was selected by nationally-known architect and park planner, Horace Cleveland, as one of four original parks in St. Paul in 1887. His philosophy was to maintain the structural integrity of the nature while also making the parks accessible for everyone and not just the wealthy. The park is cram-packed with everything from trails to free outdoor exercise programs to fishing to kayaking rental. There is something for everyone to enjoy. The Watergate Marina separates it from the Crosby Farm Regional Park, but you can access the latter by the trail system.
is renown for several things, including its trail and various recreational facilities. Some of the more popular amenities are the Highland Park Aquatic Center and the Highland Park National Golf Course, both of which are highlighted below. If you're a nature-lover, a sports-lover, or a winter activity-enthusiast, this is the place for you. You will also enjoy the park if you want to have a picnic or barbecue with friends or family.
is committed to the whole food theory which means serving dishes with the freshest ingredients possible. They also believe in responsibly-sourced food as well, and they have a passion for providing delicious nutritional meals. They have plenty of vegetarian options. Try their chicken harissa sandwich and The Refresher (juice) for a satisfying lunch. Located in The Finn Apartments.
is the place to be if you're looking for a good old-fashioned burger and beer throwdown. The Nook's tagline is 'a small place with big burgers', and they take that very seriously. If you want to grab a burger and a beer with your friends, this is the place to do it.
was started in 1949 by Cecil and Faye Glickman because they were passionate about bringing quality delicatessen food to the Highland Park neighborhood. They are famed for their sandwiches because of their belief that, say, a corned beef sandwich should be absolutely brimming with corned beef and not have filler. This is the place to go to fill all your deli needs.
is casual, yet hip and modern. This popular eatery offers dishes made from scratch and with local ingredients, so you can eat your turkey burger with and sweet potato fries with gusto.
is a locally-owned coffeehouse with live music and in-house bean roasting. They pride themselves on their customer service. If your favorite coffee is not on their menu, just ask for it at their brew bar, and they will brew you a cup.
is an intimate restaurant with a focus on locally-sourced and organic ingredients. They are a from-scratch kitchen, which means most of their food is made in-house daily on a regular basis. They are dedicated to providing delicious food, but more than that, they are dedicated to providing it with warmth and gracious hospitality.
offers delicious wood-fired, award-winning pizzas with gourmet toppings in a casual setting. They are committed to delivering authentic Neopolitan pizza, which is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
is a cozy coffee shop, and their aim is to help you forget your problems, even if it's for a few minutes. Whether you need a hot coffee or a cold-brew, you'll get a great cup here.
is a colorful, yet relaxed restaurant that is known for their elaborate rolls and elaborate sashimi. When a sushi craving hits, this is the place to go.
is a neighborhood boutique focused on vintage women's clothing as well as an eclectic collection of home decor, seasonal decorations, gifts, and more. If you want to add a little beauty to your life, try gypsy moon.
is a used book store with something for everyone and an ever-changing inventory. Need some extra cash? Bring in the books you’ve already read for store credit or cash, then you can buy more books in return. A win-win situation for everyone.
Patina features tons of eclectic items, jewelry, books, clothing and kids items, candles and more. It's the perfect place to shop for gifts for Christmas, birthdays, and any other special occasions.
is a specialty shop, focused on repairing watches and clocks, but will also do some small jewelry. With over 30 years in the business, this is the premier place to go for your watch/clock-related repairs.
is the place to go if you want brand-name clothing at a reasonable price. They have a wide variety of brands, styles, and sizes, which means something for everyone. And, of course, you can bring in clothing you no longer need to sell as well. It's a good deal for everyone.
is technically called Mann Theatres Highland I & II, but everyone knows it as the Highland Theater. It has an old-timey feel to it, and it's been around for roughly fifty years. If you want a touch of the sixties as you watch a movie, this is a great place to go.
was started in 1994 by Founder and Producing Artistic Director Barbara Brooks after giving birth to her son. She wanted a way for her son and his friends (in the future, obviously) to share the richness of their diverse backgrounds. Since then, the MJTC has grown into an award-winning theater company and are nationally known.
This is a free outdoor music series open to the public. Nothing says summer like listening to music with the sun on your face and a breeze ruffling your hair. There are performances nearly every day at one of the parks. Don’t miss out!
proudly root for the Packers as the owners are from Wisconsin. They sport their green and gold with pride as they serve Highland Park Signature Sandwiches and plenty of beer. If you're a transplanted Packers fan and want to root for your team, head out to Tiffany's.
hearkens back to the days of jazz-filled speakeasies in the heart of New Orleans. Their menu is Creole inspired, including gumbo and fried catfish po'boys, and their cocktails are lovingly crafted in the spirit of Prohibition masters who practiced their art behind closed doors. And, of course, they are passionate about music, especially jazz, soul, and blues.
is the talk of the town, and it's known for its Snoopy-shaped bunker (Charles Schulz is a native son). The bunker was featured in Golf Digest in August, 2015. The Highland National Golf Course is a topnotch course that is a must for any golf lover.
is a water lover's dream. They have everything from a two-story water slide (!) to a children's splash pad to a climbing wall. Swimming lessons and party rentals are available also. What perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day!
is the combination of the Hillcrest Recreation Center and Highland Park Library renamed. They added an additional 5,000 square feet of public space and have included many new public amenities, including a dedicated teen zone and an increased children's area. There are activities for everyone, including after class programs, open gym, sports, and much more. There is also childcare as well as rentals for meetings, parties, and other events. Finally, there are plenty of theater and art-related events for people who are looking for some cultural events to attend.
is a two-week-plus festival held every January or February since 1886, minus the WWII years. Enjoy the parades, medallion hunt, beer tents, giant snow slides, the ice palace, and other free and low cost family activities. Embrace the cold!
is a yearly weekend event held mid-summer featuring an art fair, live music, a beer tent, petting zoo, business fair, inflatable rides and games along with a 5K road race and a weiner dog race, more food than can possibly be listed, and many, many other fun festivities for the whole family.