The Saint Paul Winter Carnival is the country’s oldest winter festival. Founded in 1886 by a group of local business owners to showcase Minnesota’s scenic locales, it officially kicks off this year with the Moon Glow Pedestrian Parade (Jan. 24) at the Landmark Center.
The roughly weeklong festival also features an array of free and low-cost activities for the whole family, like the Kids’ Day Puzzle Contest (Jan. 26) and Frozen Family Fun Night at the Landmark Center (Jan. 29), with live performances, food trucks and ice carvings. There’s also Disco Night with the 70s Magic Sunshine Band (Feb. 1) and Ice Bars situated throughout Kellogg Mall Park overlooking the frozen Mississippi River.
Bundle up and head over to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds for the Vulcan Snow Park, with 3,000 tons of snow to play in, a giant snow slide and a polar plunge if you dare. And don’t forget to check out Winter Carnival Royalty, King Boreas and the Queen of the Snows, and two more parades: The Grand Day (Jan. 26) and the Torchlight parade (Feb. 2).
It’s more doable than you think. According to travel site Skyscanner, there are plenty of flights from San Jose to Saint Paul in that time frame, and the prices aren't too shabby.
So if you're looking for a change of scenery, here are some deals to put on your to-do list.
(Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in the articles may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Prices and availability are subject to change.)
Cheapest Saint Paul flights
The cheapest flights between San Jose and Saint Paul are if you leave on Jan. 31 and return from Minnesota on Feb. 3. Frontier Airlines currently has roundtrip, nonstop tickets for $217.
There are also deals to be had earlier in January. If you fly out of San Jose on Jan. 28 and return from Saint Paul on Feb. 3, Alaska Airlines can get you there and back for $256 roundtrip.
Top Saint Paul hotels
Regarding where to stay, here are some of Saint Paul's top-rated hotels, that we selected from Skyscanner's listings based on price and customer satisfaction.
The Le Meridien Chambers Minneapolis (901 Hennepin Ave.)
If you're looking for an inexpensive place to stay, consider The Le Meridien Chambers Minneapolis. The hotel has a 4.6-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $89.
Set in the heart of Minneapolis, this hotel is close to the Target Center and Target Field, as well as the Basilica of Saint Mary and the Metrodome.
The Westin Minneapolis (88 S. Sixth St.)
Another 4.6-star option is The Westin Minneapolis. Rooms are currently set at $129/night.
This hotel is located near the Minneapolis Public Library Central Branch, Minneapolis City Hall and the Target Center.
The Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot (225 S. Third Ave.)
A third option is The Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot. The 4.3-star hotel has rooms for $99/night.
Local restaurant picks
Don't miss Saint Paul's food scene, with plenty of popular spots to get your fill of local cuisine. Here are a few of the top-rated eateries from Skyscanner's listings.
Mickey's Dining Car (36 Seventh St. West)
If you're looking for a local favorite, head to Mickey's Dining Car, which has an average of five stars out of nine reviews on Skyscanner.
"It's a St. Paul classic and you can feel it when you walk in the door," wrote reviewer Hannah. "If no-muss, no-fuss short order food with a neighborhood feel is your thing, you'll adore everything Mickey's has to offer."
Restaurant Alma (528 University Ave. SE)
Another popular dining destination is Restaurant Alma, with five stars from eight reviews.
Open since 1999, the casual fine dining restaurant offers eclectic American cuisine and warm hospitality in a rustic, historically preserved building. It specializes in three-course tasting menus.
The Grand Ole Creamery & Grand Pizza (750 Grand Ave.)
Finally, there's The Grand Ole Creamery & Grand Pizza.
Established in 1984, it was the first retail ice cream parlor in St. Paul to manufacture and serve super-premium ice cream and other delicious treats, including its famous hand-rolled, malted waffle cones.
"Super good ice cream," wrote Andi. "I especially love the Cookie Monster flavor! The pizza place that is adjoined is also a great spot to grab a slice."
Featured local attractions
To round out your trip, Saint Paul offers plenty of popular attractions worth visiting. Here are some top recommendations, based on Skyscanner's descriptions and reviews.
The Minnehaha Park and Falls (4801 S. Minnehaha Drive)
First up is The Minnehaha Park and Falls.
The picturesque Minnehaha Parkway features splendid gardens, large trees and well-maintained trails. Near the confluence with the Mississippi is a 53-foot cascade, where it's easy to spend an afternoon picnicking.
"Amazing waterfall," wrote visitor Daniel. "Absolutely beautiful in the summer, but even more so in the winter. Just don't go walking on the ice!"
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts (2400 Third Ave. South)
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, where general admission is free, is another popular destination.
Explore exhibits that celebrate everything from Babe Ruth to mushrooms. Get inspired by the Asian art collection, or the paintings collection that includes work by Georgia O'Keeffe.
"The museum is large, and the art inside is beautiful. Exhibits switch around frequently. This is a perfect place to take your family for an afternoon without spending a dollar," wrote visitor Austin.
Mall of America (60 E. Broadway)
Finally, consider checking out the Mall of America.
Talk your kids into coming along on your mega shopping trip by promising them a visit to the Nickelodeon Universe, the world's largest indoor theme park at the Mall of America in Bloomington. Daring teens flock to the twisting roller coaster, while little ones ride the carousel and train. Arcades and carnival games round out the attractions, all of which are located in the center of the mall.
