The history of St. Paul can be traced to the 17th century, when the Mdewakanton Dakota first inhabited its territory. The Dakota named the territory Inniza-Ska (meaning "white cliffs") due to the white sandstone cliffs on the eastern side of the river. Upon the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, Zebulon Pike, a United States Army Lieutenant, negotiated approximately 100,000 acres of land from the Dakota to build a fort in 1805. A military reservation was planned for the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers on both sides of the Mississippi. Lieutenant Pike also intended for a second military reservation to be built at the confluence of the Mississippi and the St. Croix rivers. Fort Snelling was built at the Mississippi and Minnesota confluence in 1819, while the 1837 Treaty ceded all tribal lands east of the Mississippi to the United States government. The presence of Fort Snelling made the area a popular abode for explorers, fur traders, and settlers who were looking to take advantage of the city's security. The flourishing of whiskey trading among the settlers led to the fort's commander evicting them from the fort's reservation. However, they didn't leave, creating a community close to the fort named Pig's Eye. Minnesota Territory was established in 1849, with St. Paul chosen as the capital. By 1858, St. Paul had become the capital gateway for settlers to the Dakota Territory or Minnesota frontier, with over 1,000 steamboats servicing the city. However, the city's rapid growth was brought to a halt by severe tornadoes and thunderstorms, which damaged hundreds of downtown buildings and destroyed other properties worth millions of dollars.

Make the Best of Winter
While residents of many other cities would stay indoors or try to keep warm during winter, St. Paul's residents aren't deterred from outdoor activities. Many residents go snowboarding or downhill skiing at Como Park Ski Center, otherwise known as Mounty Como. They offer snowboard and ski rentals, so it's not a must you own one before you can join the fun. Don't miss the 130-year-old Winter Carnival, which attracts about 300,000 visitors annually and features activities such as two parades and a Securian Financial Winter Run. The Securian Financial Winter Run entails events like a dogsled race, treasure hunt, and a kids' day. While at the festival, you should also check out the Winter Carnival Global Market. It is an international themed marketplace where you can buy food and crafts from all over the world.

⁠Visit Parks
St. Paul is home to excellent parks, just like its twin city neighbor Minneapolis. Explore the bike paths, hop on a riverboat cruise, or enjoy an excellent view of the twin cities skyline at Harriet Island. You can also ride your bike, go fishing, or visit the zoo and conservatory, at the spacious Como Park. Go on a walk along the riverbank at Raspberry Island Regional Park. Another popular park in the city is the Mississippi National River and Recreational Area, which offers excellent sports in St. Paul for bicycling, canoeing, boating, hiking, and fishing.

⁠Watch a Match
St. Paul is an excellent city for sports lovers as it is home to three professional sports teams. It's no surprise that the Minnesota Wild, which competes in the National Hockey League, is the residents' favorite team as hockey is almost a way of living in St. Paul. They play their home matches at the Xcel Energy Center between October and May. Make sure you enjoy pre-match dinner and drinks at Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Club on game nights. Minnesota United competes in the Major League Soccer and plays their home games at Allianz Field, while the female hockey team Minnesota Whitecaps plays at the Tria Rink. The city’s baseball team, St. Paul Saints, plays at the CHS Field.

⁠Checkout CHS Field
The CHS Field at Broadway Street doesn't need a home game from the Saints before it comes alive. The stadium hosts plenty of events that attract thousands of visitors annually. You can participate in an over 6000 persons pillow fight and the world's largest food fight at the field. About 8,000 fans took part in a food throwing tribute on its 40th anniversary. If you love beer, do not miss the Beer Dabbler event, where you can sample over 450 beers. You can also attend Cat Video Festival, concerts, or movie nights on the field.