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Saint Paul - capital of the state of Minnesota, United States; county seat of Ramsey County, Minnesota

Minnesota State Capitol 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.

Understand

Geography

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.

Climate

Winters in Saint Paul can be very cold, summer is often warm to hot and frequently humid, snowfall is common in the winter and thunderstorms with heavy rainfall occur during the spring, summer and autumn. If you are not fond of the cold, May-October would be the best time to visit Saint Paul. Downtown Saint Paul has a skyway system to allow you to escape the elements in bad weather, although it isn't nearly as extensive as the one in downtown Minneapolis.

Visitor information

Get in

By plane

  • Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (IATA: MSP) is just outside the southwest corner of the city. It is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and also a hub for local discount carrier Sun Country Airlines. Metro Transit provides bus service between the airport (at Terminal 1) and downtown Saint Paul on Route 54, which runs along West 7th Street. The bus comes by every 15 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays, every 20 minutes on Sundays, and the trip time from the airport to downtown is roughly 20 minutes. If your flight arrives at Terminal 2, take the light rail (free fare between terminals) one stop north to Terminal 1 and transfer to the bus. Taxi fare from the airport to downtown is around $31-38.

By train or bus

Union Depot

Union Depot 📍 is the hub for inter-city train and bus services in Saint Paul.

By car

Interstate 35E and Interstate 94 travel through Saint Paul. US 52 also is a freeway connecting Saint Paul to the southern suburbs.

Get around

By public transit

Metro Transit, +1 612 373-3333. 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.
  • Bus. Bus service in Saint Paul has improved, even if it doesn't quite match up to services in Minneapolis. The 54 runs fairly often between downtown Saint Paul and the airport via West 7th Street. The A Line runs frequently along Snelling Avenue and Ford Parkway. The A Line is also different from the other bus lines in town in that fares are paid before boarding the bus; each stop has a ticket machine (cash and credit cards accepted, no change given) and a Go-To card validator.

Pass options

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.

See

Cathedral of Saint Paul Landmark Center

  • Minnesota Children's Museum, 10 W 7th St (between Wabasha and St Peter; Light rail: 10th St or Central), 44.94778°, -93.096941°, +1 651 225-6001. 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
  • Minnesota Museum of American Art, 332 N Robert St (at 4th St, in the Pioneer Building; Light rail: Central), 44.947002°, -93.089972°, +1 651 797-4057. 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 2016-05-21
  • Summit Avenue, 44.9414°, -93.1466°. 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.
  • James J. Hill House, 240 Summit Ave (between Nina and Selby, near the Saint Paul Cathedral; Bus: 21), 44.945126°, -93.109024°, +1 651 297-2555. 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 2018-08-13
  • 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.
  • 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), 44.955202°, -93.102397°, +1 651 296-2881, statecapitol@mnhs.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
  • Como Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Dr (between Midway and Lexington Pkwys; Bus: 3A, 83), 44.981646°, -93.151094°, +1 651 487-8200. 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
  • Wabasha Street Caves, 215 S Wabasha St (south of Plato Blvd; Bus: 62), 44.935954°, -93.087003°, +1 651 224-1191. 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
  • Landmark Center, 75 W 5th St (between Market and Washington, across from Rice Park; Light rail: Central), 44.945578°, -93.097115°, +1 651 292-3233. 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.
  • Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 W Kellogg Blvd (at Washington), 44.942981°, -93.098483°, +1 651 221-9444. 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) 2018-02-01
  • Minnesota History Center, 345 W Kellogg Blvd (at John Ireland; Bus: 16, 21), 44.949854°, -93.105403°, +1 651 259-3000. 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) 2018-02-17
  • Jackson Street Roundhouse (Minnesota Transportation Museum), 193 Pennsylvania Ave E (between Jackson and Interstate 35E; Bus: 68, 71), 44.96239°, -93.095468°, +1 651 228-0263. 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.
  • Cathedral of Saint Paul, 239 Selby Ave (at Summit/John Ireland; Bus: 21), 44.946948°, -93.109272°, +1 651 228-1766. 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.
  • Bell Museum, 2088 Larpenteur Ave W (at Cleveland; Bus: 61), 44.991324°, -93.187768°, +1 612 626-9660. 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 2019-01-11

Do

Music and performing arts

Festivals

  • Saint Paul Winter Carnival, +1 651-223-7400. Takes place in January. Events take place in Downtown and Como Park. Noted for the annual Ice Palace. 2018-02-16
  • 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.
  • Irish Fair of Minnesota, 44.937929°, -93.096533°, info@irishfair.com. Takes place in August at Harriet Island, just south of Downtown.
  • Minnesota State Fair, 44.98115°, -93.17050°, +1 651 288-4400. 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

