Saint Paul, home to snoopy- or at least his creator, Charles M. Schulz, and F. Scott Fitzgerald, has quite a bit to offer to the local, tourist or passerby. Second largest city in Minnesota, losing to next door twin city, Minneapolis if abounds in rich history from railroad magnates to bootlegging gangsters to architectural wonders, there is a plethora of places to see, tours to be taken and stories to be learned. To help weed out the best of the best, and make the most of your time:
The Top 10 Best Tours of Saint Paul
There are walking tours, historical tours, guided tours, museum tours and more in Saint Paul. You could even do a tour to try and find all the unique Snoopy characters scattered throughout the city! The choices are endless but here is a list of the top 10 to help get you started.
Top 5 guided tours in Saint Paul
Historical Tour
Landmark Center
The Landmark Center was originally built as a Federal Court House and post office for the entire upper midwest. A beautiful space that is used for events of all kinds, including weddings and Irish dances. Learn about different gangster trials, like John Dillinger’s, most of which were held in Courtroom 317.
Location: 75 West Fifth Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102. Guided Tours: Thurs. at 11, Sun. at 12
James J. Hill House & Summit Avenue Walking Tour
Learn about railroad magnate, James J. Hill by touring his grandiose 36,000 sq. ft. home on Summit Avenue. Ornate woodwork, expansive hallways and fantastic stories make for a great tour. For something different, try the Hill House Holiday or the Victorian Ghost Stories tours. Curious about the history of the majestic Summit Avenue? Try the 1.5 mile walking tour that will show you area architecture and give you a glimpse into the original owners on “the hill”. Both tours begin at the James J. Hill house.
Location: 240 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55102 Guided Tours: Wed-Sat 10-3:30 Sun. 1-3:30
Fort Snelling
Driving south from Saint Paul on Highway 5 the rising walls of Fort Snelling greet your turnoff into the life in a Minnesota fort in the 1800s. The center point of many important pieces of Minnesota history, both exciting and horrific; from the fur trade to the Dakota internment during the war, to seeing Minnesota become the 32nd state! Take a self-guided tour using your cell phone or learn from character reenactments about the fort as you move through.
Location: 200 Tower Ave., St. Paul, MN 55111. Summer Hours: Tues-Sat 10-2, Sunday 12-5. Fall Hours: Sat 10-5.
Political & Architectural Tour
Minnesota State Capitol
Built by Cass Gilbert the Minnesota State Capitol building boasts the second largest self-supported marble dome in the world! 45-minute long tours are offered every hour and while free, they do request a $5 donation per person. If you get a chance to join a tour that is touring the dome and golden horses, do it. You won’t regret it.
Location: 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155. Guided Tours: Mon-Sat 10-2, Sun 1-3
Most Quirky Tour
Wabasha Caves Gangster Tour
Take a bus tour of Saint Paul to learn about some of the area’s most notorious gangsters. Led by costumed guides you’ll pass by gangster hideouts, hangouts and sites of their crimes. If gangsters aren’t your thing, but caves are then sign up for the Historic Cave Tour instead. You’ll probably still hear about some of the bootlegging, but you’ll get to see more of the caves that made it possible!
Location: 215 Wabasha St S, St Paul, MN 55107. Sign up for guided tours by using the Wabasha Caves calendar.
Top 5 Tours to do on your own
Beauty, History, Religion
St. Paul Cathedral
Overlooking all of St. Paul from its prominent position on Cathedral Hill the St. Paul Cathedral is the fourth tallest church in the USA. With a 186 foot high domed ceiling, stained glass windows, marble pillars and more the interior will take your breath away. Guided tours are available on weekdays at 1:00. Remember that this is a holy building that is still very much in use so please respect your surroundings and the people that may be visiting for reasons other than tourism.
Location: 239 Selby Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55102
For the Smarts
St. Paul George Latimer Central Library and James J. Hill Reference Library
The building, designed in the Italian Renaissance Style was built at the urging and after a large gift from James J. Hill himself. The reference library was Hill’s goal; According to the James J. Hill Center history “It was [Hill]’s dream that the Library would provide the answers to any questions “from the origins of art to the electric current, from the philosophies of the sages to soap.” Walk out one door and into the next to explore the central library. Three floors of books in the George Latimer Central Library; including a magazine and reference library, a computer room, a children’s area and many lovely nooks and crannies. The large marble staircase in the heart of the library is well worth the exercise. If you’re on the hunt for a specific book, ask one of the helpful librarians- chances are that if they don’t have it, another St. Paul library will and they can get it within a few days.
Location: 90 W 4th St Saint Paul 55102
Science Museum of Minnesota
Learn about what makes things work, the human body, watch a tornado form out of mist and so much more. Theconstantly changing array of special, moving exhibits, there is always something new to see at the Science Museum. Make a day of it and catch a film at the Omnitheater- no matter what is showing it is worth a viewing. You won’t be disappointed. Looking for an added bonus? Visit the Mississippi River Visitor Center, just off the lobby of the Science Museum, to learn all about the river.
Location: 120 W. Kellogg Blvd., Saint Paul, MN 55102
Skyway System
Like a good maze? Grab a map and walk the St. Paul skyway system, winding through the entire 5 miles. While open every day of the week, the skyway is much more exciting to explore during the business week. The skyway comes alive with little shops, restaurants and the hum of people going about their day. Explore it without getting lost for bonus points.
Color & Family Fun
Como Park Conservatory
Winter is the best time to explore the Como Park Conservatory. Freezing cold temperatures with the threat of snow in the air, while you explore the tropically humid environments of exotic flowers and wildlife. It will make any dreary day colorful and grand! Truthfully, any time of the year is a great time to visit: the Como Park zoo is always open to visitors- from lions to ostriches to giraffes and tortoises and lots of birds there is always something new and exciting to explore.
Location: 1225 Estabrook Drive, Saint Paul, MN 55103 Hours:(April–Sept) 10–6 (Oct–March) 10–4
