Saint Paul: Parkland, Bike Trails, and History

Get to know Saint Paul through its varied experiences: the 27-mile Saint Paul Grand Round passes rivers, lakes, and parks, while the James J. Hill House offers a glimpse of a Gilded Age mansion. If you’re looking for a vacation rental in Saint Paul, you can tailor your trip to your interests, depending on whether an extensive park route or a visit focused on history is more important to you.

Saint Paul Grand Round: Parks, Water, and Trails

The Saint Paul Grand Round is a 27-mile scenic parkway. It connects the Mississippi River, Lake Phalen, Como Lake, and more than a dozen parks. The route offers a broad overview of the varied landscapes within Saint Paul. These landmarks and the total distance can help you plan your outings; the route is much more than a short walk.

A bike and pedestrian path runs alongside most of the route, separated from vehicle traffic. This offers a different way to experience the Grand Round than driving along the parkway: you can explore the path on foot or by bike and take the 27-mile distance into account when planning your day. The bike and pedestrian path is separated from traffic along most of the route, though not necessarily on every section.

Como Regional Park and an Urban Oasis

Como Regional Park is a sprawling, 450-acre urban oasis in Saint Paul. Together with Como Lake, which the Grand Round connects, it makes the park a clearly defined nature and landscape highlight for your trip. If parkland and the Grand Round are your main priorities when choosing a vacation rental, you can include these places as separate highlights in your travel plans without treating the park route as a single short stroll.

A Gilded Age Mansion

The James J. Hill House is a 36,000-square-foot Gilded Age mansion. It was once the largest private residence in the state of Minnesota. Its size and historical significance make a visit here different from exploring the parks and trails of the Grand Round. Admission includes self-guided access to the first floor and a 60-minute guided tour of the entire house. The visit format is clearly defined: you can explore part of the house on your own, followed by a guided tour of the home.

Guidance for Choosing Where to Stay

Bus service also offers a practical point of reference: Metro Transit routes 16, 21, and 94 stop near the Minnesota History Center. If you’re starting your vacation rental search by considering public transportation, you can take these nearby stops into account. This information applies to the Minnesota History Center; consider the location of other places separately.

You can choose between different vacation priorities: an extensive parkway with a bike and pedestrian path, the sprawling Como Regional Park, and a historic mansion with a clearly defined visit format. Consider which of these experiences matters most for your trip, and include it in your search for a vacation rental or other accommodation in Saint Paul. This way, you can choose a base according to the places and experiences you actually want to discover.

Explore More Destinations

You can also add these places to your travel ideas: Vadnais Heights, Shoreview, White Bear Lake, Maplewood, Roseville, and Mounds View.

For the broader travel overview: Ramsey.