20 Things To Do In St Cloud, MN

Along the shores of the Mississippi River not far from Minnesota’s geographic centre, is the small Midwest city of St Cloud. This is a destination to explore if you’re a fan of Minnesota’s stunning outdoors and rich history, or just keen to explore the amazing sights and attractions outside the Twin Cities. St Cloud is home to two prestigious universities, an exciting line-up of entertainment options and cultural attractions. Not too far from must-visit Minnesota sites such as the Charles Lindbergh State Park and the famous Twin Cities, St Cloud has attractions that are fun for all ages and interests, with the comforts of the big city never too far away. Enjoy slower-paced Midwest living with these things to do in St Cloud.

St Cloud, Minnesota

20 Things To Do In St Cloud

1- Stroll Through The Munsinger Clemens Gardens

Consisting of the 14-acre (6 ha) Munsinger Gardens and the 7-acre (3 ha) Clemens Gardens, the Munsinger Clemens Gardens are a pair of manicured outdoor spaces that operate as one attraction in St Cloud.

The gardens sit along the shores of the mighty Mississippi River and boast a fascinating collection of native plants, perennials and annuals which attract thousands of visitors, butterflies and bees annually.

Free to visit, the gardens are on what was the site of a former sawmill and home to more than 150,000 unique annual and perennial flower displays.

The Munsinger Clemens Gardens are at 1515 Riverside Dr SE, St Cloud, MN 56304.

2- Explore The Shores Of The Mississippi River

The mightiest river in North America, the murky Mississippi River has long been a pivotal navigational route for trade in the Midwest and was long a natural border between the early United States and the territories of New Spain and New France.

Meandering for more than 2,340 miles (3,766 km) as it winds its way from Minnesota’s Lake Itasca down south to the Mississippi Delta, the Mississippi River is a crucial artery responsible for draining almost 60% of all freshwater waterways in the United States.

Splitting Minnesota cities such as St Cloud and Minneapolis in half, the Mississippi River is arguably the North Star State’s most famous natural feature and can be enjoyed from several attractions and destinations throughout St Cloud.

3- Tour The Stearns History Museum

In the heart of central St Cloud lies the Stearns History Museum, where curious travellers can learn more about Stearns County’s history through a collection of photographs, artefacts, documents and manuscripts.

The museum was originally founded as the Stearns County Historical Society in 1939 before opening the doors of its current home in 1982.

It has been collecting, preserving and exhibiting thousands of important works and artefacts to the county and its residents since its establishment.

More than just a historic landmark, the museum forms part of a larger, 100-acre (40 ha) urban development program which features everything from nature trails to skate parks within a short walk from the museum’s entrance.

The Stearns History Museum is at 235 South 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN 56301.

4- Trek The Beaver Island Trail

Stretching for just over 5 miles (8 km) along the shores of the Mississippi River from River Bluffs Regional Park to the campus of St Cloud State University, the Beaver Island Trail offers eager outdoor lovers a small slice of St Cloud’s stunning surrounding landscapes.

The entire trail is paved and is open year-round, making it accessible to hikers, cyclists and in-line skaters during summertime, as well as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during the cold Minnesota winter months.

5- Catch A Theatre Production At The Paramount Center For The Arts

Steeped in history, the Paramount Center for the Arts is the premier cultural institution in St Cloud for the performing arts, having played host to numerous world-class artists and travelling theatre groups throughout its history.

The theatre first opened its doors way in 1931 as the Paramount Theater before being renamed in 1972 when the Greater Ashland Foundation purchased the venue following its closing a year prior.

Extensively renovated to its former 20th-century glory, the Art Deco-style theatre has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1975 and was even used as the filming location for the music video of Billy Ray Cyrus’ 1992 hit, “Achy Breaky Heart”.

The Paramount Center for the Arts is at 913 W St Germain St, St Cloud, MN 56301.

6- Admire The Natural Beauty Of Quarry Park & Nature Preserve

The Quarry Park & Nature Preserve is a popular outdoor attraction in St Cloud that dazzles nature lovers with spectacular Minnesota landscapes ranging from dense oak woodlands to prairies.

Covering an area of more than 643 acres (260 ha), the preserve got its name from the granite quarry which was mined until the 1950s before the land got acquired by Stearns County, who promptly turned it and the surrounding area into a preserve in 1998.

The preserve has flourished into one of St Cloud’s leading outdoor attractions, with visitors able to partake in activities such as hiking, swimming, rock climbing and even cross-country skiing during wintertime.

The Quarry Park & Nature Preserve is at 1802 Co Rd 137, Waite Park, MN 56387.

