- For other places with the same name, see Saint Paul (disambiguation).
Saint Paul (or St. Paul) is the capital city and the second largest city of the US state of Minnesota. Along with the slightly larger Minneapolis it forms the urban core of the Twin Cities region, the third largest metropolis in the Midwest.
Saint Paul is in the Upper Midwest along the Mississippi River, just east and downstream of its sister city Minneapolis. Its location near the head of navigation on the Mississippi River led to its historical development as a transportation hub for freight from the west and to the east and south. The geologically recent Mississippi River is a prominent feature of the landscape, traversing the city from the upscale riverside homes in Highland Park to the undevelopable floodlands near the junction with the Minnesota River, through the historic downtown riverboat landings and railroad infrastructure, the Mississippi River is the defining feature of Saint Paul.
By public transit
Metro Transit, ☏ . Operator of the public transit system in the Twin Cities. Single-ride fares (including unlimited transfers for 2.5 hours) for local and limited-stop services (including the METRO Light Rail) are $2.50 during peak service hours (M-F 6AM-9AM and 3PM-6:30PM, excluding certain holidays) and $2 at all other times. For express services, the fares are $3.25 during peak hours and $2.50 during off-peak hours. Other fare options are described below.
- METRO Light Rail. The Green Line runs from downtown Saint Paul to downtown Minneapolis. The line starts at Union Depot and runs down 4th Street and Cedar Street, goes past the State Capitol, and then runs west down University Avenue through the Frogtown and Midway areas before reaching the city of Minneapolis. Trains run every 10 minutes during much of the day, with service being reduced to every 15 minutes later in the evening, and then just hourly during the overnight hours.
Unlimited ride passes are available in 1-day, 7-day, and 31-day formats. Stored value passes (pay-per-ride) are also available. Day passes are $6 and can be purchased online, at a Metro Transit Store, from a bus driver, or a ticket machine at any light rail station or A Line bus stop. 7-day ($24) and 31-day ($65-120) passes must be loaded on a Go-To card, which can be purchased online, at a Metro Transit Store, or participating Metro Transit sales outlets. Stored value passes can be loaded on a Go-To card in increments of $10 (up to $400). Once in possession of a Go-To card, reloading it with new unlimited ride passes or stored value is easy and can be done online, at Metro Transit stores and outlets, or at light rail ticket machines.
- 1 Minnesota Children's Museum, 10 W 7th St (between Wabasha and St Peter; Light rail: 10th St or Central), ☏ . M 9AM-4PM (Memorial Day to Labor Day), Tu-Th 9AM-4PM, F-Sa 9AM-8PM, Su 9AM-5PM. At Minnesota Children's Museum, kids will have a blast discovering an exciting, immersive world that arouses their curiosity, increases their understanding, and ignites an appreciation for learning. Each of the Museum's seven galleries is uniquely designed to provide a hands-on, stimulating environment for children six months to 10 years old. Roving "funstigators" engage kids in fun and interactive smart play as they blow bubbles, toss balls, play with finger puppets, and provide a variety of stimulating play experiences for children of all ages. $8.95, children under 1 are free. Free for everyone on the third Su of the month.
- 2 Minnesota Museum of American Art, 332 N Robert St (at 4th St, in the Pioneer Building; Light rail: Central), ☏ . Th-F 11AM-6PM, Sa-Su 10AM-4PM. The address above is for the MMAA Project Space, a small gallery in Lowertown with rotating exhibits; the MMAA also hosts temporary exhibitions at other venues around the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota. A more permanent location for the museum is in the works. The MMAA is committed to representing the great cultural, racial, socioeconomic and regional diversity of American art and artists – past, present, and emerging. Free.
- 3 Summit Avenue. Noted for its historic mansions. This neighborhood is also remarkable in its connection to the writer F. Scott Fitzgerald, who was born in Saint Paul.
- 4 James J. Hill House, 240 Summit Ave (between Nina and Selby, near the Saint Paul Cathedral; Bus: 21), ☏ . The house is open W-Sa 10AM-3:30PM, Su 1PM-3:30PM. The art gallery is open M-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su 1PM-4PM. Tour the 1891 mansion of the famous railroad tycoon. $10 adults, $8 seniors/students, $6 children 5-17, free for children under 5 years. If you just want to visit the art gallery, admission is only $2.
- Grand Avenue. Runs parallel to Summit one block to the south. Noted for its multitudes of shops, although chain stores are increasing their presence at an alarming rate.
