• How did St. Cloud get its name?
    • St. Cloud is named after the French city of the same name and serves as the county seat of Stearns County.
  • Where is St. Cloud located?
    • The city sits along the Mississippi and Sauk Rivers, offering scenic riverfront views.
  • What natural attractions can visitors explore in St. Cloud?
    • St. Cloud is home to more than 30 undeveloped river islands that are part of a 12-mile stretch of protected wild riverfront, making it a popular site for kayaking and canoeing.
  • How far is St. Cloud from Minneapolis?
    • Saint Cloud is a 1 hr 30 min trip from Minneapolis (68.5 miles via I-94 W).

Enjoy Mississippi River views from Munsinger and Clemens Gardens


Enjoy Mississippi River views from Munsinger and Clemens Gardens

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  • What are Munsinger and Clemens Gardens?
    • Munsinger and Clemens Gardens showcase St. Cloud’s historic 14-acre Munsinger Gardens, which date back to the 1930s and were constructed by the Works Progress Administration.
  • When were the gardens refurbished and expanded?
    • The gardens were refurbished in the 1980s and incorporated with the seven-acre Clemens Gardens in the 1990s.
  • Where are the gardens located?
    • They are located overlooking the Mississippi River and are a popular spot for nature lovers and photographers.
  • What are some notable features of the gardens?
    • The gardens are beloved for sites such as their Perennial Garden, featuring a replica of a pre-Civil War-era cast iron fountain, and their Virginia Clemens Rose Garden, which showcases more than 1,100 roses, including shrub and tree variants.
  • What amenities and events are available?
    • A gift shop sells a variety of nature-related and gardening items, and public special events include a Music in the Gardens concert series on Sundays.

Address: 1515 Riverside Dr SE, St Cloud, MN 56304, Phone: 320-257-5959

Walk around the nature park at Stearns History Museum

Walk around the nature park at Stearns History Museum

© Stearns History Museum

  • What is the Stearns History Museum?
    • Stearns History Museum is the flagship project of the Stearns County Historical Society, which preserves the history of the St. Cloud region and Stearns County and encourages visitors to discover their own place within its historical stories.
  • Where is the museum located?
    • The museum is part of an outdoor nature park that encompasses more than 80 acres, featuring walking trails, floral gardens, and a skateboard park.
  • What exhibits are featured at the museum?
    • Two floors of permanent exhibits are showcased, including:
      • Flowing Through Time - A retrospective on the region's history.
      • On Solid Ground - An examination of the region’s granite industry.
      • Profile of Alice Wheelock Whitney - A feature on a noted area figure.
  • Are there activities for children?
    • A children’s room features activities for visitors under the age of five.

Address: 235 South 33rd Avenue, St Cloud, MN 56301, Phone: 320-253-8424

Go for a morning jog on the Beaver Island Trail


Go for a morning jog on the Beaver Island Trail

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  • What is the Beaver Island Trail?
    • Beaver Island Trail spans a former route of a charter railroad belonging to the Minneapolis and Northwestern Railway Company, known as the Tileston Mill Spur, which connected the mill town of Tileston to Minneapolis and Clearwater.
  • What sections of the trail are open today?
    • Two large segments of the former railroad route are open as part of the trail today, including:
      • A five-mile stretch along the Mississippi River near St. Cloud State University.
      • A shorter segment that connects to the St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center.
  • Does the trail connect to other pathways?
    • Yes, the trail connects to the pedestrian River Walk, which offers direct downtown access.
  • What activities can be enjoyed on the trail?
    • The trail is a popular site for runners, bikers, inline skaters, and cross-country skiers during the winter months.
  • Are there scenic photo opportunities?
    • Yes, photo opportunities abound, especially in the fall when the trail’s trees are covered in spectacular autumn colors.

Address: Beaver Island Trail, St Cloud, MN 56301

Admire beautiful plants in Quarry Park and Nature Preserve


Admire beautiful plants in Quarry Park and Nature Preserve

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  • What is Quarry Park and Nature Preserve?
  • When is the park open?
    • The park is open to the public year-round from dawn to dusk.
  • What types of ecosystems and plant life can be found in the park?
    • The park showcases a wide variety of plant life throughout its prairie, woodland, wetland, and bedrock ecosystems. Some notable plant species include:
      • Oak and aspen trees
      • Indian paintbrush
      • Yellow ladyslippers
      • Prickly pear cacti
  • Are there swimming areas in the park?
    • Yes, two unsupervised quarries have been designated for swimming, with picnic areas and restrooms offered nearby.
  • Is scuba diving allowed in the park?
    • Yes, three quarries have been designated as scuba diving areas for certified divers.
  • What other recreational activities are available?
    • Rock climbing and cross-country skiing are permitted in designated areas throughout the park.

Address: 1802 Co Rd 137, Waite Park, MN 56387, Phone: 320-255-6172

On a rainy day go shopping at the Crossroads Center

On a rainy day go shopping at the Crossroads Center

© Crossroads Center

  • What is Crossroads Center?
    • Crossroads Center is Minnesota’s largest mall outside of the Minneapolis-St. Paul region, offering several big anchor stores.
  • What type of shopping experience does Crossroads Center offer?
    • The center serves as a major regional shopping and entertainment destination, featuring a variety of mall favorite clothing and accessory retailers.
  • What food options are available at the mall?
    • Food options include national chains such as:
      • Caribou Coffee
      • Chick-Fil-A
      • Sbarro
      • Subway
      Additionally, there are full-service restaurants serving burgers and more.
  • What amenities does Crossroads Center provide?
    • The mall offers a children’s play area, free wireless internet, and a nursing lounge.

