30 Unique Things to Do in St. Paul, Minnesota Destination & Attraction

Here are some of the most famous things to do in St. Paul, Minnesota, these famous tourist destination & attraction that will help make your trips a magical experience. Saint Paul is Minneapolis's charming capital of historic value and is one-half of Minneapolis' beautiful Twin Cities. The region has around 300000 inhabitants and many of the city areas of Minnesota are close to it. This city blends city with relaxed atmosphere. This is an excellent day trip to Minneapolis.

Unique Things to Do in St. Paul Minnesota

Minneapolis' historic capitol is one half of Minneapolis' sprawling city center. Its population is about 300 000 and the entire city of Minneapolis just across its doorstep, making the city the perfect blend of the relaxed and metropolis. Its southern fringe is lined by the green / sometimes snow coloured river banks of the Mississippi River.In its center, the town has many cafes, restaurants and cutting-edge museums for visitors.

Tourist Attractions in St. Paul MN

Although often overlooked by nearby Minneapolis, the city of Minneapolis offers numerous attractions. Atop vast hilltop views from the Mississippi River, the historic neighborhoods have many cultural landmarks and world-class museum sites. The northern parts of Saint Paul have green and snow-covered banks of the river. It has numerous shops, restaurants and galleries. If you thought Saint Paul had no attractions and activities to do, you would be surprised by its architecture. Attraction is attained by statues as well as monuments at Capitol buildings.

Unique Places to visit in Minnesota

St. Paul, capital of Minnesota, sits on the eastern side of the Mississippi River and is home to over 300,000 people. It serves as a city of businesses and cultural attractions, containing dozens of museums, performance centres and historic sites. It also hosts the Minneapolis Wild in the National Hockey League. The Mississippi and its waters are a popular recreation area during the year. We suggest calling the attractions or restaurants for an appointment for current opening hours.

One of the best things to do in St. Paul MN

St. Paul and Minneapolis form Twin Cities together but St. Paul is capital and very different from Minneapolis. St. Paul's large buildings, constructed on terraced land above the Mississippi, have more of a traditional Frontier Town feel. The crown jewel of Saint Paul is St. Paul's Cathedral that overlooks the central business district and is a magnificent Golden Age mansion on Summit Avenue. St. Paul offers many historical tourist attractions including an impressive James J. Hill House - a restored Fort Snelling site and a living-stories farm.

01. Grand Avenue

Even if it runs parallel to the exclusive Summit, it would be distinctly different from Grand Avenue in any respect. Instead of massive houses, it hosts many of Minneapolis best dining establishments surrounded by fashionable boutiques and cozy cafes. Following 1890 electric street cars on the street were installed and dozens of stores were erected along the entire road.

While trams don't run anymore along the bustling avenue there is a beautiful Victorian-inspired street light that still stands. Besides the trendy bars there are numerous ethnic and cultural restaurants to suit everyone and the prices range greatly.

02. Landmark Center

This charming landmark centre certainly carries out its name by showing off a stunning architectural masterpiece. Former offices of different government organizations now include a variety of art & historic displays and tours that take guests through their equally impressive interiors. Instantly recognizable by its pretty pink ashlar interior, the romanesque revival building is a Post office, judicial building and custom home.

The 1902 completed structure is a tower and steep peaked roof which dominates the lively square below. The exterior features marble mahogany walls that wrap around a photo-worthy five-story courtyard.

03. Unravel American history at Fort Snelling

Fort Snelling's soaring spires still tower along its southern riverbanks, where both hamlets are linked. It was founded in early 1900s and played an influential role in the 1812 British colonial conflict and the powerful encampment helped to ensure American sovereignty over the trading routes between the north and south.

Later it served as training site for the United States during the Civil War and during WWII as a learning site for spies and troops traveling into the Pacific theatre. Today tourists can explore the rich history of the place, and their children love period costumes from their re-enactments.

