Minneapolis Public Schools

Created during an era when parks and gardens were all the rage, Como Park has delighted visitors from every walk of life since it first opened in 1873 and it continues to be one of the most beloved public parks in the Twin Cities. Designed by noted landscape architect Horace Cleveland, Como famously features distinct gardens, ponds, plazas, a conservatory, a zoo and a world class pavilion. It also quietly features countless memorials and statues that are tucked into the folds of its arresting grounds. This tour unveils the park’s hidden gems on a lovely morning walk that is sure to fascinate and inspire listeners of every age. Come and walk the trail less traveled and hear the stories of the park’s colorful history and development. Pack a lunch and make a day of it! Or stop for refreshments at the Pavilion at tours end! Tour is 1.5 miles If event is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available.

St. Paul’s Grand Avenue neighborhood owes much of its original growth and development to the streetcar line that ran daily through it’s vibrant center. But in the dirty thirties Grand was also impacted by an ad-hoc collective of the nation’s most wanted criminals who lived openly along the Avenue ! This behind-the-scenes walking tour offers a glimpse into the more domestic corners of the day-to-day lives of the notorious Gangsters and Mobsters who undoubtedly paid stolen money to live large along St. Paul’s Grand Avenue. Walk along and hear about how their sinful misadventures intersected with one of the most vibrant streets in the saintly city! Tour Walk is 1.2 miles Tour begins and ends outside near the front of La Cucaracha Restaurant - 36 S Dale St South, St Paul, MN 55102. If event is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available.

Join Sister Celeste on this historic walking tour as she goes “off campus” to explore the vast homes and singular landscapes on Summit Avenue and the Hill District’s southern edge. Learn about the conventions that shaped the Gilded Age and forever changed St. Paul’s cityscape. A product of the Victorian Era who was “in the world but not of it”, Sister Celeste reveals the concealed messages that were hiding out in the open in the palatial homes and beautifully maintained gardens of some of the city’s earliest and most prestigious citizens. This tour unveils how the hidden languages of flowers, fans, and gems conveyed secret messages in a society that demanded buttoned-down decorum over uncovered passion in polite society. But all that glitters is not gold for everyone in the Gilded Age! Learn how first wave immigrants often worked behind the scenes to present a seamless image for the elite and were mindful to protect their Master's jealously guarded reputations. Explore the lasting influence of a host of noted architects who left their calling cards on the nation's longest Victorian Boulevard. View the handiwork of Master Builders and celebrated architects including Cass Gilbert, J. K. Taylor, A. Gauger, Clarence Johnston, Thomas Holyoke and landscape architect Horace Cleveland . Tour starts and finishes at Summit Avenue and Ramsey Hill's Overlook Park (aka Lookout Park) in St. Paul. How Long: 90 Minutes Length: 1.3 Mile Meeting Location: Summit Avenue and Ramsey Hill's Overlook Park (aka Lookout Park) in St. Paul If event is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available.

A stein-swinging experience! Set sail on a leisurely cruise along the scenic riverbanks of the Mighty Mississippi with this brand new Oktoberfest Sing-A-Long! Join the delightful "Frau Gerhard" as she taps the keg on a host of fascinating stories about how the river shaped the development of beer in the saintly city! Later you can raise your voice ...and a stein… on a handful of your favorite beer hall tunes with "Herr Steuben" at the piano! Immerse yourself in the rich history of beer and discover the pivotal role played by German immigrants in shaping the identity of early St. Paul. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a lover of music, or simply looking for a refreshing immersive experience, this cruise is for you! Meet at the Watergate Marina, 2500 Crosby Farm Road, Saint Paul Minnesota, 55116. Crosby Farm Road is at the intersection of Shepherd Road and Gannon Road. 5:00 pm Board Magnolia Blossom 5:30 pm Boat Departs Marina 8:00 pm @ Return to Marina Transportation to the Watergate Marina is on your own. Beverages will be available to purchase on board the boat. You may bring your own food. Ages 21+. If the tour is full, please add your name to the waitist. If enough interest, we will try to schedule a second cruise.