Overview
St. James is a city in Southern Minnesota. It is the county seat of Watonwan County.
2 sights · 1 things to do · 3 places to eat · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about St. James
Grand Opera House
This building functioned as St. James' main performing arts venue from the 1890s to 1920s, and has also hosted various local events over the years.
Watonwan County Courthouse
The courthouse and seat of government for Watonwan County. A noted example of Romanesque Revival architecture, built in the 1890s.
Princess Theater
Historic cinema with weekend film screenings. Also functions as a community center.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 9°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and Aug. (climate data from nearby Minneapolis)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MCW Mason City Municipal Airport, Mason City — 86 mi away. Directions
- MSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field, Minneapolis — 93 mi away (major hub). Directions
Minnesota State Highways 4, 30, and 60.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Grand Opera House, Princess Theater
- Lunch Plaza Jalisco
- Afternoon Watonwan County Courthouse
- Dinner Encore Coffee Cafe
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
St. James was not named for any particular saint but rather for one of the town's early settlers, James Purington. St. James was settled under the direction of the St. Paul & Sioux City Railroad, as its location is roughly halfway between those two cities.
Get in
Minnesota State Highways 4, 30, and 60.
See
See Grand Opera House
This building functioned as St. James' main performing arts venue from the 1890s to 1920s, and has also hosted various local events over the years.
See Watonwan County Courthouse
The courthouse and seat of government for Watonwan County. A noted example of Romanesque Revival architecture, built in the 1890s.
Do
Eat
Eat Encore Coffee Cafe
Coffee shop with a small food menu.
Eat Jake's Pizza & Sandwich Shop
Sleep
Nearby
Truman
City / town · 5 listings · 14 mi away
Trimont
City / town · 2 listings · 16 mi away
Flandrau State Park
Park · 22 mi away
Sherburn
City / town · 7 listings · 23 mi away
Fairmont
City / town · 45 listings · 24 mi away
New Ulm
City / town · 16 listings · 24 mi away
Jackson
City / town · 1 listings · 31 mi away
Mankato
City / town · 23 listings · 34 mi away
My experience
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