By Jennifer Ciotta

Today F. Scott Fitzgerald's spirit remains alive in the streets of St. Paul, Minnesota. Summit Street paints an intimate picture of the author. At 593 and 599 Summit Street, Fitzgerald rewrote his first novel. Upon publication, he ran and jumped in the street unable to contain his excitement. Marie Hersey, the author's longtime friend, and wife Zelda's fashion advisor lived at 475 Summit. Scott made friends with the young author residents at 513; meanwhile, Sinclair Lewis dabbled in biography writing right across the street at 516. A small distance away is the Commodore Hotel, where the Fitzgerald and his wife partied so much that their realtor advised them to move. 

Minnesota's Public Radio Fitzgerald Theater hosts film festivals, Broadway musicals, concerts and vaudeville shows. It's the oldest theater space in St. Paul, originally named the Sam S. Shubert Theater after the late brother of Lee and J.J. Shubert, two of the era's entertainment moguls. From 1980 to 1986 the live radio program, A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor, aired here. 

The nightlife is a must-do for Fitzgerald fans, since he was known as the social king during his heyday. Martini's, voted the best martini bar in St. Paul, has a futuristic look and serves as a great after-work hang out or a place to chat. For a rowdier time, Stubs and Herb's, voted top college bar, features a long list of local brews and university-named bar food.  A tourist should be prepared for a complete drunken debauchery, just as Fitzgerald liked it.  For even crazier time, dance club Ground Zero and The Front hosts themed nights such as: Bikes and Babes; Bondage a Go-Go and deejays spinning anything from 1950's and 1960's music to techno punk to Michael Jackson.  Fitzgerald would be proud. 

Advertisement: