Hopkins Community Education

St. Paul's Classical Renaissance-style Cathedral, dating back to 1915, features a splendid interior of six chapels, imported marble columns, large statues of the four evangelists, and beautiful rose windows. After lunch at Historic St Paul Hotel’s St Paul Grill, stroll through the Como Conservatory's Spring Flower Show 2026

Comfortable coach bus departs Eisenhower Community Center 1001 Hwy 7 Hopkins, MN. Details about exact meeting location, departure and return times, and host contact information for day-of communication emailed the week of the tour.

NOTE: Due to tour company booking requirements, a minimum of 30 participants is needed to run this tour. Consider inviting a friend (or two) to join you!

COMO CONSERVATORY AND CATHEDRAL ITINERARY

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2026

9:15 a.m. Leave from the Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Hwy. 7, Hopkins, MN. The bus should park in front of door A.

10:00 a.m. Arrive at the Como Conservatory - the bus will drop group at the Visitors Center.

It is the largest glass-domed garden in the region. The garden occupies approximately one-half acre under glass. Opened to the public in 1915, Como Park Conservatory was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Wander through the misty fern room, exotic tropical gardens and enjoy the breathtaking flowers. Perfectly landscaped displays present fragrant and colorful plantings. Spend time at the Spring Flower Show 2026 - This Spring, we have been inspired by the myths of Persephone and her garden. Persephone’s story is ripe with references to flowers and fruit, fallow fields, and even fatal fronds – encompassing the many seasons of life and love. Pomegranates and poppies will influence colors throughout the garden with creams, reds, and accents of darker hues. Tall foxgloves and stocky snapdragons will bring structure to the design and complement Narcissus poeticus daffodils. This show celebrates the cycle of seasonal transitions, infinite love, as well as the herculean effort it takes to grow and live a congruent life in vivid color.

Visit the Garden Safari Gift Store.

10:45 a.m. Leave Como Conservatory.

11:00 a.m. Arrive at The St. Paul Hotel. In 1910 “St. Paul’s Million-Dollar Hotel” opened. The guest list included James J. Hill, Lucius P. Ordway and John Ireland.

Have a light lunch in the St. Paul Grill. Menu: The Market Street Sandwich: Grilled Chicken Breast, Thick-Cut Bacon, Swiss and Cheddar with Sriracha Mayo, Hand-Cut Fries, Coffee or Tea.

12:30 p.m. Leave for the St. Paul Cathedral.

12:45 p.m. Arrive at the St. Paul Cathedral welcome desk to check in and get headphones to hear the guide. There are some steps with railings on this tour.

1:00 p.m. Guided tour of the St. Paul Cathedral. The Cathedral is recognized as a historical landmark. The prominent building sits on Cathedral Hill overlooking downtown St. Paul and features a distinctive copper-clad dome. It is the third largest completed church in the United States, and the fourth tallest. It is dedicated to Paul the Apostle, who is also the namesake of the City of St. Paul. The current building opened in 1915 as the fourth cathedral of the archdiocese to bear this name. The interior is illuminated by twenty-four stained glass windows featuring angelic choirs. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

2:00 p.m. After the tour, visit the space at your own pace, and stop by gift Kiosks to purchase a memento of your visit.

2:30 p.m. Leave St. Paul.

2:45-3:15 p.m. Estimated return time to Hopkins.