tool, on Metro Transit's website, you have to click the Map My Route link to see a small map showing just one route at a time. The screen capture image to the left shows a sample result from Google Maps.
Click on the thumbnail below for information from Google on Using Pegman and Street View.
3. Pegman and Street View!! When sightseeing, often the choice between routes depends on the amount of time walking compared to the amount of time waiting, as well as the amount of time spent on a bus versus the time spent on light rail. I like to use Pegman and Street View to see whether a longer walk would be enjoyable. If it looks like a walk is through an interesting neighborhood, I choose to walk further rather than wait for a transfer or use light rail for a faster trip. If I have time to plan, and I do not have to arrive by a specific time, I use Pegman and Street View to decide. You can also decide, based on street view, to drag a point on the Google Maps suggested walking route to modify your route (and get new time and distance results). Pegman can also be used to see whether a bus stop offers a shelter (or shade).
When using Google Maps, there is a link from your search results to the Metro Transit website. It is a good idea to go to the Metro Transit website to view any service alerts pertaining to your route.
The link above is to Google's page for learning more about using Google Maps.
Below are some of the links (minus the thumbnail photos) from the seven pages of popular places found by clicking on Minneapolis, MN on the Google Maps Page for Minneapolis and scrolling down to Popular Places.
Popular places
Minnehaha Creek is a tributary of the Mississippi River located in Hennepin County, Minnesota that extends from Lake Minnetonka in the west and flows east for 22 miles (35 km) through several suburbs west of Minneapolis and then through south ... - Wikipedia
14 ratings
The Walker Art Center is a contemporary art center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. The Walker is considered one of the nation's "big five" museums for modern art along with the Museum of Modern Art, the San Francisco Museum of Modern ... - Wikipedia
5 ratings
The Midtown Exchange is a large commercial building located in the Phillips community of Minneapolis. It is the second-largest building in Minnesota in terms of leasable space, after the Mall of America. It was built in 1928 as a retail and mail ... - Wikipedia
7 ratings
The Guthrie Theater is a Tony Award winning center for theater performance, production, education, and professional training in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the result of the desire of Sir Tyrone Guthrie, Oliver Rea, and Peter Zeisler to create ... - Wikipedia
9 ratings
The Target Center is an arena, in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is sponsored by Target Corporation. The arena has a capacity of 20,500 people, it contains 702 club seats and 68 suites. The center is home to the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves ... - Wikipedia
The Museum of Russian Art (TMORA) is a museum in Minneapolis, Minnesota that houses a collection of Russian art from the 20th century, especially Soviet art. The Museum on Russian Art (TMORA) was incorporated as a 501(c)-3 non-profit corporation ... - Wikipedia
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
42 ratings
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA) is a fine art museum located in the Whittier neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota, on a campus that covers nearly 8 acres (32,000 m²), formerly Morrison Park. As a major, government-funded public museum ... - Wikipedia
9 ratings
The Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum is an art museum located on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis. A teaching museum for the university since 1934, the museum is named for Frederick R. Weisman, and was designed by the renowned ... - Wikipedia
35 ratings
The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is an 11 acre (45,000 m²) park in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the United States. It is located near the Walker Art Center, which operates it in coordination with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. It is one ... - Wikipedia
Google Maps for Bike and Walking Routes:
Google Maps can be used for mass transit, biking, or walking directions. They are especially helpful when used with other websites or maps along with pegman and street view.
In the example shown here, there were three possible bike routes along with mass transit options. I selected the second bike option because I liked that a large portion was in parkland. Note: Google Maps states that bike routes are in beta form and should be checked for safety. You can use other bike maps as well as Pegman and Street View to help evaluate possible routes. Sources of other maps are listed on ithe Walking and Biking page of this website.
Click on the image below to view a larger image of the screen capture.
Internal Navigation Links: