Historic Fort Snelling in Saint Paul is a landmark dating back to the early 1800s, offering a glimpse into Minnesota’s military and cultural history. Situated at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, the restored fort features engaging exhibits, reenactments, and hands-on activities for visitors of all ages. As a National Historic Landmark, Fort Snelling provides a unique educational experience that highlights its role in Native American history, military service, and early American frontier life.
Historic Site
Historic Fort Snelling
748 Google Reviews
I used to come here as a kid on school field trips and thought it was okay, but coming back as an adult was fascinating! Did you know there were slaves here? Neither did I, this area was part of the Union and slavery was illegal. Dred Scott lived at this fort and you can even see his room and get a history lesson on his life and the decision that bears his name. The views of the river are wonderful and there is a fabulous visitor center that offers up a lot of history on the area. This is a must see stop if you love history.
Fort Snelling has a wonderful experience for anyone looking to learn about the western expansion of the United States and how soldiers and their families lived in the 19th century. Most buildings are reconstructions, but the variety of interpretive demonstrations and volunteers on site brings it to life in a historical context. For those who have been to Fort Mackinac, Fort Kearney, etc. it has a similar vibe. My kids had a lot of fun and especially enjoyed the rifle demonstration. If you are visiting the Twin Cities with a family, I strongly suggest pairing this with the James J Hill house and just getting a membership for a year. The same membership will get you into Split Rock Lighthouse on Lake Superior. Parking is typically $6 but it was free when we went.
Came for Memorial Day. Enjoyed all the programming. All of the stations were so well informed and the folks were so passionate it was really great. Really appreciated the modern incorporation of the experiences spanning slavery, Dakota and Native peoples and even Japanese Americans. Was really interesting to understand the historical significance with relation to Dred Scott. Well done on the update and programming!!
Really cool tour, very walkable sight (the old fort and the new fort), easy to get to from the train stop, and only a few train stops up from MSP and Mall of America. I dont remember the exact cost, but it was not that expensive at all for one ticket. Great views of the city and the rivers from the grounds.
It was an incredibly educational experience! The guided tour and exhibits do not shy away from the complicated history of the fort and provide an excellent opportunity to understand the effect of the United States’ settlement of Minnesota.
Nice stop to check out before going to the airport. It is a historic fort from the 1820s located on a bluff over the river. There are 4 original buildings and some reconstructed to look like the times. There were actors doing some tasks to make it feel more real as well. Parking cost $6 and there is a $12 per person admission. There are some tours or shows every 30 mins (at least on weekend when I was there).
There are plenty of walking trails and some very nice scenery as well. Fishing pier, picnic areas, grills, and even a boat launch on the Minnesota River side under the big bridge! It’s a great escape and so close. Go visit!
Take advantage of the people from the historical society who give talks about different aspects of life at the fort. They were very knowledgeable.
