Concord-Robert - Saint Paul, MN Area Guide

Originally occupied by Dakota Indians, the west bank of the Mississippi River eventually became inhabited by farmers who formed the small town of West St. Paul. Ferries took West St. Paul residents over the river and into St. Paul proper until 1859 when the Wabasha Bridge was built.

Once the bridge made the city easily accessible to area residents, population boomed. Stately mansions sprang up on the bluffs overlooking the river, working-class homes appeared on the flats, and foundries, quarries, breweries and manufacturing plants were erected along the river.

The Commemorative Air Force Museum sits near Fleming Field just to the east of this neighborhood. Otherwise, a quick journey over the bridge and into St. Paul brings art lovers, science fans, history buffs and families to the Minnesota Museum of American Art, the Science Museum of Minnesota, the Minnesota History Center or the Minnesota Children's Museum.

A range of restaurants, bars and even a club sit on Cesar Chavez and Wabasha streets in the heart of the Concord-Robert neighborhood, and Mexican restaurants such as El Burrito Mercado maintain a particular level of popularity.

El Burrito Mercado houses a Mexican market with a restaurant in its center. Stock up on necessities such as Goya red chillies, homemade tortillas or ceramic statues of the Virgin Mary in the mercado, or stop and try a plate of homemade masa topped with your favorite ingredients in the cafe. Spice up your order at the complimentary salsa bar, and wash it all down with a margarita.

If you are craving a tender steak, fried local walleye or other American bistro fare, check out Joseph's Grill. This Concord-Robert bar offers a full breakfast and dinner menu as well as great deals on drinks. The perfect spot for a date, Joseph's combo dinner deal lets you and your date choose an app to share, a bowl of soup or salad, an entree with shared veggies and mashed potatoes and a desert.

The Cherokee Tavern in West St. Paul has been dishing up tasty steaks and sides to Concord-Robert residents since 1933. In addition to fabulous drink deals and a sophisticated interior, this West Side institution offers Native American fare such as flat bread and walleye.

If you're in the mood for live music and dancing, check out the Wabasha Street Caves. Built into the ancient limestone caves around the banks of the Mississippi River, the Wabasha Street Caves has a swing night as well as other live music events. You may also rent the facility for private events and wedding receptions, or you can book the facility along with seven actors who draw your private party into a "murder mystery" night.

Two bus routes pick up riders from the Robert Street Station at 613 Robert Street North, and these buses run regularly to the suburbs of West St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights and Maplewood as well as to downtown St. Paul, Midway, the University of Minnesota, downtown Minneapolis, the Warehouse District and Target Field.

Drivers have easy access to Wabasha Street which runs over the river and into downtown, or they can jump onto the Lafayette Freeway. Also called Highway 52, this road links to I-35 and I-94, taking residents to downtown Minneapolis, St Paul or the suburbs.

Committed to making the city more sustainable, St. Paul has put many bicycle lanes into the roads of this area, making it easy for cyclists to get around. Walkers may also navigate the area safely. If you need a ride, Uber and cabs both serve the Concord-Robert area, but you need to call these services to the area, rather than trying to hail them in the street.

Small local parks fill the Concord-Robert area, including Castillo Park, which is tucked safely into the residential streets behind Cesar Chavez Street. This local favorite offers playgrounds and space for running.

Harriet Island Park offers playgrounds, picnic areas, tennis courts, a bandstand and a pavilion available for rent for private events. One of the oldest parks in the city, Harriet Island Park sits on the banks of the Mississippi River, giving park visitors access to fishing and great views.

If you want your furry friend to run off some energy, head over the Wabasha Bridge to lower-downtown. There, the Lowertown Dog Park features a large and friendly off-leash area for dogs.

Living in Concord-Robert costs less on average than living in other parts of St. Paul. While the average one-bedroom apartment in St. Paul rents for $839, Concord-Robert's one-bedrooms cost only $774 on average.

Residents also save on transit costs. A gallon of gas in West St. Paul is 8 percent less than the national average, and you can get to downtown on the bus for less than $2.

Even beer bears an affordable price tax. Happy hour domestic brews cost $3, and at the Cherokee Tavern, you can enjoy beers for as low as a buck during the progressive happy hour.

Concord-Robert residents head to nearby lower-downtown or Summit Hill when they want to browse upscale boutiques. In lower-downtown, Details Style Lab offers salon services as well as fashionable outfits. In Summit Hill, shoppers have their choice of independent boutiques including Bombshell for plus-size clothing, Primp for chic-cheap fashions or BlackBlue for men's styles.

La Guadalupana and El Burrito Mercado in Concord-Robert provide the area with Mexican and Latin American groceries, and for American fare, locals go to Lunds, a locally owned, upscale grocery in downtown St. Paul.

The West Side Farmers Market on the corner of George and Stryker brings chemical-free, local food to area residents every Saturday morning from May to September. Veggie eaters who want more variety journey downtown on the summer weekends for those farmers' markets.