Wabasha Street Caves Guide: Haunted Stories, Tour Times, and What to Expect

In the heart of St. Paul, down by the river, there are a few partygoers that just don’t want to stop the party. In the glamour of old Hollywood, who would want to? But there is a whole other reason for their strange behavior at the Wabasha Street Caves.

The Wabasha Street Caves started out as man-made caves created to grow mushrooms. After a few ownership changes, they became a roaring nightclub, a speakeasy, and a disco.

Today they are best known for guided tours and private events. What draws most guests to the caves has more to do with the haunted past and an infamous event during the speakeasy days.

The History of the Wabasha Street Caves and The St. Paul Gangsters

Castle Royal

In 1933 the Castle Royal nightclub was the most exclusive club in town. Their menu prices ensured that only the well-to-do visited.

Back then, the well-to-do often included unsavory characters. Dangerous figures like George “Baby Face” Nelson and Alvin “Creepy” Karpis were frequent guests.

One night a young woman behind the bar was waiting to close up when an argument broke out between a few guests.

It escalated until one individual pulled out a Tommy gun and mowed the other three down. After seeing what happened, the bartender locked herself in the office and called the cops.

The cops told her to wait outside until they arrived. They showed up 30 minutes later, with guests still inside. The officers went in for about an hour.

When they came out, they told her not to prank call the police again. She was in disbelief. She had just seen a vicious murder.

They brought her back in and the place was immaculate. She didn’t know the police and organized crime had an understanding at the time.

Thanks to police Chief O’Connor’s “O’Connor System,” it’s believed the police helped cover up the crime. The caves had unused tunnels with loose soil. Many think that is where the bodies were buried.

The Haunting Inside

Over the years the club changed many times. Today, the former speakeasy is an event venue and tour site. Partygoers and tour guests have said they have seen a few extra guests.

One person described a figure dressed like a 1920s gangster who roamed the halls. The man looked translucent and walked through a cave wall.

After a wedding reception, a young guest told his mom how much he enjoyed playing with “the gangsters.” But the mom knew no one was dressed up that night.

Staff say the spirits don’t have ill will toward anyone. Many report that while in the back section of the caves, they hear their names called out.

After investigating, they find no one there. Some tour guests have their own encounters.

When stopping to take pictures or visit the bathrooms, they have reported hearing muffled sounds of a 1930s big band starting up.

Wabasha Street Caves Tours

After hearing about this, I wanted to check it out myself. The tour guides take guests through different rooms and fill your head with tales from the past, including the infamous night at Castle Royal.

They do a great job keeping the group together and engaged. They show the location of the shootout and where they believe bodies may have been buried within the caves.

You can see the spots on the fireplace mantel where the Tommy guns unloaded at the guests.

Lost Souls Tours

The standard walking tour is the most popular. They also offer a Lost Souls Tour, often scheduled monthly, that focuses on reported sightings in the caves.

You’ll hear the stories and stand where the mysterious occurrences happened.

I love a good haunting, but I opted for a traditional tour. They talk about the “incident,” but don’t go deep on current-day hauntings.

Architecture

Inside you’ll see unique architecture and eclectic styling from years past.

Even though the place gets reinvented every few decades, things like the original mushroom-shaped entryways remain.

The bar has neon touches, and the ballroom feels like old Hollywood with a little darkness to it.

Movie Set

The caves have been used to film a few movies and TV segments. You may spot carvings and memorabilia left behind.

Other Things to Know

Cost

The caves are open to the public through Wabasha Street Caves tours year-round. Current pricing is typically around $12–$15 for adults; children 5 and under are often free. Check their website or social pages for the latest schedule and prices.

On the tour, you will hear stories about hauntings and St. Paul’s gangster era.

Getting there

The Wabasha Street Caves are located at 215 Wabasha Street South in St. Paul. They sit just south of the Mississippi River. If you don’t like driving city streets, not to worry.

Access is easy from the main road. There is a lot in front. If it’s full, there is additional parking around the corner in a larger lot.

Tips for your visit

• Reserve tickets ahead of time, especially for weekends and October dates. Walk-up spots can sell out.
• The tour is underground. Bring a light jacket. Comfortable closed-toe shoes help on uneven floors.
• If you love gangster-era history, check out the Saint Paul Gangster Tours offered by the same company.
• For more hauntings around the Twin Cities, see 13 Truly Real Haunted Places In MN. Consider their candlelight tours if available.

Schedule a Gangster Tour of St. Paul today. Ride in a motorcoach as they take you around St. Paul and share their favorite hangouts. Click here to get your tickets.

Learn More

St. Paul is filled with wild histories and hauntings. You can make a whole day of visiting haunted locations. For more on corruption during the gangster era, check out John Dillinger Slept Here: A Crooks’ Tour of Crime and Corruption in St. Paul, 1920–1936.

Other Things to Do Around Wabasha Street Caves

Other Attractions to Visit

Aside from the Gangster Tour, there is a lot to do nearby. My favorite is the events on Harriet Island, including the annual Irish Festival in August. You can walk to the festival from the caves’ parking lot.

The Landmark Center is a great stop if you want to extend the haunted theme. It was another site tied to St. Paul’s corruption.

They offer building tours. Some photographers report unexpected figures in their images after a visit.

If you have kids on your adventure, stop at the Minnesota Children’s Museum. It’s further into downtown, but the rotating exhibits are fantastic.

Up for a hike? Check out the Brickyard Hike right down the street from the caves. You’ll see abandoned caves and maybe a waterfall.

Where to Eat Nearby

The Wabasha Street Caves sit in a business district, so food is close. There used to be a small coffee counter on site; service offerings change with events, so have a backup nearby.

Craving Italian? Cossetta’s is across the river and quick by car. Grab cannoli to go; parking is free in the back.

Closer options include spots along West 7th Street; you’ll find pubs, pizza, and coffee within a 5–8 minute drive.

Where to Stay

If you want to stay overnight, St. Paul has great hotels. The closest upscale option is the InterContinental, just across the Wabasha Street Bridge.

For a tie to the gangster past, consider The Saint Paul Hotel. It was a hub for underworld business in the 1930s.

Both are walkable to downtown sites and a short drive to the caves.

If you only have an Hour

Do the walking tour of the Wabasha Street Caves. It lasts about an hour. If you love history and true-crime lore, this is your tour.

I enjoyed it and learned more about St. Paul than I expected. I’d go back for the Lost Souls tour to hear more first-hand accounts.

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