Saint Paul Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Minneapolis

When local architect Cass Gilbert set out to design Minnesota’s third state Capitol, he clearly had more in mind than a building—it was an architectural power move. Construction kicked off in 1896, and by the time the Capitol debuted in January 1905, it was turning heads. Visitors who strolled through its doors were floored by the soaring marble dome (one of the world’s largest self-supporting ones, no less), expansive chambers for state officials, and art-filled walls that looked more like galleries than government décor. Not to mention, over twenty types of stone imported from across the globe were bathed in the warm glow of electric lighting—pure cutting-edge elegance for the time.

Fast forward 113 years, and the Capitol still dazzles—especially after a meticulous four-year restoration. Like a vintage car brought back to its showroom glory, the building now gleams with repaired exterior stonework, refreshed decorative wall panels, and murals that pop with color. Original light fixtures shine brighter than ever, and over a hundred restored pieces of furniture have been reunited with their old haunts, complementing other historic treasures throughout the corridors, chambers, and meeting rooms.

But it’s not just a facelift. New roof and copper panels? Check. Updated electrical and mechanical systems? Check. Modern LED lighting? Absolutely. There’s even more room for meetings, conferences, and exhibits. The once-cluttered basement has been transformed into an inviting public space, complete with exposed foundation stones and easier access to the original German rathskeller—a charming cafeteria during legislative sessions.

With its marriage of art and architecture, the Capitol is a true visual banquet—a feast of grand spaces and vibrant details. And if you want to savor the full experience, guided tours are available Monday through Saturday, every hour from 10 AM to 2 PM. Just check in at the Capitol Information and Tour Center on the first floor, and get ready to marvel at this Minnesota landmark.

The Minnesota History Center is no ordinary museum—it’s a lively, interactive venue that brings the state’s past to life. With its rotating and permanent exhibits, the center features a little something for everyone. Want to touch history? They’ve got authentic artifacts. Curious about Minnesota’s legendary weather? There’s a whole exhibit on it. And if you’d rather watch your history than read it, multimedia presentations and short films scattered throughout provide a cinematic peek into the past.

The building itself is a showstopper. Constructed from Minnesota-sourced granite and limestone with marble accents, the architecture sets the stage for exploring everything from life in the early-to-mid 1900s to the fur trade, Native American traditions, and Minnesotans’ experiences during wartime. Exhibits are thoughtfully laid out, with well-documented artifacts and engaging signage that gives context to what you’re seeing. You’ll even find interactive simulations like “Minnesota’s Greatest Generation” and “Weather Permitting,” which put you in the middle of wartime and tornadoes.

For younger visitors, the kid-friendly Grainland playground is a hit. And if you need a break, the History Center offers on-site dining and plenty of restrooms, making it as practical as it is entertaining.

Tip: Plan for about four hours to fully soak in everything this dynamic history hub has to offer.

A century in the making—well, sort of. The Cathedral of Saint Paul, completed in 1915, owes its existence to the team of Archbishop John Ireland, architect Emmanuel Masqueray, and countless unsung artists, craftsmen, and laborers who chipped in (sometimes literally). The result? A 306-foot landmark topped by a recently restored copper dome, showcasing the grand Beaux Arts style.

Don’t let the austere Minnesota Rockville granite exterior fool you. Inside, the space soars with breathtaking artistry. Stained glass, intricate metalwork, statues galore, and rare marbles from every corner of the globe fill the space beneath the immense interior dome, which measures 175 feet high and 96 feet in diameter.

A standout feature is the Shrine of Nations—a semicircle of six chapels behind the altar. Each chapel honors an ethnic community that contributed to the cathedral’s construction, pairing statues of patron saints with marble medallions representing their homeland. For instance, Saint Patrick graces the Irish chapel, his likeness complemented by Connemara Green marble.

History buffs will appreciate a mural on the building’s north side that depicts Saint Paul’s first bishop, Joseph Cretin, arriving via canoe to meet Father Lucien Galtier, who gave the city’s its name. In the background, you’ll spot Saint Paul’s original church: a humble log cabin chapel that’s a far cry from the cathedral’s grandeur.

Want to experience it firsthand? Step right in. The cathedral is open daily, with free guided tours at 1 PM, Tuesday through Friday (excluding holy days, holidays, and scheduled liturgical events). Of course, you can also embark on a self-guided tour anytime and marvel at the splendor at your own pace.

Stretching four and a half miles, Summit Avenue proudly hosts 373 of the 440 homes representing the Victorian era. Some even come with a ghostly side hustle—haunted reputations that add a dash of intrigue to the mix. The avenue’s story begins in 1855, when Reverend Edward Duffield Neill, a Pennsylvanian transplant, built the first house here. Civil War-era construction slowed things down, but by the late 1880s, the advent of cable cars and later streetcars re-ignited Summit’s development boom.

This stately boulevard quickly became a playground for the well-to-do, with railroads, dry goods, and lumber fortunes funding architectural showpieces. During the Victorian construction spree, houses sprung up in a medley of styles—Queen Anne, Romanesque, and Tudor Revival—and were arranged in elegant rows rather than compact blocks, creating the perfect stage for horse-drawn carriage rides. The avenue’s prestige also attracted institutions like Macalester College, Saint Paul Seminary, and the College of Saint Thomas, all established in the late 19th century.

Summit Avenue is more than just a residential street; it’s a living history lesson. National Historic Landmarks include the Frank B. Kellogg House, the F. Scott Fitzgerald House, and the James J. Hill House, while the National Register of Historic Places recognizes the Burbank–Livingston–Griggs House, Pierce and Walter Butler House, and Dr. Ward Beebe House. Not to be outdone, the Cathedral of Saint Paul and the Minnesota Governor’s Residence add their own historic gravitas.

