Discover St. Cloud

Different sides of a stay come together in St. Cloud: The Mississippi and Lake George offer outdoor activities, while museums, historic sites and stages provide insight into the city and Central Minnesota. When looking for a hotel in St. Cloud, you can first decide whether culture, a summer event or time by the water will shape your stay.

Water, trails and outdoor activities

Lake George has walking paths, water features, seating and picnic areas, as well as a beach. On the southeastern shore, the Lake George Boathouse rents pedal boats, canoes, stand-up paddleboards and fishing equipment. The offerings appeal to a range of interests—from paddling to fishing. Rental availability may change, so it’s best to check before your visit.

Calvary Park has a disc golf course that is open year-round for free public use. The Beaver Island Trail is another option for spending time outdoors; it connects to the St. Cloud State University campus. You can choose between a course in the park and a trail connected to campus, without conflating the two offerings.

At the St. Cloud Hydro Dam, observation decks at various levels offer views of the Mississippi. You can also watch how electricity is generated up close. The site combines views of the river with a firsthand look at electricity generation. George Friedrich Park offers a different historical connection: It is on the former site of Gottfried Hilder’s granite quarrying operation.

Museums and local history

The Stearns History Museum focuses on Central Minnesota. Permanent and changing exhibits explore people, places and stories from the region’s history. The museum also hosts programs and events throughout the year and offers research opportunities. It is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Research Center is available on Tuesdays by appointment. Since hours may change, it’s a good idea to check the latest visitor information before planning your museum visit.

The Historic Downtown Walking Tour is a self-guided tour, using a virtual or printed map to visit downtown’s key historic sites. In Downtown, historic buildings stand alongside modern shops and restaurants. The tour and this present-day streetscape complement each other: One draws attention to historic places, while the mix of old and modern shapes everyday life downtown.

The MN Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame Museum also focuses on history—in this case, the history of amateur and town-team baseball in Minnesota. It is on the second floor of the St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center and displays numerous artifacts related to these subjects. In downtown St. Cloud, the Great River Children’s Museum is designed for imaginative play for children and families.

Performing arts and summer events

The Paramount Center for the Arts hosts performances by musicians, dancers, comedians and actors from around the world. The venue’s historic Theatre features the original Sherman Theatre Curtain and dressing rooms once used by vaudeville performers. The Paramount brings together a range of performing arts and tangible reminders of its theatrical history.

There are also two different concert series in summer: Starting in mid-June, concerts are held on select Sundays at 3 p.m. in Munsinger Gardens, near the gazebo by the Mississippi. Summertime by George is an outdoor concert series on the shore of Lake George, held on Wednesdays throughout the summer. The events therefore differ in their days of the week and locations. Since programs are seasonal and schedules may change, check the dates for your travel period in advance.

When choosing a hotel, you can match these interests to your travel dates: The Stearns History Museum, the Downtown tour and the Paramount offer a different focus from Lake George, Calvary Park or views of the Mississippi. This makes it possible to plan your stay around the places and activities you actually want to experience.

Discover more destinations: Sauk Rapids

Return to the broader travel overview: Benton County.