2026 National PLTI Training
Explore The Twin Cities
Training Host City
Saint Paul, MN
For our 2026 National PLTI Training, we’re gathering in the Twin Cities, a region shaped by the Mississippi River and grounded in strong communities, culture, and care for place. While Minneapolis and St. Paul each have their own personality, together they offer a mix of history, creativity, food, and green space that feels unmistakably Minnesota.
Our training will take place in downtown St. Paul, along the river at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront. From the hotel, you’re steps away from walking paths, historic landmarks, and neighborhoods that reflect the city’s deep roots. A stroll along the Mississippi River or over to Harriet Island offers an easy way to take in the water, the skyline, and a slower pace that St. Paul is known for.
St. Paul is a city of stories. Nearby, you’ll find sites connected to Minnesota’s political history, arts scene, and immigrant communities. The city’s neighborhoods are home to Hmong, Somali, Latino, and Indigenous communities whose presence shapes the food, culture, and daily life of the area. Local museums, music venues, and small shops offer chances to explore between sessions without going far.
Just across the river, Minneapolis adds another layer to the Twin Cities experience. Known for its arts, public spaces, and cultural institutions, Minneapolis is home to the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Walker Art Center, and the Sculpture Garden. Its network of lakes, trails, and parks makes it easy to reconnect with nature, even in the middle of the city.
Food is one of the best ways to experience the Twin Cities. From longtime local favorites to newer spots highlighting Native, East African, and Latin American flavors, the region offers something familiar and something new. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite near the hotel or heading out with colleagues, you won’t have to look far.
We’re excited to spend this time together in a place that values community, reflection, and connection. The Twin Cities offer room to explore, breathe, and gather, and St. Paul provides a welcoming home base as we learn and grow together.
Typical June Saint Paul Weather
June in St. Paul brings warm, pleasant, and humid weather, signaling the start of summer, with average daily highs between 75° F and 82° F (24° C – 28° C) and lows around 57° F to 60° F (14° C – 16° C). It is a relatively rainy month, often featuring short, intense thunderstorms and long, sunny days with 11 hours of sunshine daily.
Current Saint Paul Weather
Exploring Saint Paul
Small curated list of things to enjoy while you're here
The following information was compiled from the Visit Saint Paul tourism website. We encourage you to visit their website to find even more fun things to do around the city. Remember, it’s always good practice to call ahead or check a business’s website for updated hours.
Explore Saint Paul by Interest
Arts & Entertainment
With big-time arenas, intimate venues, world-class theaters, and a diverse art scene, Saint Paul’s options for entertainment are endless.
Rock out to the biggest names in music at Grand Casino Arena or catch a more intimate concert at The Roy Wilkins Auditorium and the Palace Theatre.
Enjoy the fine art of theater at The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, the nation’s leading not-for-profit performing arts center with 500 annual performances (including Broadway hits, the Minnesota Opera and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra), the Fitzgerald Theatre (named after Saint Paul author F. Scott Fitzgerald) or Rondo’s own Penumbra Theatre.
Discover vibrant pieces at the Minnesota Museum of American Art or immerse yourself in the local art scene during the biannual Saint Paul Art Crawl.
Museums & History
With history dating back to 1849, Saint Paul is the story of a bootlegger named Pig’s Eye, a mobster safe haven and a distinguished street known for its Victorian architecture.
Founded near historic Native American settlements as a trading and transportation center, Saint Paul rose to prominence when it was named the capital of the Minnesota Territory in 1849.
Tour the area’s 104 nationally registered historic sites, including the iconic Cathedral of Saint Paul (modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome), regal Summit Avenue (the longest stretch of Victorian mansions in the United States) and the storied Landmark Center (a former post office and courthouse that was integral in the city’s 1920s gangster scene).
With such a rich and storied history, it should come to no surprise our museum lineup packs some heavy hitters. Explore a variety of exhibits at the Science Museum of Minnesota, Minnesota Children’s Museum, Minnesota History Center, Hmong Cultural Center, Bell Museum and more.
Nature & Outdoors
Want some fresh air? Explore Saint Paul’s vast parks, scenic trails and unique public art. Often topping the list with its twin city for best parks in the nation, you’re never far from Minnesota’s beautiful and natural landscapes in Saint Paul.
With an extensive variety of Mississippi riverside trails and lake view parks, it’s no surprise Saint Paul’s park system lands atop national lists. Dip your toes in the Mississippi at Raspberry Island Regional Park, take a jog around Como Lake, enjoy live summertime music in Mears Park and walk through a tree-lit wonderland in Rice Park during the winter months.
Kids and animal lovers of all ages won’t want to miss the Como Zoo Park and Conservatory—the oldest free zoo in the country attracts 1.9 million visitors annually with its numerous animal exhibits and gorgeous conservatory.