If you’re curious to peek inside, the James J. Hill House offers public tours Wednesday through Sunday. Otherwise, many of these architectural treasures are best admired from the sidewalk—ideal for photo ops or simply a leisurely stroll past some of the most storied homes in Saint Paul.

Of all the grand residences that sprang up during Summit Avenue’s first building boom, none can rival the James J. Hill House in fame or sheer audacity. Built in 1891 in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, it replaced the relatively humble home of Edward Duffield Neill with a sprawling 36,000-square-foot showpiece. This five-story behemoth, owned by none other than railroad magnate and “Empire Builder” James J. Hill, claimed three lots and arguably the best view in Saint Paul. Back then, it cost Hill $931,275—about $22 million today—to turn his vision into reality. These days, it’s the Minnesota Historical Society that holds the keys, and they’re happy to let you peek inside on tours from Wednesday through Sunday.

The Hill House isn’t just a mansion; it’s a Gilded Age spectacle, channeling the grandeur of Rhode Islands’s finest estates. Its 42 rooms are filled with mahogany and oak woodwork, hand-carved to the nines. Imagine 16 glittering cut-glass chandeliers, a two-story art gallery with a skylight overhead, and a reception hall so vast it runs 88 feet long. Oh, and don’t forget the three-story pipe organ that was, in its day, a literal showstopper.

But this isn’t just a frozen-in-time museum piece. Local artists regularly showcase their work here, often drawing inspiration from Minnesota’s natural beauty. Special events—like concerts—make the mansion feel as lively as it must have been in Hill’s time. Before you leave, pop into the museum shop to pick up books on the house’s fascinating history or souvenirs to commemorate your visit.

The breathtaking Burbank-Livingston Griggs House is a gray limestone showstopper perched high on a Cathedral Hill bluff, offering sweeping views of the Mississippi River Valley and the city skyline. As the second-oldest residence on Summit Avenue, this mid-19th century Italianate gem isn’t just impressive—it’s also historically significant, proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Originally built for the wealthy James C. Burbank, the mansion was a testament to opulence in its time. Boasting 8,000 square feet on a 1.28-acre lot, it came decked out with eighteenth-century boiseries imported from Italy and France, marble floors, antique parquet, nine fireplaces, a grand ballroom, rock crystal chandeliers, lavish baths, and a grand staircase fit for royalty. Ever practical, the mansion’s interior walls are lined with brick layers to create an insulating air chamber that kept the original owners snug during Minnesota’s notorious winters. In its heyday, the third floor housed a small army of staff—maids, a coachman, a driver, and a gardener—ensuring the mansion ran like clockwork.

After being sold in 1996, the residence was split into three furnished apartments, once again becoming a desirable address with stunning views and a rich history. While its doors only open for special events, the stately exterior is always camera-ready, offering plenty of opportunity for awe-inspired photography and admiration from the street.

F. Scott Fitzgerald, the legendary author of “The Great Gatsby”, spent his formative years in Saint Paul, where he also wrote “This Side of Paradise”, the novel that propelled him to fame. Born on September 24, 1896, in the modest second-floor apartment of this unassuming Victorian home, Fitzgerald only lived here as an infant before the family relocated to Buffalo in 1898. Though it may not be a grand mansion, the house blends seamlessly into the neighborhood’s Victorian charm with its two stories, arched entryway, rounded bay window, and a stately turret.

Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971, the home later became one of the first properties listed when Saint Paul established the Historic Hill District in 1976. However, it remains a private residence and is not open to the public. Don’t let that deter you—Fitzgerald enthusiasts can still admire its architecture from the street. Even better, a short walk will lead you to two other Fitzgerald landmarks worth visiting.

Five blocks east, you’ll find Laurel Terrace (286–294 Laurel), a set of stunning Victorian row houses designed by the celebrated architectural duo Clarence Johnston and William H. Willcox. Fitzgerald lived here in 1908 and 1909 (keep an eye out for the plaque on the first house). Architectural historians describe Laurel Terrace as one of the finest Victorian row houses in the United States.

Another significant site is just four blocks south at 587–601 Summit Avenue. This was home to Fitzgerald’s parents for several years, though he never resided there himself. Around the corner, at 25 North Dale Street, you’ll find the former Saint Paul Academy, which young Fitzgerald attended. On its steps stands a statue of Fitzgerald as a boy, immortalizing his connection to the school and city.

Exploring these three landmarks provides a perfect excuse to wander one of Saint Paul’s most picturesque neighborhoods.

This grand mansion, constructed in 1889 and polished to perfection with a 2004 renovation, was home to U.S. Senator Frank B. Kellogg—better known as the Nobel Peace Prize-winning architect of the Briand-Kellogg Pact that banned wars of aggression. Kellogg, who served as secretary of state, resided here until his passing in 1937. His other home in Washington, D.C., is now the Embassy of Sierra Leone.

Sprawling across a half-acre lot, this 9,356-square-foot residence comes complete with a reflection pool and a carriage house with space for four carriages (or modern cars, as it were). Its two-and-a-half stories showcase a harmonious blend of brownstone, red granite, and sandstone, creating an exterior that’s as stately as it is stunning. Meanwhile, the interior features four full bathrooms, one partial bath, five fireplaces, gleaming hardwood floors, a library worthy of a statesman, and a billiards room ready for post-dinner gatherings.

Fans of classic architecture will swoon over the house’s original 1880s design, a tasteful fusion of Queen Anne and Romanesque styles—two of the most fashionable architectural trends of the era. The 1923 addition blends so seamlessly, you’d think it had always been there.