Address: 49 Harriet Island Road, Saint Paul, MN, 55107
Upcoming Events: Jump to Harriet Island Regional Park Events
Website: Harriet Island Regional Park
Phone: 651-292-7010
Park Hours: Sunrise to 11pm
FREE to visit, but parking fees may apply, especially during events.
Nestled along the Mississippi River, Harriet Island Regional Park offers scenic riverside trails, plenty of picnic spots, and kid-friendly features, making it a perfect urban escape for families.
Harriet Island Regional Park is a beautiful urban park that spreads out along St Paul’s riverfront across from downtown. “Island” is somewhat of a misnomer these days as the back channel of the island was filled in years ago. While the park is known for its beautiful scenic views of the City of Saint Paul, it is also a year-round recreational hub, offering outdoor activities, community events and riverboat cruises. Family-friendly menities include a playground, paved walking paths along the river, and space to picnic. Public restrooms are open seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Family fun at Harriet Island
Visitors to the park can enjoy stroller-friendly walking paths that run close to the Mississippi River, a playground and tot lot (with a riverboat theme), and the Clarence W. Wigington Pavilion, which occasionally hosts entertainment for the public. Families coming to picnic will find grills available for use. Bring your own charcoal.
Family-friendly events at Harriet Island
Throughout the year, Harriet Island is home to a variety of festivals, summer movies, music and occasional free outdoor fitness classes.
There are also several large-scale public events that take place annually on Harriet Island including the popular Irish Fair. Flooding several years in a row has reduced the number of public events. It used to be the city’s July 4th fireworks location, but displays have been moved or cancelled in recent years. We usually recommend nearby CHS Stadium for fireworks.
Note about Weather: You may want to check the St. Paul website for closures before heading out to the park after heavy rains. Note that parking can be hard to find around the park – especially during events. Look for special free ride offers from MetroTransit for larger events.
Padelford Riverboat Cruises
Padelford Riverboats launch from Harriet Island Regional Park. They offers 90-minute sightseeing cruises, dinner and other specialty cruises and occasional kids cruises. See their calendar for public cruises.
Birthday Parties at Harriet Island
This may not be the most practical birthday party location as it is popular for weddings and public events. Rentable locations may book out far in advance – especially on weekends and summer months. However weekday prices are quite reasonable. Find other venues for birthday parties in our Guide to Birthday Parties for Kids.
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Share your experience:
Parents: We would love to hear about your experiences at Harriet Island Regional Park. Share your insider tips about anything — safety, cleanliness, accessibility and family-friendly features. Is there a best time to visit with kids? Where do you like to park? Where do you eat when you visit the park? Share your parental tips in the comments.
Share Your Experience/Tips:
We would love to hear your thoughts and parental tips. Share your experiences and any information you think other parents would find useful. Leave us a comment below.Upcoming Family-Friendly Events
- Dancing in the Park - 06/02/2026 - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Irish Fair of Minnesota - 08/07/2026 - 08/09/2026 - 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Melodies & Market on the Mississippi (FREE) - 08/19/2026 - 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
- Twin Cities Veg Fest - 09/20/2026 - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Fun Past Events We Hope to See Again
- Saint Paul Summer Kick-off (FREE) - 05/17/2026 - 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Please Note: FamilyFunTwinCities.com is an independent website run by Twin Cities families for Twin Cities families. We attempt to include the information we find most essential as parents. We make every effort to keep up with changes. However, we are not employed by or connected to this venue, and information sometimes changes without our knowledge. We recommend calling or checking the venue’s website for up-to-date information.
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