Looking for a romantic Minnesota getaway? St. Paul makes it easy: check into a historic hotel, spend the afternoon browsing books, stroll through Rice Park, then settle into a booth for steak and wine at The St. Paul Grill.
The Saint Paul Hotel
Once you arrive, parking is simple. A valet in a top hat, wearing a uniform that nods to the Gilded Age, welcomes you at the entrance. When we asked about parking, a good-humoured valet quipped, “You have your choice. You either get to valet your car with us, or you have to valet your car with us.”
We chose the privilege over the requirement, handed over the keys, and didn’t think about the car again until checkout.
Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, and room prices are surprisingly reasonable given its elegance, charm, and prime location. Designated a Historic Hotel of America, The Saint Paul Hotel has, over the years, hosted Charles Lindbergh, Lawrence Welk, and JFK. For us, knowing that history added another layer to the stay.
Rooms reflect the hotel’s traditional character, with classic wooden furnishings and a damask-patterned bedspread that feel comfortably rooted in the past. Prints of historic St. Paul buildings adorn the walls, while modern conveniences include a small fridge, a Keurig coffee maker, and a well-stocked minibar. For the best experience, book a room with a city or park view.
If you’re considering planning your own overnight stay, you can check current rates and availability at The Saint Paul Hotel here.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend places we’ve personally stayed.
On our next visit, we might request their Romance Package. It includes a meat-and-cheese board for two, Champagne upon arrival, and an in-room dining credit. Hello, breakfast in bed. They also have an Afternoon Tea on my someday wish list.
Pre-Dinner Book Browsing and Park Strolling
SubText Bookstore
Minneapolis and St. Paul are cities that take reading seriously, with independent bookstores worth wandering through, something we also noticed while exploring Minneapolis’ Mill District. Just a block from The Saint Paul Hotel, SubText is a cozy stop before dinner.
A sign above a bookcase devoted to essays reads, We read to know we are not alone. Handwritten shelf talkers, notes from staff recommending favorite titles, are tucked throughout the store. Political Fictions by Joan Didion caught my eye.
After browsing aimlessly, I carried The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne and Bookshops by Jorge Carrión to the register. Chris continued to browse nearby.
“Which card should I use?” I asked.
“The regular one,” he said.
The gentleman behind the counter said he asks his wife the same question, though her answer is usually, “the stolen one.” “You save more money that way,” he added.
Rice Park and Landmark Plaza
Rice Park and nearby Landmark Plaza are a must-visit for fans of Charles Schulz’s Peanuts. Schulz was born in Minneapolis and spent much of his childhood in St. Paul, and bronze sculptures of the Peanuts Gang are scattered throughout the area.
Saint Paul’s original public square, Rice Park, features tree-lined paths, seasonal landscaping, and a couple of the sculptures, while others appear in nearby Landmark Plaza. The figures feel both nostalgic and whimsical. They’re lovely to see on an afternoon walk.
My favorite is Marcie, seated on a bench with a book open in her lap.
It’s the same easy charm we look for in other Minnesota getaways, like a cozy weekend we spent in Duluth – our itinerary built around bookstores and coffee shops.
The St. Paul Grill
On our 520th Monday Night Date Night, we celebrated our anniversary at The St. Paul Grill. When I made the reservation, I mentioned the occasion, and from the moment we walked in on a packed Monday night, the evening felt thoughtfully handled. Rather than seating us at a small table among the crowd, the hostess guided us to a booth, instantly setting a quieter tone.
We’ve learned over the years that memorable trips often center around one meaningful meal, whether at home in Minnesota or at literary restaurants like The Winding Stair in Dublin.
We began with French onion soup and a bottle of Quilt 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, one of several strong choices on the restaurant’s wine list. Filet mignons followed, six ounces for me and ten for Chris, his finished with creamy horseradish and grilled onions.
The steak was beautifully cooked and deeply flavorful. I usually skip sauces altogether, but one bite dipped into the horseradish changed my mind. It elevated an already excellent meal. We shared au gratin potatoes, though we saved room for what we really wanted: an anniversary dessert.
The evening ended with carrot cake and photos taken by our gracious server, whose pacing made the entire meal feel relaxed and unhurried. Conversation flowed easily, moving from one topic to the next, with laughter carrying us through the night.
After dinner, we simply took the elevator upstairs, and the evening ended the way the best overnight stays do: without needing to go anywhere else. We’ve come to appreciate overnight escapes that slow everything down, whether in a historic city hotel or in a quieter setting, like a romantic glamping stay along the St. Croix River Valley.
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