- 5 Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd (near University between Park and Cedar; Light rail: Capitol/Rice St; Bus: 3, 62, 67), ☏ , ✉ firstname.lastname@example.org. M-F 8:30AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-3PM, Su 1PM-4PM (guided tours M-Sa 10AM-2PM, Su 1PM-3PM; groups of ten or more need to reserve tours two weeks in advance). The headquarters of the Minnesota state government, completed in 1905 (construction started in 1896). This is the third building to serve as the state capitol—the first two are no longer standing—and it features the second-largest unsupported marble dome in the world, only bested by the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, which the Minnesota Capitol dome was partially modeled on. General tours are free.
- 6 Como Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Dr (between Midway and Lexington Pkwys; Bus: 3A, 83), ☏ . Oct-Mar 10AM-4PM daily, Apr-Sep 10AM-6PM daily. The zoo may occasionally close earlier. Como Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory are free, but the zoo asks that visitors consider making a voluntary donation of $2 for an adult and $1 for a child.
- 7 Wabasha Street Caves, 215 S Wabasha St (south of Plato Blvd; Bus: 62), ☏ . Cave tours start at Th 5PM, Sa-Su 11AM; they take 45 minutes. Special tours start at other times. Tour these sandstone caves, which had been home to gangsters and speakeasies in the 1920s. $6 adults and free for children 5 and under for the basic cave tour. Special tours cost extra.
- 8 Landmark Center, 75 W 5th St (between Market and Washington, across from Rice Park; Light rail: Central), ☏ . M-W 8AM-5PM, Th 8AM-8PM, F 8AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Built as a post office and a federal courthouse, this historical building now houses galleries and exhibits.
- 9 Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 W Kellogg Blvd (at Washington), ☏ . Tu-W,Su 9:30AM-5PM, Th-Sa 9:30AM-9PM. The Science Museum overlooks the Mississippi River and has a permanent exhibit devoted to the river. The museum also has a dinosaur fossils gallery and an experiment gallery with various hands-on activities. The collections gallery includes several quack medical devices from the now-defunct Museum of Questionable Medical Devices. Museum admission $18.95 adults, $12.95 children (4-12) and seniors (65+); omnitheater admission $9.95 adults, $8.95 children (4-12) and seniors (65+); combined museum plus omnitheater tickets $24.95 adults, $18.95 children (4-12) and seniors (65+); free admission to museum and omnitheater for children 3 and under; student discounts (with ID) available Fridays after 5PM ($6 for museum or omnitheater or $12 for both).
- 10 Minnesota History Center, 345 W Kellogg Blvd (at John Ireland; Bus: 16, 21), ☏ . Tu 10AM-8PM, W-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM (also open M holidays 10AM-5PM. Library hours Tu 9AM-8PM, W-Sa 9AM-4PM). The state of Minnesota's main history museum, operated by the Minnesota Historical Society. Permanent and rotating exhibits on view. $12 adults, $10 seniors (65+)/college students/active military, $6 children (5-17), free for children 4 and under (free admission for everyone Tu 3PM-8PM).
- 11 Jackson Street Roundhouse, 193 Pennsylvania Ave E (between Jackson and Interstate 35E; Bus: 68, 71), ☏ . W 10AM-4PM, Sa 10AM-4PM. An old railroad roundhouse where historic locomotives and rolling stock come for restoration and maintenance. Also offers train rides.
- 12 Cathedral of Saint Paul, 239 Selby Ave (at Summit/John Ireland; Bus: 21), ☏ . Su-F 7AM-7PM, Sa 7AM-9PM. Serves as co-cathedral for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis along with the Basilica of Saint Mary.
- 13 Bell Museum, 2088 Larpenteur Ave W (at Cleveland; Bus: 61), ☏ . Tu-Su 10AM-5PM. Natural history museum with a collection of animal and plant specimens from around the world. Also hosts Minnesota's only planetarium. Museum gallery: $12 adults, $10 seniors (65+), $9 youth (3-21); Planetarium: $8 adults, $7 seniors (65+), $6 youth (3-21); combined ticket: $17 adults, $14 seniors (65+), $12 youth (3-21); children under 3 get free admission to the entire museum.
- The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, 408 Saint Peter St, ☏ .
- Wabasha Street Caves, 215 S Wabasha St, ☏ . Hosts a swing night every Thursday complete with big band and crowded dance floor. Every Thursday from 7PM-10PM, lessons begin at 6:15PM. $7 at the door, cash only.
