317 on Rice Park

Rice Park is the site of al fresco lunches in summer and many St. Paul Winter Carnival events in winter. It's surrounded by history and beauty: The St. Paul Central Library, built in 1917, has magnificent stone architecture that hearkens back to the glory days of libraries. Across the park is the Landmark Center, built in 1902 with turrets and towers and a striking red-tiled roof atop pink granite walls, serving today as home to a number of galleries and performance studios. Adjacent is the historic Saint Paul Hotel, built in the Italian Renaissance style in 1910, with plenty of histories and gossip from over the decades. Across from the hotel is the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, home to everything from the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra to Broadway touring shows to the Minnesota Opera and international dance troupes.

Parking and public transportation at Rice Park
There is metered street parking around the park and on adjacent streets, but they fill up quickly. There are several parking ramps within 1-2 blocks of the park, including the ones at Xcel Energy Center and the Science Museum of Minnesota. Metro Transit offers bus service with several nearby stops, and there's also light rail, although that's a few blocks away.

Best and worst times to go to Rice Park
The best times to visit the park would be any sunny day in the warmer months, and during the time period between Thanksgiving and the St. Paul Winter Carnival, when the park is decked out for the holidays. The worst times are when there are major events at neighboring Xcel Energy Center, including hockey games, high school state sports tournaments, and sold-out arena concerts.

Other places to visit near Rice Park
The Science Museum of Minnesota is just a block away, and it's well worth a visit. The large, fairly new building overlooking the Mississippi River has multiple levels of hands-on displays and activities, as well as an IMAX theater. There are plenty of good food choices nearby as well, including Meritage, Pazzaluna, and Sakura Sushi.

Insider tip for visitors to Rice Park
If you do happen to nab a street parking spot, make sure to pay the meter--St. Paul's finest keep close watch on the meters here.

Author's bio: Amy C. Rea is a lifelong Minnesotan and the author of Minnesota, Land of 10,000 Lakes: an Explorer's Guide, and Backroads & Byways of Minnesota.