St. Paul Historic Cave Tour: Gangster Era site with bullet holes

Walk past bullet holes in a gangster casino carved into the hillside

A 1-hour guided tour through St. Paul's historic caves, which were mined in the 1800s and later became a prohibition-era gangster hotspot in the 1930s. You'll see the only remaining restored Gangster Era site, including the original 60-foot bar and bullet holes from the era. The tour is led by a live guide in English and welcomes children from age 1. Restrooms and WiFi are available on-site.

Step-by-step itinerary

Historic Gangster Era Cave Tour

• Visit restored Gangster Era site
• Explore extensive hillside caves
• Learn about 1800s mining ventures
• Discover 1930s gangster hotspot history
• See restored original 30s bar
• Hear stories of gangland murder

The experience

The caves themselves were carved into the hillside during 1800s mining operations, then repurposed as a mushroom farm before becoming a restaurant casino during prohibition. Newspapers documented an unsolved gangland murder at the site, and tour guides point out the actual bullet holes left in the walls. The original bar, a then-record 60 feet long, has been fully restored to its 1930s condition. Some visitors report the caves feel haunted by the mobsters whose bodies were never found.

The tour runs about an hour and is appropriate for all ages, though the operator recommends ages 5 and up for sustained attention. The site is fully wheelchair accessible, and infants can ride in a pram or stroller. Service animals are welcome. Restrooms and WiFi are available, and public transportation options are nearby if you're traveling without a car.

What’s included

• 1-hour guided cave tour with a live English-speaking guide.
• access to restrooms.
• WiFi.

Information

Lasts 1h, runs every day except Tuesday at 13:00, 17:00 and 11:00, from US$ 20 per person and with a live guide in English.

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday and Friday: 13:00Thursday: 17:00Saturday and Sunday: 11:00Another day? ›

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Child (1 to 5 years)

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Wabasha Street Caves

Is this one for you?This tour works well for small groups or families with children, since the 1-hour length keeps younger kids engaged and the gangster-era story gives everyone something concrete to follow. If you're interested in local history and prohibition-era crime but don't want to spend a full day on a tour, the compact timeframe and single restored site make this a straightforward choice.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 5 years).

What exactly are the St. Paul caves and why were they built?

The caves were carved into the hillside during mining ventures in the 1800s. After mining stopped, they were converted into a mushroom farm, then developed into a restaurant casino that became a notorious gangster hotspot during the 1930s prohibition era.

Will I actually see bullet holes and the original bar from the gangster era?

Yes. Tour guides point out the bullet holes in the walls from the era, and the original 60-foot bar from the 1930s has been fully restored and is on display. It was a record length for its time.

How long does the tour take?

The tour is approximately 1 hour long, led by a live guide in English.

Can I get to the caves using public transportation?

Yes. Public transportation options are available nearby, and all transportation options serving the site are wheelchair accessible.