7- Catch A Ballgame At Joe Faber Field

Unveiled to St Cloud’s passionate sports fans in 1998, Joe Faber Field is the official home of the local St Cloud Rox and St Cloud State University baseball teams, who ply their trade in the Northwoods League and the NCAA Division II respectively.

The 2,000-seater venue forms part of the St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex and is the best spot in town for catching amateur and collegiate level baseball live.

Grab a snack at one of the many concession stands available to make every game day experience at this recently renovated stadium a memorable one.

Joe Faber Field is at 5001 Veterans Dr, St Cloud, MN 56303.

8- Enjoy Lakeside Camping At Lake George Regional Park

In the town of Oak Grove roughly 50 miles (80 km) from downtown St Cloud, Lake George Regional Park is a pretty special natural attraction centred around the shores of Lake George, a popular spot for kayaking, fishing and swimming in the region.

The park covers an area of more than 219 acres (89 ha), a large chunk of which is taken up by Lake George, which the park’s visitors can enjoy thanks to on-site kayak and canoe rentals.

Established in 1972, the park is also home to a splendid public beach, making it a great stopping point when travelling between St Cloud and Minneapolis or ideal for a weekend camping trip.

Lake George Regional Park is at 3100 217th Ave NW, Oak Grove, MN 55011.

9- Take A Stroll Around Saint John’s University Campus

The oldest continuously operating higher learning institution in Minnesota, Saint John’s University, or simply SJU as locals and alumni call it, is a historic research hub with one of the most picturesque main campuses in the state.

The private university was founded in 1857 by Benedictine monks from Saint John’s Abbey and regularly ranks as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the nation, with the university’s theology and arts faculties rated as some of the best in the United States.

In addition to its world-class academic prestige, the university also excels in the sporting arena, with several of the university’s collegiate programs competing in NCAA Division III level events and conferences.

The Saint John’s University Campus is at 2850 Abbey Plaza, Collegeville, MN 56321.

10- Plan A Shopping Trip To The Crossroads Center

The largest shopping centre in Minnesota outside the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St Paul, the Crossroads Center is the ultimate shopping destination in St Cloud, with a decent selection of anchor stores and outlets.

Opened in 1966, the mall is also home to a movie theatre and several dining spots where shoppers can take a break from retail therapy.

The Crossroads Center is at 4101 W Division St, St Cloud, MN 56301.

11- Catch A Hockey Game Or Live Concert At The Herb Brooks National Hockey Center

On the campus of St Cloud State University, the 5,000-seat Herb Brooks National Hockey Center plays host to top-tier collegiate hockey games from both the SCSU Huskies and SJU Johnnies varsity ice hockey programs.

The arena originally opened its doors in 1989 as the National Hockey Center before being renamed to its current title in 2014 and is a prime destination in town for catching pulsating hockey games or stopping by for a live music concert.

The Herb Brooks National Hockey Center is at 1204 4th Ave S, St Cloud, MN 56301.

12- Enjoy An Evening Out At Pioneer Place On Fifth

For a speakeasy-type venue where you can listen to live music while sipping on drinks, look no further than Pioneer Place of Fifth, a mainstay on St Cloud’s nightlife scene that regularly dazzles crowds with events and special musical performances.

The venue was established in 1998 and has grown to become a premier downtown entertainment space with an intimate feel that immediately makes you feel welcome.

Award-winning bartenders delight patrons with hand-made cocktails while the venue’s small theatre hosts more than 150 productions every year, so be sure to swing by this unmissable St Cloud venue for a fun night out and about.

Pioneer Place on Fifth is at 22 5th Ave S, St Cloud, MN 56301.

13- Spend A Sunny Afternoon At Wilson Park

Small, pet-friendly and perfect for travelling families, Wilson Park is a popular urban outdoor recreational space where park goers can enjoy the park’s many top-tier amenities or mingle with St Cloud locals.

The park was created as part of the Works Progress Administration during the 1930s and has a fun play area for kids.

It’s also home to a 24-seat pavilion where you can sit and grab a bite to eat.

Wilson Park is at 625 Riverside Dr NE, St Cloud, MN 56304.

14- Be Treated To World-Class Events At The Ledge Amphitheater

With space for up to 6,000 people, the Ledge Amphitheatre is among the largest performance venues in St Cloud, hosting all sorts of live events, productions and concerts throughout each calendar year.

The venue is sandwiched between two quarries in Waite Park and was unveiled to the public to much fanfare in 2021.

Perfectly pairing Minnesota’s stunning landscapes with world-class live entertainment, the Ledge Amphitheatre is one of the newest additions to the St Cloud tourism scene and has already established itself as one of the top places to visit when stopping by the city.

