• Experience the "Mighty Mississippi" by floating through the heart of the Twin Cities on a paddle-wheeler by taking a Padelford Mississippi Riverboat Tour.
• Once a speakeasy and hangout for mobsters, Wabasha Street Caves is now a destination for events and tours. Take the cave tour to hear the legends of mobster massacres and ghostly lore.
• Saint Paul Saints baseball games are awesome for a lot of reasons – sometimes even the baseball. They’re fun, entertaining (and cheap)...and now held in a new stadium! Or get in some Minnesota Wild hockey.
• Visiting Como Park is an excellent way to while away a couple of hours — or an entire day. Take an easy 1.7-mile walk around Lake Como or rent a paddleboat and commune with the lake’s many feathered residents. Not too far from the lake is the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. On the way, take a ride on Cafesjian’s Carousel or the amusement park’s 85-foot-high zip line. Stroll through the free zoo, which features 25 animal habitats. End your park tour at the conservatory, a beautiful place to relax and smell the flowers. 

• No matter what you’re into, there's something here that'll float your boat t the Science Museum of Minnesota. Check out the hands-on exhibits. You can even play a round of (educational) mini-golf.
• Newly renovated, the State Capitol is worth a trip if you’ve never visited. Take a guided or self-guided tour.
• Who knew there was so much to know about Minnesota? Head to the Minnesota History Center to check out great interactive exhibits and cool multimedia explain it all.
• To visit the Irvine Park neighborhood west of downtown is to take a step back in time. Historic Victorian homes surround lovely Irvine Park, a New England-style public square and popular spot for picnics, weddings and concerts. The neighborhood is home to the Alexander Ramsey House. Built for Minnesota’s first territorial governor and completed in 1872, the home is open for tours year-round. 

• Gateway-Brown's Creek Trail , a former rail bed, is now a paved 18-mile trail from Saint Paul to Pine Point County Park in Stillwater.
• Fort Snelling State Park is a top spot to hike or bike in the metro area. One of the trails leads to historic Fort Snelling for a view of military life in the 1820s.

• Charming Grand Avenue spans 25 blocks and is filled with old homes, small shops and restaurants.

Near Concordia and Macalester:

• Cafe Latté is three restaurants in one: a gourmet cafeteria serving soups, salads and design-your-own sandwiches; a bakery (don’t miss the desserts); and a pizza and wine bar.
• Shish Mediterranean Grill and Café serves up an extensive menu of Mediterranean cuisine including a tasty egg scramble wrapped in Lebanese flat bread
• The Italian Pie Shoppe offers “a pizza you can't refuse, and our sandwiches aren't too bad either...."
• Khyber Pass Café serves authentic food from Afghanistan.
• The Neighborhood Café is the home of the Cajun breakfast and pot roast benedict.
• Little Szechuan serves fiery Chinese dishes, including eggplant in garlic sauce and diced fish with chile peppers.
• On’s Thai Kitchen serves for Panang beef, pad see ew, or — if you’re adventurous — the fish-custard appetizer.
• Green Mill is a casual Italian dining with great pizza.

Near St. Thomas and St. Catherine:

• Izzy's Ice Cream offers more than 30 flavors a day, updated by the minute on its website. Every order comes with an Izzy Scoop of your choice, so you can be adventurous.
• You won't do better than ordering the Juicy Nookie at the NOOK burger joint Saint Paul.
• At Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt create your own concoction from dozens of flavor and topping choices.
• The Highland Grill is a popular eatery within walking distance that serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week.

Near Hamline:

• Gingko Coffeehouse cross from Hamline University serves up fair-trade and organic coffee along with tea, smoothies, soups and sandwiches.
• Nelson Cheese and Deli has the best sandwiches around. Takeout only so grab a box lunch and head over to Como Park.
• Black Sea Restaurant offers traditional Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine. Try the spinach pie, homemade lemonade or the grilled meatballs.
• Groundswell Coffee is a locally owned bakery, coffee shop, café and artist retail space.

Near Bethel and Northwestern:

• Grumpy’s Bar and Grill has a huge menu, easy parking and a great outdoor patio.
• Lindey's Prime Steak House offers an American menu that includes steaks, sandwiches and burgers.
• Swing into Davanni's Pizza & Hot Hoagies for a pizza and hoagies menu known for its wide variety.
• Potbelly Sandwich Shop offers fresh made-to-order toasted sandwiches and salads as well as baked goods.