St. Paul and Minneapolis jointly form the twin Cities, however St. Paul is the state capital and really completely different in character from Minneapolis. St. Paul is spaciously laid out, engineered on terraces on top of the Mississippi, with additional of an old frontier town atmosphere. It began as a military post, established in 1807 at the junction of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers, and later became Fort Snelling. This port shortly became a significant stop for stream boats, and therefore the space quickly grew into a major center for fur traders and alternative commerce. St. Paul’ crowning jewel is the Cathedral of St. Paul, that overlooks the downtown area, and therefore the spectacular Golden Age mansions of Summit Avenue raise the city’ beaux arts grandeur. St. Paul is packed with historic attractions, as well as the opulent James J. Hill House; the reconstructed grounds of Fort Snelling; and the Gibbs Museum, a living-history farm.


Summit Avenue is home to the largest and longest collection of Victorian buildings in the United States, with 373 of its original 440 historic mansions still standing. Engineered from the mid-19th century through the primary decades of the twentieth century, these were the homes of St. Paul’ millionaires, who made their fortunes in industry. Running east to west, Summit Avenue begins with the city’ most outstanding landmark, the Cathedral of St. Paul, that could be a scale version of St. Peter’ Basilica within the Vatican and sits at downtown’ highest point. From here, it stretches 4.5 miles wherever it ends at the Mississippi River. Getting ready to the cathedral, you may conjointly notice the James J. Hill House, which was built by the founding father of the great Northern Railroad, another major holidaymaker attraction.

Como Park Conservatory in St. Paul was built in 1915 and currently homes a large variety of animals in natural habitats, as well as huge cats like lions and snow leopards, primates like gorillas and spider monkeys, and family favorites like sloths and zebras. The zoo is additionally home to water-loving animals like ocean lions, seals, and penguins, and tropical critters including boa and therefore the Galapagos Islands tortoise. One amongst the foremost standard attractions for teenagers at the Como Park zoological garden is that the giraffe feeding station, wherever you’ll be able to get face to face with these mild herbivores. There’s also a special frog habitat that focuses on conservation, yet as an academic gallery created for younger youngsters and multiple gardens, as well as a butterfly garden, an orchid house, water gardens, and a tree collection.

The Minnesota History Center focuses on the history and features of the state. Permanent and ever-changing exhibits cover topics from the war to however temperature change has affected the state. In addition, the middle conjointly offers lectures, workshops, activities for families, and hosts varied events. Highlights embrace the full-size replica “Jenny” airplane suspended from the ceiling of the most rotunda, and therefore the wonderful views of the Minnesota State Capitol building, which may be seen from the nice Hall. The history center conjointly homes the wind Family Library, with a series of fixing displays that specialize in varied aspects of the state’ history.

The construction of the Classical Renaissance-style Cathedral of St. Paul, modeled when St. Peter’ Basilica within the Vatican City, began in 1906. The primary services were command in 1915, and it took another thirty years to complete the interior. It’s the National Shrine of the Apostle Paul, so named by the Vatican in 2009, and could be a journey website for several Catholics. The cathedral can seat 3,000 folks and often hosts concerts throughout the year. These embrace organ performances on the cathedral’ 2 Skinner organs, performances by the Minnesota Orchestra, and choral arrangements. Of special note is that the Shrine of the Nations encompassing the sanctuary, symbolizing the contributions of immigrants within the history of the cathedral.

The museum of Minnesota offers active exhibits that permit guests to run under a dinosaur, board a Mississippi towboat, study the human body, and participate in the Experiment Gallery wherever you’ll be able to produce your own tornado. At intervals the museum’ spectacular dinosaur exhibit, you may see the reconstructed remains of a true ceratopsian (one of solely four in the world), yet as recreated scenes of life-size dinos hunting. The museum also appearance at science within the context of history, from a true Egyptian mummy to a glance at the lives of Native Americans. Alternative permanent and ever-changing exhibits stimulate curiosity, and therefore the museum also homes an Omni theater, that presents varied films on its huge screen.

The marble dome of the State Capitol, constructed in 1905, could be a distinguished feature and an architectural highlight of St. Paul. The first furnishings are often found in the repaired Senate, House, Supreme Court, and tap house cafe. Hourly radio-controlled tours describe the building’ architecture, history, restoration, and decorative art, and guests also are ready to take a self-guided tour. Highlights embrace the self-supported marble dome, that is that the second-largest of its kind within the world, and once the weather cooperates, tourists can also get an in depth look at the iconic Quadriga, the golden horses that adorn the roof.

James J. Hill House, set on Summit Avenue close to St. Paul’ Cathedral, was engineered by the founder of the great Northern Railroad. Completed in 1891, this red sandstone Richardsonian Romanesque-style mansion was the largest point the state, mensuration 36,000 sq. feet. Among its plentiful rooms, this Gilded Age mansion options a 100-foot reception hall, a two-story art gallery, and thirteen bathrooms. Guests will take a guided tour of the house or wander through the primary floor’ art gallery, that displays works of Minnesota artists. Variety of events are command at the property every year, from concerts to an Easter egg hunt on the grounds.