HISTORY
WALKING
TOURS
& PODCAST
Current Tour:
A Cathedral Hill Christmas
Step back in time to experience a Victorian Christmas through the stories of Saint Paul's past. Get to know the people that lived and worked in the historic Summit Avenue and Cathedral Hill districts, from society ladies planning lavish Christmas parties to the servants whose hard work that made Gilded Age glamor possible.
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This 60-minute winter walking tour will take you down the longest stretch of preserved Victorian homes in the country, and explore the Victorian origins of some of our most popular holiday traditions. Bring the whole family, and get in the holiday spirit while enjoying one of the most scenic areas in the Twin Cities!
ABOUT MINNESOTA UNKNOWN
Great stories are all around us.
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We see the ghosts of the past every day in our streets, homes, parks, and pathways. They are what time has left behind, witnesses to a hundred stories, each holding their own mysteries, tragedies, triumphs, scandals, and surprises.
At Minnesota Unknown, we offer guided walking tours and podcasts covering Minnesota's storied past, with a special emphasis on the surprising, unusual, and little-known history hidden in plain sight. Founded in 2024 by three local historians with decades of tour experience, our tours and podcast episodes combine thorough research with captivating storytelling to create a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable experience.
Our Tours
Step back in time to experience a Victorian Christmas through the stories of Saint Paul's past.
This 60-minute winter walking tour will take you down the longest stretch of preserved Victorian homes in the country, and explore the Victorian origins of some of our most popular holiday traditions.
$30 | December 7-28, 2025
Summit Avenue was once the most prestigious neighborhood in St. Paul. However, the picturesque exteriors of these Gilded Age mansions hide many strange secrets.
Join us for this 60-minute walking tour of St. Paul’s own “Millionaire’s Row,” where we’ll uncover stories of scandals, murders, ghosts, gangsters, and more surprising histories hidden in plain sight.
$30 | Spring and Summer 2026
Exploding flour mills, collapsing waterfalls, crackpot schemes gone awry, and organized crime—the riverfront district of Minneapolis has seen all this and more.
Join us for a 60-minute walking tour of downtown Minneapolis's historic riverfront as we explore some of the strangest and most surprising stories of this city’s past.
$30 | Spring and Summer 2026
Ghosts, gangsters, scandals, and secret tunnels—Saint Paul has no shortage of urban legends and local folklore.​
This 60-minute walking tour of St. Paul’s riverfront and Irvine Park neighborhood will explore the sites of some of the city’s most sensational stories. and attempt to separate fact from myth while uncovering true stories stranger than any fiction.
$30 | Fall, 2026
Our Podcast
From the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Duck Duck Gray Duck, and perpetual road construction, welcome to Minnesota Unknown — a regional history podcast.
You can find Minnesota Unknown on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube, or anywhere else that you get your podcasts. Be sure to subscribe or follow so you don’t miss an episode, and if you have a moment to rate and review that would really help others find us!
MEET OUR GUIDES
Hannah Norton
Originally from Iowa but having since gained the trust of Minnesotans, Hannah has many years of experience leading tours, developing exhibits, and teaching at historic sites. She has also worked extensively with puppets, who are often easier to deal with than humans.
Alex Weston
Born in Minneapolis and currently living in St. Paul, Alex Weston has two decades of public history experience. He has previously given tours, conducted research, and written programs for the James J. Hill House, Alexander Ramsey House, Historic Fort Snelling, and Mill City Museum.
Josie Bergmann
Josie is a skilled and passionate storyteller who has led tours for seven years at historic sites, including the James J. Hill House and Alexander Ramsey House. She also teaches Kindergarten and First Grade, so be prepared to be asked if you need to go potty before the tour.
