Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Canada
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Historic avenue and house · Saint Paul, Minnesota
Summit Avenue and James J. Hill House
A roughly 7 km avenue of Victorian mansions and the stone house of railroad magnate James J. Hill, open to visitors.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Summit Avenue and James J. Hill House
Summit Avenue runs about 7 km from the cathedral, with one of the largest stretches of Victorian mansions in the United States, built between the late 19th and early 20th centuries by the city’s wealthy families. Writer F. Scott Fitzgerald lived in houses on the avenue when he was young.
The James J. Hill House, from 1891, is the largest: a red sandstone house with 42 rooms, built for the founder of the Great Northern Railway. Guided tours show the carved wood rooms, the skylit art gallery, the stained glass and the modern systems for the time, such as gas lighting and electricity.
The section near the cathedral, with a viewpoint over the Mississippi valley, is the most popular for walking.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From one to two hours, including the house tour.
Best time
From spring to fall for walking the avenue; at year’s end the house often has period decorations.
How to get there
The avenue begins next to the cathedral, about 1.5 km from downtown Saint Paul.
Tip
The house is visited only with a guide and on certain days; reserve via the website. Walking the avenue is free.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Summit Avenue and James J. Hill House
What is there to see on Summit Avenue?
Victorian mansions, the James J. Hill House and the overlook above the Mississippi Valley.
Is the James J. Hill House open for tours?
Yes, on certain days of the week; reserve through the website.
Who lived on Summit Avenue?
Wealthy Saint Paul families, railroad magnate James J. Hill and, when he was young, writer F. Scott Fitzgerald.