The basketball games may be in Minneapolis, but there is plenty of fun to be had in St. Paul. So if you’ve got relatives in town for the 2019 NCAA men’s Final Four this weekend, or are simply looking for something to do, here are a few suggestions:
JAMES J. HILL HOUSE
Minnesota’s Downton Abbey is the home of railroad tycoon James J. Hill. The 36,000-square-foot mansion built in 1891 is known for its stone architecture, lovely details and ingenious mechanical systems. The 75-minute tours are given roughly every half-hour on a space-available basis, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 6, $6-10; 240 Summit Ave., 651-297-2555, mnhs.org/hillhouse.
GANGSTER TOURS
Notorious gangsters — like John Dillinger, Ma Barker and Babyface Nelson — found a haven in St. Paul during the Prohibition Era. See sites of kidnappings and gun battles (bullet holes are still in the walls) and the nightclubs where they partied. Two-hour tour starts at noon April 6, 205 S. Wabasha St., 651-292-1220, $30, wabashastreetcaves.com/gangster.html. Or, from the same starting point, consider a tour of historic river caves, 11 a.m. April 6 and 7, $9.
CAN CAN WONDERLAND
You’ve never seen anything like this. A former canning factory has morphed into a vast labyrinth of artist-designed mini-golf, karaoke, two bars (plus a “secret bar”), a restaurant, two stages and dozens of vintage games. Friday-to-Sunday events include tap dance lessons, a retro game show, soul line-dancing, bingo. It’s kid-friendly until 9 p.m., when it becomes wilder, crazier and adults-only. 755 N. Prior Ave., 11 a.m.-1 a.m. April 5; 10 a.m.-1 a.m. April 6; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. April 7; cancanwonderland.com.
SUMMIT BREWERY
Stroll through a craft-beer brewery on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, and pause to sample brewery-fresh beers. 3 p.m. April 5; 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. April 6; $5 including four 7-ounce beers; 910 Montreal Circle; 651-265-7800, summitbrewing.com/summit-ratskeller/.
KEG AND CASE
America’s best new food hall (USA Today, Readers Choice 2019) is a converted beer hall in the Schmidt Beer building, now packed with 23 unique and locally owned vendors. Marvel at the 14-foot glass-enclosed mushroom farm, the venison tartar at fine-dining In Bloom, blood-orange cotton candy at Spinning Wylde, or the smoked black IPA at Clutch Brewing Co. 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. April 5 and 7; open until midnight April 7; 928 W. Seventh St.; kegandcase.com.
LOWERTOWN
A funky cluster of artists’ quarters, charming eateries, galleries and shops. It’s near the Mississippi River, surrounds beautiful Mears Park and is anchored by a restored 1923 Union Depot train station. Notable nearby restaurants: Handsome Hog, OCTO Fishbar, PUBLIC kitchen+bar, Saint Dinette, World of Beer. Black Dog Café is the heart of Lowertown, with live music in the evening. 8 a.m.-11 p.m. April 5 and 6; 8 a.m.-9 p.m. April 7; 308 E. Prince St.; 651-228-9274; blackdogstpaul.com.
STATE CAPITOL TOUR
The restored 1905 Capitol building has the second-largest self-supported marble dome in the world. Tour includes a walk to rooftop to see four gold-plated horses and chariot called the Quadriga. Free 45-minute tours leave on the hour from Room 126, on the first floor near the south entrance. Tours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 5; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 6; 1-3 p.m. April 7; 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.; 651-259-3003; mnhs.org/capitol/activities/tours. Also consider visiting the nearby magnificent Cathedral of St. Paul, 239 Selby Ave., built in 1915.
SCIENCE MUSEUM of MINNESOTA
One of the most popular museums in the Midwest is a must-see for all ages. Science bursts to life with interactive exhibits specializing in dinosaur fossils, Egyptian mummies and the Mississippi River. Ongoing films and live shows are “Cuba,” “Ballgame Physics,” “Free Fall” (how objects accelerate as they drop), “Infestation: the Evolution Begins,” “The Fire Triangle” (how and why things burn). 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m. April 5-6; 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. April 7. $19.95 adults, 120 W. Kellogg Blvd., 651-221-9444, smm.org.
RICE PARK
Superb eateries and historic sites are clustered around downtown’s Rice Park. Crane your neck at the stunning courtyard in the Landmark Center, a 1902 civic mega-castle. Then walk across the park to the Great Reading Room of the James J. Hill Center, the city’s 1921 library. Replenish yourself at the St. Paul Grill, Kincaid’s Fish, Chop & Steak House, Meritage (French cuisine) or Pazzaluna (Italian). Landmark Center, 75 W. Fifth St., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. April 5; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 6; noon-5 p.m. April 7; landmarkcenter.org.
ASIAN EATERIES
Check out St. Paul’s lively Asian restaurant scene by taking the Green Line light rail to the Victoria Avenue stop. Nearby is Ngon Vietnamese Bistro, 799 University Ave.; Trung Nam French Bakery, 739 University; and iPho by Saigon, 704 University. Or just look around — East African, Cambodian, Thai, Laotian, Japanese and Chinese restaurants line the street.
