Spring to-do’s in St. Paul
As the weather is slowly creeping into the upper 60’s and lower 70’s, campus is waking up from its yearly hibernation to expose buds on trees, tiny blue flowers popping up from the gardens, and thawed ducks sitting peacefully at Dew Drop Pond. You know what that means? Spring has arrived in St Paul!
I go outside and the cold air doesn’t sting my nose, and I can smell summer just around the corner! This fact got me very excited, but as an out of state student, I was struggling to find fun things to do to fill up these lovely spring days when I don’t have classes. I did some exploring around the Cities, interviewed a longtime-Minnesota-resident-turned-Katie, and compiled a list of some of the things that I’m planning on doing to take advantage of the spring season while on campus.
Kate Nordstrom ‘23 (Communication Studies) grew up in Annandale, MN, and is very familiar with the Twin Cities, having lived here at St. Kate’s for two years.
“I love exploring St Paul as it’s starting to warm up,” Nordstrom said. “It feels so nice to get out of my room every once and awhile to get some fresh air. I don’t have a car on campus, so my friends and I go rollerblading, biking and hiking as much as we can.”
The easiest way to take advantage of the wonderful weather is just to go on a walk. There are many destinations within a few miles of campus, including Crisp & Green, my favorite place for fantastic salads, and the Highland Park Cinema, which recently opened its doors to limited seated movie screenings, but the highlight of the area is easily the banks of the Mississippi River, just two miles from St. Kate’s. The St. Thomas overlook is a beautiful spot for a picnic, located east down Summit Avenue, and features a walking path along the riverside.
“The view of the cliffs is gorgeous,” raves Nordstrom. “The trees are starting to flower, and the breeze from the river keeps you nice and cool.”
If, like me, your taste for fun experiences lies outside of the three mile radius around campus, the Science Museum of Minnesota is a must see.
“It’s one of my favorites!” says Nordstrom. Located on Kellogg Blvd in St Paul, this ever-changing museum is a fun way to spend an afternoon, and tickets are regularly discounted for college students.
If you’re more of an art person, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, attached to the Walker Arts Center, is a free outdoor art exhibit featuring the famous Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture, which is well worth a visit if just for the fun pictures. As well as the Sculpture Garden, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) is a well known art museum in the heart of Minneapolis. Though closed Monday through Wednesday, MIA features ticketed tours of world-renowned art that’s sure to intrigue anyone.
Kate Nordstrom ‘23 and Eliana Fall ‘24 at the Sculpture Garden
If, also like me, you don’t have a car on campus and are wondering how to access these fun spots I’ve mentioned, never fear. Last week, I spent the day riding the bus for you, just to see what it’s like, and I’m happy to report that my commute was seamless and affordable, at $2 for a 2.5 hour pass. The 74 line picks up at Kenneth and Randolph every half hour, and travels both east, past Minnehaha Falls, and west, straight into downtown St Paul. Along the line are the Center for Lost Objects, a quirky catch-all kind of store that’s very fun for browsing, 7th Avenue, which is full of great restaurants, and the 46th Street transfer point, featuring a metro line leading directly to the Mall of America.
Lauren Trowbridge ‘24, Charlotte Kadifa ‘23, Kate Churchill ‘24, and Kate Nordstrom ‘23. Why not ride the bus with a group of friends?
Getting outside is easy, finding things to do is less so. I hope this has piqued your interest on some of the wonders of St Paul. Spring is such a wonderful and hopeful time, and I know that I’m going to spend as much time as possible ticking off these fun to-do’s.
Nordstrom puts it eloquently, saying, “Go find the adventure! Whether it’s hiking, finding waterfalls, or browsing a little shop, there’s so much to do, and there’s something for everyone.”
