Minnesota’s Storied City: A Self-Guided Tour of Downtown St. Paul
Explore the rich history of St. Paul on this self-guided walking tour, starting at Rice Park in front of the Landmark Center, St. Paul's cultural hub. Stroll along the Mississippi River and uncover the city's early history, from the Dakota village of Kaposia to the Beaux Arts-style Union Depot. Walk through Lowertown to Mears Park, past modern architecture, and on to the Minnesota State Capitol. Along the way, hear stories of “Pig’s Eye” Parrant, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and St. Paul’s gangster past while discovering the city's rivalry with Minneapolis. This tour brings to life the characters, events, and landmarks that shaped the "Saintly City."
Options
Minnesota’s Storied City: A Self-Guided Tour of Downtown St. Paul
What's included in Minnesota’s Storied City: A Self-Guided Tour of Downtown St. Paul
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Landmark CenterPass-by Only
Pass by the Landmark Center, often called “St. Paul’s very own castle,” which once housed federal courts that handled notorious Prohibition-era gangster trials. Now a cultural hub, its Romanesque architecture stands as a testament to the city's rich history.
Rice ParkPass-by Only
Stroll through Rice Park, a charming public space surrounded by historic landmarks and statues, including one of famed author F. Scott Fitzgerald. This park has been a gathering place for over a century, nestled in the heart of downtown St. Paul.
Union DepotPass-by Only
As you pass Union Depot, imagine the days when this Beaux Arts-style station buzzed with trains and travelers. Once the gateway to the city, today it's a beautifully restored hub for modern transit and a window into the past.
Inclusions
- Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
- Audio and written guide
- The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
- Smartphone and headphones
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The total tour duration is the walking time as you pass by attractions. It does not include optional time spent at any of the listed attractions
- This route is not wheelchair accessible, but it is a very easy walk suitable for the ages listed. The accessibility selections are accurate.
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- The tour starts in Rice Park, in front of the Landmark Center next to the circular modernist fountain, where the park's diagonal sidewalks converge. The fountain should be between you and the Landmark Center.
End Points
- The tour ends at Upper Mall Minnesota State Capitol.
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
VOICEMAP CODE ─── Please check your email at the address you provided when you made this booking. You've been sent an eight character code you'll need to redeem your tour. This code can be used by every member of your party. If you've booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code. DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS ─── 1. Once you've received your code, please follow these steps: 2. Install the VoiceMap Audio Tours mobile app 3. Create an account 4. Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes 5. Enter your code then select Download Now PLEASE NOTE ─── You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point. This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next. When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point. Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour. SUPPORT ─── For technical support and other queries, please email [email protected]
