summit avenue

TMayor14

Beautiful, and I do mean beautiful homes lining this street for miles. Virtually no traffic when we drove through and could take our time. Road leads right to the giant cathedral overlooking downtown. Stunning display of homes.

718elizah

Drove through when it was too cold to be outside. Gorgeous homes! Would be great to stroll through during the warmer months.

241edwardc

This is where the rich and prominent families built homes to showcase their wealth, power, and sometimes--good taste. The summer time is perhaps the best time to stroll Summit, but the Christmas decorations are special as well.From the Cathedral to Lexington Avenue, the memories that dwell there would tell stories for several lifetimes.

Rod_Minnesota

Best way to experience Summit Avenue? On foot.Plan for a beautiful, sunny autumn day, park your car somewhere near St Paul's Cathedral and begin ambulating east. Allow time to wander from side-to-side of the street to get full views of the many architectural styles to be seen on either side of the street. You'll also want time in that first 10-15 block long stretch to wander onto streets north and south of Summit, there are beautiful, historically-rooted homes throughout that area.Wander over to Grand Avenue for lunch (or dinner), or keep going until you cross the Mississippi and finish your walk by seeing St. Mary's Chapel at the Saint Paul Seminary, then sit and take the views over the Mississippi as you wait for your cab to pick you up and return you to your car! (Recommendation: After your walk, have dinner at Moscow on the Hill or W.A Frost & Co. in the Cathedral Neighborhood)

LASS4

One gorgeous house after another. F. Scott Fitzgerald, the writer, lived on Summit when he was young. There seemed to be lots of houses for sale to those who could afford them.

SXMfoodie612

A drive back to the hotel down Summit Avenue rewards with views of beautiffully maintained or restored homes, many still with Christmas decor visible.

ajisonlinetrip

I love this area Grand , Selby and Summit are all places to be In St Paul they have the most wonderful reastaurants and bars to satisfy any appetite ! or Pocketbook ...wide variety .

Dendoo

Summit Avenue of Saint Paul is for anyone visiting Saint Paul, MN. If you're interested at all in late 19th Century/early 20th Century architecture or history, this is a must see. This 2-mile walk or drive is worth the effort as it contains the rich culture and history of St. Paul. You could start at the St. Paul Cathedral and drive/walk west to Mississippi River Boulevard. I suggest that you start from the Cathedral, you will witness passage of time historically as well as architecturally. If you find during your tour, you need a refreshment or lunch, then take a left on Victoria and go one block south to Grand Avenue. All of Grand Avenue offers several choices of restaurants and shopping. But, Summit Avenue represents "old" as well as "new" found wealth. It would be unfortunate to pass up a Summit Avenue tour. Dennis

BillMeyers

Have walked the length of this area every Spring and Summer for years. Lived near Milton and Summit many years ago and still remember the area with fondness. A visit to the James J. Hill House and Alexander Ramsey House are also must stops. Recently drove through with out of town visitors and enjoyed the splendor of the urban mansions and nearby shops and restaurants.

ScottyG777

The grand mansions of Summit Avenue are fun to see even in the winter. This is one of the grandest streets in the country and is worth an hour, or several hours if you're walking, to see how the other half lived, and lives still to this day.

Beszcome

The architecture on the avenue is primarily from the victorian era. If you are visiting the twin cities it is must see. Rare to find so many beautiful mansions in one place. I like to imagine what the lives of the residents were like once upon a time. Point of interest: F. Scott Fitzgerald's home is along the avenue.

Chicagorefugee13

If you are a fan of American late 19th and early 20th century mansions, I don't think there is a finer street in the US for viewing so many of these. Most cities that had a "millionaire row" saw them demolished through the 20th century. Somehow St. Paul's was saved. It's worth a drive or walk down this street and it's in close proximity to all the shops and dining on Grand Ave, so not out of the way if you are in St. Paul.

sinderella66

If you like fine homes,beautiful landscaping, and the smell of old money, with a taste of authentic "neighborhoodism" thrown in... this a great fall,spring or summer drive or stroll in St Paul. Very few places anywhere now days have the feeling of the old world,while still being a major thoroughfare, in a somewhat major city. A great photo opportunity.

IaTravel

Summit is simply a beautiful street lined with old mansions, all that have been kept up very well. You can get a nice view of different styles and admire this grand old homes. You drive down the street but I recommend getting out and taking a walk.

Nikonnex

While the most impressive buildings along Summit Avenue are the older historical mansions, as a friend who has studied the area pointed out as we drove along the street, there are more recent homes tucked in here and there that show the architecture of the time they were built, and the scale of the homes reflect the varying land values over time as well. It is somewhat jarring to see 1950's ranch homes between two Victorian classics, but it happened when there wasn't as much interest in historical preservation as now, and "tear downs" were the vogue, only to be replaced with homes of less value, rather than more.Meanwhile, the tree lined boulevard is very pleasant to walk, jog, bike or drive along in the summer (less inviting in the winter with no leaves on the trees and snow, slush and ice making the trek more treacherous). A stroll along this stretch of living history coupled with lunch or dinner at a restaurant on Grand Avenue would make a pleasant casual day-off from work, or a great way to spend a vacation day.