The Ledge Amphitheater is at 1700 Parkway Dr, Waite Park, MN 56387.

15- Plan A Visit To The Historic Charles A. Lindbergh State Park

Just outside the town of Little Falls about 35 miles (56 km) north of downtown St Cloud is the Charles A. Lindbergh State Park, a stunningly preserved historic site where visitors can explore the outdoors and the childhood home of pioneer American aviator, Charles Lindbergh.

The state park was established in 1931 when the Lindberghs donated their 110-acre (45 ha) family farm to the state, with the site recognised as a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The state park has several historically significant properties as well as a bunch of scenic nature trails and wildlife to enjoy, making it an all-around worthwhile place to stop by for curious travellers hoping to learn more about the man who made the first solo transatlantic flight in 1927.

The Charles A. Lindbergh State Park is at 1615 Lindbergh Dr S, Little Falls, MN 56345.

16- Stop By The Minnesota Fishing Museum And Hall Of Fame

Another great Little Falls attraction worth the short drive up north from St Cloud to stop by is the Minnesota Fishing Museum and Hall of Fame, which celebrates and honours the state’s best anglers past and present.

This unique museum was started in 1990 by avid fishermen Al Baert and St Cloud native Morry Sauve in little more than a basement before being officially recognised by the Little Falls City Council in 1998, who donated a small space for the museum’s formal establishment.

The museum features more than just the tales of famous Minnesota anglers, with tons of interesting fishing artefacts on display as well as educational classes where visitors of all ages can pick up valuable fishing tips and tricks to improve their angling skills.

The Minnesota Fishing Museum and Hall of Fame is at 304 Broadway, Little Falls, MN 56345.

17- Enjoy A Quiet Read At The Hill Museum & Manuscript Library

The Hill Museum & Manuscript Library, or just HMML for short, is an important venue on the Saint John’s University campus for the collection and exhibition of historic photographs, documents and manuscripts in libraries dotted the world over.

The centre plays a crucial role in preserving irreplaceable literature works from libraries in war-torn countries, with HMML visitors provided free access to browse the centre’s extensive literary catalogue that includes digitised versions of rare European, Asian and North African works.

The Hill Museum & Manuscript Library is at 2835 Abbey Plaza, Collegeville, MN 56321.

18- Swing By The River’s Edge Convention Center

The go-to venue for special events and community gatherings in St Cloud, the River’s Edge Convention Center is a state-of-the-art, 150,000-square-foot (13,935 m2) exhibition space hosting everything from music concerts to weddings and video game conventions.

Opened in January of 1989, the centre was initially known as the St Cloud Civic Center before being renamed following an extensive 2012 renovation and expansion project which saw the centre’s floor space nearly double in size.

Complete with over 60,000 square feet (5,574 m2) of continuous exhibition space as well as 19 different meeting rooms, the River’s Edge Convention Center is well worth checking out whenever a major show, event or gathering is scheduled to take place during your trip to St Cloud.

The River’s Edge Convention Center is at 10 4th Ave S, St Cloud, MN 56301.

19- Discover Minnesota’s Wild Side At The Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge

Created in 1965, the 30,700-acre (2,852 ha) Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge offers nature lovers a rare slice of Minnesota’s wild and untamed outdoors in all its natural splendour.

The refuge boasts landscapes and biomes that stretch from wetlands and marshes to dense woodlands and oak savannas, which visitors can seamlessly enjoy thanks to the refuge’s extensive network of easy-to-access hiking trails and pathways.

A popular tourist destination in Minnesota due to its ecological and Native American importance, the refuge is great for wildlife watching and can be found just 30 miles (48 km) from the hustle and bustle of downtown St Cloud.

The Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge is at 17076 293rd Ave NW, Zimmerman, MN 55398.

20- Spend A Weekend In The Twin Cities

Made up of the cities of Minneapolis and St Paul, the two largest metros in Minnesota, the Twin Cities are the North Star State’s entertainment, economic and political hubs, home to a range of exciting world-class attractions, historic landmarks and beautiful outdoor scenery.

The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, the massive Mall of America, the Minnesota State Capitol and the Minnesota State Fair are just some of the many fantastic attractions, landmarks, sights and events to experience in the Twin Cities, including several iconic sports teams to root for representing every major professional sport in North America.

St Cloud is the perfect Minnesota travel destination if you’re planning on exploring the vibrant downtown districts and trendy neighbourhoods of the Twin Cities, with fewer than 65 miles (105 km) separating St Cloud from the state’s populous urban heartbeat that is the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St Paul.