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Walking St. Paul Summit Ave. Victorian Homes Private Tour (2 hrs)

5 (11)
St Paul, US
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Walking St. Paul Summit Ave. Victorian Homes Private Tour (2 hrs)

5 (11)
St Paul, US
Share
Take a private, guided stroll along charming and historic Summit Ave. in St. Paul, Minnesota, past stately homes built during the Victorian era that are nearly perfectly preserved today. Hear stories about the barons and tycoons who built these homes and how their houses have survived 120 or more years of change. Wind through a former alley now transformed into a charming city street with modern homes in historic structures. Spot nearly every type of home style popular during the Victorian era - Queen Anne, Italianate, Georgian Revival, Neo-classical, Romanesque, Beaux Arts, and Tudor. Love grand, old homes that are pristinely preserved as active residences? Enjoy meandering outdoor sidewalks among trees, parks, fine landscapes, and beautiful buildings? This tour is for you. Join the informative and fun private walking tour and immerse yourself in the fascinating history and architectural beauty of St. Paul's Summit Ave.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • Admission Not Included
  • 2 hours
  • Suitable for 1-8 Participants
  • Private Tour
  • Guided Experience
  • Private, guided stroll along historic Summit Ave.
  • Nearly perfectly preserved Victorian homes
  • Hearing stories about the barons and tycoons
  • Spotting various popular Victorian home styles
  • Meandering outdoor sidewalks among beautiful buildings
  • Guided tour
  • Gratuities
  • Home interiors are not part of this tour.
  • Restrooms are not available during this tour.

Popular Hotels Closeby

More about this experience

Introduction

Discover the charm and history of Summit Ave. in St. Paul, Minnesota, with the Walking St. Paul Summit Ave. Victorian Homes Private Tour. This 2-hour private guided tour will take you on a leisurely stroll along one of the most well-preserved streets in America, lined with stunning Victorian-era homes. Immerse yourself in the stories of the prosperous barons and tycoons who built these houses, and marvel at their architectural grandeur that has stood the test of time for over a century. From Neo-classical and Queen Anne to Italianate and Romanesque styles, you will witness a diverse range of architectural gems that will leave you in awe.

What to expect?

During the Walking St. Paul Summit Ave. Victorian Homes Private Tour, expect to take a step back in time as you explore the opulent residences that dot this picturesque neighborhood. Your knowledgeable guide will provide captivating narratives, shedding light on the historical significance of each home and the families who once lived there. As you stroll through the tree-lined sidewalks, admire the fine landscapes and tranquil parks that surround the area, creating a serene atmosphere perfect for a leisurely walk. This immersive experience will leave you with a profound appreciation for the rich architectural heritage of St. Paul.

Who is this for?

Whether you are a history enthusiast, an architecture lover, or simply a curious traveler, the Walking St. Paul Summit Ave. Victorian Homes Private Tour is designed for anyone seeking to delve into the stories behind these iconic homes. This tour welcomes all who appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of Victorian-era architecture. It is especially recommended for those who admire well-preserved heritage sites and wish to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural heritage of St. Paul.

Why book this?

Embark on this tour to witness the splendor of the Victorian era and be captivated by the elegance and intricacy of the homes on Summit Ave. This private tour allows you to explore at your own pace, ensuring a personalized experience tailored to your interests and preferences. With a knowledgeable guide by your side, you will gain fascinating insights into the history, architecture, and people who shaped this iconic neighborhood. Whether you are a local looking to uncover hidden gems or a visitor seeking a unique and enriching experience, the Walking St. Paul Summit Ave. Victorian Homes Private Tour promises to be an unforgettable journey through time.

Good to know

Please note that the Walking St. Paul Summit Ave. Victorian Homes Private Tour does not include admission to the James J. Hill House. To complement your walking tour with a deeper dive into history, consider booking a guided tour of the historic home separately. The James J. Hill House is operated by the Minnesota Historical Society, and details about their tours can be obtained upon request. Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather, as this tour takes place outdoors. Remember to bring your camera to capture the exquisite architecture and the picturesque surroundings along Summit Ave.

