The city known as Saint Paul was formerly called Pig's Eye or Pig's Eye Landing and
was known to be a haven for gangsters from other Midwestern cities in the early 1900s. However,
popularly called “The Saintly city”, Saint Paul has become a thriving hub
of historic interest, cultural landmarks, ethnic heritage, and time-honored traditions.
The city has a variety of opportunities for entertainment and excitement,
from recreation centers to museums, aquatic centers, beautiful parks,
and awe-inspiring buildings. The Saintly city is not short on attractions.
Have you been thinking about places to visit in Saint Paul but have no idea where to go? We’ve
got you covered. Keep watching to discover some of the best things to do in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Como Park, Zoo, and Conservatory
Como Park is one of Saint Paul's best attractions; seeing as how it is home to a zoo,
a conservatory, an amusement park, a carousel, Lake Como, a golf course,
a pool, and more. There's absolutely no shortage of entertainment here waiting for you to discover.
One of its major attractions among all of those we just listed is the Como Conservatory.
The conservatory is simply exquisite. It has been the home to exotic flowers and plants for decades
and is a staple in the community. It has two acres under glass with roughly 50,000 plants
from 1,684 separate species, including orchids, bonsai trees, ferns, and seasonal flowers.
The conservatory manages nine gardens – six indoors and three outdoors – each
one simply magnificent. Its Japanese and sunken Gardens are especially attractive.
Also known to be one of the few free zoos in the United States,
the Como Zoo is home to a wide range of animals from all over the world.
Here you will see up close and personal live Zebras, giraffes, orangutans, flamingos,
polar bears, mountain lions, sloths, seals, and sea lions, reindeer, arctic fox, Dall sheep,
to name a few. There's plenty to keep you entertained and leave you in awe.
The Como Park, Zoo, and Conservatory easily provide a day's worth of entertainment and
education that doesn't cost you anything. The array of options in this place makes
the experience even better; there's quite a lot going on in this 450-acre playland!
This is why it is one of the most beautiful and most important places to visit in Saint Paul,
and it’s no surprise that the park receives more than 1.9 million visitors annually.
Minnesota History Center
A visit to the Minnesota History Center is another activity that ranks high on our list of things to
do in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The History Center is an interactive museum with a beautiful collection
and an excellent genealogy library. The collection is fun and informative with both permanent and
temporary exhibits, which means there is always something new to see each time you visit. The
building itself is gorgeous, with incredible views of the state capitol and downtown St. Paul.
It is a must-see if you are interested in the history of the state of Minnesota.
If you're looking for a more in-depth search,
there is also an extensive library where just about anything about the state is available.
The building is home to the Gale Family Library and archives, a research destination
for schoolchildren, family historians, and academics. The Minnesota History Center hosts
a couple of special events throughout the year, including concerts, lectures, and family days.
There are other great museums in Saint Paul like the Science Museum of Minnesota,
Historic Fort Snelling, Bell Museum, but for an insight into Minnesota life and history,
this museum can't be beaten.
Cathedral of Saint Paul
The Cathedral of Saint Paul is a famous church and tourist site for many reasons. It is one of the
grandest churches in the United States, the city’s highest point, the third-largest Catholic Church
in the United States, and the fourth tallest. The strategic positioning of the cathedral at the top
of a hill overlooking the city ensures that it is visible from all over town.
This Classical Renaissance-style Cathedral dating back to 1915 features a splendid
interior of six chapels, imported marble columns, giant statues of four evangelists, and beautiful
rose windows. Not only is the Cathedral itself impressive, but it also holds a great view over
the State Capitol and Downtown Saint Paul, making it a spot with a remarkable view.
The exterior of the Church is a showpiece in itself, but the interior is another level. The
gorgeous ceilings, stained glass, statues, and details behind the design choices are astounding.
The Cathedral has 12 beautifully carved doors that serve as entrances into the building.
Once you walk in, you are immediately struck by a 186 feet tall and 76 feet dome tower. The dome
is not only awe-inspiring but was designed to give everyone a clear view of the pulpit.
