Tourist information


What to do in Saint Paul

Saint Paul, with its downtown along the Mississippi river, has a lot to offer to visitors.

Browse the Official Visitors Guide to Minneapolis Saint Paul for information ondining, shopping, sport events, entertainment, and more.


Sites in walking distance

The Science Museum of Minnesota is within two blocks from the conference venue.

The Landmark Center is also within two blocks. It was built in 1902 and originally served as the Federal Court House and Post office for the Upper Midwest. Today, Landmark Center serves as a cultural center for music, dance, theater, exhibitions, public forums, and hosts countless special events, proms and weddings. Onsite attractions include Anita's Cafe, Landmarket Gift Shop, and several museums and exhibits. The building is also home of the Saint Paul Visitor Information Center.

Mickey's Dining Car is an authentic 1930's Art Deco diner. It is listed on the national register of historic places and featured in several movies, Food Network and travel TV programs. Mickey's has served breakfast, lunch and dinner 24 hours a day for nearly 70 years. Stop into Mickey's and get breakfast at any time! Mickey's provides a hometown, homecooked feel to all of its customers while bringing back generations of memories.


Farther away sites but still in downtown Saint Paul

The Cathedral of St. Paul sits high on a hill, known as Cathedral Hill, overlooking downtown and the Mississippi River Valley. The structure opened in 1915, although extensive interior work continued for several more years. The massive copper dome is 300 feet above the nave's floor and the walls are covered in pale Minnesota granite. A pair of carillon towers flanks the building's Summit Avenue façade and the sanctuary seats 3000 worshipers.

One of the nation's best preserved Victorian-era homes, Alexander Ramsey House offers a glimpse into family and servant life in the 1870s. Each room is decorated to reflect the years from 1872-1900. Expert costumed guides show how the Ramsey family and servants lived.
Summit Avenue contains some of Minnesota’s oldest and most famous Victorian houses, such as the Governor's house. Every Saturday and Sunday, May through September, the Summit Avenue Walking Tours start at the Ramsey house at 11 am and 2 pm Saturdays; 2 pm Sundays. $12 adults, $10 seniors and college students, $8 children. Reservations recommended; call 651-297-2555

image from Minnesota Historical Society
History comes to life at the Minnesota History Center with fun, hands-on exhibits and programs for all ages. Ride in a spaceship, weather a tornado, climb a grain elevator or explore a house room-by-room. Two museum stores offer Minnesota-made gifts and books. Enjoy lunch at the museum's Café Minnesota, which features a menu that highlights sustainable, local ingredients.
The Minnesota State Capitol. Original furnishings and vivid colors of the restored Senate, House, Supreme Court and Rathskeller Cafe add to your experience of this working masterpiece by acclaimed architect Cass Gilbert. Come and experience Minnesota Government. Free guided tours are offered Mon-Sat 10 am-2 pm and Sun 1 pm-3 pm. The State Capitol Building is open year round Mon-Fri 8:30 am-5 pm; Sat 10 am-3 pm; Sun 1 pm-4 pm.

The Wabasha Street Caves were transformed into an underground nightclub in 1933 called the 'Castle'. Today, the event center offers historic cave tours and big band music every Thursday night. The cave's tours lead the public through interesting locations with knowledgable guides and strikingly realistic scenery and costumes.

Fort Snelling, built in the early 1820s, is a great place to learn about military history from before the Civil War through World War II, fur trade history, slavery in Minnesota, the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, and much more! Its location – at the junction of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers – has been significant for centuries to many American Indian communities.

Discover other Saint Paul's neighborhoods.

For shopping and entertainment, visit the The Mall of America. With over 500 stores, 50 restaurants, and an amusement park it is the largest fully enclosed retail and family entertainment complex in the U.S.