Family Fun at Union Depot: St. Paul’s Timeless Treasure
In the middle of downtown St. Paul, Minnesota is Union Depot – a timeless treasure, with lots of family fun!
Whether you’re a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, a train-lover, or just looking for a cool place to hang out, Union Depot has something for everyone.
A Peek into the Past
During Train Days in June (which was bustling – see picture above), my kids and I went on a cool tour of Union Depot led by CynCity Tours. It was FREE during Train Days, but also is free on select other dates as well. (Check out the Union Depot calendar!)
We had a great tour guide who took us all over the building, and we learned so much.
A little history:
Back in late 1800s, railroads were all the rage. The original Union Depot was built in 1881, but it quickly outgrew its space. Enter the Union Depot we know today, completed in 1923 and designed by the legendary architect Charles Sumner Frost. This grand building became a bustling terminal, welcoming travelers from all over and serving as a key point for soldiers, business people, and tourists.
However, as cars took over and train travel declined, Union Depot fell on hard times in the mid-20th century. The once-super-busy station saw fewer and fewer passengers, and by the 1970s and 80s, it was looking pretty rough.
The Big Comeback
St. Paul citizens couldn’t let this beauty fade away. In the early 2000s, a massive effort to restore Union Depot kicked off. Fast forward to 2012, and the station was back in action, better than ever.
Today, Union Depot is quite the transportation hub, hosting Amtrak trains, buses, and the Metro Transit light rail. The building itself is interesting to explore, with its high ceilings, marble floors, and elegant columns.
Family Fun!
Union Depot is not just about getting from point A to point B. It’s actually an exciting community space buzzing with activity.
When you walk in, you’ll see huge games on the floor. In fact, they have a regular event called “Games Galore” where you can play oversized Chess, Checkers, Connect Four and others.
There’s also a giant Lite Brite with over 600,000 Lite-Brite bulbs—making it the largest Lite-Brite in the world, according to Guinness World Records!
Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store relocated here earlier this year, and kids can play here, have birthday parties, and enjoy events.
Check out my Reel from our recent visit:
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Other Happenings
Throughout the year, Union Depot also hosts a variety of events. They have holiday markets, art shows, yoga classes, food truck festivals and more.
And of course – don’t miss Train Days, where you can see and tour real trains!
There’s always something fun happening here.
So, whether you’re catching a train, attending an event, or just exploring, Union Depot is a must-visit.