If you’re looking for something to do in the Twin Cities, the James J. Hill House in St. Paul is a great stop. It is a historical mansion near the cathedral that has an amazing history. Guided tours are available and the entry price is not very expensive. So if you have a little bit of time, I would suggest going!

How to Get to the James J. Hill House:

Getting around downtown St. Paul can be kind of crazy with it’s one way streets, crowded roads and the possibility of snow. So my best suggestion is to just follow the GPS on your phone to get there. If you head towards the big cathedral though, you’re going in the right direction.  The address is 240 Summit Avenue St. Paul, MN 55102.

Parking near the Hill House is somewhat limited so you may need to drive around the neighborhood a bit to find some street parking. There is also parking at the cathedral although I don’t know if you can park there for other purposes or not.

What You Will See and Do at the James J. Hill House:

Entry for the James J. Hill house is $6-$10 per person depending on their age. This includes a 75 minute guided tour of the house which I highly suggest doing. Make sure to check out their website here to see what their hours are and which days they offer tours.

Throughout the house tour you will see how James J. Hill and his family lived as well as what the hired help did to maintain the home. James J. Hill was a railroad man and one of the richest in the area during his lifetime. So this house is quite astonishing.

There are lots of stairs to climb but there is an elevator for those who need it. I was able to walk up and down the stairs just fine while I had my baby in her baby carrier.

Sum Up:

The James J. Hill House is a great way to learn about the history of the Twin Cities and to see one man’s major influence in the area (and the rest of the country!). The house is very well maintained and looks amazing for how old it is. I really liked seeing all of the rooms and hearing the history (and cost!) of each room.