Keys to the City

Facts & Fundamentals

Minneapolis and Saint Paul – better known as the Twin Cities – combine to form the 16th largest metro area in the United States. The 2000 census had St. Paul at just under the 290,000 people, making it the smaller of the two cities.

Several major, publicly traded companies call St. Paul "home," including The Travelers Companies, Ecolab, Securian Financial, and Lawson Software.

The Mall of America isn't the only reason shoppers come from all over to spend their cash in the Twin Cities – there is no sales tax on clothing or shoes in Minnesota. This is especially good in the winter, when you can use the savings to buy more of both!

Weather

In St. Paul, winters are long and cold and temperatures well below freezing are the norm, so dress in layers and don't forget a hat, scarf and gloves. While spring and fall can be quite lovely, it's not unheard of to have snow as late as April or as early as October. Sunny days and moderate heat are summer norms, but humidity can simmer at times, so dress comfortably.

Holidays & Business Hours

On federal and state holidays, many offices and businesses close or have truncated hours. Naturally, policies vary, but in general, the following holidays are broadly observed:

Coming & Going

Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is a few minutes' drive southwest of downtown St. Paul. The airport is a hub for Northwest Airlines and is also served by several major domestic airlines and foreign carriers. A smaller airport, St. Paul Downtown Airport or Holman Field, sits right across the river from downtown St. Paul, but its three runways mainly serve corporate planes and the Air National Guard. Amtrak trains operate out of the station at 730 Transfer Road.

Making Your Way

The downtown areas of the Twin Cities are extremely pedestrian-friendly, even in winter, thanks to their skyway systems, which allow pedestrians to walk from downtown shops, restaurants and businesses despite subzero temperatures. Catch a cab or a Metro Transit bus to reach attractions outside the city limits or travel to and from the airport. If you are unfamiliar with St. Paul, driving downtown is not advisable because the city grid is notoriously difficult to navigate, and some streets actually change names with little or no warning.

News & Views

While the Minneapolis-based Star Tribune is the most widely read daily in the region, for more focused coverage of the goings on in St. Paul, the St. Paul Pioneer Press is tops. For entertainment, the East Side Review covers the scene east of I-35, and City Pages (published by Village Voice Media) is a Twin Cities weekly focusing on news, film, theatre, music and restaurants.

National Public Radio listeners have a special fondness for St. Paul, as its Fitzgerald Theater is home to Garrison Keillor's beloved radio show, A Prairie Home Companion.

Quirks & Curiosities

Don't let the "cool" temperatures keep you from visiting St. Paul during the winter. If you do, you'll miss having fun at the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, which attracts hundreds upon thousands of visitors each year with its assemblage of great food, ice sculptures, an ice palace, and more.

Getting Your Bearings

When visiting a new city, it's helpful to know where to find help should you need it. Saint Paul Convention & Visitors Authority operates a visitors center downtown seven days a week:

Landmark Center
75 W Fifth St
651-292-3225
Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun noon-4pm

Necessities - Post Offices

There are several post office branches in St. Paul, as well as drop boxes throughout the city. Should you need to conduct serious postal business, stop by the downtown branch:

408 St. Peter St
651-293-6032
Mon-Fri 8:30-5pm, Sat-Sun closed

Common Courtesies

Tipping is not an exact science but is customary if you consider service to your satisfaction. Restaurants consider 15% the standard, unless a gratuity is already included in your bill (frequently added automatically for groups of six or more). Bars in Minneapolis typically have a tips tray on the counter for you to show your appreciation. You can offer taxi and limousine drivers anywhere from 10-20% of the cost of the ride, and a dollar or two for bag handlers and valet parking.