St. Cloud is home to four colleges and universities, giving it a youthful population and a wide variety of activities, both historical and cultural. Its history is reflected in its nickname, Granite City, and granite is still produced and carved in the area. It’s somewhat of a gateway to the north, as most travelers heading to the Brainerd area or Lake of the Woods will pass through here. Consequently, traffic through the city can be quite congested, especially on summer weekends.
To See and Do
Attractions are open year-round unless otherwise noted.
MUSEUMS AND HISTORIC SITES 
Stearns History Museum (320-253-8424 or 1-866-253-8424; stearns-museum.org), 235 33rd Avenue S., St. Cloud. Open Tues.–Sat. Adults $7; children $3; families (two adults and all children under 18 living at the same address) $17; museum members free. This county historical museum walks the fine line between education and entertainment, and succeeds on both counts. A clothing exhibit reflects the changing attitudes toward clothes and employment over the years; the area’s agricultural history is documented, and there is a life-sized replica of a granite quarry. Documents from pioneers traveling to and settling in this region are displayed, and there is a young children’s learn-and-play area.
Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site (320-616-5421; mnhs.org/lindbergh), 1620 Lindbergh Drive S., Little Falls. Open Thurs.–Sun. 12–5, Memorial Day–Labor Day. Adults $8; seniors ages 65 and older, active military and veterans, and college students $6; children 5–17 $6; children under 5 and Minnesota Historical Society members free. Charles Lindbergh’s childhood home, complete with original furnishings and belongings, is on display. Next door is a visitor center with exhibits and films about Lind bergh’s life and time, and a gift shop. An interpretive trail leads visitors along the river.
Grasshopper Chapel (320-685-3653; visitstcloud.com/things/grasshopper-chapel), 22912 Chapel Hill Road, Cold Spring. Open daily. No admission fee, although donations are welcome. A few miles west of St. Cloud is this little chapel, built originally in 1877 in response to a grasshopper plague that was decimating crops. The governor declared a day of prayer, and local townsfolk promised to build a chapel if the grasshoppers were removed. The grasshoppers disappeared the next day due to an unusual sleet storm, and the chapel was built as promised. The original wood building was destroyed by a tornado in 1894, but it was rebuilt in the 1950s with donated granite. Today the tiny chapel is in a wooded, peaceful area, a beautiful spot to visit.
Saint Benedict’s Monastery Haehn Museum (320-363-7113; sbm.osb.org), 104 Chapel Lane, St. Joseph. Open Tues.–Sun. 1–3:30. The 150-year history of the Sisters of Saint Benedict in on display, with items dating back to the monastery’s founding. Rotating exhibitions have included explorations of sustainability, liturgical vestments and needlework, Native American cultures where the sisters lived and worked, and the important role of music. The collection is comprised of more than 7,000 artifacts dating back more than 150 years.
THE CHARLES LINDBERGH HOME IN THE CHARLES A. LINDBERGH STATE PARK
St. Cloud State University (320-308-0121; stcloudstate.edu), 720 4th Avenue S., St. Cloud. The university has two art exhibits that are of note. The first is the Atwood Collection, in the Atwood Memorial Center (hours vary by season; no admission fee), which is an ever-growing collection of contemporary American art. The second is the Kiehle Gallery (hours vary by season; no admission fee), a frequently changing collection bringing in guest artists on a national level as well as promoting local and student artists.
WINERIES Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery (320-398-2081; millnerheritage.com), 32025 MN 15, Kimball. Open Wed.–Sun. Apr.–Dec.; Fri.–Sun. Jan.–Mar. Millner gives trolley tours of its vineyard, which grows 12 weather-hardy varietals. Wine and hard cider tastings are offered as well, and catered dinners are available.
Green Space and Outdoor Activities
HIKING AND BIKING Lake Wobegon Trail (320-255-6172; lakewobegontrail.com). A 62-mile paved hiking and biking trail (with a 13-mile extension trail) that stretches from St. Joseph to Sauk Centre. Snowmobilers have access to it in the winter. The trail is highly scenic, winding through woods, near lakes, and through several small towns. Near Osakis, it intersects with the Central Lakes Trail (see page 213).
PARKS AND GARDENS Munsinger and Clemens Gardens (320-257-5959; munsingerclemens.com), 1515 Riverside Drive SE, St. Cloud. Open daily, spring–fall. No admission fee, although donations are requested. Two beautiful gardens along the banks of the Mississippi, the Munsinger and Clemens Gardens offer both historic and contemporary gardening highlights. Munsinger Gardens was developed in the 1930s and named after the superintendent of parks; it’s an informal garden space, with winding paths lined with wildflowers and pine trees. Clemens Gardens was constructed in the 1990s and is a more formal set of gardens, complete with rose gardens and the tallest fountain in Minnesota, the 24-foot Renaissance Fountain.