- Saint Paul Winter Carnival, ☏ . Takes place in January. Events take place in Downtown and Como Park. Noted for the annual Ice Palace.
- [dead link] Grand Old Day, Grand Avenue. Takes place along Grand Avenue on the first Sunday in June. Free parking is available at the University of St. Thomas north and south lots located on Summit and Cretin or Grand and Cretin. Free shuttle buses are available to event visitors.
- 1 Irish Fair of Minnesota (Harriet Island, Cross over Wabasha Street bridge and you’ll see the park on your right), ✉ email@example.com. Takes place in August at Harriet Island, just south of Downtown.
- 2 Minnesota State Fair, ☏ . Takes place from mid-August through Labor Day and is one of the largest state fairs in the US. The main entrance to the State Fairgrounds is located at 1265 Snelling Avenue N, but you will first have to drive to one of the lots outside of the fairgrounds. As an alternative, you could take a bus. Metro Transit routes 3 and 84 stop near the fairgrounds. They also operate shuttles during the fair that offer non-stop service to the fairgrounds from various park-and-ride lots throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area. $9 adults (13-64), $8 seniors (65 & over) and children (5-12), free for children under 5. Parking costs $9.
- Minnesota Swarm, The team plays on Treasure Island Field at Xcel Energy Center, 175 Kellogg Blvd W. The Minnesota Swarm is a box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League.
- Minnesota Wild, Xcel Energy Center, 175 Kellogg Blvd W. The Minnesota Wild are Minnesota's National Hockey League team.
- Saint Paul Saints Baseball, CHS Field, 360 N Broadway St. The St. Paul Saints are a professional baseball team and a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.
- Minnesota United FC, Allianz Field, 400 Snelling Ave N. Minnesota United FC is Minnesota'a Major League Soccer team, and are members of the Western Conference. They play at the new Allianz Field in the Midway area of St. Paul.
- 3 Grandview Theater, 1830 Grand Ave (at Fairview; Bus: 63), ☏ . Two-screen cinema. Evening shows $8.50 adults, $6.50 children (11 and under) and seniors (60+). Matinées $6.50 for everyone.
- 4 Highland Theater, 760 Cleveland Ave S (between Ford and Pinehurst; Bus: A Line, 23, 46, 70, 74, 84, 87), ☏ . Two-screen cinema. Evening shows $8.50 adults, $6.50 children (11 and under) and seniors (60+). Matinées $6.50 for everyone.
- Macalester College.
- University of St. Thomas.
- Hamline University.
- St. Catherine University.
- Concordia University.
- 1 Cheapo, 71 Snelling Ave N (between Ashland and Portland, one block north of Summit; Bus: A Line (at Grand), 84), ☏ . 10AM-10PM daily. Warehouse of used CDs and records.
- 2 Eclipse Records, 381 N Wabasha St (between 5th and 6th Sts; Light rail: Central), ☏ . M-Sa 11AM-7PM. Independent record store.
- 3 First Grand Avenue Liquors, 918 Grand Ave (at Milton, one block west of Victoria; Bus: 63), ☏ . M-Th 9AM-8PM, F-Sa 9AM-10PM. Small family-owned liquor store that has a walk in cooler, tons of great micro/indie brews, over 80 types of scotch, and an excellent wine selection. Good deals as well as hard-to-find liqueurs.
- 4 Half Price Books, 2041 Ford Pkwy (at Cleveland; Bus: A Line, 23, 46, 70, 74, 84, 87), ☏ . M-Sa 9AM-9PM, Su 10AM-8PM. Books, DVDs, CDs, LPs, and collectibles at half price or less.
- 5 Next Chapter Booksellers, 38 Snelling Ave S (at Grand; Bus: A Line, 63, 84), ☏ . M-Sa 9AM-8PM, Su 10AM-8PM. Independent bookstore.
- 6 St. Paul Farmers' Market, 290 E 5th St (between Wall and Broadway; Light rail: Union Depot), ☏ . May-Nov: Sa 6AM-1PM, Su 8AM-1PM; Dec-Apr: Sa 9AM-1PM. This farmers' market occupies one city block in Lowertown, and all the produce for sale here is grown within 50 miles of the Twin Cities.
- 1 Babani's Kurdish Restaurant, 32 E Fillmore Ave (at Wabasha; Bus: 62, 75), ☏ , ✉ email@example.com. M-F 11AM-2:30PM and 5PM-9PM, Sa 4PM-9PM. The first Kurdish restaurant in the US.
