Secrets to Summer Family Fun

Hometown Heroes

Take your family out to the ball game—specifically, to CHS Field—where the St. Paul Saints are in the midst of their 2024 season. With affordable ticket prices, on-site dining, and an energetic, family-friendly atmosphere, a Saints game hits family fun out of the park. If the game falls on a Saturday or Sunday, give yourself extra time to explore the nearby Lowertown Farmers’ Market, a fresh culmination of goods from the hardworking makers and growers across the city. If soccer is more your style, then Allianz Field is a must-visit, home to the Minnesota United FC soccer team. Don your best royal blue and cheer on the “Loons” as they continue to surpass expectations in major league soccer. Cool off after the game with a sweet treat from nearby Nellie’s Ice Cream, a sister store to Saint Paul’s beloved Nelson’s Ice Cream, where you can indulge in unique flavors and custom-made ice cream sandwiches.

Setting the Stage

If sports aren’t your thing, or maybe not everyone’s thing, don't worry! You’re sure to find something the whole family can agree on among the packed event calendars of the city’s many venues. Catch a concert at the Xcel Energy Center, where big names like Earth, Wind and Fire, and Hoizer will be rounding out the summer. Or make a day of it at the Minnesota State Fair’s Grandstand Stage, where nightly show-stopping acts (from Aug. 22 through Sept. 2) will take the stage, including Chance the Rapper, Blake Shelton, T Pain and more! On a smaller scale, you can also check out Saint Paul’s historic Fitzgerald Theater, which hosts events for all ages, including laugh-out-loud standup comedy shows and a variety of concerts.

Picnic in the Park

Did you know Saint Paul is home to one of the country’s top park systems? Bask in notoriously breathtaking views by staging an outdoor picnic with the whole family. Luckily, no prep is necessary with the quick and quality takeout options available. Pick up a freshly prepared box lunch from Cecil's Deli & Bakery on Cleveland Avenue, then swing over to Café Latte on Grand Avenue to add a sweet treat to your basket. Consider setting up your spread on the riverside haven at Harriet Island Regional Park, where you’ll be able to gaze at a lovely skyline view of downtown Saint Paul and enjoy the nearby playground after lunch. For a gorgeous panoramic view, take your picnic uphill to Summit Overlook Park, and marvel with the family at the picture-perfect image of the West 7th neighborhood and the Mississippi River. You might also choose the dynamic setting of Highland Park, where you’ll find its picnic pavilion, complete with plenty of picnic tables, a disc golf course, and multiple playgrounds for kids to expel some energy.

Cruising through the Wind

Closing out the summer is the annual Saint Paul Bike Classic, a perfect outdoor activity for the whole family to enjoy before the beautiful weather slips away. Scheduled for Sunday, September 8, families can choose one of two routes, the 14-mile “Lollipop Loop” or the 30-mile “Saint Paul Grand Round.” The bike tour is an adventure from start to finish, with delicious treats and live music provided at rest stops for bikers to enjoy. Cross the Mississippi River along your ride to explore the hidden gem that is Lilydale Regional Park, with its gorgeous pavilion overlooking Pickerel Lake.

If a private bike ride is more your family’s speed, you won’t have to look far. Saint Paul boasts over 200 miles of bike-friendly routes to explore, from leisure and paved to challenging and expert. Wind your way from Harriet Island to South Saint Paul on the 3.7-mile Robert Piram Regional Trail, escape into the city’s nature along the nearly 7-mile Crosby Farm Regional Park trail, or steer by postcard-perfect skyline views along the 2.6-mile Indian Mounds Trail.

Hidden Gems

Some city highlights simply receive more attention than others. But that doesn’t mean the spotlight-shy “hidden” gems should fall to the bottom of your family’s bucket list. In fact, we argue they deserve a place at the top—perfect for an afternoon or weekend in the city.

Spend a day imagining you are a strategic railroad engineer at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum, where visitors can explore a staggering 11,000 square feet of interactive model train layouts. Founded in 1934, the nonprofit organization has a long history of preserving the regional importance of railroads in the Twin Cities, a fantastic educational opportunity for the whole family.

Many are familiar with the always-fabulous and always-free Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, but it seems fewer make the journey to nearby Como Town, where the fun-filled atmosphere is just as vibrant. With 18 rides and attractions to choose from—including Bumper Cars, the Frog Hopper, and the Como Town Swing—along with plenty of games and fair food to enjoy, this family-friendly amusement park is the perfect afternoon cap to a day at the zoo or conservatory.

See a movie under the stars during Saint Paul’s Movies in the Parks series. Pack your blankets or lawn chairs and cozy up as your favorite family-friendly titles play at various parks around Saint Paul, free and open to the public. Grab your hiking gear and get ready to chase a few waterfalls by visiting the relatively unknown, yet breathtakingly beautiful, falls of Saint Paul. Cool off at Hidden Falls Regional Park, where you may have to explore the trails a bit until you stumble upon its rushing spring-fed waterfall concealed under Mississippi River Boulevard. Relax into the view with your family and let the misting waters spray over you as a reward for your exploration. Nearby, Crosby Farm Regional Park holds a hidden treasure of its own, a majestic waterfall deep within the park, which many hikers refer to as the Slot Canyon. You will have to go off the beaten path to discover it, but its tranquil view will be worth the journey. At Shadow Falls Park, gather up the courage to slip behind the surging waters of Shadow Falls, where you will find a thrilling viewpoint of the natural wonder. Whether you’re exploring during adventurous bike rides, cheering on local teams, enjoying picnics in the park, or cozying up beneath the stars for a movie night, the city of Saint Paul offers an ideal setting for your family to relish these precious moments.