Some of the biggest Independence Day events happen in Downtown Minneapolis and Downtown St. Paul.
Saint Paul used to host the annual A Taste of Minnesota festival at Harriet Island park in downtown St. Paul. After the organizers filed for bankruptcy, the City of St. Paul was unable to find a suitable replacement event, so this year there will be no festival.
The City of St. Paul will have a free firework display from Upper Landing Park on July 4. Upper Landing Park is on Shepard Road in Downtown St. Paul, between the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Mississippi River.
Where is the best place to watch the St. Paul Fireworks?
Where is the best place to watch the fireworks in Downtown St. Paul?The fireworks will be launched from the east bank of the Mississippi, so you can get a great view of the fireworks from any vantage point along the Mississippi River. Kellogg Boulevard, the road that parallels the river through downtown St. Paul, has plenty of space for viewing the fireworks.
The High Bridge, carrying Smith Avenue over the Mississippi River, would be a great vantage point, There are two other bridges in downtown St. Paul - the Wabasha Street Bridge is very close to the launch site, as is Robert Street Bridge, two blocks further away.
Harriet Island, on the other side of the river, would also have a great view, as will the high bluffs on the west side of the river in Westside St. Paul.
Where can you Park to Watch the Downtown St. Paul Fireworks?
Where is the best place to park for the downtown St. Paul fireworks?Downtown St. Paul has plenty of parking. There are plenty of ramps, and downtown St. Paul is nowhere near as busy as downtown Minneapolis is. Look for the closest ramp to the Wabasha Street Bridge for the shortest walk to the Mississippi River, less than 5 minutes walk. The Victory Ramp, and the Lowry Ramp, both on Wabasha Street near Fourth Street, are the closest ramps with the cheapest prices, maxing out at $10.
Is there free parking in downtown St. Paul? Downtown St. Paul can provide free parking. You don't need to feed the meters in downtown St. Paul on Independence Day.
Construction in downtown St. Paul for the light rail and other projects is likely to mean heavy traffic. Here's some suggestions for the best routes into downtown St. Paul, and places to park.
There is plenty of free street parking in the residential neighborhoods of Westside St. Paul. Head up Ohio Street from Plato Boulevard, and look for a spot on the street.
The closest parking for Harriet Island is within a few blocks. Harriet Island is neighbored by a small industrial district, and just about every business there will let you park in their parking lot for a fee. Plato Boulevard and Water Street, east of Harriet Island, are the main roads through the industrial area and parking is plentiful. The lots usually charge between $5 and $15 so it's best to carpool.
