James J. Hill House

Tour the Gilded Age mansion of railroad magnate James J. Hill on Summit Avenue, with its skylit two-story art gallery.

240 Summit Ave · Saint Paul, MN

Plan your visit

Price: Under $25
When it runs: Tours run January through November
Good for: History lovers
Rainy afternoons
Public transit nearby: Selby Ave & Summit AveBus 72 · 0.1 mi away
Smith Ave & Walnut StBus 63 · 0.2 mi away
Smith Ave & Sherman StBus 63 · 0.2 mi away
Stops and lines from the USDOT National Transit Map. Check times with the agency before you go.
Flying in: Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field (MSP) is about 7 miles away.
See everything near MSP

Get directions

Go with Uber Go with Lyft

Get there by Public Transportation

Official site More to do in Minneapolis–St. Paul

Confirm details on the official site.

Is this your business?

Tell us what to change on this page, or ask how to manage it yourself.

Loading map…

See area map

About James J. Hill House

Completed in 1891 for railroad magnate James J. Hill, this 36,000-square-foot Summit Avenue mansion was once the largest private home in Minnesota. Guided tours from the Minnesota Historical Society take you past 13 bathrooms, 22 fireplaces, 16 chandeliers, hand-carved woodwork and stained glass. You also see a reception hall nearly 100 feet long and a two-story skylit art gallery that holds a pipe organ.

#historic mansion
#house tour
#gilded age
#national historic landmark
#summit avenue

Printable maps

What's around here?

The closest stops to James J. Hill House, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

Sightseeing
Iconic
Cathedral of Saint Paul
No admission fee
One of America's grandest domed churches, crowning a hill with sweeping views over downtown St. Paul.
Transit: reachable by public transit
Steps awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing
Museums
Alexander Ramsey House
Under $25
A Victorian house museum in Saint Paul that was home to three generations of the Ramsey family and is run by the Minnesota Historical Society.
0.3 mi awayMore like this
Museums
History Buff
Minnesota History Center
Under $25
Explore exhibits on Native Minnesota and objects from the state's collections inside the Minnesota Historical Society's headquarters.
Transit: reachable by public transit
0.4 mi awayMore like this
Museums
Family Favorite
Science Museum of Minnesota
$25–$50
Hands-on science playground on the Mississippi bluff with dinosaurs, a giant Omnitheater and endlessly pushable buttons.
Transit: reachable by public transit
0.5 mi awayMore like this
Sightseeing
Local Gem
Rice Park
Check prices
Sit by the fountain in Saint Paul's oldest public square, find the Peanuts statues and catch Winter Carnival ice sculptures in season.
Transit: reachable by public transit
0.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing
Tours
Family Favorite
Padelford Riverboats
Under $25
Narrated paddlewheeler cruises on the Mississippi from Harriet Island, river lore, eagles and skyline views.
Transit: reachable by public transit
0.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours