The skyway system in downtown Minneapolis is an intricate and interesting maze that connects many buildings together so people can cross the area away from the normal humdrum that can be seen on the streets along with creating its own culture.
It is completely unorthodox. The system is not a mall per say but includes all the stereotypes of what we see a mall needs: many smaller stores, restaurants, and large department stores like Target and Macys. Although, every now and then you will walk into a building that is "off limits." You enter the business friendly museum and baking system in the Wells Fargo tower. You suddenly feel as if you don't belong walking by offices and exhibits.
Then you walk across the street in one of the fourth floor sky tunnels and you are back to normal buzz. There's this odd mix of people who are treating the skyways as a shopping area and slowly roam around and people who use it as just a walkway and quickly go to where they need to be.
Its this environment where its not a mall but is. On one had the skyway connects large malls and stores in different buildings together without making people use the street, but it also more. There are stores that are only accessible through the skyways. Stores that rely on people who actively go there to shop and not just trying to get form the convention center to the Target Center without having to deal with traffic.
I agree, the Skyway really is an intricate maze. There doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason to how it is set up- at least to me. There is that feeling of not belonging in that area- i felt very isolated and alienated in the Skyway.
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