St. Paul – Things to do with your Team

Located on the east bank of the Mississippi River, St. Paul is not only the state capital of Minnesota, but is also one of the “Twin Cities” (the other being Minneapolis). Once a prominent trading and transportation center, the city has grown to become a business hub of the Upper Midwest and is now the most densely populated city in Minnesota. Named after a log chapel dedicated to the apostle Paul, St. Paul is known for its world-class museums, vibrant arts and entertainment community, professional hockey games, and historical charm. See for yourself why locals call it “the most liveable city in America.”

Science Museum of Minnesota

Utilize some free time for a fun and educational trip to the Science Museum of Minnesota.  It features the popular Experiment Gallery, an Egyptian mummy, an authentic Mississippi River towboat, and a 90-foot giant dome screen that can take you to the depths of the ocean and to the highest peaks in the world! The museum also features a dinosaur and fossil room with one of the only four real Triceratops skeletons in the world, in addition to a Native American exhibit and cell lab where you can do hands-on biology experiments. With so much to do and see, this place has to be included on the team’s itinerary. 120 Kellogg Blvd W, St. Paul, MN 55102

Historic Fort Snelling

Dating back 10,000 years, the area of Fort Snelling has seen been a memorable landmark for generations of people with various backgrounds and ethnicities. Today visitors can learn how the people of the past lived and worked at the fort and perform some of the tasks themselves. Overlooking the Mississippi River junction, the fort served the U.S. military for more than 120 years, and was home to the Dakota and Ojibwe American Indians back in the 1600’s. Rich in history and culture, Fort Snelling is the place to see what life was like centuries ago. 345 W Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55102

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

Founded in 1897, Como Zoo was the first zoo in Minnesota and is now helping to protect endangered species through their Species Survival Plan program. The zoo has 25 animal exhibits including anacondas, giraffes, polar bears, and tigers, and the best part is the team and their families can see these endangered species for free! As stated in their name, part of their mission is conservation, particularly the conservation of plants, animals, and ecosystems. In addition to the zoo, they have over 10 types of gardens and rooms, like the Tropical Encounter room that was designed to transport visitors into the tropical rainforest. 1225 Estabrook Dr, St. Paul, MN 55103

Gateway-Brown’s Creek Trail Association

To experience the great outdoors of St. Paul, check out the Gateway-Brown’s Creek Trail, a seventeen mile trail stretching from Stillwater to St. Paul Minnesota. The team will have the option of experiencing the wooded areas through various modes of transportation and activities like biking, roller blading, horseback riding, skiing, and geocaching. After you’ve worked up a sweat, stop at Nelson’s Ice Cream and get a well-deserved ice cream cone before continuing on the 17 mile adventure. 500 Lafayette Rd N, St. Paul, MN 55155-4002

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Twin Cities Trapeze Center

Gone are the days where you had to be in the circus to experience flying through the air with ease. Take the team to Twin Cities Trapeze Center where ages 6 and up can enroll in a single 90 minute class before soaring off the podium. First time students will be introduced to the equipment and practice some techniques on the low trapeze bar before climbing up the ladder to the Trapeze Rig. If trampolines are more your speed, take a trampoline class and learn some basics in body positioning before jumping off the 13 foot wall. The team will have the opportunity to learn how to do back flips, cradles and run perpendicular to the ground while airborne. The Trapeze Center is great for a team looking to try some new activities while staying physically active. 719 Minnehaha Ave E, St. Paul, MN 55106-4441

Candyland

Satisfy that sweet tooth at Candyland, the old time shop for gourmet popcorn, chocolate and candy. For 84 years, Candyland has remained an iconic destination of the Twin Cities and offers more than 200 scratch-made and manufacturer-direct candies. Their popcorn is made with all natural ingredients, air-popped, cooked in copper kettles, and is available to purchase in popcorn tins, in a variety of sizes and flavors. If you’re looking for something sweeter, try their hand-dipped fine chocolates made in-store or purchased directly from world-renowned chocolatiers that use only top-notch ingredients. If the window displays alone don’t lure the team in, the mouth-watering smells definitely will! 435 N Wabash , St. Paul, MN 55102

Can Can Wonderland Mini Golf

Take the team for a unique 18-hole mini golf experience at Can Can Wonderland, where all of their holes are designed by local artists. For inspiration, they asked mini golf enthusiasts what holes they have always wanted to play, and the artists based their creations on the responses. The best part about this place is that it is in-doors and after the team is done with mini-golf, they can head to the arcade and play pinball, ping pong, air hockey, and so much more! To satisfy any grumbling tummies, eat at their in house restaurant and order some nachos, gourmet hot dogs, calzones, duck pizza, and charcuterie for the more sophisticated pallet. Can Can Wonderland is open 7 days a week, 10 or more hours a day, making it an easy destination to fit in any tournament schedule. 755 Prior Ave North, St. Paul, MN 55104

Large Green Chair

Before leaving St. Paul, snap a team photo at the Large Green Chair, which has become a beloved landmark for the residents of St. Paul. The first chair was built in 1995 as a publicity piece for the Green Chair Project, a program that employs inner city youth over the summer to construct and build regular size Adirondack chairs. The present chair (built in 2002) sits approximately 4-5 feet above the ground and is a great spot to enjoy a few laughs while watching fellow team members try to sit in the 2,000 pound chair. 480 Smith Ave N, St. Paul, MN

With dozens of seasonal street festivals and tours happening on a weekly basis, in addition to the permanent attractions, St. Paul has it all. Whether you plan your visit by the minute or find some free time in between games, the list of fun things to do ranges from art galleries to historical sites to professional sports to zoos. Where to begin all depends on what you’re in the mood for, but there are plenty of great trips to get your team started, both indoors and outdoors, spanning along 26 miles of Mississippi Riverfront.