Free Attractions in Saint Paul
Exploring Saint Paul doesn’t have to cost you much. From zoos to festivals and landmarks, here’s a roundup of our free activities.
![close-up of two giraffes at Como Zoo in Saint Paul](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/como_zoo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=ad46dde6d486e14b3e18d25edb5ae529 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/como_zoo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=9939c2d7b2f07d4e2c9ad288105b711c 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/como_zoo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=aa109767074dcefaa2951fb610e8d674 768w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/como_zoo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=3242e9ded80030f88b79fd3a20f9feb4 829w)
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Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
Get Directions (651) 487-8201One of the last FREE zoos in the United States, Como is home to a wide array of animals and plants and welcomes visitors 365 days a year. Located right next to…
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Landmark Center
Get Directions (651) 292-3233The historic Landmark Center was built in 1902 and originally served as the Federal Court House and Post Office for the upper Midwest. Today, Landmark Center serves as a cultural center for…
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Union Depot
Get Directions (651) 202-2700Take a tour to learn about the history, recent renovation, sustainability initiatives, expanding transit options and much more. Few sites within the Twin Cities offer such a clear view of the past…
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Minnesota Museum of American Art
Get Directions (651) 447-6622The Minnesota Museum of American Art inspires people to discover themselves and their communities through American art. As a visual arts museum that serves the state of Minnesota, The M strives to…
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Cathedral of Saint Paul
Get Directions (651) 228-1766Each year, the Cathedral of Saint Paul welcomes thousands of visitors from all over the world. The Cathedral is recognized as an historical landmark, one of the most prominent buildings in Minnesota…
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Saint Paul Farmers’ Market
Get Directions (651) 227-8101Nothing says summertime like succulent fruits, vegetables perfect for grill season, and vibrant, beautiful flowers. For the past 150 years, the Saint Paul Farmers' Market, operated by the St. Paul Growers' Association…
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Keg and Case Market
Get Directions (651) 756-7739Located on the historic grounds of the iconic Schmidt Brewery, Keg and Case West 7th Market is a culinary and retail marketplace.
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Grand and Summit Avenues
Get DirectionsCozy pubs, sidewalk cafés, charming boutiques and the most iconic street in the Twin Cities.
Como Zoo
Minnesota's best attraction is family-friendly, free and open 365 days a year. Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is an easy day of entertainment and education that doesn’t cost you anything. In addition to all of the animals, make sure to snap photos of the 105-year-old Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, the Sunken Garden and the Japanese Garden.
Landmark Center
If you love history, then you’ll geek out over the Landmark Center. This castle-esque building in downtown Saint Paul began its legacy as a federal post office and courthouse. It's a place where famous gangsters were tried, two US Supreme Court Justices practiced, and the act that enforced Prohibition was written. Today, it’s a free arts and cultural center that’s ready to welcome you to Saint Paul.
![purple flowers bloom around a long pond inside a greenhouse at Como Zoo and Conservatory in Saint Paul](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/super_bold_winter_flower_show_at_como_zoo_and_conservatory.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=815e4c77b5a262c379c2c90b18ad74c9 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/super_bold_winter_flower_show_at_como_zoo_and_conservatory.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=9a4ba4b6398318fbacb2f5be42b5dd64 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/super_bold_winter_flower_show_at_como_zoo_and_conservatory.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=a19ec61c429f52a965ac9f90635786b8 768w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/super_bold_winter_flower_show_at_como_zoo_and_conservatory.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=88e8a982b0c730c77ae946c71edea4a8 956w)
![a couple poses for a photo on Harriet Island with the river and city skyline in the background](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/harriet_island_-_skyline_photo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=aead26bbc51fbcbb7c789c8745d4589f 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/harriet_island_-_skyline_photo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=5a3364a017c2f6e3ad66e5fd62d8c25c 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/harriet_island_-_skyline_photo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=2131a0c80f6c5bcd8bcdf51c7301fe4b 768w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/harriet_island_-_skyline_photo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=1be096eff2c48e78b36d471682aecfc9 1024w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/harriet_island_-_skyline_photo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1200&q=80&w=1200&s=99b2e2835a81e4b55398256cee878f9a 1200w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/harriet_island_-_skyline_photo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&q=80&w=1440&s=854ca72d6ef16515cdc8de1523a3edcd 1314w)
Harriet Island
The Twin Cities parks systems rank top in the nation, so Harriet Island is just one of many free parks to check out (we also recommend Indian Mounds Park, Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary and Crosby Farm Park). Have a picnic, hike the Mississippi River, photograph Raspberry Island or see if there’s an event going on. Great views of the downtown skyline are an added bonus.
