Since Saint Paul has carried the best of its past into the present, no visit would be complete without a journey across the Mississippi River to Historic Fort Snelling, a stone fortress where you can relive the outpost life of early Minnesota. The Minnesota Historical Society maintains a "living history museum" at the fort where costumed guides recreate the activities and ceremonies of everyday army life during the 1820s.

After a hike through the fort, a short drive along the Mississippi will bring you to Saint Paul's Harriet Island, where you can board the Jonathan Padelford or Josiah Snelling riverboats for an afternoon sternwheel cruise or you may opt for a Dixieland dinner cruise. Padelboat excursions are available from May through September aboard the Padelford packet boats, which board at Harriet Island across from downtown Saint Paul. Two-hour excursions are available as well as evening dinner cruises or Sunday morning brunch cruises. The Delta Queen Steamboats arrive in Saint Paul, the northern most port on the Mississippi, approximately eight to ten times during the summer months.

Enjoy Harriet Island's $15 million riverfront renovation, which includes bike and walking paths, a grand staircase to the river, entertainment pavilions and picnic areas. With renovations completed, Harriet Island has become the focal point of family fun and leisure activities in the Saint Paul community. Harriet Island boasts a new dock on the river for a lazy day of "catch and release" fishing, as well as a new state-of-the-art children's playground. Other projects completed include a new Pavilion, River Walk and magnificent Grand Staircase with direct access to the Mississippi River.