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The History Buff![]() The Capitol
City Tours: St. Paul Summit Tour (photos below)—On foot, by car, astride a bike, Minnesota’s best-known and historically important residential street is impressive. Take Larry Millett’s AIA Guide to the Twin Cities along for the ride and learn more about the Governor’s Residence (1), House of Hope Church (2), Fitzgerald’s boyhood home (3), the Burbank–Livingston–Griggs (4) and William Lightner (5) residences, James J. Hill House (6), the Cathedral of St. Paul (7), plus other architectural gems you’ve never heard of.
The River Tour: The Mississippi River—more specifically, St. Anthony Falls (1)—is why Minneapolis and St. Paul are where they are (as opposed to, say, in Iowa), and they have finally embraced their downtown riverfronts after decades of neglect. In the historic environs of the aforementioned waterfall (now in Minneapolis, but once in St. Paul), a morning’s ramble will give you a whole new appreciation of the city’s past and present. Begin at the superlative Mill City Museum (2)—in the remarkably restored Washburn A Mill—and either walk, bike, skate, or take a Segway “Magical History Tour” along both sides of the Mighty Miss. Cross the river on James J. Hill’s iconic Stone Arch Bridge (3) and enjoy the view of the downtown skyline from one of the outdoor bars along old Main Street (4)—which is especially beautiful at sundown. Hot Ticket: Story-spinner nonpareil Kevin Kling provides a quick, quirky historical primer in Minneapolis in 19 Minutes Flat, now showing at the Mill City Museum (704 S. 2nd St., 612-341-7555 ). Hot Ride: Segway tours of the Minneapolis riverfront (952-888-9200).
Best Deal: Every true-blue Minnesotan (and sympathetic Minnesota visitor) owes himself/ herself a day at the Capitol (University Ave. between Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and Cedar St., St. Paul 651-296-2881), architect Cass Gilbert’s awe-inspiring white marble monument to representative democracy on the tundra. Even (or maybe especially) when the legislature is not in session, the House and Senate chambers speak of history, and the wide, portrait-lined hallways echo with the business of the people going back more than a century. Guided and self-guided tours are available (trust us—there’s much more here than first meets the eye!), as are a smorgasbord of classes and special events produced by the Minnesota Historical Society. Unless a thunderstorm is raging, you’ll also want to join a group tour of the legendary Quadriga (golden horses) on the roof. And it's all free—if you don’t count your tax dollars at work.
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