St. Paul

Science Museum of Minnesota

Overlooking the Mississippi River in St. Paul, the Science Museum of Minnesota is a large regional science museum that uses a hands-on approach to science learning and entertainment. Founded in 1907, the museum features a variety of permanent and temporary collections and exhibitions, state-of-the-art research facilities, a public science education center and an Imax Convertible Dome Omnitheater. Five permanent galleries and an array of temporary exhibits cover the topics of physical science and technology, the human body, paleontology, and the peoples and cultures of the Mississippi River.

Popular collections and exhibitions at the museum include the interactive Experiment Gallery, an authentic Mississippi River towboat, an ancient Egyptian mummy, and a variety of interactive exhibits for all ages. The museum offers innovative and interactive science education programs for teachers and children, and provides ongoing research in a range of scientific fields.

120 W Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN 55102, Phone: 651-221-9444

Alexander Ramsay House

Alexander Ramsay (1815-1903) was the first governor of the state of Minnesota; his term lasted from 1849 to 1853. In 1872, Ramsay had a house built in the Irvine Park district of St. Paul. This house still stands and is one of the best preserved Victorian homes in the United States.

Many of the original furnishings are still intact. The house was very advanced for its time: it had hot and cold running water, gas lighting, and hot water radiators. Upon her death in 1964, Anita Ramsay, Alexander’s last surviving granddaughter, willed the house to the Minnesota Historical Society. One-hour tours are offered by docents in period costume; the servants in the kitchen often have children on the tour help them do kitchen chores and baking.

Alexander Ramsay House, 265 Exchange Street South, St. Paul, MN 55102 Phone: 651-296-8760

Bruce Vento Regional Trail

The Bruce Vento Regional Trail is an asphalt-paved rail trail that runs from White Bear Lake to the Bruce Vento Wildlife Sanctuary. Both the trail and the wildlife sanctuary are named for Bruce Vento, an ardent environmentalist and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Minnesota’s 4th District from 1977-2000.

The trail is mostly off-road, but it does go through some residential neighborhoods; it is scenic, with views of Lake Phalen, and a lovely ravine section in Swede Hollow. The trail is seven miles long and is open to hikers, cyclists, in-line skaters, and cross-country skiers. It is wheelchair accessible.

Cathedral of Saint Paul

The Cathedral of Saint Paul is one of the largest Roman Catholic cathedrals in the United States and is the Co-Cathedral for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Opened in 1915, the cathedral was built in the majestic French Beaux-Arts style of architecture, and its distinctive copper dome rises 186 feet above the nave.

The open plan interior allows everyone an unobstructed view of both the pulpit and the altar. The Cathedral is enormous with seating for 3,000 people and a magnificent building of granite sitting on a hilltop overlooking downtown Saint Paul. Statues of the four evangelists are placed in niches around the church. There is free parking across the street, and visitors are welcome to tour the cathedral at all times except Sunday mornings.

239 Selby Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55102, Phone: 651-228-1766

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory are part of a large complex on the shores of Lake Como that includes an amusement park, a golf course, a pool, and a carousel. The zoo is the oldest in Minnesota; it was opened in 1897, and in its first year it was home to three deer.

Now the zoo has extensive animal collections, including birds, a wide selection of primates such as lemurs, orangutans, and Western Lowland Gorillas, big cats such as lions, tigers, and snow leopards, as well as zoo favorites such as polar bears, wolves, giraffes, and zebras. The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is open to the public every day of the year and presents beautiful botanical items. It has a display of bonsai trees, a Japanese garden, a palm court with over 150 species of palm, an orchid house, and a greenhouse dedicated to ferns. There is no admission charge to either the zoo or the conservatory.

1225 Estabrook Street, St. Paul, MN 55103, Phone: 651-487-8201

Fitzgerald Theater

The Fitzgerald Theater was named for author F. Scott Fitzgerald, who was born in St. Paul and spent some of his formative years here. National Public Media’s live radio show A Prairie Home Companion is recorded here. Until his recent retirement, Garrison Keiller hosted the show.

Mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile has taken over the show capably since. The theater, which has a capacity of 1,000 people, is located in a beautiful building, and the elegant theater itself resembles a turn of the century opera house. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and movie-style snacks are available during intermission, and show souvenirs may be purchased after the show.

10 Exchange Street South, St. Paul, MN 55101, Phone: 651-290-1200

James J. Hill House

James J. Hill was a railroad magnate in the 19th century; he founded Great Northern Railroad. In 1891, he had a house built for himself, his wife, and their ten children, and he resided there until he died in 1916.

The Minnesota Historical Society now manages the house and gives tours to individuals, groups, and school students. The house has a commanding view of downtown St. Paul and the Mississippi River, and is ruggedly styled in stone. It is a massive house with intricately detailed woodwork inside, as well as all the latest conveniences of the time such as indoor plumbing, secret safes, and electric light. The house also has a pipe organ, which is regularly used to present chamber music concerts. Visiting the house is a fascinating way to learn about the lives of rich people and their servants during the Gilded Age.

James J. Hill House, 240 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55102, Phone: 651- 297-2555

Minnesota History Center

The Minnesota History Center consists of a museum and a library and is home to the Minnesota Historical Society. The eye-catching building with two L wings joining at a central dome was completed in 1992. There are both permanent and rotating exhibits, all of which are family friendly and designed to appeal to both children and adults.

There are always films being screened, and they add to the historical experience and provide an interesting form of education. The museum hosts dance performances, lectures, concerts, meetings, and weddings, and it has a nice café and gift shop.

345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55012, Phone: 651-296-6126