Rice MinnesotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Rice, Minnesota.
1. Bend in the River Regional Park
SCENIC RIVERSIDE RECREATION
Bend in the River Regional Park offers visitors a peaceful natural setting along the flowing waters in Rice, Minnesota. Visitors can enjoy walking trails, picnic areas, and opportunities to observe local wildlife in their natural habitat. The park's riverside location makes it an ideal spot for fishing, bird watching, or simply relaxing while enjoying scenic views of the water.
2. Mississippi River County Park
MAJESTIC RIVER VIEWS
Mississippi River County Park provides access to one of America's most iconic waterways right in Rice, Minnesota. The park features trails that wind along the mighty Mississippi, offering spectacular views and recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can engage in activities such as hiking, fishing, and wildlife observation while experiencing the natural beauty of the Mississippi River ecosystem.
3. Rice Park
URBAN OASIS DOWNTOWN
Rice Park offers a tranquil retreat in the heart of downtown Saint Paul, surrounded by historic landmarks including the Landmark Center, the Ordway Center, and the Saint Paul Hotel. The park features a stunning fountain, ample shade trees, and comfortable benches where visitors can relax and enjoy a moment of peace amid the urban environment. During winter, Rice Park transforms into a magical wonderland during the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, with trees adorned in twinkling lights and impressive ice sculptures throughout the grounds.
4. Landmark Center
HISTORIC CULTURAL HUB
The Landmark Center stands as a magnificent historic building adjacent to Rice Park in downtown Saint Paul, housing various cultural and arts organizations. Originally serving as a federal courthouse and post office, this architectural gem now hosts art exhibitions, music performances, and cultural events throughout the year. Visitors can admire the stunning interior with its ornate details, participate in guided tours, or attend one of the many community events held within its historic walls.
5. Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
PREMIER PERFORMANCE VENUE
The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts serves as Saint Paul's premier cultural venue, hosting a diverse range of performances from Broadway shows to orchestral concerts. Located adjacent to Rice Park, this world-class facility features multiple performance spaces including the elegant Music Theater and the intimate Concert Hall with exceptional acoustics. Visitors can experience top-tier entertainment ranging from Minnesota Opera productions to Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra performances in this architectural landmark.
6. Saint Paul Winter Carnival
LEGENDARY WINTER FESTIVAL
The Saint Paul Winter Carnival transforms Rice Park and surrounding areas into a magical winter wonderland each year with its incredible lineup of cold-weather celebrations. Visitors can marvel at intricate ice sculptures, enjoy festive light displays, and participate in unique winter activities throughout the Capital City. This historic festival, dating back to 1886, embraces Minnesota's winter climate with parades, ice palaces, and community events that showcase the region's spirited approach to the coldest season.
7. Saint Paul Hotel
HISTORIC LUXURY ACCOMMODATION
The Saint Paul Hotel stands as an elegant landmark of luxury and history facing Rice Park in downtown Saint Paul. This distinguished hotel, operating since 1910, offers guests refined accommodations with classic architecture and sophisticated décor reflecting its storied past. Visitors can enjoy exceptional dining at the hotel's renowned restaurant, afternoon tea service, or simply admire the building's grand exterior and prime location near major cultural attractions.
8. Rice County Historical Society
LOCAL HERITAGE MUSEUM
The Rice County Historical Society preserves and showcases the rich heritage of Rice County through its museum collections and educational programs. Visitors can explore exhibits featuring artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of the region's development from Native American settlements through European immigration and beyond. The society offers insights into local industries, agriculture, and community life that have shaped this Minnesota county over generations.
9. River Bend Nature Center
NATURAL EDUCATION PRESERVE
River Bend Nature Center encompasses over 900 acres of diverse ecosystems in Rice County, providing environmental education and recreational opportunities. Visitors can explore miles of trails through prairie, woodland, and wetland habitats while observing native plants and wildlife in their natural settings. The center offers interpretive programs, seasonal events, and a nature-focused educational facility that helps connect people with the natural world throughout the year.
10. Shattuck-St. Mary's School
HISTORIC EDUCATIONAL CAMPUS
Shattuck-St. Mary's School stands as a prestigious educational institution with a campus featuring remarkable Gothic architecture in Faribault within Rice County. Founded in 1858, the school's historic buildings and grounds offer visitors a glimpse into the region's educational heritage with impressive stone structures and beautifully landscaped surroundings. The campus is particularly known for its chapel, which represents one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in Minnesota.
11. Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
ANCIENT FOREST PRESERVE
Nerstrand Big Woods State Park preserves a rare remnant of the once-vast Big Woods forest that covered much of central Minnesota before European settlement. Visitors can hike through maple-basswood forest to discover Hidden Falls, a picturesque waterfall cascading over limestone ledges, and observe rare wildflowers including the endangered dwarf trout lily. The park offers seasonal color displays with spring wildflowers, summer greenery, spectacular autumn foliage, and serene winter landscapes for year-round enjoyment.
12. Cannon Valley Trail
SCENIC RIVER VALLEY PATH
The Cannon Valley Trail stretches for 19.7 miles through the stunning Cannon River valley, connecting Cannon Falls, Welch, and Red Wing in southeastern Minnesota. Following an abandoned Chicago Great Western Railroad line, this paved trail offers cyclists, hikers, and inline skaters breathtaking views of limestone bluffs, wetlands, and the winding Cannon River. Trail users can observe diverse wildlife, access fishing spots, and experience the changing seasonal beauty of this river corridor throughout the year.
13. Faribault Woolen Mill
HISTORIC AMERICAN MANUFACTURER
The Faribault Woolen Mill represents one of America's oldest manufacturing companies, producing high-quality wool blankets and textiles along the Cannon River in Rice County since 1865. Visitors can tour the historic mill building to witness traditional manufacturing processes that combine century-old techniques with modern innovations in textile production. The company store offers opportunities to purchase locally-made woolen products that exemplify Minnesota craftsmanship and heritage.
14. Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour
HISTORIC EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour stands as the first Episcopal cathedral built in America, featuring stunning Gothic Revival architecture in downtown Faribault. Completed in 1869, the cathedral showcases remarkable stained glass windows, intricate woodwork, and a bell tower that has called the faithful to worship for generations. Visitors can admire the historic structure's architectural details and peaceful grounds while exploring this significant landmark in Rice County's religious heritage.
15. Paradise Center for the Arts
COMMUNITY CULTURAL HUB
The Paradise Center for the Arts serves as a vibrant cultural hub housed in a beautifully restored historic theater building in downtown Faribault. Visitors can enjoy a diverse calendar of events including art exhibitions, theatrical performances, concerts, and educational workshops throughout the year. The center's gallery spaces showcase works by local and regional artists while its performance venue hosts entertainment ranging from community theater productions to touring musicians in an intimate setting.