Sporting events

  • Minnesota Rollergirls, The Legendary Roy Wilkins Auditorium, 175 W. Kellogg Blvd., +1 612 296-4743, info@mnrollergirls.com. Season typically runs from September through April, but off-season bouts and events are common throughout the year. The Minnesota Rollergirls are a nationally ranked flat-track roller derby league and a member league of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). Ticket prices range from $13-$18; ages 9 and under are free with an adult (some areas require a free kids ticket for seating purposes). Tickets available at 14 local ticket outlets, online, and from the Roy Wilkins Box Office
  • 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.
  • St. Paul Saints, CHS Field, 360 N Broadway St. The St. Paul Saints are a Minor League Baseball team and the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.
  • 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.
  • St. Thomas Tommies. Representing the University of St. Thomas, the Tommies are in the midst of an unprecedented transition directly from the non-scholarship NCAA Division III to Division I. Most teams play in the Summit League, a conference consisting of regional institutions that doesn't operate a football league. UST plays football in the Pioneer Football League, a conference at the second level of college football, Division I FCS, consisting of schools that don't give football scholarships. The ice hockey teams play in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (men) and Western Collegiate Hockey Association (women). Most venues are on campus except for the hockey arena, located in the inner southern suburb of Mendota Heights.

Cinema

Learn

Private

Public

Buy

Eat

  • Babani's Kurdish Restaurant, 32 E Fillmore Ave (at Wabasha; Bus: 62, 75), 44.939375°, -93.088262°, +1 651 602-9964, contact@babanis.com. M-F 11AM-2:30PM and 5PM-9PM, Sa 4PM-9PM. The first Kurdish restaurant in the US. 2018-02-18
  • Black Sea Restaurant, 737 Snelling Ave N (between Minnehaha and Englewood; Bus: A Line, 67, 84), 44.963456°, -93.167319°, +1 651 917-8832. M-Sa 11AM-9PM. Cheap Turkish food. It's about one block south of nearby Hamline University. $6-11 2016-05-20
  • Cafe Latte, 850 Grand Ave (at Victoria; Bus: 63), 44.93972°, -93.136073°, +1 651 224-5687. 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.
  • El Burrito Mercado, 175 Cesar Chavez St (at State; Bus: 68), 44.92988°, -93.077543°, +1 651 227-2192. Cafeteria: 7AM-8PM daily. Restaurant: M 10AM-6:30PM, Tu-F 10AM-8PM, Sa Su 8AM-8PM. Mexican supermarket, deli, restaurant, and cafeteria on the West Side.
  • Fasika Restaurant, 510 Snelling Ave N (at Sherburne; Light rail: Snelling Ave; Bus: A Line, 16, 21, 84), 44.956479°, -93.166799°, +1 651 646-4747. 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
  • Green Mill, 57 Hamline Ave S (at Grand; Bus: 63), 44.939914°, -93.15705°, +1 651 698-0353. 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
  • The Nook, 492 Hamline Ave S (at Randolph; Bus: 74), 44.926581°, -93.15669°, +1 651 698-4347. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F,Sa 11AM-11PM. One of the Twin Cities' favorite burger joints.
  • On's Thai Kitchen, 1613 University Ave W (between Snelling and Fry; Light rail: Snelling Ave; Bus: A Line, 16, 21, 84), 44.955906°, -93.168464°, +1 651 644-1444. M-Sa 9AM-9PM. Cited by many as their favorite Thai restaurant in the state. $7-15
  • Pizza Lucé, 1183 Selby Ave (between Griggs and Dunlap; Bus: 21, 83), 44.9468°, -93.15025°, +1 651 288-0816. 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.
  • Saigon, 704 University Ave W (between Grotto and St Albans; Light rail: Dale St; Bus: 16, 65), 44.95549°, -93.130021°, +1 651 225-8751. 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)
  • W. A. Frost & Company, 374 Selby Ave (at Western; Bus: 21), 44.946495°, -93.115909°, +1 651 224-5715, wafrost@wafrost.com. 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.

Drink

Sleep

Budget

  • Motel 6, 1739 Old Hudson Rd (at White Bear, off of I-94 exit 245; Bus: 63), 44.952932°, -93.026788°, +1 651 771-5566. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Free wireless internet, fitness center, and coin-operated laundry. $48+ 2016-05-08

Mid-range

Splurge

Connect

Telephones

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.

Internet

There are no Internet cafes in Saint Paul. Most coffeehouses offer free wi-fi to paying customers, but very few will have Internet terminals.

Cope

Publications

  • 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.
  • Lavender. Free biweekly LGBT magazine.

Go next

Saint Paul

stpaul.gov
Postal code:55101–5517555101551055511155114551165511855119551225512455127551295513255135551395514355147551515515355156551595516255165551685517055173Date Time:Please wait...Timezone:America/ChicagoPopulation:311,527Coordinates:44.94, -93.09

Ramsey County

2nd-order administrative division

Minnesota

Primary administrative division

United States

usa.gov
Population:327.2 MDial code:+1Currency:Dollar (USD)Voltage:120 V, 240 V, 60 Hz
NEMA 14-30NEMA 14-50