The East Side of St. Cloud is only a few blocks from Downtown, and we think it is a perfect area to spend a day, or heck, a whole weekend exploring. The East Side has parks, views of the Mississippi, fun events and historic buildings. In addition to all that, The East Side has great local restaurants, and even a distillery for a drink to end your awesome day exploring the beautiful, edgy East Side of St. Cloud.
If you’re heading up from Minneapolis, Chicago, (or wherever else you may be traveling from) you can catch the Amtrak to St. Cloud and hop off at the station conveniently located on the East Side! For the ultimate East Side experience, book a stay at the nearby Country Inn+Suites East!
Start your day at Somali Café to grab a cappuccino and to try a Fresh Goat Liver, or Beef Suqaar breakfast sandwich. Somali Café has indoor and outdoor seating, so grab a spot outside to sit in the sun. Feeling more adventurous? Take your breakfast to-go and walk a few blocks over to Wilson Park to enjoy great views of the Mississippi River and charming East Side neighborhoods.
Next, get your shopping fix at the iconic Gopher Bargain Center! Gopher Bargain Center has an eclectic selection of trinkets, second-hand items, groceries, and lots of other unique finds. Head upstairs to the furniture section of the store and snap a silly photo in the Giant Captain’s Chair that’s tucked in the corner!
Add some wellness to your trip and book a Yoga class at Vibe Wellness (Pairs well with a protein shake from Lincoln Nutrition!). Don’t forget to check out our events calendar to see if Iron Street Distillery is hosting a Vibe Wellness Yoga class (or live music) while you’re here! Sweat it out, then grab a one of a kind drink made in house at the historic Iron Street Distillery. You can’t find a more balanced afternoon than that!
For dinner, Val’s Rapid Serve is the quintessential East Side eat. Fresh burgers, milkshakes and incredible French fries are all on the menu. You can’t go wrong, and no trip to St. Cloud is complete without a trip to this East Side staple! Are you looking for a place to sit down, cozy into a booth, and indulge in conversation? Copper Kitchen is located right along Hwy-10 and serves up some of the best home-cookin’!
No matter how you spend your time, the East Side is sure to show off its gritty, edgy, and deep history.