Sports & Recreation
Home to the award-winning Grand Casino Arena, Saint Paul is known for its level of service for professional, collegiate and amateur sporting events. Whether you’re cheering for the home or away team, you’ll find fun in our state-of-the-art arenas and stadiums that are located in the heart of all the action.
Saint Paul’s track record is second to none when it comes to hosting sporting events.
Home to the Minnesota Wild, Minnesota Frost and the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament, Saint Paul is more than representing as the State of Hockey’s Capital City. But that’s not all. Saint Paul is also where you’ll catch the St. Saints in Lowertown’s CHS Field, the Minnesota United FC at Midway’s Allianz Field or the hard hits of Minnesota Roller Derby at Downtown’s own Roy Wilkins Auditorium. Plus, sports teams from various colleges and universities in the city.
Exploring Minneapolis
Small curated list of things to enjoy while you're here
The following information was compiled from the Meet Minneapolis tourism website. We encourage you to visit their website to find even more fun things to do around the city. Remember, it’s always good practice to call ahead or visit a business’ website to check updated hours.
Explore Minneapolis by Interest
Arts, Theater & Dance
Minneapolis doesn’t just display art, it lives it.
While you’re in town for our National Training, we encourage you to explore the city’s creative side. From the country’s first sculpture garden (hello, Spoonbridge and Cherry) to the bold and quirky House of Balls, there’s something for every kind of art lover. Catch a Broadway show in the Hennepin Theatre District, or find Eduardo Kobra’s five-story Bob Dylan mural painted on a downtown building.
Looking for something more hands-on? You could a working glass studio in Northeast Minneapolis. Then head over to Bde Maka Ska, where sculptures honor the area’s Indigenous history. This isn’t just an art scene. It’s a community that creates, shares, and makes space for stories of all kinds.
Click the button below to immerse yourself in Minneapolis’ artsy side.
Museums & History
If you have time during National Training, we recommend exploring a few of Minneapolis’s many museums. Whether you’re into art, history, science, or culture, there’s something for nearly every interest.
For art lovers, the Minneapolis Institute of Art features over 90,000 works from across the globe and across centuries, while the Walker Art Center focuses on contemporary pieces and often pairs well with a walk through the adjoining Sculpture Garden.
If you’re more interested in history, the Mill City Museum tells the story of Minneapolis’s industrial past from inside the ruins of a historic flour mill. Nearby, the American Swedish Institute offers exhibits that highlight Swedish culture and the immigrant experience, all inside a beautiful historic mansion.
For families or anyone curious about how the world works, the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Bell Museum of Natural History are interactive, engaging, and full of learning opportunities for all ages. The Somali Museum of Minnesota is the only one of its kind in the world and offers a powerful look at Somali art, stories, and traditions.
Whether you’re looking to take in world-class art, dig into local history, or explore culture and science, there’s something meaningful waiting for you in Minneapolis’s museums.
Nature & Outdoors
Minneapolis is full of green space, water, and fresh air. We encourage you to take some time to enjoy it during your stay.
You’re never more than a few minutes away from a park, trail, or lake. Whether you’re up for a walk along the Mississippi River, a peaceful paddle on Bde Maka Ska, or a bike ride along the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, the city makes it easy to spend time outside. Minnehaha Falls, a 53-foot waterfall tucked inside a tree-lined park, is a local favorite and a great spot to unwind.
The city’s system of interconnected parks and trails is one of the best in the country. You’ll find places to hike, run, bike, or simply relax. No long drive needed. It’s a good reminder that nature belongs in cities, and Minneapolis keeps it close.
Sports & Recreation
If you’re into sports, Minneapolis is the right place for you. The city is home to major league teams, passionate fans, and some of the most impressive venues in the country. Whether you’re watching baseball at Target Field, cheering on the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium, catching a Timberwolves or Lynx game at Target Center, or rooting for the Gophers at the University of Minnesota, game day is a full experience.
There’s plenty to do before and after the action. Near Target Field, you’ll find restaurants and breweries with rooftop views, perfect for grabbing a bite before a Twins game. U.S. Bank Stadium is within walking distance of parks, coffee shops, and the Mill City Museum. If you’re heading to a Gophers game, Dinkytown and Stadium Village offer food, shopping, and campus energy that’s hard to beat.
If you’d rather watch from a sports bar, you’ve got options. Local favorites like Brit’s Pub, The Local, and Town Hall Brewery show games in a fun and welcoming atmosphere. Looking for soccer instead? Minnesota United plays at Allianz Field in nearby Saint Paul, and there are plenty of soccer-loving spots in the city to catch a match on screen.
Into hockey? The Xcel Energy Center is just across the river, and Minneapolis has deep roots in the sport. Prefer playing instead of watching? Try a round of golf at one of the city’s public courses or hop on a bike to explore trails that connect neighborhoods, parks, and waterfront views.