- 2 Black Sea Restaurant, 737 Snelling Ave N (between Minnehaha and Englewood; Bus: A Line, 67, 84), ☏ . M-Sa 11AM-9PM. Cheap Turkish food. It's about one block south of nearby Hamline University. $6-11.
- 3 Cafe Latte, 850 Grand Ave (at Victoria; Bus: 63), ☏ . Su-Th 9AM-10PM, F-Sa 9AM-11PM. Cafeteria-style restaurant with a great selection of soups, salads, and sandwiches. Don't leave without trying one of their decadent desserts, especially the turtle cake.
- 5 Fasika Restaurant, 510 Snelling Ave N (at Sherburne; Light rail: Snelling Ave; Bus: A Line, 16, 21, 84), ☏ . 11AM-midnight daily. This is an Ethiopian wonder. You can get spicy lentil or lamb dishes served without utensils on top of a very edible sponge bread. A sure destination for an adventurous, spice-friendly diner. $6-11.
- 6 Great Waters Brewery, 426 St Peter St (at 7th Pl, inside the Hamm Building; Light rail: Central or 10th St), ☏ . Casual dining and hand-crafted beers in the heart of downtown.
- 7 Green Mill, 57 Hamline Ave S (at Grand; Bus: 63), ☏ . M-Sa 11AM-1AM, Su 11AM-midnight. There are many locations of this pizzeria chain in the Twin Cities as well as some throughout Minnesota and surrounding states, but it all started here. Order your deep-dish Il Primo with the Walleye Strips and a pitcher of fresh beer right when you sit down because the pizza takes more than 30 minutes to cook. Family-friendly. $7-17.
- 8 Khyber Pass, 1571 Grand Ave (at Snelling; Bus: A Line, 63, 84), ☏ . M-Th 11AM-2PM and 5PM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-2PM and 5PM-10PM. Afghani cuisine.
- 9 The Nook, 492 Hamline Ave S (at Randolph; Bus: 74), ☏ . Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM. One of the Twin Cities' favorite burger joints.
- 10 On's Thai Kitchen, 1613 University Ave W (between Snelling and Fry; Light rail: Snelling Ave; Bus: A Line, 16, 21, 84), ☏ . M-Sa 9AM-9PM. Cited by many as their favorite Thai restaurant in the state. $7-15.
- 11 Pizza Lucé, 1183 Selby Ave (between Griggs and Dunlap; Bus: 21, 83), ☏ . 11AM-1AM daily. The famed Minneapolis pizza mini-chain has now come to the capital city. This location boasts an authentic St. Paul neighborhood atmosphere with local color and a friendly staff.
- 12 Saigon, 704 University Ave W (between Grotto and St Albans; Light rail: Dale St; Bus: 16, 65), ☏ . Tu-Sa 10AM-8PM, Su 10AM-7PM. Best Vietnamese food in the Twin Cities, among the best pho and banh mi you'll find outside Vietnam. A favorite destination not just for locals but for Food Network hosts and more. Quick, cheap, and delicious. $5-10; $3 for banh mi (sandwiches).
- 13 W. A. Frost & Company, 374 Selby Ave (at Western; Bus: 21), ☏ , fax: , ✉ firstname.lastname@example.org. Lunch: M-F 11AM-1:30PM; brunch: Sa-Su 10:30AM-2PM, dinner: 5PM-10PM daily. Historic restaurant blocks from the St. Paul Cathedral. Outstanding patio for summertime enjoyment. Award-winning wine list.
- 1 Amsterdam Bar and Hall, 6 W 6th St (at Wabasha; Light rail: Central), ☏ . 11AM-2AM daily. Bar and music venue in downtown.
- 2 Barrio, 235 E 6th St (at Wacouta, near the north side of Mears Park; Light rail: Union Depot), ☏ . Tequila bar that also offers Mexican bar food.
- 3 Big V's, 1567 University Ave W (at Snelling; Light rail: Snelling Ave; Bus: A Line, 16, 21, 84), ☏ . Su-F noon-2AM, Sa 2PM-2AM. Big V's is a dive bar in the Midway with occasional live music.
- 4 Bin, 400 Sibley St (at 6th St; Light rail: Union Depot), ☏ . Tu-Sa 3PM-2AM. A newly opened wine bar in Lowertown offering wine by the taste, glass, or bottle. They also offer wine flights and light appetizers.
