8 Great Things to do around st. Cloud Minnesota
Welcome to Saint Cloud Mural
Located at Dominos on St. Cloud State Campus
Welcome to the charming city of Saint Cloud. Nestled along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, this vibrant community, often referred to as the "Granite City," offers a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be discovered. Whether you're a local looking for new adventures or a traveler passing through, Saint Cloud has something special for everyone.
From scenic parks and historic landmarks to culinary delights and cultural hotspots. I had the opportunity to visit in January for the inaugural Bold + Bright event, and even with our mild winter, St. Cloud was able to bring a piece of that winter sprit to us + I had the opportunity to explore a new to me Minnesota town that I haven’t yet explored as an adult!
LOCATION
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LOCATION |
St. Cloud, situated in central Minnesota, holds a strategic and appealing location for weekend getaways or vacations. It lies around 60 miles northwest of the bustling Twin Cities, making it easily accessible for urban dwellers looking for a serene retreat. The city is also only about 150 miles from Duluth, offering a refreshing alternative to the Lake Superior shores. St. Cloud boasts a picturesque setting along the Mississippi River, featuring scenic parks, cultural attractions, and outdoor recreational opportunities.
Bold and Bright Ice Sculpture
Check out local events like Bold + Bright (& More!)
Bold + Bright hosted an outdoor movie night, ice sculpting, outdoor curling, and even a laser light show downtown. Bringing together the community and others from around the state. They also host events like art crawls, Granite City Days, a four-day festival celebrating the history and culture of St. Cloud, Minnesota, and the Benton County Fair.Take part in Free Family-Friendly Activities
Explore downtown Saint Cloud with a historic walking tour using a virtual or printed map to navigate your way through all of the most historic sites of Downtown St. Cloud, MN, free sledding, skiing and snowshoeing Sunday’s at Riverside Park, explore the murals around town or take a short drive out of town, and explore the states only remaining covered bridge: Lake Wobegon Covered Bridge.
Kinder Coffee Lab - St. Cloud
3. Get a Caffeine Kick
St. Cloud has a handful of locally owned and unique coffee shops that are worth adding to your list: Oblivion Coffeebar & Mercantile a moody coffee bar in historic downtown, District Coffee, a modern shop with plenty of steading in South Saint Cloud (check out their crepes), or my personal favorite Kinder Coffee Lab. From kind service, unique branding and design and simple but delicious menu this is a must add to your trip to Saint Cloud. Bonus: they even made my little a steamer with flavor and cinnamon for free! Customer service 10/10.
4. Find St. Cloud’s only Speakeasy
Offering a mixture of signature cocktails with flare, prohibition style cocktails and delicious food. Blue Goose Speakeasy opened in 2023, and needs to be found hidden behind two doors with a secret button that needs to be found to gain entrance. Serving both craft cocktails and food- this is the perfect date night for couples or a girls trip getaway!
With a variety of different cocktails from prohibition style to more contemporary this is a great option for a girls weekend or a date night.
Want a hint on how to gain access? If you’re getting cold, you may want to turn up the heat. Look for the BLUE LIGHT on 5th Ave, enter the building and follow the blue goose. Don’t worry if you get stuck, there’s employees around to help you out, but try to figure it out yourself first. Good luck!
5. Shop Till You Drop
In downtown alone, there is a wide variety of restaurants, bars and enough stores to fill a full afternoon of fun while finding something new to bring home with you. It’s true what they say, a day spent in downtown St. Cloud there really is something for everyone. St. Cloud even put together an interactive Google Map so you can see all the amazing shops while explore what interests you most!
Bever Island Brewing
6. Visit a Local Brewery
While we were in St. Cloud we only had a chance to visit one brewery- Beaver Island Brewing which was a short walk from our hotel, there are a few more in the area to make it a whole tour: Pantown Brewing Co., Whit’s Craft Beer both located in St. Cloud, Bad Habit Brewing and Back Shed Brewing in Waite Park. Bever Island was centrally located, has a patio, games inside and family friendly!
7. Eat at Dolsies Lunch Box Grille
Philly Cheese Sandwich w/ French Fries and Cheese Sauce from Dolsies
While there are many food establishments in and around St. Cloud one of the most fun (and tasty) was Dolsies Lunch Box. A restaurant downtown, Dolsies is a mom/pop shop literally owned by a couple who love each other and love food. You can feel it when you order, how they interact behind the counter and in the food! I ordered the cheese steak sandwich where you can choose from a variety of cheeses included cheese wiz. Don’t for get to get a cupcake from Mrs. Dolsies Cupcakery for dessert or to go!
8. Hike Around Quarry Park and Nature Preserve
Quarry Park Lookout
Quarry Park is a 684 acre park that is the site of 20 former granite mining quarries. There are many different activities for friends, families and adventure seekers. From sandy beaches, trails for running and hiking and cliff jumping this is a great way to get outside for an hour or spend a day exploring and enjoying a little haven just outside of town!
We visited in the winter, and while there was little snow (& it’s not prime swimming weather ;) ) - so we chose to hike to the lookout which was a beautiful little hike after lunch, and I’m sure is just gorgeous in the fall!
St. Cloud, Minnesota, emerges as an ideal destination for weekend getaways or vacations, boasting a central location that facilitates easy access from the Twin Cities, Duluth and beyond. Past its strategic positioning, the city offers a myriad of engaging activities and attractions that cater to diverse preferences. From the vibrant community events hosted like Bold + Bright to family-friendly activities like historic walking tours and outdoor adventures at Riverside Park, St. Cloud provides ample opportunities for exploration and enjoyment. With its combination of cultural richness, recreational diversity, and culinary excellence, St. Cloud stands out as the perfect all-encompassing destination for a memorable weekend stay or vacation.
Want to see more? Head to my Instagram for a full story recap, reels and photo posts!
This blog post was written in conjunction with a press trip with Visit St. Cloud but all opinions are my own.
