Summit-University - Saint Paul, MN Area Guide

The Summit-University neighborhood blends the oldest and most affluent parts of Saint Paul with the old Rondo neighborhood. In the 1930s, Minnesota's largest African American community lived in the Rondo neighborhood, but unfortunately, Interstate-94 split the neighborhood into two effectively terminating its culture.

In the 1960s, the area began to experience a period of urban renewal as people began to buy and rehab the mansions on Summit Avenue and on the streets to the north. That sense of renewal affected most of the area for the next half a century as countless homes were restored to their original splendor.

Annually, the residents of Summit-University celebrate the area's history with the annual Rondo festival and a jazz festival.

On a sunny summer afternoon or a frosty winter evening, locals in search of filling fare head to the Muddy Pig. Modeled after an classic English pub, this dark, wood-paneled bar claims to be Saint Paul's original craft beer bar. Locals who wish to embrace their German heritage dig into the Sausage and Kraut Bake while those who want something saucy sample the "pig wings," pork shanks in BBQ sauce.

Resident gourmands travel east on Selby to reach a growing cachet of high-end restaurants, including WA Frost, and breakfast lovers also haunt this area. The New Louisiana Cafe offers hash browns that fill an entire plate as a side dish to your favorite spicy benedict or sunny-side-up eggs. For the really hungry residents of the neighborhood, Fabulous Ferns offers an expansive Sunday brunch buffet with something for everyone. If you have a sweet tooth, fill up on crepes or head to the waffle bar, but if you prefer savory treats, fill your plate with biscuits and gravy or corned beef hash.

Locals who want a more exciting nightlife than what is offered by the cozy pubs in Summit University either head to downtown Minneapolis or grab a drink at one of the many hot spots on Grand Avenue. Located a block south of Summit Avenue, Grand Avenue houses large college bars such as Billy's on Grand and The Wild Onion. Both of these establishments offer DJs and late night dancing.

Interstate-94 on the north side of the neighborhood makes it easy for residents to jump on the freeway and commute to work, but those who prefer to bicycle hit the wide bicycle lanes running down Summit Avenue. The residential streets of this neighborhood have ample room for free public parking, and most of the shops have small parking lots behind them.

The wide boulevards, tree-lined streets and charming architecture make strolling through the Summit-University area pleasant, but don't expect to be able to hail a cab as you walk along. Instead, you can easily call one to the area. A couple of bus routes serve the area as well.

The Summit-University neighborhood offers a host of neighborhood parks, some as tiny as a single lot, making it an ideal neighborhood for young families. At the north end of the neighborhood, the neighborhood's largest park, Carty Park offers basketball hoops and playground equipment.

The neighborhood schools including the JJ Hill Montessori School and the House of Hope Preschool have playgrounds which are open for children to play in when school is not in session. If you just need a quick fix of Green, Holcombe Circle, a funny little round patch of grass in the middle of the St Alban's and Laurel intersection, is one of the best places to catch a glimpse of early spring tulips peaking out of the snow.

Living in the Summit-University neighborhood is slightly more expensive than living in other parts of Saint Paul and roughly average when compared to Minneapolis. While a one-bedroom apartment in Saint Paul costs $839 on average, one-bedroom apartments in this neighborhood cost around $995.

Bus fares range between $1.50 and $3, and several bus lines serve the area. However, with gas prices at 96 percent of the national average, most residents opt to drive.

Beers in this neighborhood hover around the $5 to $7 mark, but pubs offer great deals such as $3 pints of Summit Pale Ale or $2 pints with the daily "I'm-So-Dang-Poor-Man" daily lunch special at Sweeney's Saloon.

When the mood to shop strikes, residents of Summit-University head to Grand Avenue. Those ready to splurge walk into shops such as Gold'n Treasures, a well stocked jewelry shop, and those who want to save visit shops such as My Sister's Closet, a consignment store filled with hand-picked, gently-used fashions. Creative Kidstuff offers high-quality educational and creative toys for kids, and for grown-ups who love to create, shops such as The Yarnery and Northern Brewer Supplies may have what they need. Two small convenience shops, Zas Market and Ashland Avenue Grocery, offer milk, eggs, cereal and other basics for residents who need something quickly. Locals also show their community spirit by bringing their cloth bags and bulk spice jars to the Mississippi Market Co-op, a member owned natural foods store. The area hosts a small farmer's market on Summit Avenue and Lexington, and this market is an offshoot of the significantly larger St. Paul Farmer's Market in Downtown St. Paul. Locals who want a larger selection of freshly grown veggies and artisan fare make the drive to Minneapolis to enjoy the Minneapolis Farmer's Market every Sunday morning.