A Family Weekend in St. Paul, Minnesota

St. Paul is the quieter half of the Twin Cities: the state capital, older and more residential than Minneapolis, with a compact downtown on bluffs above the Mississippi. For families, it packs several of Minnesota’s best kid attractions into a small area, plus one of the best free zoos in the Midwest. If you are driving up from Chicago, it pairs naturally with a day in Minneapolis, but it holds its own for a weekend.

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

This is the headline for families, and it is free. Como Park Zoo and the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, in Como Regional Park north of downtown, charge no admission. A voluntary donation is encouraged, and it is worth giving if you can.

The zoo has a giraffe feeding station, primates, big cats, polar bears and seals, among others. The conservatory next door is a glass Victorian-style building with tropical plants, a sunken garden and seasonal flower shows. It is a warm place to spend an hour on a cold day, which counts for a lot in a Minnesota winter.

Next to the zoo, Como Town is a small amusement park with rides geared to younger kids. It charges for rides, so decide in advance whether it is part of the plan. The park also has a historic carousel and, in summer, mini golf. Leave time for the lake and paths around Como Lake if the weather is good.

Science Museum of Minnesota

Downtown, on the bluff above the river, the Science Museum of Minnesota is a big museum with hands-on galleries on topics from dinosaurs to the human body, plus a large-dome Omnitheater. Plan on half a day at least. Check the museum’s website for current admission, which is charged.

Inside, just off the lobby, is the Mississippi River Visitor Center, run by the National Park Service for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Entry to the visitor center is free. It has exhibits on the river and a Junior Ranger program, which is a good fit for elementary-age kids. Rangers can also suggest nearby river walks and programs. See nps.gov for details.

Minnesota Children’s Museum

A few blocks away on West Seventh Street, the Minnesota Children’s Museum is built for younger kids. Its permanent exhibits include a multistory climbing structure with a spiral slide, a pretend town, a laser maze and ball launchers, plus a separate area for toddlers. It is busiest on weekend mornings and during school breaks. The museum has offered free admission days in the past, so check its site for current offers before you buy tickets.

With the science museum and children’s museum this close together, you can split a rainy day between them, or split up if you have kids of very different ages.

The river and Harriet Island

Across the Mississippi from downtown, Harriet Island Regional Park has riverside paths, a plaza and a bandshell, with views back across the water to the city skyline. It hosts festivals and events through the warmer months. On a calm day it is a good place to walk, picnic and watch river traffic. Upper Landing Park, on the downtown side, has a riverfront trail with views of Harriet Island.

The Capitol and Cathedral Hill

The Minnesota State Capitol, designed by Cass Gilbert, offers free guided tours. Like most capitol tours, it suits kids old enough to follow a guide for the better part of an hour. Even without a tour, the building and grounds are worth a look. Check tour times before you go.

Up the hill, the Cathedral of Saint Paul has a huge copper dome visible from much of the city. From there, Summit Avenue runs west, lined with grand old houses. It makes a good walk with older kids, and Grand Avenue, one block over, has shops and places to eat.

A simple two-day plan

1. Day one: Science Museum in the morning, with a stop at the river visitor center. Lunch downtown, then the Children’s Museum for younger kids or a walk on Harriet Island for older ones.
2. Day two: Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in the morning, while the animals are active. Afternoon at the Capitol or a walk along Summit Avenue.

A few practical notes:

• Driving: Expect roughly six hours or more from Chicago on I-94 through Wisconsin, plus stops. Breaking the trip in Madison or the Wisconsin Dells area keeps it manageable.
• Seasons: Winter is long and cold, but the zoo’s indoor buildings, the conservatory and both museums make St. Paul one of the better winter destinations in the region.
• Parking: The Science Museum has its own parking ramp, and downtown has metered streets and ramps.

For more ideas within driving distance, see our list of road trips from Chicago with kids.