Union Depot
Renovated in 2012, Union Depot is a 1920s train station that today serves as a transportation hub, event center, architectural inspiration, bike shop, and much more. Don’t miss the building's public art installations, including “Forever Saint Paul”, the Guinness World Record Largest Lite-Brite in the world. Free public tours are held every other Tuesday at 11 a.m., and on other days, the audio tour is great for a self-guided option.
Minnesota Museum of American Art
The iconic Minnesota Museum of American Art has found its home in the historic Pioneer Endicott building. While the indoor galleries are currently closed for a total rehaul, you can still take in The M’s exhibitions from their window galleries and skyways.
Cathedral of Saint Paul
The highest point of the city is the Cathedral of Saint Paul—the third largest Catholic church in the United States and the fourth tallest. Stop by to check out the beautiful century-old building to see where John F. Kennedy sat when he attended Mass here and observe the shrine representing countries across the world. Weekday guided tours are at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday-Friday.
Saint Paul Farmers' Market
Sure—the essence of a "market" is to spend money, but you can still enjoy the sights and sounds of the lively Saint Paul Farmers' Market without reaching into your wallet. The outdoor market near CHS Field in Lowertown is open 9am-1pm Saturdays from Nov-April and both Saturdays and Sundays the rest of the season.
![exterior of the Cathedral of Saint Paul at sunset](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/cathedral_of_st._paul.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=3aa735b7792b1f620a8939921445533c 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/cathedral_of_st._paul.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=7f3029835e0b698229b38d623f223636 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/cathedral_of_st._paul.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=c6780454bdfd9c10033fadf557e8263b 768w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/cathedral_of_st._paul.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=135b851d79fc9ad0ba74a91edfc749cc 985w)
Summit Avenue
Get your exercise and sightseeing in the same go. Summit Avenue is the longest stretch of Victorian houses in the United States, and the houses are stunning in every season. Whether you choose to walk, bike or drive down this historic street, make sure you stop at the James J. Hill House, the F. Scott Fitzgerald house and the Mississippi River Overlook.
Festivals
See what’s happening on our events calendar, because there’s always some kind of festival going on in Saint Paul. The season doesn't matter—winter, spring, summer or fall—you'll find free events throughout the year. Some of our favorites include Saint Paul Winter Carnival, Saint Paul Art Crawl, Grand Old Day, Twin Cities Jazz Festival, Little Africa Festival, Lowertown Sounds, and the Japanese Obon Festival.
What’s your favorite free activity in the city? Share with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag #MYSAINTPAUL.
More to Explore
Related Content:
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
1225 Estabrook Dr Saint Paul, Minnesota 55103 (651) 487-8201 Como Park Website >
Landmark Center
75 W 5th St Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102 (651) 292-3233 Downtown Website >
Cathedral of Saint Paul
239 Selby Ave St. Paul, Minnesota 55102 (651) 228-1766 Cathedral Hill Website >
Summit Brewing Company
910 Montreal Circle Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102 (651) 265-7800 West 7th Website >
Union Depot
214 4th St E, Suite 300 Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101 (651) 202-2700 Lowertown Website >
Minnesota Museum of American Art
350 N Roberts St St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 (651) 447-6622 Downtown Website >
Twin Cities Jazz Festival
287 6th Street E , Suite 390 Sant Paul, Minnesota 55101 Lowertown Website >
Irish Fair of Minnesota
Harriet Island Regional Park 200 Dr Justus Ohage Blvd Saint Paul, Minnesota 55107 Downtown Website >