Looking for something FUN to do? Gather your friends, family, neighbors, colleagues or organization and take one of our tours by foot, vehicle or boat! Any type of group is welcome! Just pick a tour, determine a date/time that works for you and give us a call to schedule your outing today. See individual tour
descriptions for pricing.

Questions/Reservations: 651-407-5327 or office@whitebearhistory.org

WALKING TOURS:

A Discovery Walk Through Union Cemetery

Approx. 1 hour
$9/person (5 person or $40 minimum)

Guided tours include information on the establishment of Union Cemetery, cemetery symbolism and the lives of several individuals who have been laid to rest at this site. Interpretations include characters such as Hattie Long, an early special education teacher from White Bear Lake; Caspar Bloom, a two-time Civil War Veteran who later settled in this area; and Captain W. A. Stickley, a publisher of the White Bear Press early in the last century.

A Discovery Walk Through St. Mary’s Cemetery

Approx. 1 hour
$9/person (5 person or $40 minimum)

Guided tours include information on the establishment of St. Mary’s Cemetery – the White Bear Area’s only Catholic cemetery, cemetery symbolism and the lives of several individuals who have been laid to rest at this site. Interpretations include characters such as Fr. Nicholas Finn, a prominent St. Mary’s priest; Francis X. “Moose” Goheen, professional ice hockey player; and William Markoe, Minnesota’s first hot air balloonist.

Lake Avenue Stroll

Approx. 2 hours
$12/person (5 person or $60 minimum)

Take this guided tour and learn about the history of Lake Avenue and how the community of White Bear Lake developed as you stroll along the shore of the lake from Lion’s Park to Matoska Park, (and back—approx. 2 miles round-trip). The first settlement and businesses developed along this shore and signs of their presence can still be seen today.

Downtown White Bear Lake Then and Now Walking Tour

Approx. 2 hours
$12/person (5 person or $60 minimum)

Walk through White Bear Lake’s historic downtown and learn about the businesses and people who have shaped the community, past and present. Explore historic and modern structures and the development of our downtown business district using historic photographs to depict what once was there.

Historic Cottage Park Walking Tour

Approx. 2 hours
$12/person (5 person or $60 minimum)

Tour historic Cottage Park—where White Bear was first settled—and hear stories of the days of community clubhouses, the area’s first resorts and church, and some interesting characters. The tour departs from Lion’s Park, and makes a circuitous route through the Cottage Park neighborhood and back. This is about a 1.5 mile walk round trip.

Historic Wildwood Walking Tour

Approx. 1 hour
$9/person (5 person or $40 minimum)

Stroll back through time and explore the history of Wildwood Amusement Park’s heyday when crowds transported by the streetcars and steamers came to the “end of the tracks” to enjoy a day at the park which boasted one of the first Tilt-a-Whirls, a roller coaster named “the Pippin”, a bathing beach, expansive picnic grounds and much more. The tour departs from Triangle Park, and makes a circuitous route through the neighborhood and back to Triangle Park. This is about a 1.5 mile walk round trip.

Historic Pub Crawl

Approx. 3 hours
$20/person  (Minimum of 8, Maximum of 20 per group
Cocktails not included)

Stroll downtown White Bear Lake and visit some of our most historic establishments while you discover their stories. Your guide will share the tales of proprietors past, prohibition and local lore while you have the opportunity to sample the goods of their trade.

Fillebrown House Tours

Approx. 1 hour
$5/person (7 person or $35 minimum)

Visit this 1879 lakeside cottage filled with stories of the Fillebrown, Noyes and Young families who have called it home. Learn what life was like throughout the decades including the golden era of Minnesota’s First Resort Town, the Great Depression and War years into modern times.

DRIVING TOURS:

Gangster Bus Tour

Approx. 1 hour
-Step-on guide – your bus: $9/person ($54 minimum)
-Newtrax bus: $25/person ($175 minimum. Up to 12 people allowed)

Come along for an adventurous outing to explore the hideouts and haunts of the 1930s era gangsters who laid low in the cottages around White Bear and Bald Eagle Lakes. Sights include a Mahtomedi speakeasy and the location of a notorious dance club.

Around the Lake Bus Tour

Approx. 1 hour
-Step-on guide – your bus: $9/person ($54 minimum)
-Newtrax bus: $25/person ($175 minimum. Up to 12 people allowed)

Join our knowledgeable guide who will bring the past “to life” on a journey through history. Highlights include tales of the first Tilt-A-Whirl, St. Paul’s movers and shakers from the last century, the golden era of Minnesota’s First Resort Town and much more.

Mahtomedi Bus Tour

Approx. 1 hour
-Step-on guide – your bus: $9/person ($54 minimum)
-Newtrax bus: $25/person ($175 minimum. Up to 12 people allowed)

Our informed guide will dazzle you with stories of the gangsters, speakeasies and the characters of a authentic small-town that was home to Wildwood Park for more than four decades.

Boat Tours:

Cruise into the Past – Historic Boat Tour of White Bear Lake

Approx. 2 hours
$15/person – your boat, our guide
(4 person or $60 minimum)

Your knowledgeable guide will tantalize you with images of days past and present as you skim the shore of White Bear Lake, Birchwood, Mahtomedi, Dellwood and White Bear Township.

Check out our Group Programs, too!