Things to Do in St. Paul and Summit Avenue
A domed capitol, a hilltop cathedral and Victorian mansions above the Mississippi.
See top-rated activities »About St. Paul
St. Paul has the feel of an older, more settled city than its neighbor. Its downtown sits on a bend of the Mississippi, and much of the 19th and early 20th centuries survives within a short walk: the Romanesque Landmark Center facing Rice Park, the tall brick warehouses of Lowertown and the white marble Minnesota State Capitol, designed by Cass Gilbert and finished in 1905. Free guided tours of the Capitol show off its restored chambers, murals and the golden horses at the base of the dome.
On a hill to the west, the Cathedral of Saint Paul, crowned by an enormous copper dome, is open to visitors outside of services. From the cathedral, Summit Avenue runs about four and a half miles toward the river and is lined with one of the longest unbroken stretches of Victorian houses in the country. The grandest is the James J. Hill House, the stone mansion of the railroad baron, now a museum. F. Scott Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul and finished his first novel while living in a row house on Summit, a story told on several walking tours. Grand Avenue, a block south, is the neighborhood's shopping and dining street.
St. Paul's darker history draws visitors too. In the 1920s and early 1930s the city's police tolerated gangsters as long as they behaved inside city limits, and figures like John Dillinger and the Barker gang spent time here. The Wabasha Street Caves, sandstone caves across the river that once held a nightclub, offer tours of that era. Families head to the Science Museum of Minnesota on the riverfront, and to Como Park, where the zoo and the glass-domed Marjorie McNeely Conservatory are free to visit, with donations welcome.
Riverboats run sightseeing cruises from Harriet Island in the warmer months, and the downtown riverfront is the place to watch the Fourth of July fireworks and, in winter, some of the Winter Carnival's events.
Don’t Miss
Cass Gilbert's marble capitol, restored in the 2010s, with free guided tours run by the Minnesota Historical Society.
A massive domed cathedral completed in 1915, open to visitors with guided and self-guided tours.
The 1891 mansion of the Great Northern Railway founder, shown on guided tours by the Minnesota Historical Society.
Hands-on science exhibits, dinosaurs and an Omnitheater on the bluff above the Mississippi.
A small zoo and a Victorian-style glass conservatory with seasonal flower shows, both free to enter.
Sightseeing cruises on the Mississippi from Harriet Island, across from downtown St. Paul, in the warmer months.
A restored 1902 federal courthouse, once the scene of gangster trials, now home to galleries and cultural groups.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in St. Paul
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ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 27, 2026. Best of Minneapolis-St. Paul may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
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Get free trip quotes »St. Paul — FAQ
Is the Minnesota State Capitol open for tours?
Yes. The Minnesota Historical Society offers free guided tours on most days, and you can also walk through on your own during public hours.
What is the best way to see Summit Avenue?
Walk or bike the stretch between the Cathedral and Dale Street for the densest run of mansions, tour the James J. Hill House, then continue west if you have time. Guided walking tours cover the architecture and the Fitzgerald connection.
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