St Paul to Providence train

Saint Paul is the capital of Minnesota, and is one of the Twin Cities, along with its neighbor across the Mississippi River, Minneapolis. As the seat of Minnesota's government, Saint Paul offers historic and cultural attractions which represent both the state and the American Midwest as a whole.

For a comprehensive introduction to the region's history, start your trip at the Minnesota History Center, just down the street from the grounds of the State Capitol building. There are museums in Saint Paul for all types of interests, including the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Schubert Club Musical Instrument Museum. For an extra dash of Saint Paul history, take a stroll down Summit Avenue, a stylish street of drool-worthy Victorian houses and mansions, including the home of F. Scott Fitzgerald.

If you're brave enough to visit Saint Paul during the freezing winters, you'll be rewarded with the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, a yearly event where you can explore ice palaces, watch live ice sculpting, and compete in city-wide scavenger hunts. Saint Paul is also one of the country's best cities for craft beer, so save time to taste some local ales or even brew your own beer at Vine Park Brewing Co.

Saint Paul is a hub for travel in the Midwest thanks in part to Amtrak's Empire Builder train service which stops at Saint Paul Union Depot. Bus service from stations throughout town and nearby Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport make it easy to travel to and from this saintly city.

Though some might say that it is overshadowed by nearby Boston, Providence is an interesting destination on its own. A quaint college town with a deep historical value, Providence allows fans of U.S. history to marvel at historic buildings such as the ones on Benefit Street, which boasts the highest concentration of Colonial houses. As you stroll around the streets of Providence at night, don’t forget to take a detour to WaterFire, a sculpture project that features bonfires along the rivers of Providence. Accompanying the bonfires are the sounds of ceremonial gongs and various music programs, which brighten up the night. For those seeking a unique cultural experience, the Federal Hill quarter sits among the most famous Little Italian neighborhoods, and it features some of the best Italian restaurants in town.

The staple dish of Providence is oysters, which are not difficult to find in the city. However, if you can endure a short drive, Matunuck Oyster Bar, an oyster restaurant located 40 miles south of South Kingstown, provides some of the freshest and most delicious oysters around. Some other notable establishments include Birch, Oberlin, and Tallulah’s Taqueria.

The Providence airport is located in nearby Warwick which is only a 6 miles’ drive from the city. The main bus hub for Providence is found at the Rhode Island Convention Center Parking Garage, where travelers could catch a bus from Greyhound or Peter Pan Bus Lines. The main Amtrak train station is located just a 10-minute walk across the Woonasquatucket River.