- 5 The Bulldog, 237 E 6th St (at Wacouta, near the north side of Mears Park; Light rail: Union Depot), ☏ . 11AM-2AM daily. The Bulldog offers over 100 kinds of beer and an assortment of food options, including vegetarian entrees. Also features shuffleboard, darts, and a shuttle to the Xcel Center on game nights.
- 6 Summit Brewing Tap Room, 910 Montreal Circle (turn right from Montreal Ave, left from Montreal Way; Bus: 83), ☏ , ✉ email@example.com. Th 4PM-8PM, F 4PM-10PM, Sa noon-10PM. Taproom attached to Summit Brewing, serving a rotating schedule of beers from the brewery; there are often food carts outside. The brewery also runs tours during the day, with sampling after the tour (for visitors over 21).
- 7 Turf Club, 1601 University Ave W (at Snelling; Light rail: Snelling Ave; Bus: A Line, 16, 21, 84), ☏ . 5PM-2AM daily. The Turf is one of the better venues in the Twin Cities to see local bands, and sometimes the occasional touring band. Cover charges on live music nights are usually between $5-10.
- 8 Urban Growler, 2325 Endicott St (at Hersey; Light rail: Raymond; Bus: 87), ☏ . Tu-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 11AM-8PM. Woman-owned microbrewery and taproom. Also sells growlers.
- 1 Motel 6, 1739 Old Hudson Rd (at White Bear, off of I-94 exit 245; Bus: 63), ☏ , toll-free: . Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Free wireless internet, fitness center, and coin-operated laundry. $48+.
- 2 Best Western Bandana Square, 1010 Bandana Blvd W (at Energy Park Dr, midway between Snelling and Lexington; Bus: 3B), ☏ , fax: . Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. $100+.
- 3 DoubleTree by Hilton, 411 Minnesota St (at 6th St; Light rail: Central), ☏ , fax: . The DoubleTree hotel offers 8,000 square feet of flexible meeting space.
- 4 Embassy Suites St. Paul Downtown, 175 E 10th St (at Jackson; Light rail: 10th St), ☏ . Complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast in an open air atrium. Indoor pool, fitness center and whirlpool. Onsite American restaurant: Woolley's & Cork's Pub.
- 5 Holiday Inn Downtown, 175 W 7th St (at Kellogg; Bus: 21, 54, 61, 63, 64, 70, 74), ☏ , toll-free: . Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon.
- 6 DoubleTree by Hilton St. Paul East, 2201 Burns Ave (at McKnight, off of I-94 exit 246B; Bus: 63), ☏ .
- 7 Hyatt Place St. Paul/Downtown, 180 E Kellogg Blvd (between Jackson and Sibley; Light rail: Union Depot), ☏ . Check-out: noon. 149 spacious guestrooms in Lowertown. The hotel has been transformed from the restored Custom House, built 1933 and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- SpringHill Suites by Marriott St. Paul Downtown (SpringHill Suites St. Paul Downtown), 472 Jackson Street St. Paul, MN 55101, ☏ . Check-in: 3pm, check-out: 12pm.
- 8 InterContinental St. Paul Riverfront, 11 E Kellogg Blvd (between Wabasha and Cedar; Light rail: Central), ☏ .
- 9 Saint Paul Hotel, 350 Market St (at 5th St; Light rail: Central), ☏ , toll-free: .
- 10 Hotel 340, 340 Cedar St (at 4th St, inside the top three floors (10-12) of the St. Paul Athletic Club; Light rail: Central), ☏ .
Saint Paul and the eastern suburbs of the Twin Cities are in the 651 area code. From 651, it is not necessary to dial a 1 before the area code when calling numbers in the 612 (Minneapolis, Richfield, St. Anthony, the airport, and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus), 763 (northwest suburbs), or 952 (southwest suburbs) area codes.
There are no Internet cafes in Saint Paul. Most coffeehouses offer free wi-fi to paying customers, but very few will have Internet terminals.
- 1 St. Paul Public Library, 90 W 4th St (between Market and Washington), ☏ . M noon-8PM, Tu-Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM, Su 1PM-5PM. Unlimited free wi-fi if you have your own computer. The Internet workstations are free to access for two hours.
- Pioneer Press. Saint Paul's daily newspaper. $0.50 daily, $1 Sunday.
- Star Tribune. Daily newspaper based across the river in Minneapolis, but still available in Saint Paul and around the Twin Cities. $1 daily, $2 Sunday.