Highland Park Water Tower will open to visitors this weekend

The Highland Park Water Tower in St. Paul will open its doors this weekend, offering visitors a rare opportunity to step inside the landmark .

The water tower at 782 Snelling Ave. S will let people take a free trek to the top from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13.

Visitors at the semi-annual open house will have to mount more than 150 steps up the water tower's spiral staircase. At the top, the observation deck offers a panoramic view of Highland Park and the Mississippi River .

Additionally, on Saturday evening, the St. Paul Regional Water Service will host "Tower After Hours," an event featuring light projections on the tower by artist Con Rice. The video includes images from SPRWS facilities with a focus on the healing properties of water.

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