A Guide to the St. Paul Campus
Graphic by Nati Yeshiwas
Attending such a large university with three vastly different campuses can feel rather overwhelming at times. It can be so easy to get lost on any campus, not know how much time is needed to make it to class on time and feel out of place when you find yourself on an unexpected campus.
However, we have the unique opportunity of having three completely uniquely different areas of campus to call our own. East Bank has the largest population, exciting nightlife, school pride, and historic architecture. West Bank has a charming arts quarter and comforting liberal arts study spaces.
St. Paul is often the outlier. It is the largest campus, yet half of the students at the university have never set foot on it. If you have yet to explore what this far out, and sometimes forgotten, area of campus has to offer, let this be your guide to all things St. Paul campus.
Transportation: The best place to start is finding the best way for you to get to the St. Paul campus.
121 Campus Connector: You might have used it to get from Dinkytown to Bruininks or West Bank, but it is probably the quickest and most convenient way to get to the St. Paul campus from East Bank in under 20 minutes. Find a seat, put your headphones on, and zone out while you take a gopher trip to a vastly different part of the University of Minnesota.
The Metro 3 Bus: This bus is also well known for bringing students from Como or Dinky to classes on East Bank or West Bank or downtown Minneapolis for a Trader Joe's grocery run. If you get on Route 3 and go the other way down Como Ave, you will end up in a neighborhood just outside the St. Paul Campus called St. Anthony Park. Taking a short, 10-minute walk through this scenic neighborhood will put you right on the lawn of the St. Paul campus.
Restaurants and Coffee:
Mims Cafe: Mims is a Middle Eastern coffee shop next to Bailey Hall. The atmosphere is peaceful and calming for studying. They also have amazing coffee, hummus, falafel, and other Mediterranean food for a really good price.
Finnish Bistro: This cafe is in the St. Anthony Park neighborhood outside the St. Paul campus. They have great coffee, cake, pastries, and breakfast foods. The atmosphere is comforting and charming for an escape from campus life.
Nico’s Tacos on Como: Nico’s has authentic tacos, margaritas, and a large menu to choose from. This is a more upscale restaurant for a nice dinner or to get together with friends.
Colossal Cafe: This is a smaller cafe in the St. Anthony Park area. They have a large and unique breakfast menu perfect for Sunday morning brunch.
St. Paul homemade ice cream at the student center: A staple on St. Paul campus. Products are sold on the bottom floor of the student center for only $2 a scoop, and they rotate unique flavors throughout the year.
Study Spaces:
Magrath Library: This is one of the most underrated libraries on campus. They have a variety of different study spaces that are never overcrowded, including cool brick accents, high ceilings, surrounded by books, and comfy seating.
The basement of Ruttan Hall: This is the perfect place to relax between classes on St.Paul. They have a large area with couches, big tables, and vending machines. It is also near the rest of the St. Paul campus buildings.
The Lawn: The Lawn is a show stopper on the St. Paul campus. This big grassy area filled with flowers, trees, and cow sculptures is comparable to the mall on the East Bank. When the weather is nice, the soft grass invites students to throw down a blanket and do some studying outdoors.
The pollinator garden outside of the bee research facility: This beautiful flower garden almost acts as a secret garden on the outskirts of campus. It serves as a pollinator garden but provides chairs and tables for students to study or eat lunch among the flowers.