Attractions Nearby Saint Paul, Day Trips and Excursions

(Saint Paul, Minnesota - MN, USA)

Minneapolis is very much the sister city of St. Paul, and as such, day trips between the two are commonplace with both locals and sightseers, while the neighboring Chain of Lakes offers endless recreational activities. However, do bear in mind that Minnesota's harsh winters will limit what you can do at this time of the year.

There are a huge number of attractions awaiting tourists planning an excursion to Minneapolis, with this Twin City being easily reached in around 20 minutes, via either Highway US-36 or Interstate I-94. Here you can catch one of the sporting events staged at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, explore the Tunblad Mansion or check out the masterpieces hanging on the walls of the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum.

St. Paul is near to lots of other cities and towns in the southern portion of Minnesota, and is also close to the Wisconsin border. Those planning day trips into Wisconsin will find that Highway US-94 / Interstate I-94 heads eastwards and across the state border, connecting the attractions of Hudson, Baldwin, Menomonie, Wakanda Park, the Hoffman Hills Recreation Area, and the city of Eau Claire and its Putnam Park State Natural Area.

General Information

Especially close to St. Paul and to the east is the town of Maplewood, which can be reached in the region of 15 minutes. There are a number of enticing attractions awaiting within this suburb, such as a nature center with outdoor activities and scenic picnic spots, numerous parks and trails, and a major shopping scene at the sizeable Maplewood Mall, which resides just off Interstate I-694.

Slightly further away and this time to the southwest is the city of Bloomington, which is actually Minnesota's fifth-biggest. There are many reasons why a day trip to Bloomington is worth considering, with families favoring the Underwater Adventures Aquarium attraction and the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, as well as the Normandale Japanese Garden. However, for locals in St. Paul, the main reason to pay a visit to Bloomington is to spend a day shopping at the gigantic indoor Mall of America.

At around 20 minutes from St. Paul, the attractions of Eagan are easy to reach by simply following Interstate I-35E southwards. Families enjoying an excursion to Eagan will often spend time at the Cascade Bay Waterpark, or skating on one of the open-air ice rinks, while both miniature golf and disc golf may also be on the agenda.

Other possible excursions from St. Paul include nearby Burnsville, Brooklyn Park, Woodbury, Lakeville, North Branch, Owatonna, Faribault, Cambridge, Hutchinson and Northfield, amongst other attractions and destinations.