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1875
St. James Hotel MN
Red Wing, Minnesota
St. James Hotel MN
406 Main Street, Red Wing, Minnesota 55066 Original Property Opened in 1875 Historic Hotels of America member since 1994- 2022 Historic Hotels of America® Awards of Excellence Nominee Finalists
- 2019 Historic Hotels of America® Awards of Excellence Winners
- The 2021 Top 25 Historic Hotels of America for a Romantic Proposal Announced
- The 2022 Historic Hotels of America Top 25 Most Magnificent Gingerbread Displays List Is Announced
- The 2023 Top 25 Historic Hotels of America Most Magnificent Ceilings and Domes
- The 2023 Top 25 Historic Hotels of America Magnificent Gingerbread Displays List
- The 2024 Top 25 Historic Hotels of America® Most Magnificent Gingerbread Displays List Is Announced
art
memorabilia
presidential
tours
The St. James Hotel was built in 1875 atop the rolling bluffs of Red Wing, Minnesota, which was once the largest wheat trading market in the world. The first guests marveled at the Hotel’s modern features, including steam heat, hot and cold running water, and a state of-the-art kitchen. Its acclaimed dining facility became a regular stop for riverboats and trains alike. Today, the St. James Hotel proudly maintains its 19th-century character. With renowned dining and shops inside the hotel and within walking distance to the town’s historic Main Street District, a stay at the St. James Hotel is a glimpse into history.
Discover
- Discover the amazing Italianate-style architecture of the St. James Hotel MN. Designed in the early 1870s by architect Edward P. Bassford, the historic hotel is one of Minnesota’s best standing Italianate structures. The interior, too, remains a striking example of innovation in the hospitality industry. As a commercial center for the growing wheat industry in the new state, Red Wing needed an upscale, luxurious hotel appropriate for the movers and shakers of the time. The response to that need was the the state-of-the-art St. James Hotel.
- Admire the long cultural heritage of this stunning red-brick structure. The town of Red Wing, Minnesota, on the Mississippi River was an economic boomtown in the 1870s. The St. James Hotel immediately became a hub for all social activity in Red Wing and the railroads even adjusted their schedules to allow passengers the opportunity to dine inside its restaurants. St. James Hotel MN has even hosted the likes of former President Rutherford B. Hayes. Take the opportunity to step back in time into a building that has witnessed over a century and a half of American history.
- Enjoy historic handicraft on display in St. James Hotel MN′s historic rooms, which feature a prized collection of period Victorian furniture. The antique décor ensures no two rooms are alike. Each guestroom is named after one of the 19th-century riverboats that plied the waters of the Mississippi River.
Explore
- Honor the historic Minnesota hotel’s rich past at themed events, historical exhibits, and curated guest experiences at St. James Hotel MN. Delve into the 150th Archive Room, which features a rotating exhibition highlighting treasured artifacts and stories from generations of guests. Then, stroll through Red Wing’s historic downtown, where history is displayed in museum exhibits, historic sites, and authentic 19th-century buildings. Do a deeper dive into local history, geology, archaeology, and Red Wing pottery at the Goodhue County Historical Society, a proud collaborator of St. James Hotel MN.
- Explore the natural beauty of the area. Red Wing provides stunning views of the Mississippi River and the surrounding bluffs. Viewing riotous autumn color is a huge attraction, but so are activities like fishing, boating, swimming, golfing, mountain biking, cross-country skiing—Red Wing is an outdoor-lover's paradise any time of year. The bluffs and valleys are also scattered with wineries, art galleries and antique shops to explore.
- Enjoy a performance at the historic Sheldon Theatre, a gorgeously restored 1904 jewel box. The Sheldon Theatre is a community partner that hosts local performers as well as nationally known names. Attend a Shakespeare play, comedy performance, ballet, musical concert, or see a classic black-and-white film in this historic venue that is a destination in itself.
Experience
- Experience the beautiful Frontenac State Park, a birdwatcher’s paradise. Watch migrating birds passing through in spring and fall—over 260 species have been noted—and enjoy spotting eagles and other wildlife. Hike the many trails overlooking Lake Pepin in any season, and enjoy the wildflowers or the trees’ brilliant colors. Visit in the winter and go cross-country skiing, or have fun on the winter sliding hill.
- Experience the joys of “après-ski” at St. James Hotel MN. Located close to premier skiing destinations, the warm and inviting hotel will great guests returning from a nearby winter adventure with an indulgent offerings from their in-house restaurant, Scarlet Kitchen & Bar. Make sure to to tour the American Ski Jump Museum Hall of Fame micro-museum on the mezzanine level of St. James Hotel MN and discover how Red Wing became the birthplace of this exciting sport with the first recorded tournament in 1887.
- Shop for high-quality Red Wing boots and shoes in their birthplace. The Red Wing Museum downtown has the camera-ready World’s Largest Boot (size 638 ½ D, for the record); it has original Norman Rockwell drawings; the entire first floor is a store full of their renowned footwear below the second-floor museum; but for many, the biggest draw is the huge outlet store in the basement and its excellent prices on Red Wing and Vasque footwear.
Taste
- Taste a homemade dessert from Pastry Chef Amy Zerwas at Scarlet Kitchen & Bar at St. James Hotel MN. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Mississippi River while relaxing with the sweet treat in the indoor and outdoor dining areas. Try the popular lavender blueberry sage cake for delicious flavors that evoke Minnesota flora.
- Savor a historic brew made from an 1896 recipe. The local creation is called Remmler’s Royal Brew and is on tap at the local Red Wing Brewery, founded in 2011. Producing six or seven barrels of craft beer per week, the beloved brewery is also known for the delicious Red Wing Premium. Many other styles of craft beers are put into rotation, and they also make their own root beer and serve local wines.
- Taste one of Minnesota’s iconic foods in its many iterations: wild rice. The regional ingredient is used in casseroles, burgers, fritters, salads, and even pies. Some mix wild rice with milk, blueberries, or maple syrup for breakfast, while rice soup can be found on many regional menus. Try wild-rice encrusted walleye, a fish found in the northernmost parts of North America, to especially embrace the flavors of Minnesota.
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National Trust for Historic Preservation Month Rate – Save 20% Off Best Available Rate
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