THE SAINT JOHN’S BIBLE AND SAINT JOHN’S UNIVERSITY
Visiting the campus of Saint John’s University in Collegeville is worthwhile for several reasons, including the beauty of the lakeside campus itself, the 2,700-acre arboretum, and Saint John’s Pottery, a working studio that not only examines the artistry, but the ethics, behind the potter’s work. Tour the abbey, an impressive piece of unique religious architecture with the world’s largest stained-glass window. The campus’s spiritual center offers accommodations (see Lodging).
In addition to these other highlights, the Saint John’s Bible project should be included in any visit to the campus. A deeply felt homage to the days when monasteries kept literature alive by hand-transcribing texts in elaborate calligraphy, the Saint John’s Bible is a newly written bible complete with extravagant illustrations and exquisite handwritten text. The project was completed in September 2011 after 15 years in the making. Parts will remain on display at Saint John’s, with other sections to be loaned out to other museums.
Saint John’s Bible (320-363-3351; saintjohnsbible.org), Hill Museum and Manuscript Library, Saint John’s University, Collegeville. Open Mon.–Sat. year-round, but closed for several holidays; see the website for updated information. No admission fee. 
Quarry Park and Nature Preserve (320-255-6172; co.stearns.mn.us), 1802 County Route 137, Waite Park. Open daily. A park permit is required for entrance; a one-day permit is $5, an annual permit is $20. Quarry Park is comprised of land that has gradually grown back to a natural state after years of granite quarrying. More than 600 acres of parkland provide a wide array of experiences for visitors: open prairie, wetlands, wooded areas, a 116-foot-deep swimming hole, granite reflecting pools, and 30 granite quarries. Certified scuba divers traveling with scuba buddies can dive in one of four swimmingholes, and with the proper permit, visitors can tackle some rock climbing. Mountain bikers can ride across terrain made up of billion-year-old bedrock, while hikers can explore woodlands and open prairie. Winter brings ample cross-country skiing or snowshoeing opportunities.
Lodging
All accommodations are open year-round unless otherwise noted.
BED-AND-BREAKFASTS 
The Estates Bed and Breakfast (320-557-0300; estatesbedandbreakfast.com), 29 E. Minnesota Street, St. Joseph. This home was built in 1909 and was a former rental to Saint Benedict and St. John’s University students. The home has been modernized and has three suites, all with private bath, two of which have steam showers, while the third unit has a private deck. A self-serve continental breakfast is provided daily. Rates start at $89.
HOTELS 
Courtyard by Marriott St. Cloud (320-654-1661 or 1-888-201-1718; lestgermainsuitehotel.com), 404 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud. The prime choice in St. Cloud, the Courtyard, connected by skyway to the St. Cloud Civic Center along the shores of the Mississippi River, is an all-suite property with larger accommodations including sitting areas and river views. The hotel has an indoor pool, whirlpool, and sauna, as well as a sit-down restaurant, The Bistro (see Where to Eat). Rates start at $136. Packages are available.
Holiday Inn and Suites (320-253-9000 or 1-877-666-3243; holidayinn.com/stcloudmn), 75 37th Avenue S., St. Cloud. The Holiday Inn offers an indoor pool, whirlpool, basketball court, sauna, and fitness center. Two restaurants are on-site, one a family-oriented café (kids eat free with paying adults) and one a bar and grill. Rates start at $107.
UNIQUE LODGINGS St. Benedict’s Monastery (320-363-7112; sbm.osb.org), 104 Chapel Lane, St. Joseph. This 150-year-old monastery has a spiritual center that welcomes guests for day- or week-long visits known as hermitages. Private retreats can be customized with spiritual counseling, or visitors can simply relax in the quiet grounds and facilities, complete with a garden labyrinth, and visit the Haehn Museum (see To See and Do). Rates start at $75.
Where to Eat
DINING OUT The Bistro (320-258-2580; facebook.com/thebistroofsaintcloud), 404 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud. Open daily for all three meals. The Bistro, located in the Courtyard St. Cloud Hotel (see Lodging) is an upscale American eatery with a focus on healthy and accessible. Expensive.
Anton’s (320-253-3611; antonsrestaurant.com), 2001 Frontage Road N., Waite Park. Open Mon.–Sat. for lunch, daily for dinner. Originally a speakeasy during the Prohibition years, Anton’s is now a laid-back log cabin restaurant specializing in grilled meats and sandwiches. If that’s not enough to make someone happy, the bar’s impressive Scotch list should take care of it. Expensive.
EATING OUT The Pickled Loon (320-281-3581; thepickledloon.com), 715 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Creative bar and grill food, including items like blue gill fish and chips and roasted turkey poutine. Try the sriracha BBQ meatloaf. Moderate.
Jules’ Bistro (320-252-7125; julesbistrostcloud.com), 921 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud. Open Mon.–Sat. for all three meals. A charming coffee shop and wine bar, Jules’ also has homemade pizzas, paninis, and salads. Moderate.
