Saint Cloud (Minnesota)

Saint Cloud is a city in Central Minnesota with a population of 68,000 (2018). Although it may have few attractions to draw the tourist, it is a nexus of medical advances, particularly in orthopedics (St. Cloud Orthopedics Associates, for example). It is also a college town as it is home to St. Cloud State University and St Cloud Technical College. The College of St. Benedict and St. John's University are nearby.

By car
About an hour northwest of Minneapolis - Saint Paul via Interstate 94.

By train

 * Route stopping at Saint Cloud:
 * Empire Builder operating daily between Seattle/Portland and Chicago including stops at Spokane, Glacier National Park, Fargo, Saint Paul, and Milwaukee. The trains split into separate branches between Seattle and Spokane, and between Portland and Spokane, while operating as trains consisting of train cars from both branches between Spokane and Chicago.
 * Empire Builder operating daily between Seattle/Portland and Chicago including stops at Spokane, Glacier National Park, Fargo, Saint Paul, and Milwaukee. The trains split into separate branches between Seattle and Spokane, and between Portland and Spokane, while operating as trains consisting of train cars from both branches between Spokane and Chicago.

By bus
, 510 1st St S, is the main hub for local and inter-city bus services. Greyhound doesn't serve Saint Cloud but they offer through-ticketing with Jefferson Lines.
 * Jefferson Lines. Jefferson Lines links Saint Cloud with Minneapolis, Fargo, Grand Forks, and various cities in Northern Minnesota. Buses serve the Metro Bus Transit Center and an additional stop at St. Cloud State University, at the Atwood Center at 720 4th Ave S.
 * Northstar Link. Bus connects St. Cloud with the Northstar commuter rail station in Big Lake. Buses serve the Metro Bus Transit Center and an additional stop at St. Cloud State University, outside the Miller Center at 7th St S and 4th Ave S.

Get around
St. Cloud is laid out with its primary traffic artery (Division Street) running roughly E-W. Crossing arteries (roughly N-S) are called "avenues," and are numbered as either "South" or "North" of Division Street. For example, a location "nmm 6th Ave S" would be expected to be in the nth block south of Division street, on a N-S crossing street roughly six streets from the Mississippi River. Arteries roughly parallel to Division are called "streets," and designated either "North" or "South." For example, a location "nmm 10th Street S" would be expected to be located on the n-hundred block west of the river, on an E-W street roughly 10 block-lengths south of Division. The word "roughly" is definitely applicable in the above. A similar scheme applies east of the river, but the directional system is more complex.

Eat
Restaurants: Many, both typical and upscale.

Stay safe
Saint Cloud is an overall safe city. It is a college town, so there are always many college-aged people walking around the city, even at night. The south side around St. Cloud State is generally safe to walk around day or night, but traveling in groups at night is recommended. The south side, past the National Hockey Center, has had trouble with car thefts, so take caution.

The neighborhoods around campus are safe too, but will get rowdy Thursday through Saturday nights while school is in session with parties. Generally, these neighborhoods violate noise restrictions during these times rather than taking part in other crime.

Downtown is safe during the day, and even at night, but caution is necessary after dark as the downtown area fills with bar-goers. If you use common sense and travel in groups, you'll have no problems in Saint Cloud.

Go next

 * Pine City, east on Highway 23 (Division Street in St. Cloud), a little over an hour. Tip:  At Mora, cut across on 1/11.  A very cool small town!