Location: Saint Paul
Top Things to do in Saint Paul
What to do and see in Saint Paul, Minnesota (MN): The Best Museums
Saint Paul has been called the last city of the East primarily because early developers built it to fit Eastern standards: city squares or parks, towers and turrets, lofty arches, Baroque domes and elaborate adornments abound. Ideal for families and those who like to explore on foot, the capital of Minnesota offers big city attractions with small town manageability. It's an easy and scenic stroll along the banks of the Mississippi River from the Children's Museum to the Science Museum. The kids (and the young at heart) will love them both. Nearby are the grandiose State Capitol, designed by esteemed architect Cass Gilbert and the historic Como Park, which includes lovely picnic areas, a zoo and a conservatory. Also in the mix are modern museums, stately old mansions, interesting natural wonders and unique shops to browse around. Be sure to check out the stellar collection of contemporary works by local artists at the Minnesota Museum of American Art. From four-star luxury to affordable and family-friendly, Saint Paul offers a variety of lodging and dining possibilities making it a great destination for all tastes and budgets.
Restaurants in Saint Paul
1. Minnesota History Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 601 reviews
An interactive museum with both permanent and changing exhibits, the Minnesota History Center hosts concerts, lectures, family days and other special events throughout the year. The building is also home to the Minnesota Historical Society library and archives, a research destination for schoolchildren, family historians and academics.
Reviewed By JoanieM620 - Grantsburg, United States
I spend 3 days doing research in the History Library. Their collection of materials is extensive and the staff is very helpful. They showed me how to use the microfilm reader and make copies from the digital copier. In the print materials room, it was easy to use the computer to find the materials I needed. The staff was quick in retrieving items from the archives that I wanted to read through. All-in-all, I had a very successful time doing research.
2. James J. Hill House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 497 reviews
Rugged stone, massive scale, fine detail and ingenious mechanical systems recall the powerful presence of James J. Hill, builder of the Great Northern Railway. Guides lead tours that help you imagine family and servant life in the Gilded Age mansion, the setting of the public and private lives of the Hill family. The James J. Hill House is a National Historic Landmark. The home also includes an art gallery, which features work from the Minnesota Historical Society's collections.
Reviewed By suebee220
I've been here three times and find it fascinating. It's my go to place when I have guests visiting from out of town. Not only is the house incredible, the tour provides historical information about the Hill family and the contributions James made. If you have time, make the short walk to the cathedral to check it out too.
3. American Association of Woodturners Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
4. Science Museum of Minnesota
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,112 reviews
The Science Museum of Minnesota is one of the state’s most popular museums, with a reach that extends well beyond its riverfront location in downtown Saint Paul. In addition to its beloved visitor place, which serves hundreds of thousands of people each year with its engaging exhibits, breathtaking giant screen films, and engaging special events, Science Museum education programs touch students in all of Minnesota’s 87 counties each year, and its research programs span the globe. Discovery awaits at the Science Museum of Minnesota! You’ll find something fascinating around every corner. We love to see the fun that our visitors have! Tag us in your photos @sciencemuseummn, or use #ShareYourDiscovery!
Reviewed By AdrienneM61 - Wichita, United States
We were actually there to visit the Mississippi National Riverway - which is located inside the Museum foyer. The foyer had a few exhibits that you could do without purchasing tickets to the very extensive museum - we LOVED the musical stairs, seriously...so incredibly cool and unique. We were a little short on time, so we had no intention on entering the museum, except a lady with her child had won tickets from an auction and had 4 more than they could use and asked if we would enjoy them, we graciously agreed. Huge thanks to that sweet lady. The museum is HUGE, we didn't get to do everything because again, it's huge! And the tickets included the IMAX film on Apollo 11 which was great! What we did get to do was very enjoyable, with several volunteer run stations where kids could make their own crafts or be part of an exhibit - very well done museum, enjoyable for kids and adults of ALL ages. If ever in the Twin Cities again, we will DEFINITELY return, to finish the rest of the museum!