04. Alexander Ramsay House

Alexander Ramsay House Alexander Ramsay (1815-1943) served as the first governor of Minnesota for three terms from 1854 to 1852. In 1872 Ramsay built his home in Irvine Park in Minneapolis. The house has survived and remains one of the finest preserved Victorian houses. The furnishings have been preserved.

During its development, this home was extremely well designed with hot and cold running water, gas lights and heating and air conditioning. After her death in 1964, Anita Ramsay, Alexanders last surviving granddaughter, sold their home to the Minnesota Historical Organization.

05. Take a tour of James J. Hill House

James J. Hill House on Summit Avenue next to StPaul Cathedral was designed by the founding partner for the Great Northern Railroad. It was completed in 1909 and consists of 26,000 square feet. The Gilded Age mansion has an expansive room with a reception space 100 feet long, a two-floor gallery with artwork and 13 bathrooms.

The visitor may take part in a guided tour, or visit the first floor galleries that show work by Minneapolis artists. Various events occur on the property every year from concerts and Easter Egg Hunts in the grounds. Address: 240 Summit Avenue, Minneapolis.

06. Gibbs Museum of Pioneer and Dakotah Life

The Gibbs Museum is situated on a farm which thrived throughout the early 1800's. The original farm house and barn are fully renovated, and are accessible by guided tour conducted by costumed historical interpreters. The rest of the site can still be explored free of charge and contains original constructed reproductions of typical buildings of time such as a log-and-sod house and a schoolhouse.

There is also an Dakota summer bark lodge and tioti (teepea) since Jill Gibbs had strong connections with natives after serving missionaries before marrying husband Herman.

07. Bring the kids to Minnesota Children's Museum

The Minnesota Children's Museum is fun and educational for younger children. For children, the playground is designed to encourage children and young adults to be safe while playing.During this visit, older siblings have the opportunity to explore the Museum's extensive exhibit collection.

Highlights include the Dinosaur Train, where children can take a turn as an engineer while learning dinosaur history and the 4-storey playground, where children play and climb. Your next adventure includes laser mazes, climbing walls with green screens or balancing challenges.

08. Cathedral of Saint Paul

The Cathedral of Saint Paul has a large Roman Catholic Church and is the co-Cathedra of Saint Paul Archdeiocese. It was built in 1915 in an impressive French Beaux Arts style and is a distinctive curved copper dome rising 186ft above the nave. Guests will enjoy the open plan interiors that provide uninterrupted views of the pulpit, as well as the altar.

The Cathedral has 3,000 seats and an impressive building of granite situated on a mountaintop overlooking downtown SaintPaul. Statues from these four evangelists hang from the corners of churches.

09. Enjoy all-American comfort food at Dixie's on Grand Avenue

Start the day with a delicious breakfast of cheeseburgers, bacon, Southern Fried chicken from Kentucky cinnamon rolls and cupcakes from Dixie's On Grand – an excellent eatery located in this part of the city. The treat does not end here. No sir: lunchtime means slack fried shrimp burgers flavored with the Louisiana Creole cuisine while dinnertime offers country steaks and cajun tastes all over town.

It also ensures a friendly interior and welcoming atmosphere from staff, while regular jazz and live musical nights add some flavour during holidays.

10. Fitzgerald Theater

F. Scott Fitzgerald's Fitzgerald Theater is a fictional theater named after the American author. The National Public Radio program A Prairie Home Companion is broadcast here. Before retiring in 2014, Garrison Keiller hosted a series of radio programs. Mandolin virtuoso Chris Thiles is now managing this show.

Its seating capacity is 1,000 and the elegant theatre looks like an opera house from the turn of the century. Throughout intermission, alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks and snacks can be ordered, and a selection of souvenirs may be purchased.

11. Minnesota State Capitol

The magnificent Minnesota Capitol is certainly an impressive sight. Since 1905 it was State Government Headquarters and is now engaged in tours that show you all about their history, art, and influential personalities. Design by the famous American architect Cass Gilbert this stunning building has an unusual Beaux Arts look and boasts sweeping domes reaching 220 metres in height.

