48 Hours in Saint Paul
Where to go, what to see, and most important -- what to eat.
Saint Paul is the perfect size city to explore in 48 (or 72) hours and feel as though you’ve gotten to most of the greatest hits.
Day 1
Jump on The Light Rail For Breakfast or Lunch
The Green Line can take you end-to-end to between both downtowns, so it’s a convenient way to take in a wide swath of the Twin Cities in less than an hour.
There are plenty of opportunities and reasons to hop on and hop off (one ticket offers 2 hours of unlimited one-way rides) and if you start near the University of Minnesota Minneapolis campus and head east to see some of the most diverse neighborhoods and cultural districts (the Creative Enterprise Zone, Little Africa, Little Mekong, and Rondo) in Saint Paul.
Take the train to the end of the line and check out Union Depot’s soaring 1926 architecture, and all Lowertown has to offer including bars, restaurants, parks, minor league baseball, music venues, a vibrant artist’s district, and more.
It’s a perfect way to get your bearings and check out the lay of the land before moving on to your next adventure.
Favorite spots to stop for breakfast or lunch:
- Sometimes, simple is better. However, it can be hard to come by nowadays. Good, old fashioned scratch breakfast with eggs your way is a dying breed, and Egg & I does this service nicely, on the daily near the Creative Enterprise Zone. Prices remain firmly in an era gone by--30 years and still going strong.
- On's Kitchen is an authentic Thai restaurant located in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood. On is the namesake of the place, and this family-run powerhouse will have you wondering if you’re still on vacation -- try the regional specialty, Khao Soi if it’s on special, and Nam Khao, one of my (many) last-chance dishes, crispy rice with sausage, peanut, coconut and hills of fresh herbs.
- King Cajun Boiling Seafood slings Louisiana seafood boil plied with handfuls of heady seasonings and spices.
- Spicy Feta's unique take on gyros is tastier than it has any right to be. Get a pork, lamb, or chicken pita dripping with Tzatziki.
Evening 1
Stay Downtown, Then Walk Across the River
Downtown Saint Paul's architecture is unmatched and its proximity to the river makes it the perfect urban oasis. Stroll over the Wabasha Street or Robert Street bridges for twinkling water vistas and an entry point to the West Side. Babani’s Kurdish -- the country’s first Kurdish restaurant -- is a unique and utterly delectable mom & pop joint. Get the Kubey Sawar, crushed wheat dough filled with beef, spices, and sizzled in oil.
Meander over to Caesar Chavez Street for a small but mighty Mexican enclave. La Costa has a cute atmosphere, high-octane margaritas, and piles of chips and salsa. There’s also a extensive seafood list to pair with great tequilas. Get the party started here, then grab a sweet treat like tres leches cake and churros at nearby Don Panchos Panaderia.
After heading back over the river, jump on the train to University for a nightcap. Great bars for every vibe include The Dubliner, The Turf Club, and Black Hart of Saint Paul.
Day 2
Explore the Culture of Saint Paul
You owe it to yourself to spend a full afternoon or evening exploring our strong Southeast Asian, East African, and Latinx community cooking.
Try these three different cuisines:
- Our two Hmong Marketplaces, one on the East Side, and the other near downtown warrant a full afternoon alone, but if you’re just breezing through don’t miss a made-to-order green papaya salad, a mangonada (super refreshing mango slushie with a tamarind encrusted straw) or glass noodle-stuffed chicken wings.
- Karibu Deli, Fasika, and Afro Deli offer a great starter pack of East African dining for any vibe you might be looking for -- fast, super fast, or sit down and dine, respectively.
- For Latinx dining, the West Side is an obvious choice, but don’t overlook the always burgeoning East Side. Manana Salvadorian restaurant is always bustling thanks to their otherworldly pupusas and antojitos-- little fried snacks.
Evening 2
Explore the Rondo Community
It’s important to get a sense of the history of the city in a way that might not immediately register at surface level.
Saint Paul’s Rondo neighborhood was once (and still is) a strong and vibrant African American community that was bisected by the construction of Interstate-94, ultimately decimating it. This phenomenon has happened to Black communities all over the country, but Rondo’s rich past can still be felt.
Visit the Rondo Commemorative Plaza to learn more about the spirit of the community, then head to Penumbra Theater for performances that “illuminate the human condition through the prism of the African American experience.”
For dinner, head a few blocks east just outside of Rondo for Tommie’s Pizza, Minnesota’s only Black-owned pizzeria. It’s renowned for its delicious, fresh pizza and flavorful wings.
Then, get a bite or an ice cream or both at Two Scoops Eatery on the outskirts of Rondo in the Summit-University neighborhood. This Black-owned ice cream shop and community hub is also known for daily food specials like handmade pizza and pulled pork sandwiches.
If you have an extra day:
Minnesota is one of the most bike-friendly states in the country--and Saint Paul takes pride in that honor. The city is home to over 200 miles of bike-friendly paths, trails, and roads for cyclists. Check out this downtown bike itinerary, or explore the Saint Paul bike map to choose your own adventure.
Saint Paul is also home to the longest stretch of preserved Victorian-era homes in the county--spanning at a whopping 4.5 mile stretch. Avenue's mansions will leave you agog and challenge anyone’s ability to keep their eyes on the road. Top eating and drinking stops include W.A. Frost for it's quaint patio, Moscow on the Hill for all the vodka, or Revival for top-notch fried chicken and southern food.
Indian Mounds Trail is a good reason to visit Wakáŋ Tipi Cave and present-day Indian Mounds Park, an sacred space for city's Native community.
Cherokee Trail will take you into a less trod portion of the West Side, with beautiful vistas of the bluffs off Cherokee Hill -- I crashed my pink huffy as a little girl on this steep run -- be careful!
In the evening, bike and eat along an off the beaten track neighborhood -- choices include Highland Park -- Joan’s in the Park and Ichido Ramen are standout restaurants, or Cleveland Avenue -- Mario’s is a heralded pizzeria and Gus Gus is a palace for grownup snacking fantasies.
Plan your mini Saint Paul vacation today and tag us on your adventures by using #MYSAINTPAUL.
Related Content:
Hmong Village Shopping Center
1001 Johnson Pkwy Saint Paul, Minnesota 55106 (651) 771-7886 East Side
