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The Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul
A Great Place to Visit
Part Two: Stately St. Paul
By Michele St. Martin
Though St. Paul is the smaller of the Twin Cities, Minnesota's capital city has a special charm all its own. Visitors and newcomers often remark that the architecture and ambiance of St. Paul is European in character. This is a city of quaint neighborhoods and small-town charm. In no time at all, you'll feel at home in St. Paul. It's a great city to walk around, and if you get lost, a friendly St. Paulite will be glad to point you in the right direction.
The Minneapolis/St. Paul International airport is located in suburban Bloomington, just 20 minutes from downtown St. Paul. Nine commercial airlines and several charters offer 1,100 arrivals and departures each day, from 146 American cities and 18 international ones. In addition, St. Paul is served by Greyhound (bus) and Amtrak (train). St. Paul has numerous car rental locations, most at the airport or downtown. The highway system is excellent and easy to navigate. Interstate 94 is a major east-west, coast-to-coast highway; Interstate 35 is a major north-south one. Public transit is excellent; over 900 public buses run throughout the metro area.
St. Paul has quite a few neighborhood parks (41 neighborhood recreation centers and 10 "picnic" parks with barbecue grills and picnic tables), but the queen of them all is Como Park, home to the Como Zoo, Como Park Conservatory and not one but two pavilions! It's very easy to spend the whole day at Como and still not see everything. Como has a tot lot, four ball fields, four tennis courts, a wading pool and swimming pool, an 18-hole golf course, amusement rides for children, bicycle and paddleboat rentals, miniature golf and a fishing pier with excellent bass fishing.
The Japanese Garden has a waterfall and Japanese garden art. Next to the garden is the traditional Japanese teahouse (available by reservation only). The garden design was a gift from Nagasaki, St. Paul's sister city.