The third state capitol took almost 10 years to complete because of sixty or so impressive paintings and murals decorating its facades and reception hall.

12. Minnesota History Center

For those who wish to learn more about Minnesota history, the Minnesota Historical Center is a must. It is a few kilometers west of downtown and features many galleries displaying artwork and other objects that the visitors can visit. The collection has over a million items which are housed on the front walls and on the roof and in 1992 it became one of its most significant collections of art.

The show covers a variety of topics, including the early settlement of the nation and indigenous peoples to coal mining and climate change.

13. See the Victorian Buildings on Summit Avenue

Summit Avenue houses the largest Victorian building collection in the US. It has 373 historic mansions that remain. Founded in the mid-19th century by the early 20th century, these were the home of St Pauls millionaire entrepreneurs and businesspeople who grew rich. From east to west, Summit Avenue begins with the city's most famous building, the Church of St. Paul.

This is a scale replica of the St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican and sits near the top of downtown. The trail starts at the mouth of the Mississippi River and runs for 4.5 miles.

14. Swing and speakeasy at the Wabasha Street Caves

The Wabasha Street Cave was first discovered by hopefuls prospecting the Minnesota hillsides in 1840. They explored the subteral depths at the south bank of the Mississippi River. There, the family fought the Volstead Act for decades, and it has now hosted the best jazz nights ever (tween nights and Saturday nights).

Local tours also offer walking tours around the complex which include reenactments of the scenes and period costumes. Oh yeah, there's some excellent coffee at Grumpy Steve's Coffee – serving some excellent Belgian waffles!

15. Relax and enjoy Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

Como Park Zoo remains one of the most famous attractions in the city, a few hundred feet from the Minnesota State Fair. The site is crowned by the stunning heights of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory - a beautiful Art Nouveau building of 1915 which houses a curious mix of bonsa trees & gardens.

The sprawling, manicured garden is a tad adorned by elegant bridges by the Norwegian theatre artist Henrik Ibsen, not to mention the fiberglass creation of the como Zoological Park containing sculptures including Don the Gorillas.

16. Explore the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area

The National Mississippi River and Water Park covers 72 miles of the Upper Mississippi River, which offers several trails. The park has a wide variety of attractions but the main information center is the Science Museum in Minneapolis. The park hosts many different species of plants and animals which visitors are able to enjoy both on land and water as well as at many accessible water access points.

17. Cathedral of St. Paul

Construction of the Classical Renaissance St. Paul's Cathedral modeled on St. Peter's Basilica started in 1906. The First Services took place at the end of 1915 and the interior took a further 30 years. The National Shrine for Paul was officially established by the Vatican in 2009, and serves as a holy shrine for a number of Catholics. The cathedral is capable of seating 3000 visitors and offers regular concerts throughout the year.

18. Discover wildlife and their unique habitats at the Minnesota Zoo

The Minnesota Zoo was established in 1978 and currently covers nearly 485 acres in the Apple Valley leafy district just a few miles from downtown. It is also famous for its abundance of wildlife, and for its pioneering classification of species by species. Visitors can see Wolvenine lynxes and racoons running through terrain that looks like Appalachia.

Afterwards there's Discovery Bay that displays the sea creatures like leopard sharks or sea dragons. Definitely an enjoyable day to have fun with everybody.

19. Joan's in the Park

Joan in Park Joan's In Park is a well-known St. Paul restaurant in the Highland Park District. They specialize in seasonal North America cuisine and pair the menu with a great wine list. The small, lively and attractive restaurant offers an extensive seafood assortment. It is usually meat.

20. Get musical at the Schubert Club Musical Instrument Museum

The Schubert Club Musical Instruments Museum offers many interesting musical instruments and other musically interesting things for any music lover or traveler. The institution also offers regular music learning workshops (great especially for young people); jazz piano lessons; jam sessions; international music appreciation events and music competitions. The exhibition also offers an insight into the legendary guitarist Arthur Ferris and an examination of Gamelan composition from Eastern Canada.

