DIVE DEEP
Some cities display their stories on the surface. In Minnesota’s capital, you sometimes have to go underground. The sandstone chambers of Wabasha Street Caves are among the city’s most unique cultural experiences. Guided tours share tales of bootleggers, mobsters, ghosts, and big-band night.
Above ground, the free Como Park Zoo and Conservatory offers a different kind of immersion. Lush conservatory gardens provide a year-round escape, while nearby Como Lake invites leisurely walks or seasonal paddleboat outings. For something playful and creative, Can Can Wonderland reimagines a former can factory into an artist-designed mini-golf course and arcade destination—a colorful embrace of the city’s imaginative side.
DISCOVER CULTURE
At Hmongtown Marketplace, more than 100 vendors and eateries celebrate the Twin Cities’ vibrant Hmong community—the largest urban Hmong population in the country—offering flavor and cultural context in one stop.
Downtown, Candyland has been crafting chocolates and its beloved Chicago Mix popcorn since 1932—proof that some traditions endure for good reason. And inside Union Depot, DGPilot curates Minnesota-made goods and aviation-inspired travel pieces.
DIG IN
At The Nook, dollar bills line the walls and the Juicy Lucy burger—cheese sealed inside the beef patty—remains a Minnesota rite of passage. On the West Side, El Burrito Mercado has served its community since 1979, blending a grocery, deli, and cantina into a single lively gathering space.
Meanwhile, Saint Paul Brewing carries forward the legacy of the Hamm’s Brewery with modern craft beer and a sprawling patio garden. Just steps away, Voliere Spirits offers refined cocktails in Crowbar, an intimate space tucked into a former blacksmith room.
LEARN MORE
Visit Saint Paul
visitsaintpaul.com
Main Image: Hmongtown Marketplace; Credit: Visit Saint Paul
