HotelTonight – Delano Hotels
I've been traveling to Minneapolis/St. Paul for years, and I've always enjoyed my time in the Twin Cities. I go often because my job takes me there at least 10 or 12 times per year. As such, I've gotten to know the Twin Cities and even quite a few of the immediate surrounding neighborhoods quite well. I always enjoy taking in a new neighborhood or local community, as to me that gives me a bit better idea of what it's like to actually live in a place. It's these communities that help make up what the metropolitan area is all about. On my last trip to Minneapolis, I suddenly found myself with 24 hours on my hands, as a lot of my meetings were canceled. The shuffling of the calendar gave me an opportunity to see another community, but I wanted to branch a bit farther out this time. I chose to spend my 24 hours in Delano, a place I had never been. I had to find my own lodging, but since I travel with HotelTonight that's never a problem. I knew I could book a Delano hotel room in seconds as soon as I needed one.
So Close, Yet So Far
Delano is only about 45 minutes by car from downtown Minneapolis, so it doesn't seem like you're going to be seeing anything all that different as you realize that. As soon as I got into Delano, though, I knew I was completely wrong. This is a community of roughly 5,000 people that are proud of where they live and where they are from. The downtown area of Delano is almost Rockwellian, with old buildings, brick facades and friendly faces everywhere. The people there were familiar with each other and extremely friendly towards me. It was a happy place.
The Orchard
I was in Delano in the fall, so I was mesmerized by the trees and the colorful leaves. I heard about an orchard near town that had been a mainstay in the community for years. I love apples, so I made my way out there to see it for myself. It's situated on a farm, and there's a lot more going on there than just apple trees. There are rides for the kids and shops for the adults. I didn't pick any apples that day, but I did stop and buy some treats for myself for later and for my family.
The Dining
After all that outdoor time, I was ready to head in for a hearty dinner. Someone told me about an Irish pub in town, so that was my choice for eats. I walked in, thought I was in a European pub with the wooden trim and classic pub tables, and ordered the shepherd's pie - it was delectable. You could tell they knew what they were doing. It was rich, creamy, hot and tasty. The ale I had with it provided the perfect complement.
HotelTonight – Delano, MN Hotels Just for You
I was full, tired and happy. I also needed a place to sleep. I opened my HotelTonight app and booked a hotel room in Delano, MN within a few swipes. It was just up the road, and I walked into my room and fell asleep almost instantly, happy that I had gotten to see this lovely place.
