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Minnesota’s Storied City: A Self-Guided Tour of Downtown St. Paul

Minnesota’s Storied City: A Self-Guided Tour of Downtown St. Paul

Overview

Explore the rich history of St. Paul on this self-guided walking tour, starting at Rice Park in front of the Landmark Center, St. Paul's cultural hub. Stroll along the Mississippi River and uncover the city's early history, from the Dakota village of Kaposia to the Beaux Arts-style Union Depot. Walk through Lowertown to Mears Park, past modern architecture, and on to the Minnesota State Capitol. Along the way, hear stories of “Pig’s Eye” Parrant, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and St. Paul’s gangster past while discovering the city's rivalry with Minneapolis. This tour brings to life the characters, events, and landmarks that shaped the "Saintly City."

City: Minneapolis-Saint Paul

Wed 09 Apr

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $9.99

Make a reservation

Wed 09 Apr

Starting at $9.99

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it

Audio and written guide

The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere

Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour

Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start

Additional Info

Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The total tour duration is the walking time as you pass by attractions. It does not include optional time spent at any of the listed attractions
This route is not wheelchair accessible, but it is a very easy walk suitable for the ages listed. The accessibility selections are accurate.

What To Expect

Landmark Center

Pass by the Landmark Center, often called “St. Paul’s very own castle,” which once housed federal courts that handled notorious Prohibition-era gangster trials. Now a cultural hub, its Romanesque architecture stands as a testament to the city's rich history.

Rice Park

Stroll through Rice Park, a charming public space surrounded by historic landmarks and statues, including one of famed author F. Scott Fitzgerald. This park has been a gathering place for over a century, nestled in the heart of downtown St. Paul.

Union Depot

As you pass Union Depot, imagine the days when this Beaux Arts-style station buzzed with trains and travelers. Once the gateway to the city, today it's a beautifully restored hub for modern transit and a window into the past.

Mears Park

Walk through Mears Park, a green oasis in Lowertown surrounded by modern architecture and art installations. Its serene setting contrasts with its history as a center of industry in St. Paul’s past.

Fitzgerald Theater

As you pass the Fitzgerald Theater, the oldest theater in St. Paul, remember that it was originally known as the Sam S. Shubert Theater. It’s a fitting tribute to F. Scott Fitzgerald, one of the city’s most famous literary figures.

Minnesota State Capitol

Gaze upon the magnificent Minnesota State Capitol, designed by Cass Gilbert, and learn how the young architect won the competition to build it. This stunning building, with its gilded quadriga statue, is a symbol of the state’s political and architectural heritage.

CHS Field

Pass by CHS Field, a modern ballpark that is home to the St. Paul Saints baseball team. Its location in Lowertown ties into the neighborhood’s transformation from industrial hub to vibrant community space.

St. Paul Farmers Market

As you walk past the St. Paul Farmers' Market, consider its long history as a gathering place for local farmers and vendors. It reflects the city’s connection to the agricultural traditions of Minnesota.

Show 5 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (3)

Ann P

Jan 2025

This was very fun. We are from Boston so didn’t know much about St Paul. We got a nice review of the history, were entertained by the stories and enjoyed walking around the city. It took us about 1 1/4 hours as it said it would, but you could spend more time if you went into some of the buildings like the Landmark Center, library, train station and Capitol. We did go into the Capitol at the end but I wish we had gone into the others. We will be looking for more of these audio tours as we travel around.

maryeE6861XB

Dec 2024

We had a few hours to kill at our conference and this was a great way to get to know the city a little better. Very entertaining. Highly recommended.

MplsArts

Nov 2024

This was an amazing tour. So much history here that you would never know! I especially loved the parts about the St. Paul/Minneapolis rivalry, and about the city's gangsters.