Minnesota’s Storied City: A Self-Guided Tour of Downtown St. Paul
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
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Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.4/5
Based on 7 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Minnesota’s Storied City: A Self-Guided Tour of Downtown St. Paul worth booking?
Minnesota’s Storied City: A Self-Guided Tour of Downtown St. Paul is a 1.3-hour experience in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, United States, from $10 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 7 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 62 / 100
- Rating
- 4.4/5 (7)
- Duration
- 1.3 hours
- From
- $10 per person
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 histo
What you get
About this experience
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."
What's included
Included
- 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
Not included
- Smartphone and headphones
What you'll see and do
Landmark Center
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.
Pass by without stopping
Rice Park
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.
Pass by without stopping
Union Depot
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.
Pass by without stopping
Mears Park
Walk through Mears Park, a green oasis in Lowertown surrounded by modern architecture and art installations. Its serene setting contrasts with its history as a center of industry in St. Paul’s past.
Pass by without stopping
Fitzgerald Theater
As you pass the Fitzgerald Theater, the oldest theater in St. Paul, remember that it was originally known as the Sam S. Shubert Theater. It’s a fitting tribute to F. Scott Fitzgerald, one of the city’s most famous literary figures.
Pass by without stopping
Minnesota State Capitol
Gaze upon the magnificent Minnesota State Capitol, designed by Cass Gilbert, and learn how the young architect won the competition to build it. This stunning building, with its gilded quadriga statue, is a symbol of the state’s political and architectural heritage.
Pass by without stopping
Pause by the Herb Brooks Statue, which honors the legendary coach who led the U.S. hockey team to victory in the 1980 Olympics. His connection to St. Paul is a point of pride for the city, which has deep hockey roots.
Pass by without stopping
CHS Field
Pass by CHS Field, a modern ballpark that is home to the St. Paul Saints baseball team. Its location in Lowertown ties into the neighborhood’s transformation from industrial hub to vibrant community space.
Pass by without stopping
St. Paul Farmers Market
As you walk past the St. Paul Farmers' Market, consider its long history as a gathering place for local farmers and vendors. It reflects the city’s connection to the agricultural traditions of Minnesota.
Pass by without stopping
Marvel at the Quadriga, the golden chariot statue atop the State Capitol, symbolizing the progress of the state. Its intricate design, including pineapple hubcaps, represents wealth and hospitality.
Pass by without stopping
Pass by the statue of F. Scott Fitzgerald, commemorating the beloved author who was born and raised in St. Paul. His literary contributions immortalized the city's influence on his work.
Pass by without stopping
As you pass the Minnesota World War II Memorial, reflect on the sacrifices made by Minnesotans during the war. This serene monument honors the state’s veterans and serves as a reminder of the impact of global events on local history.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Minneapolis-Saint Paul
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.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour ends at Upper Mall Minnesota State Capitol.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- VoiceMap Audio Tours
Know before you go
- 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.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 7 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
7 verified traveler reviews for Minnesota’s Storied City: A Self-Guided Tour of Downtown St. Paul. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
An excellent chance to see the city!!
The tour was excellent!! The guide was very knowledgeable!! It was a good chance to see the city!! Highly recommended!!!!
via Tripadvisor
Kinda disappointing.
The trail was obscured by too many construction zones. It's kinda interesting to listen to the guide's extensive history knowledge, but if you aren't aware of the area in advance, it's difficult to concentrate. Plus, the only parking available were the 2-hour-limit spots, which only added to the pressure. We returned later that day to look around the Landmark Center. The tour at least showed us the outside of that building.
Response from the operator: Hi there, I'm sorry that you were unhappy with your experience. Can you email more information to support@voicemap.me? This way, we can identify if we need to make any updates to the route in order to avoid the construction. I'm sorry for your frustrating experience. Regards, Helene
via Tripadvisor
The sign post is no...
The sign post is no longer there around the colon building. The narrator did an excellent job. Share nearest train stop for the starting point.
via Viator
Minnesotans get to know St. Paul!
The tour takes you on a nice, reasonable walk around downtown St. Paul, and gives interesting history along the way. It ends at the Capitol, where tours are available most days starting at the top of the hour (9am-4pm), and that was a great add-on to the walking tour! We would have liked to hear a little less about F Scott Fitzgerald, and a little more about the park-island in the river and about other St. Paul notables. Overall, would recommend - if you take kids, you'd better plan a break for either the Science Museum or the Children's Museum, because they WILL notice!
via Viator
A nice look into St. Paul
This was very fun. We are from Boston so didn’t know much about St Paul. We got a nice review of the history, were entertained by the stories and enjoyed walking around the city. It took us about 1 1/4 hours as it said it would, but you could spend more time if you went into some of the buildings like the Landmark Center, library, train station and Capitol. We did go into the Capitol at the end but I wish we had gone into the others. We will be looking for more of these audio tours as we travel around.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 62
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Minnesota’s Storied City: A Self-Guided Tour of Downtown St. Paul: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Minneapolis-Saint Paul.
How much does Minnesota’s Storied City: A Self-Guided Tour of Downtown St. Paul cost?
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Prices start at $10 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Minneapolis-Saint Paul usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Minnesota’s Storied City: A Self-Guided Tour of Downtown St. Paul take?
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Plan for about 1.3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Minneapolis-Saint Paul is not rushed.
Is Minnesota’s Storied City: A Self-Guided Tour of Downtown St. Paul worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 7 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Minnesota’s Storied City: A Self-Guided Tour of Downtown St. Paul?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Minnesota’s Storied City: A Self-Guided Tour of Downtown St. Paul suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Minnesota’s Storied City: A Self-Guided Tour of Downtown St. Paul?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Minneapolis-Saint Paul can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Minneapolis-Saint Paul and add a light layer if any part of the 1.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Minnesota’s Storied City: A Self-Guided Tour of Downtown St. Paul start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Minneapolis-Saint Paul within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Minneapolis-Saint Paul?
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The Twin Cities cover Mississippi mill district history, chain of lakes bike and paddle tours, Mall of America trips, brewery crawls in Northeast and winter ice experiences. Seasonal swing is extreme, so honest weather guidance matters. On Outty we rank every Minneapolis-Saint Paul experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Escape Game: Epic 60-Minute Adventures at the Mall of America, Narrated Scenic Tour on the Minneapolis Trolley, St. Paul Historic Cave Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Minneapolis-Saint Paul?
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June to September, with winter activities from December to February. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Minneapolis-Saint Paul?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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