HISTORY
WALKING
TOURS
Saint Paul:
Legends & Lore
Ghosts, gangsters, scandals, secret tunnels, and more.
Saint Paul: Legends & Lore
Like every great city, Saint Paul has no shortage of urban legends and local folklore. Ghosts, gangsters, scandals, and secret tunnels—these feature prominently in the stories St. Paul residents tell about their city’s history. But how many of these stories are true?
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Join us for a 60-minute walking tour of St. Paul’s historic Irvine Park neighborhood and nearby riverfront, where we’ll explore the sites of some of the city’s most sensational stories. We’ll meet a rogue’s gallery of real-life characters including shifty whisky traders, notorious brothel madams, gangsters, robber barons, con men, and more. Drawing on thorough research, we’ll attempt to separate fact from fiction, busting a few myths, confirming others, and also uncovering surprising secrets that are stranger than any fiction.
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See section below for more details.
Fridays at 6:30pm
Sept. 26 - Oct. 24, 2025
DETAILS:
The tour will be meeting just outside City House (which is a great spot to grab a bite or drink or use the restroom, before or after the tour). The address is:
258 Mill St, St Paul, MN 55102-3463, United States
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PARKING– Parking is nearby street parking; please be mindful of parking signs and restrictions.
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LENGTH– Tours are approximately 60 minutes, and will cover about a mile and a quarter with frequent stops.
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SAFETY AND ACCESSIBILITY– This tour will be walking along public sidewalks, including navigating curbs, several stair steps, mild hills, and uneven ground. Guests will be required to sign a safety waiver before the tour begins. It will be dark by the end of the tour; we will have lanterns and flashlights for anyone who desires them. Two Minnesota Unknown guides will accompany the group at all times.
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WEATHER– Tours are entirely outdoors and will proceed in all conditions, unless there is weather severe enough to threaten safety (e.g. tornado warnings, severe lightning, blizzard conditions). Please dress appropriately for the weather. In the event of a severe weather cancellation, guests will be notified by email and text no later than one hour before the scheduled tour, and any payments made will be refunded.
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CONTENT WARNING– This tour contains some mature content and is recommended for ages 16+.
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CANCELLATION–if you need to cancel for any reason, or have any other questions, please email us at info@minnesotaunknown.com. We will be checking this email right up until the tour begins.