5. Minnesota Children's Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 360 reviews
The Bigger, Better, Bolder Museum is Open! This is our first major renovation since we opened our downtown St. Paul museum in 1995. Children and adults alike delight in our 10 new exhibits and enjoy a variety of new amenities. A glass addition along West Seventh Street houses The Scramble, a four-story climbing adventure. Elsewhere in the new museum, visitors delight in an updated pretend town, get creative in two maker workshops and engineer their own fun in an air-and-water exhibit. Families also enjoy a bigger toddler gallery and step out into a revamped rooftop and backyard. Kids craft their own adventures in a ninja-training course and a carpet skate park. This is play like it’s meant to be. Natural. Joyous. Genuine. Children will explore, experiment, try new things, test their limits, adapt and grow. Each exhibit helps children develop the life skills they need to succeed throughout life — how to think creatively, make plans, analyze problems, tackle challenges, speak and listen, work as part of a team and more.
Reviewed By Stay790848
Took my 7 year old here. Very convenient area. We rented an electric scooter and rode there and it was right down the road from our hotel. We are from Houston, TX on vacation and we enjoyed it much more then our Children’s Museum in Houston. So much fun and so much to do and The Scramble is awesome and he enjoyed going to the very top and the view. Love that it’s four stories high because there is a lot to do on different floors and the Lazer Maze/Beam Buster was our favorite part! Would definitely go back to if we’re ever back in this area. ????
6. Julian H. Sleeper House Museum
7. Minnesota Transportation Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By Traveling_MandJ - Midland, United States
We planned a Minnesota State Fair vacation and looked for additional attractions to bolt onto our Twin Cities visit. We are really glad we put this one on the list! Housed in an old railroad maintenance roundhouse, the museum has a number of displays that include restored train cars that can be walked through. Lots of attention to child friendly games and adventures are provided. The museum also provides a short train ride in an old caboose, where you are encouraged to climb up and sit in the cupola -- which is really a neat experience. We'll echo the previous comments about the outside looking a bit rough, but take our work -- check out the inside. You'll be glad you did! The Hidden Gem" of this museum is the docent lead tour of the restoration projects ongoing in part of the museum. It includes "work in progress" on a number of train cars and a steam engine. The tour includes an explanation of what the unit started like, the current plan, and a discussion of the current state of the restoration. It also included an informative visit to the blacksmith shop, where many of the restoration iron/steel pieces are created. (Tip: Make a request for the docent led tour at the ticket window, as they seem to run on an "as requested" basis)
8. Gibbs Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Costumed guides tell the story of the Gibbs family and early 1800s Dakota history because of the family's unique relationship with them. Site contains Dakota tipi, a replica bark lodge, and a wild rice camp. Site also has the Gibbs family historic farmhouse, barns, and a replica of their first sod house. A one-room schoolhouse, farm animals, a heritage apple orchard, historic gardens, and a restored prairie grace the site. Open Saturdays & Sundays from Memorial Day through the end of October. Available for weddings and private parties.
9. Jackson Street Roundhouse
10. Twin City Model Railroad Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
Children 4 and under FREE! Explore the history of trains in the Twin Cities as well as the hobby of modal railroading through interactive layouts in all scales and sizes! Interpretive panels tell the story of model railroading along with many collections of toy trains. Little engineers will enjoy playing with the Thomas wooden and electric layouts while visitors of all ages will love the incredibly detailed toy train layouts! Regular adult Admission: $10 per person. Night Trains Admission (Saturday nights Nov-Feb): $15 per person. Children 4 and under are free!
Reviewed By wayne102018
This was a great place to visit. We highly recommend this place. We tood our grandson who loved it. But both my wife and I said we should go back ourselves. It was fantastic. The big train layout was from the old MIlwaukee Train Depot from decades ago. There are numerous additions to see also, including a large train layout with a mountain and town made out of legos. It is very easy to spend a couple hours enjoying the exhibits. Again, we highly recommend this museum.
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