21. Taste coffee with an Irish twist at Claddagh Coffee

Claddagh Coffee was established in a small neighborhood a block from Highbridge Dog Park and on the banks the Mississippi River a few miles north. It was created as a result of local owner Mary Hogan-Bard and offers a wide selection of unusually unique dishes including Irish-cream-topped Claddock and the famous Lattes. A pretty decent tea is also available and carries a mix of famous salad dishes, bowl granola, breads with hummus and pita, and some baked cakes for the table. Good luck.

22. Visit the beautiful State Capitol buildings

In addition to being the capital of the Minneapolis–Saint-Paul metropolitan area, Saint Paul also has the State Capitol. Bring us this magnificent array of capitol buildings which mark the heart of the city. This domed building was constructed in neoclassical design and intricate baroque decorations in the nine-year period from 1896 until 1905 with completion. It is today an iconic, beautiful building on the streets of our town and has many memorials you cannot miss!

23. Izzy's Ice Cream

Izzys Ice Cream Izzys Ice Cream has been serving the St. Paul community since 2000. The family-owned coffee house has a high reputation and is regularly featured on The Food Network. Izzy’s is a café with a conscience, powered by solar panels.

The café has the typical favorites and has its own signature ice cream - basil cream buttermilk ricotta ginger eggnog. For kids you can choose varying flavors including cotton candy, marshmallow, dinosaur egg & Spongebob.

24. Wonder at the beauty of the Cathedral of Saint Paul

The church sits high in the mountains overlooking Saint Paul's bustling city centre and visitors can enjoy the magnificent church. The fourth-tallest of its kind in the country, the building has a distinctive copper dome and spire, was constructed in the early years of the 1900s and was designated as an official shrine to the apostle Paul in the United States (an official fact verified by the CIA). Architecturally speaking, it has a wonderful character.

25. Victorian houses on Summit Avenue

If you want to find more appealing architecture, then take a walk along Summit Avenue. Old, wealthy neighborhoods are known for their huge Victorian homes and buildings, one can never walk without another beautiful building. The long historic street begins just east of downtown and ends at the Mississippi River about 4 km.

Several large homes are on show along the route. Amongst the popular are Italianate and Queen Anne style houses dotted throughout.

26. Learn about dinosaurs and electricity alike at the Science Museum of Minnesota

The Science Museum of Minnesota is located inside a huge complex spread across several floors along the northern banks of Mississippi right in the middle of this quarter of Minneapolis. The exhibition has a large number of interesting science-specific activities, while the special focus is on evolution, palaeontology, and the Minnesota Natural History. It has a huge variety of travel shows to enjoy, from Viking eras up to the Egyptian Mummies!

27. Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

Como Park zoological and conservatory form a huge complex located along Lake Como and includes an amusement park, golf course, a swimming pool, and a playground. The Minneapolis Zoo is Minneapolis's oldest zoo. In its initial year it hosted three deer. In fact, the zoo is home to numerous animals including birds and many species of mammals, including lemurs and orangutans.

28. Learn state history at the Minnesota History Center

Located in the heart of St. Paul the state history museum is just a few steps from the Minnesota Capitol. Boasting nearly 4,500 square meters of museum space, it chronicles everything from the presence of the Hmong tribe in Minnesota to the battles of the Dakota War. This location also contains the huge book collection of the Minnesota Historical Center library; open to the public for information purposes.

29. Visit Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

It was built in 1915 and houses many different animals from all over the world including big cats like leopards and lions. The zoo has a host of water-loving species such as a sea lion and a penguin, and tropical creatures such as anacondes, and the Galapago. One of the more popular attractions for children at Como Park Zoo are the Giraffes feeding stations.

30. Xcel Energy Center

Rather than history, art and architecture it is a great place to go to see a variety of sports and interesting events. A large downtown arena allows you to watch NHL Wild play their intense, fast-paced games. It was built in 2000 on a site previously abandoned by St. Paul Civic Center.

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