Have You Been to the Wabasha Street Caves in St. Paul?

If you’re looking for a unique (and pretty affordable!) outing in the Twin Cities, this can be well-worth your time – and money.

You can take a 1-hour cave tour for just $15, which makes it a fun little adventure that won’t totally wreck the family budget. They also offer gangster bus tours, swing dancing nights, and other events, but when we went we just did the regular cave tour.

(Note: We went on the tour in 2022 but I checked that the info is still correct. Some features may be slightly different now.)

A Little History Behind the Caves

One of the coolest parts of the tour is learning how the caves have been used over the years.

The story starts in the 1800s, when the caves were originally mined for silica sand. Later, the space was used as a mushroom farm, which actually worked well because the caves naturally stay cool and damp.

Things got even more interesting during the 1920s Prohibition era. The caves were eventually developed into a restaurant, casino, and hangout spot for gangsters. Stories say that famous criminals — including John Dillinger — spent time here (though note that there is no hard evidence to support that).

Local newspapers from that time even reported an unsolved gangland murder connected to the casino. The guides share the story during the tour…and even some bullet holes! You can decide for yourself whether you think it really happened.

What We Learned on the Tour

To sum it up, during the tour we heard about:

The caves’ early days as a silica mine
Their time as a mushroom-growing operation
The gangsters and crime stories tied to the caves
Some of the mysteries and legends surrounding the space

It definitely kept everyone’s attention the whole time.

A Few Things to Know Before You Go

If you’re thinking about visiting, here are a few quick tips:

1. It’s technically appropriate for all ages, but they recommend ages 6 and up.
They do talk about murders and mention blood during the tour. Since there were kids in our group, the guide referred to the blood as “Kool-Aid,” which made it a little lighter. There’s nothing graphic or gruesome to see. But they do recommend ages 6 and up because honestly, littler kids can get bored or restless, which may even distract the group. Plus, they have no discounts for kids. They do have a tour called “Troll Tales” for younger kids specifically though so I’d recommend those for kids under age 6.

2. The caves are cool — but not freezing.
I’d recommend bringing a light jacket, but you definitely don’t need to bundle up like it’s the middle of winter.

3. It’s also an event venue.
The caves are used for entertainment events, so there’s a bar inside and they host things like swing dancing nights. I’ve even heard people say they went to weddings held here!

4. Some people say it’s haunted. 👻
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the guides do share some of the stories!

5. Parking is limited in their lot.
Get there early – it can fill up so be prepared to park on a nearby street.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for something a little different to do in the Twin Cities — especially something that’s interesting, local, and budget-friendly — the Wabasha Street Caves tour is definitely worth checking out.

It’s a fun mix of history, gangster stories, and a little bit of mystery, all tucked underneath St. Paul.

Learn more and book a tour here!

When are the tours?

Tours are held throughout the week. Book a tour in advance as they do fill up.

They are handicapped and stroller accessible.

Book a tour here!

Location

The address is 215 Wabasha St S, St Paul, MN 55107.

Have you ever been to the Wabasha Street Caves? I’d love to hear what you thought!

Want more Saint Paul fun? Check out my guide, Saint Paul Family Fun Day & Date Night: Plus Discounts.

And check out Union Depot in St. Paul:

Also check out my Family Guide to West St. Paul! West St. Paul is nearby and has some fun stops.

(Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links that help support this site at no cost to you. All opinions are 100% mine.)