Reviews

"Informative & fun! A walking Wikipedia." - David S., FL USA

"5 stars! Personable...knowledgeable." - Thalia S., GA USA

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Your Itinerary

James J. Hill House

We'll meet in front of the historic James J. Hill House in St. Paul and get oriented with our private Summit Ave. walking tour route. From there, we'll amble along the sidewalk while seeing and hearing about each of the magnificent homes along the boulevard. Our private, 2-hour walking loop will take us back to our tour starting point. NOTE: Admission and tour of the James J. Hill House is not included in this private walking tour. To complement your walking tour, consider booking a guided tour of the historic home before or after the walking tour. Tours are operated by the Minnesota Historical Society. Hours and admission prices vary. Please ask for details.

Admission Not Included

Summit Avenue

.

Summit Overlook Park

.

The University Club of Saint Paul

(Pass by)

.

Nathan Hale Park

(Pass by)

.

Cochran Park

.

Cathedral of Saint Paul

.

Reviews

(11)

5 (11)

leannconrad

Douglas is friendly and extremely knowledgeable. This is the 2nd time we had him as our tour guide. He made both tours fun and interesting. My husband and I highly recommend him. I know we will book a future tour with him.

Alspence

We thoroughly enjoyed Doug’s walking tour. He is knowledgeable about architecture and shares interesting facts & trivia.

Annette_M

We very much enjoyed how Doug intertwined the families' histories with the architecture of the homes. He was very organized and personable.

Linda Brock L

This was a really fun tour of meandering down Summit Avenue and learning about the architecture and families who lived in these beautiful and gracious homes. Our party of 4 loved this tour. The tour is very informative, informal and easy walking. Douglas is a fabulous guide, what he doesn’t know about St Paul isn’t worth knowing! He was so easy to make arrangements with and went over and beyond to accommodate us. We all highly recommend this tour and if we had more time we would have definitely booked his other tours. PS - Douglas also knows the best restaurant and bars in town, we love a local with recommendations of where to go!

Travel194607

I was only guest, several homeowners outside and talked with us. He was easy to talk with, and very enjoyable! I would encourage others to do the same!

Holly F

Our tour guide, Doug, went above and beyond for our tour. First of all, the fact that he was game to do an outdoor tour in February was so kind. At first I thought we might like to do the Skyway tour since we'd be mostly indoors but still fairly Covid-safe with our masks. Doug suggested that this wouldn't be the best tour as many of the shops and businesses were closed. He suggested the Summit Avenue tour instead and I'm so glad we got to see it. St. Paul is so lovely and you get the bonus of being right near the cathedral as well.

F9311WZlynneb

Doug was a marvelous tour guide who provided our group with very interesting details about the Summit Ave homes & area we toured. He was also excellant at engaging our younger members & keeping them involved. Beautiful fall day & time well spent!

HauteAnnie

Doug was very knowledgeable and had done his homework regarding the homes on and history of Summit Ave. We had a delightful late afternoon stroll that was filled with informative stories, architectural insights and interesting tidbits. Very conversational and relaxed but safe and socially distanced. Doug went above and beyond to make our trip to MSP enjoyable with recommendations of other places to visit and great restaurants to try. We would schedule another tour with Doug if we come back to the Twin Cities.

WDRodriguez

This is an excellent tour to learn about historic architecture and local history. Doug was very kind, knowledgeable, and informative. We learned a lot about the historic homes along Summit Avenue and the surrounding area, as well as how the city of St. Paul was established. We highly recommend his service to anyone interested in a truly educational experience as it relates to the Twin Cities.

Rez8484

I had family in town so I wanted to take a tour to learn a little more about the city. We picked this tour not only because we wanted to see the amazing mansions, but to learn about the history as well. Douglas was great. He knew a lot about the history of many of the houses and when they were built and the backgrounds of the families that lived there. We had a lot of questions and he was always happy to answer everything we asked. It was really cool to learn about the houses, especially because they have so much history and are very old structures. I learned a ton from the tour, and I definitely could've went longer than 2 hours (there are many more mansions on that street so I would recommend driving down summit ave. after you are done to see the rest.) Thanks Douglas, we really enjoyed the tour.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-05-04 04:09
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