 By the 1870s the railroads had extended their rails to Minneapolis / St. Paul and they began to actively advertise northern Minnesota as a tourist destination . The 1878 Chicago , Burlington & Quincy railway promotional booklet , A Guide to the Summer Resorts of Minnesota , told of the delights and health benefits of travel to the upper Minnesota region : " The scenery is unequaled and the invigorating air is so rich in oxygen and ozone that it is unsurpassed anywhere in the world and is sure to offer to the tourist and the invalid a hearty welcome , confident that the one will surely find rest and enjoyment , and the other that much coveted of earthly blessings — health . " The booklet describes the coach ride from Minneapolis to Minnehaha Falls : " One of the famous trips that few tourists miss taking is that from Minneapolis to St. Paul by carriage . Starting from the former place on the west side of the river , a pleasant drive of four miles over a level prairie , brings the traveler to Where the Falls of Minnehaha Flash and gleam among the oak trees . Laugh and leap into the valley . The round trip fare from St. Louis to Minneapolis was $ 30 and it featured Pullman sleeping cars . The booklet lists the population of Minneapolis as 40 @,@ 000 at that time . 