If you are interested in architecture, historic preservation, and religious luxury,
you will certainly enjoy a visit to the Cathedral. It is one of just four
great cathedrals in the U.S., a true architectural masterpiece.
Landmark Center
St. Paul's historic Landmark Center, one of many gorgeous buildings in Saint Paul,
was completed in 1902, originally served as the United States Courthouse,
Post Office, and Custom House for Minnesota.
This Romanesque building in downtown Saint Paul was where famous gangsters John Dillinger and
gang were prosecuted, U.S. Supreme Court Justices practiced, and the act that enforced Prohibition
was drafted. Today, it’s a free and vibrant arts and cultural center with gorgeous architecture.
It's a beautiful place, with a design that makes it look like a castle out of fairy tales,
a landmark in more than just name - which has been used in many different ways. Landmark Center acts
as a cultural center for music, theater, dance, exhibitions, public forums, and private events.
Asides from the beautiful building itself, Onsite attractions include Anita's Cafe,
Landmarket Gift Shop, the AAW Gallery of Wood Art, the Schubert Club Museum,
and ongoing exhibits by the Ramsey County Historical Society. Thanks to their exciting
collections, these side attractions add more appeal to the landmark center.
The beauty and amount of history that this
building holds make visiting one of our top things in Saint Paul.
If you love history, then you’ll definitely geek out over the Landmark Center.
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Summit Avenue
Summit Avenue is an old, elegant, wealthy St. Paul neighborhood featuring Victorian mansions.
The iconic 4.5-mile street is a throwback to the gilded age when industrial tycoons were the
richest in America. Summit Avenue has the longest line of Victorian-era homes in the United States.
The James J. Hill House, once the largest private residence in Minnesota,
will kick off your tour of the avenue. It was completed in 1891 and has been designated a
National Historic Landmark. This impressive home boasts five floors with 22 fireplaces,
16 chandeliers, and 13 bathrooms. A real architectural masterpiece.
The biggest highlights on Summit Avenue are the James J. Hill House, the Victorian Alexander
Ramsey House, which is now a treasured museum, the Cathedral of Saint Paul, the Minnesota
Historical center, and the F. Scott Fitzgerald home, another National Historic Landmark where
the famous author lived and completed his first iconic novel, "This Side of Paradise" decades ago.
The houses are well preserved and maintained beautifully. You can go
for a casual stroll or take an architectural guided walk. Either way, it is delightful.
This avenue is full of unique houses and mansions. Get ready to be blown away
by the seemingly indefinite number of historic homes mixed with some more modern homes.
CHS Field
If you're a sports fan, there's also something for you in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The CHS
Field, home to the St. Paul Saints and Hamline University Pipers Baseball teams,
is a 7,210 seat ballpark located in Lower town Saint Paul.
Like most stadiums and arenas, the field hosts various concerts and festival events.
The stadium is terrific, with no bad seats in the house.
It also has a baseball museum worth visiting if you're curious about baseball history.
One of the most attractive highlights of the park,
besides the idea of watching a game outside on a lovely, is the wide variety of excellent
food and drinks and side things to do. It's the great American game experience.
CHS Field is an excellent addition to the riverfront in St
Paul. The stadium is well-designed, every view of the field is incredible,
plus you get to watch a live baseball game which is always
a treat. It’s certainly worth a spot on our list of things to do in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Minnesota State Capitol
The Minnesota State Capitol is home to the government for the U.S. state of Minnesota,
in its capital city of Saint Paul. It houses the Minnesota Senate, Minnesota House of
Representatives, the office of the Attorney General, and the office of the Governor.
The Minnesota state capitol is an architectural marvel designed by influential architect Cass
Gilbert. It's said to be one of the most beautiful state capitols in the United States.
From its grand stairs to its historic legislative chambers to the public works
of art surrounding the building to the dome, which is the second-largest self-supported
marble dome in the world, there's always a sight to see at the State Capitol.
If you have an hour or so and an interest in beautiful architecture, it’s highly recommended
that you check out the Capitol.
What do you think about the video? Did we miss any of your favorite spots in Saint Paul? What did you
find most interesting from our list? You can let us know all of this in the comment section below.
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