St. Paul IowaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near St. Paul, Iowa.
1. Christian Herschler Winery
LOCAL WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE
Christian Herschler Winery is a highly-rated winery in Saint Paul, Iowa with a 4.8/5 rating from visitors. Visitors can enjoy wine tastings in a charming local setting that showcases Iowa's growing wine industry. The winery offers an authentic experience of locally produced wines in a relaxed atmosphere.
2. Lewelling Quaker Museum
HISTORIC UNDERGROUND RAILROAD SITE
The Lewelling Quaker Museum in Saint Paul preserves an important piece of Iowa's connection to the Underground Railroad. This perfectly-rated historic site (5.0/5) offers visitors insight into the area's Quaker heritage and abolitionist history. The museum showcases the role local Quakers played in helping enslaved people reach freedom.
3. East Grove Farms
RURAL AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCE
East Grove Farms provides visitors with an authentic Iowa farming experience rated 4.3/5 by travelers. The farm offers seasonal activities, locally grown produce, and a glimpse into rural Iowa life. Visitors can enjoy farm-to-table experiences while learning about sustainable agricultural practices.
4. Harvestville Farm
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FARM ATTRACTION
Harvestville Farm is a popular family destination near Saint Paul with a perfect 5.0/5 visitor rating. The farm features seasonal activities including pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and harvest festivals throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy farm-fresh produce, educational opportunities, and family-friendly entertainment in a rural Iowa setting.
5. Old Fort Madison
HISTORIC MILITARY OUTPOST
Old Fort Madison is a reconstructed historic military outpost with a 4.1/5 visitor rating located near Saint Paul. The fort represents an important piece of Iowa's territorial history and its role during early American expansion. Visitors can explore period buildings and learn about military life during the early 19th century through interpretive displays and reenactments.
6. Blank Park Zoo
WILDLIFE AND CONSERVATION CENTER
Blank Park Zoo is a popular wildlife attraction within driving distance of Saint Paul, Iowa. The zoo houses a diverse collection of animals from around the world in naturalistic habitats designed for animal welfare and visitor education. Visitors can enjoy interactive exhibits, feeding demonstrations, and conservation programs that highlight the importance of protecting endangered species.
7. Zombie Burger + Drink Lab
THEMED DINING EXPERIENCE
Zombie Burger + Drink Lab offers a unique horror-themed dining experience not far from Saint Paul. The restaurant features creative burger concoctions with apocalyptic names and horror-inspired decor that creates a memorable atmosphere. Diners can enjoy specialty handcrafted burgers, spiked shakes, and other themed menu items in this unusually entertaining eatery.
8. Loess Hills National Scenic Byway
DRAMATIC NATURAL LANDSCAPES
The Loess Hills National Scenic Byway showcases one of Iowa's most distinctive natural landscapes within reach of Saint Paul. The unique landforms, created from wind-deposited silt during the last ice age, offer stunning vistas and hiking opportunities through prairies and forests. Travelers can enjoy scenic driving routes with interpretive sites that explain the geological and ecological significance of this rare formation.
9. Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption
RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURAL WONDER
The Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption is an impressive religious site constructed from precious stones and minerals that visitors near Saint Paul shouldn't miss. Often called the 'Eighth Wonder of the World,' this massive grotto complex was built by Father Paul Dobberstein over a 42-year period. The nine grottos depict scenes from the life of Christ using an estimated $4.3 million worth of minerals, fossils, shells, and petrifications.
10. Jester Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION AREA
Jester Park offers extensive outdoor recreational opportunities for visitors from Saint Paul and surrounding areas. The park features camping facilities, golf courses, natural playgrounds, and access to Saylorville Lake for water activities. Nature enthusiasts can observe native bison and elk herds in the park's wildlife area while enjoying the diverse ecosystems.
11. Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens
CULTURAL BOTANICAL DISPLAY
The Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens celebrate Iowa's connection to Asian cultures and honor the state's Asian American communities. The gardens feature traditional Chinese landscaping elements including a pavilion, stone sculptures, and symbolic plantings along the Des Moines riverfront. Visitors from Saint Paul can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere while learning about Asian cultural contributions to Iowa.
12. Living History Farms
INTERACTIVE AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM
Living History Farms is an interactive outdoor museum showcasing Iowa's agricultural heritage through working historical farms. Visitors can experience how farming evolved from 1700 to the present day through hands-on demonstrations and interactions with costumed interpreters. The 500-acre open-air museum includes a frontier town, Native American farm, and various period farms that demonstrate changing agricultural practices over time.
13. Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
PRAIRIE RESTORATION PROJECT
The Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge works to restore native tallgrass prairie and oak savanna ecosystems that once dominated the Iowa landscape. Visitors can observe herds of bison and elk roaming freely in their natural habitat while learning about prairie restoration efforts. The refuge's Prairie Learning Center provides educational exhibits about Iowa's natural history and ongoing conservation efforts.
14. Amana Colonies
HISTORIC GERMAN SETTLEMENT
The Amana Colonies comprise seven historic villages established by German Pietists seeking religious freedom in the 1800s. Visitors can explore well-preserved buildings, sample traditional German cuisine, and shop for handcrafted goods including furniture, clocks, and woolen textiles. The National Historic Landmark district offers a glimpse into communal living through museums, craft demonstrations, and seasonal festivals.
15. Effigy Mounds National Monument
ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN SITE
Effigy Mounds National Monument preserves more than 200 prehistoric mounds built by Native American cultures, including rare effigy mounds shaped like bears and birds. The sacred site offers hiking trails with spectacular views of the Mississippi River valley and interpretive displays about the mound-building cultures. Visitors from Saint Paul can experience the spiritual and archaeological significance of these ancient earthworks dating back to 500 BCE - 1300 CE.