Address: 4101 W Division St, St Cloud, MN 56301, Phone: 320-252-2856

Watch a game at Joe Faber Field


Watch a game at Joe Faber Field

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Joe Faber Field was constructed in 1998 as a part of the Municipal Athletic Complex and is the home today of the collegiate summer baseball team the St. Cloud Rox, a member of the Northwoods League. It offers seating capacity for more than 2,000 attendees, along with full-service concessions stands and several exclusive dining areas, including the all-you-can-eat-and-drink Sports Deck, which opens 60 minutes prior to each game. Private group seating is also offered at the stadium’s Your Home Improvement Company Lodge, Third Base Terrace, and Westside Liquor Wine Suite. Complimentary admission is available for children under four years with paying adult admission, and children under 14 are invited to run the bases following every Sunday home age. The stadium is also home to a number of annual public special events, including its annual hard cider CiderFest.

Address: 5001 Veterans Dr, St Cloud, MN 56303, Phone: 320-240-9798

See an exhibit at St. Cloud River's Edge Convention Center

See an exhibit at St. Cloud River's Edge Convention Center

© St. Cloud River's Edge Convention Center

St. Cloud River's Edge Convention Center was opened in 2014 and showcases more than 180,000 square feet of event space today, including a 16,000-square-foot ballroom and 60,000 square feet of exhibit space. The convention center is managed by the city’s government and showcases public exhibits such as its Natural Life on the Mississippi two-story feature wall, an artistic celebration of the region’s flora, fauna, and natural geography, and a number of arts cabinets presenting works by local artists. It also presents the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame Museum, which displays artifacts related to the state’s baseball history. The center is available for event rental for public and private special events and offers full event catering and liquor service.

Address: 10 4th Ave S, St Cloud, MN 56301, Phone: 320-255-7272

Watch a game at Ultimate Sports Bar and Grill


Watch a game at Ultimate Sports Bar and Grill

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  • What is the St. Cloud River's Edge Convention Center?
  • What are the key features of the convention center?
    • The center includes:
      • A 16,000-square-foot ballroom
      • 60,000 square feet of exhibit space
  • Who manages the convention center?
    • The convention center is managed by the city’s government.
  • What public exhibits can be found at the center?
    • Public exhibits include:
      • Natural Life on the Mississippi - A two-story feature wall celebrating the region’s flora, fauna, and natural geography.
      • A number of arts cabinets presenting works by local artists.
  • What museum is housed within the convention center?
    • The center presents the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame Museum, which displays artifacts related to the state’s baseball history.
  • Is the convention center available for event rental?
    • Yes, the center is available for public and private special events and offers full event catering and liquor service.

Address: 1101 Division St, Waite Park, MN 56387, Phone: 320-251-5580

See a play at Paramount Center for the Arts

See a play at Paramount Center for the Arts

© Paramount Center for the Arts

  • What is the Paramount Center for the Arts?
    • Paramount Center for the Arts is a community performing and visual arts center housed within the renovated historic Paramount Theatre in the city’s downtown district.
  • What types of performances are showcased at the theater?
    • A wide variety of regional and national touring concerts, theatrical performances, and stand-up comedy acts are showcased throughout the season.
    • The theater offers both individual and season tickets.
  • What exhibition spaces are available at the Paramount Center for the Arts?
    • Two public exhibition spaces feature annual art exhibitions:
      • Theater Lobby Gallery
      • Studio C gallery and meeting space
  • What is Gallery St. Germain?
    • An auxiliary exhibition space, Gallery St. Germain, focuses on Minnesota artists and is operated out of the downtown Regency Building. It is supported by a grant from the McKnight Foundation.
  • Does the center offer arts education?
    • Yes, as a community arts resource, the center offers a variety of public art courses and studio spaces for artists of all skill levels.

Address: 913 W St Germain St, St Cloud, MN 56301, Phone: 320-259-5463


Best Time to Visit Places to Stay Tips for Visiting
Spring (March-May) – Mild temperatures and blooming flowers. Courtyard by Marriott St. Cloud – A comfortable downtown stay with modern amenities. Visit Munsinger and Clemens Gardens – Stroll through beautiful gardens along the Mississippi River.
Summer (June-August) – Warm and ideal for outdoor adventures. Best Western Plus Kelly Inn – A riverfront hotel with easy access to parks and trails. Explore Quarry Park and Nature Preserve – Swim, hike, and explore scenic rock quarries.
Fall (September-November) – Crisp air, fall foliage, and seasonal festivals. Holiday Inn Express & Suites St. Cloud – A great stay for families and travelers. Take a scenic drive along the Mississippi River – Enjoy stunning fall colors and historic towns.
Winter (December-February) – Snowy and great for winter sports and holiday events. Homewood Suites by Hilton St. Cloud – A cozy and spacious extended-stay hotel. Go ice skating at Lake George – Enjoy winter fun in the heart of St. Cloud.

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