Food Ecstasy (320-259-5613; foodecstasy.com), 619 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud. Open daily for breakfast and lunch. A playful menu focuses on foods crafted with care. Try one of the omelets, or any of the Rapturous Delights Stuffed Potatoes. Inexpensive.
RJ’s American Grill & Bar (320-257-7757; rjsamericangrill.com), 4221 Clearwater Road, St. Cloud. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Its location in a strip mall doesn’t appear promising, but the interior is much nicer than the outside. Besides several steak options, there’s Grown Up Mac and Cheese (made with shallots, smoked bacon, and broccoli) as well as a walleye BLT. Moderate.
HISTORIC LOG VILLAGE IN CROSSLAKE
Mexican Village (320-252-7134; mexicanvillagestcloud.com), 509 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Don’t go looking for authentic Mexican; instead, plan on enjoying reasonably priced Americanized Mexican served in a cheerfully (and unrepentantly) kitschy atmosphere. Inexpensive/moderate.
Val’s Rapid Serv (320-251-5775), 628 E. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud. Open daily for lunch and dinner. This local landmark, in business for decades, has changed very little; from its A-frame building on the corner to its inexpensive but tasty burgers and heaping orders of fries, it’s still the same. The only nod to modern times is several touchscreen order devices. There’s no sitting area—this is grab-and-go food. Inexpensive.
Entertainment
Probably because it’s a college town, St. Cloud has a large number of live-performance venues for a city its size.
Paramount Center for the Arts (320-259-5463; paramountarts.org), 913 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud. A vintage 1920s movie theater, the Paramount has gone through its era of neglect and has emerged as a classy setting for a variety of live performances, as well as an art exhibition area. Offerings vary greatly and include comedians, Broadway shows and local and regional theater groups, musicians, and orchestras.
Fine Arts Series (320-363-5777; csbsju.edu/fine-arts), 37 S. College Avenue, Benedicta Arts Center, College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University, St. Joseph. The College of Saint Benedict has an active schedule of fine arts performers. Recent performers include Chris Thile, Kevin Kling, Ana Gasteyer, and Jeremy Messersmith.
Bo Diddley’s Pub & Deli (320-252-9475; bodiddleysdeli.com), 129 25th Avenue S., St. Cloud (second location in St. Joseph). Open daily for lunch and dinner. A mellower-than-expected venue with live music on Wed. and most weekends.
VAL’S RAPID SERV
Selective Shopping
DOWNTOWN SHOPS Unlike some small towns, St. Cloud has managed to keep an active downtown area in spite of the growth of shopping centers and strip malls. Here are a few of the independent retailers worth visiting.
Books Revisited (320-259-7959; booksrevisited.com), 607 W. St. Germain, St. Cloud. Open Mon.–Sat. While there’s also a location at Crossroads Center, the downtown branch is the original store, and it’s packed floor-to-ceiling with new and used books, including some rare items.
Arts Co-Op (320-252-3242), 619 W. St. Germain, St. Cloud. Open Mon.–Sat. Represents local and national artists in varying media.
Rush Boutique (320-381-5277), 805 W. St. Germain, St. Cloud. Open Mon.–Sat. Call for special Sunday hours. Women’s resale fashion with designer and name-brand clothing, shoes, and accessories.
Copper Pony (320-774-3210; copperpony.com), 710 W St. Germain, St. Cloud. Open Tues.–Sat. High-quality home décor, accessories, and gifts.
Green Thumb Etc. (320-493-2955; greenthumbetc.com), 912 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud. Call for hours. Individually made custom accent furniture.
MALLS Crossroads Center (320-252-2856; crossroadscenter.com), 4101 W. Division Street, St. Cloud. Open daily. This large mall has many of the classic national retailers, including Scheel’s, Victoria’s Secret, Macy’s, and Foot Locker. The mall itself is surrounded by smaller strip malls. Note: The retail area here is very popular, and the roads that surround and run through it (primarily County Route 15) struggle with the traffic loads during busy times. Be prepared to spend a considerable amount of time inching along through stoplights en route to your shopping.
Special Events
June: The Caramel Roll (320-356-7191; lakewobegon trails.com), St. Joseph. An annual bike-and-eat event with your choice of 8-, 15-, or 25-mile routes, with pit stops for caramel rolls. As the Lake Wobegon Trails Association people say, “A sweet roll on a sweet trail.”
Granite City Days (granitecitydays.com), St. Cloud. This four-day festival in June includes a golf tournament, historic homes and downtown St. Cloud tours, a parade, a blockparty, and a fly-in pancake breakfast, among other events.
July: Tour of Saints (320-363-1311 or 1-800-651-8687; tourofsaints.com), College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph. Early bird registration is $32 for adults; $20 for students 18–22; $10 for youth 5–17; free for 4 and under. This is not a religious event, but one for serious bikers. The tour starts and ends at the college, and riders choose either a 35- or 50-mile route through the rolling countryside and small towns in the St. Cloud area.